The Bunn coffee maker is a popular machine used for household coffee brewing. The Bunn coffee machine produces rich, flavorful coffee that makes every morning better. However, the coffee maker can get grime buildup as well as mold, bacteria, and coffee stains that you will need to clean out at home.
In this article, we'll show you how to clean a Bunn coffee maker at home with a homemade descaling solution that is sure to get the grime out of your machine. Get a full-bodied, crisp brew that tastes better and won't have that slimy film of mold or gritty mineral deposits. Here's what you'll need to get started:
What You'll Need
- Tabz Coffee Brewer Cleaning Tablets for Bunn OR
- DIY Descaling Solution:
- Vinegar or Lemon juice
- Water
- Baking soda
- Liquid dish soap or Dishwasher detergent
- Sponge
- Coffee Filter
How to Clean a Bunn Coffee Maker: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Remove Coffee Grounds
If you've just finished brewing a pot of coffee, remove the old filter, and dump out the coffee grounds first. Give the basket a light rinse, then place it back into your Bunn coffee maker. Do the same to the coffee pot to remove any remaining brew.
Step 2: Place a Filter in the Basket
Place a new filter into the brew funnel, but don't put any coffee grounds in it. The filter will catch any large mineral deposits and debris from the cleaning process, and it is helpful to have a filter to prevent your brew funnel from clogging up.
Step 3: Fill the Water Reservoir with Descaling Solution
Fill the water tank with your preferred descaling solution. If you're using a commercial cleaning solution, such as Tabz, follow the manufacturer's guide to clean your Bunn coffee maker. Place the tablet in the brew basket, and run a cycle to clean the basket and the Bunn coffee pot. Rinse out the parts afterwards to remove coffee stains.
However, a DIY descaling solution works to clean your entire Bunn coffee maker from the inside. An acidic solution will remove the mineral deposits and grime build up from the water pipes, and clean the basket, spray head, and coffee pot at the same time.
Fill the water reservoir with equal parts water and white vinegar or lemon juice, and 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda. The vinegar will kill mold and dissolve hardened mineral buildup, while baking soda will act as a scrubber to clean the inside of your coffee maker.
Step 4: Run a Brewing Cycle
Run a brewing cycle to funnel the descaling solution through the coffee machine. Let the coffee maker run until the water tank is completely empty, draining the coffee pot as it fills up with liquid. You may notice particles in the coffee pot as the water passes through the spray head, which is normal since the cleaning solution filters out grime from inside your coffee maker.
Step 5: Run Rinse Cycles
Fill up the water tank with plain water, and run a couple of rinse cycles. This will remove any remaining debris in your coffee machine, and get rid of residue from the cleaning solution. You may need to run two or three rinse cycles to get your Bunn coffee maker free from the vinegar solution. Rinse until the water in the coffee pot no longer smells like vinegar.
Step 6: Clean the Coffee Pot and Filter Basket
Let your Bunn coffee pot cool, then wash them by hand or in the dishwasher. Use a soft sponge to clean Bunn coffee pots, and rinse with plain water. Clean the spray head of your coffee maker as well, but be careful as the spray head may be hot to the touch.
Step 7: Let Your Bunn Coffee Maker Dry
Take a soft cloth and wipe the outside of Bunn coffee makers with warm water. Let the machine dry before storing to prevent mold build up. Dry your coffee pot clean with a kitchen towel, and do the same to the brewer basket.
Tips for a Better, Cleaner Brew
- Use a new filter for each brew cycle. Brewing your coffee with the same filter over and over again will cause your brew to taste stale, and can build up bacteria and mold in your machine.
- Make sure to clean your coffee machine once every month. The more you use your coffee maker, the more frequent you should be cleaning it.
- Avoid leaving coffee overnight. Not only will this stain your coffee pots, it will make the coffee go stale, and will attract bacteria.
- Rinse your filters before using. A good rinse of your paper filter will get rid of small fibers and paper particles that may otherwise get into your brew.
- Keep your Bunn coffee machine dry. Storing your coffee maker while wet increases the chances of mold growth in your machine. Always store your coffee maker dry.
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