Several months ago I wrote a blog about how I brew coffee at home.  The coffee makers I use are not automatic; I grind the coffee beans, boil water in a kettle on the stove, pour it over the coffee grounds and enjoy.  But that’s me, that’s how I like to make coffee.  Not everyone wants to stand over the stove first thing in the morning, bleary eyed, waiting for water to boil.  Most people want to walk into the kitchen, throw coffee into the brew basket, fill up the coffee maker with water, turn it on and jump in the shower.

Automatic home brewers come in all shapes and sizes; what you decide to purchase is a personal choice.  Most automatic home coffee brewers make about the same quality cup.

So what can you do to ensure you get the most out of your automatic brewer?

1.  Purchase whole bean coffee and grind just before brewing.  Only buy what you will use in a week.  This is the single most important part of making a great cup, no matter how you brew it.  Fresh is always best!

2.  It would seem I shouldn’t have to say this but… USE FRESH FILTERED WATER!

3.  Clean your carafe and brew basket regularly.  Coffee oils attach to plastic quite easily.  These oils will sour and that taste will be passed into your cup.  Use small amounts of mild soap and a brush or pot scrubber to get into the nooks and crannies.  Rinse well and then rinse some more.  Also wash the carafe and rinse; do this at least twice a week.  On the other five days, rinse both pieces with hot water.  The key here is to use small amounts of mild soap, something with little or no fragrance.  You don’t want your next pot of coffee tasting like Dawn or Palmolive!

4.  Monthly, you should clean the the “inside” of the coffee maker.  Hard water deposits can build up inside the heat exchanger.  This is the area the water flows through to get heated.  Combine in your coffee pot a mix of 1 part white vinegar to two parts cold  water.  Pour into the reservoir, place the carafe under the brew basket and turn on the brewer.  Allow the mixture to pass completely through the coffee maker and discard down the drain.  To rinse, let the brewer cool for 30 minutes before pouring in another pot of fresh cold water and brewing.  Repeat the cold water rinse again to ensure none of the vinegar/water solution is left inside.  If you been using your coffee maker for years without doing this procedure, you may have to repeat this cleaning process.  Doing this once a month will keep the guts free of mineral deposits and it will ensure the machine continues to heat efficiently.

By following these tips, your automatic coffee maker will give you a great tasting cup and years of reliable service.