How to Clean a Coffee Maker

1. Mix a full coffee pot with a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts of water. In the area where you usually add coffee, put in a filter.
2. Pour the mixture into the water reservoir of the coffee maker and turn the coffee maker on.
3. Wait until the mixture has completely run through, toss out the filter and shut the coffee pot off for 3 minutes. Pour the vinegar and water mixture down the drain. Rinse the coffee pot, and fill again, but this time with with plain cold water. Use another clean filter.
4. Run the plain cold water through the water reservoir to remove the mixture completely. Pour this water down the drain also.
5. Run completely through, turn the drip coffee maker off and let it cool for 5 minutes before using it to make coffee. If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture.
6. Never wash the coffee pot with soap, this will bind with the oils deposited by the coffee, and will leave a taste behind. Do not wash in the dishwasher, for the same reason. Instead, put about two cups of crushed ice, 1/4 cup rock or table salt, and 1/4 cup lemon juice (bottled or fresh is fine) and swirl around the pot. Measurements are not that important, just guesstimate. For tough stains scrub using a paper towel or clean (not soapy) dishtowel. Rinse thoroughly. This is how restaurants clean their pots, for that rich taste that is so elusive at home.