How To Clean A Stainless Steel Coffee Pot?

By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
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Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: September 04, 2023
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A shiny stainless steel coffee pot makes quite a statement and an excellent addition to a gleaming kitchen – for example, there are some beautiful models by Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach. Unfortunately, it can quickly become an eyesore due to the coffee and tea brewed that leave stains on it. You must regularly remove the stains. Regular and prompt stain removal will keep your coffee pot in the best condition. It will also save you hours spent scrubbing and trying to remove these stains. In this post, we will consider how to clean a stainless steel coffee pot. There are many types of coffee pot cleaners on the market; hence, it can be challenging finding the right one for you.

Coffee pots like stainless steel carafes or coffee percolators can be difficult to clean, not only because coffee stains are notoriously hard to get rid of, but also because of the way they are designed. Most of them come with a broad base and small openings, all in a bid to keep the coffee steaming hot. The opening might be big enough for you to get your hand through, but too small to move around while cleaning. We have provided practical solutions to assist you in cleaning your pot.

What you need to clean your coffee pot effectively

How To Clean A Stainless Steel Coffee Pot?If you love coffee, you probably drink at least one cup every day and are left wondering how to clean up the mess in the pot. Instead of throwing away money by buying a new coffee pot every year, let us help you get rid of those stains effectively.

Before we delve into how to clean and what you need, we need to know what causes these stains. Your coffee drink is almost entirely made of water, and the rest is made of soluble plant matter. It is this coffee grounds, this plant matter that makes coffee colored, and it is what stains your pot.

There are different materials you can use. Some are commercially produced, while others are a combination of homemade stuff and regular substances you can find in your kitchen. Here are some of these materials you can use.

  1. Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the oldest cleaners known to humankind. The acidic properties make it an effective cleaner, and it is a fantastic substance for removing any lingering coffee stains. Cleaning with vinegar is rather easy and straightforward. All you need to do is to pour a mixture of vinegar and water into the coffee pot, heat it, leave it for a while (preferably overnight), then rinse. Your coffee pot carafe will regain its clean, sparkling look!

  1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is universally acclaimed as one of the most useful powders in the home. It can be used for so many things, and it is no surprise that it can also be used in cleaning your coffee pot. If you want to keep your pot clean, this cleaning agent is one of the most effective agents you can use.

Just as with vinegar, using baking soda is easy. Pour it into the pot and mix it with hot water. Leave overnight and rinse it out the following day to discover your coffee pot, looking as good as new.

  1. Hydrogen Peroxide

One hack in whitening stuff, from dirty sneakers to stained teeth, is by using a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This combination also does wonders for a stained coffee pot. Mix the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and hot water in a pot. Then leave for an hour before you rinse out.

  1. Dishwashing powder

Dishwashing powder is mainly used for dishes, but it is also an effective coffee pot cleaner.

  1. Denture cleaning balls

You can use denture-cleaning balls for cleaning loads of stuff, including stained coffee pots.

In the following section, we will consider in-depth methods of how to use each of the cleaning agents above.

  1. Lemons

The citric acid found in lemons is a powerful cleaning agent. It acts to loosen the tough particles lodged in the stainless coffee pot.

  1. Commercial cleaners

How To Clean A Stainless Steel Coffee Pot?Commercial-grade cleaners are designed to clean stains on kitchen utensils and can be used for coffee pots. As you choose a cleaner, ensure that it isn’t a harsh cleaner that can scratch or discolor your coffee pot. You can opt for a mildly aggressive cleaner that will remove the oils in the coffee that are responsible for the coffee stains.

Cleaning process

Let us now consider how to use each of these agents to clean your coffee pot.

Using dishwasher pods

For this cleaning method, you will require the following:

  • Kettle
  • Dishwasher pod
  • Water

How to do it

  • Boil some water in the kettle and add the dishwasher pod into the pot
  • Get a washing area for the pot ( preferably the sink)
  • Add the boiled water to the coffee pot until it is filled up
  • Leave the boiling water in the pot for half an hour
  • Carefully stir the water in the pot and ensure that stains are removed
  • Pour out the now soiled water
  • Rinse the pot to remove residue of dishwasher pods and the stains.

Using Vinegar

As pointed out earlier, vinegar is a very useful cleaning agent. Here is how to use it.

  • Rinse out the coffee pot and remove as many stains as you can. If your pot has a coffee and water filter, ensure you remove these before cleaning.
  • Next, fill the pot with a mixture of vinegar and water. The ratio should be equal. The vinegar will act to loosen stains, remove bacteria, and eliminate any mold buildup in the pot.
  • If you are using a drip coffee maker, run it through a drip cycle and let the mixture sit in the carafe for up to 20 minutes. You can repeat this process until your carafe is clean.
  • If it is a regular pot, you should leave the mixture for a longer time, overnight if possible
  • Pour out the mixture and rinse the pot with clean water

Using Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

To use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, you will need the following:

  • 1 cup of baking soda
  • Water
  • Dish brush
  • And a half cup of hydrogen peroxide

How to clean the coffee pot with only baking soda

  • Pour a cup of baking soda into the pot and fill it will warm, clean water
  • Next, with the aid of the dish scrub, thoroughly scrub the interior of the pot
  • Pour out the dirty water
  • Rinse with water

If, after using baking soda, the stains remain, then you should consider using hydrogen peroxide as well. Here are the steps to follow.

  • Pour a half cup of hydrogen peroxide and two tablespoons of baking soda in the pot
  • Stir the mixture for about a minute and leave for 30 minutes
  • Pour out the mixture and rinse with hot water

Using vinegar and salt

How To Clean A Stainless Steel Coffee Pot?This combination might seem odd, but it is one very effective means of cleaning your coffee pot. To use this method, you will require:

  • Six cubes of ice
  • Half cup of vinegar
  • Half cup of salt

How to do it

  • Put the six cubes of ice into the coffee pot or coffee maker
  • Add the half cup of vinegar
  • Add the half cup of salt and mix
  • Stir the mixture and scrub as well as you can until the ice turns liquid or the stain vanishes
  • Rinse the pot to get rid of the vinegar smell or taste

Using lemons

Yes, lemons can be used to clean your coffee pot. After using baking soda or vinegar, some stubborn stains refuse to come out. Then it is time to break out the big guns.

Using lemons is very easy. Cut up a lemon and squeeze the entire contents into the carafe or coffee pot. Add some salt for extra firepower. Some folks add enough salt to cover the bottom of the pot. Stir the mixture thoroughly and leave in the coffee pot for several hours.

Come back armed with a dish sponge and thoroughly scrub the pot. You will be amazed at the result. You can repeat the process for as long as possible until the stains are removed.

Using commercial cleaners

Commercial cleaners can be applied in different ways. Some of these cleaners need scrubbing, while others require the pot cycle to clean the machine. As these come in various brands, instructions for use are usually written on the packaging.

In conclusion

You have many options on how to keep your coffee pot clean. From using vinegar to baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to using lemons, there are many ways to get rid of those stubborn stains. Most people have these cleaning agents lying around the kitchen. So look around and grab a couple to use.

Furthermore, the cleaning process is straightforward and easy. After using these methods, you will be astonished by how well they work. Cleaning these pots is easy, only if you have the right agents to use. We hope the instructions here will assist you the next time you clean your coffee pot. Happy cleaning and brewing!

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