If you own a Bunn coffee maker, you know it’s a reliable workhorse. But to keep it making great coffee, you need to know how do you clean a Bunn coffee maker properly. Regular cleaning prevents mineral buildup, removes stale coffee oils, and ensures every pot tastes fresh. It’s not hard, but it does require a specific routine. Let’s walk through the simple steps to keep your machine in top shape.
How Do You Clean a Bunn Coffee Maker
This is your complete guide for routine maintenance. We’ll cover everything from daily habits to a monthly deep clean. Following these steps will extend the life of your brewer and protect the flavor of your coffee.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning
Gathering your supplies first makes the job easier. You likely have most of these at home already.
- White vinegar or a commercial coffee maker cleaner (like Urnex)
- Fresh, cold water
- A soft cloth or sponge
- A mild dish soap
- A small brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly)
- A paperclip or similar thin tool
- A large carafe or measuring jug (if your decanter is small)
Daily and Weekly Cleaning Habits
Good coffee starts with simple daily care. These small actions make a big difference over time.
After Each Use: The Basics
Get into the habit of doing this right after brewing. First, discard the used coffee grounds and filter. Then, rinse the coffee pot and brew basket with warm water. Don’t use soap every time, as it can leave a residue. Just a good rinse is enough. Wipe down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth to remove any coffee splashes or dust. This keeps your brewer looking new.
The Weekly Rinse Cycle
Once a week, run a clean water cycle. This helps flush out any loose coffee particles or oils. Fill the water tank with fresh cold water. Place a clean filter in the empty basket. Put the empty carafe on the warming plate. Then, run a full brewing cycle. Discard this water. It’s a quick five-minute task that maintains your machine’s internal pathways.
The Monthly Deep Cleaning Process
This is the most important process for removing scale and oils. Plan to do this about once a month, or more often if you have hard water. Here’s the step-by-step method.
- Prepare the Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and fresh cold water. For most Bunn models, you’ll need about half a carafe of each. Never use straight vinegar, as it’s too acidic.
- Fill and Start: Pour the vinegar solution into the brewer’s water tank. Place a clean filter in the empty basket. Put your empty coffee carafe on the warming plate to catch the liquid.
- Start a Brew Cycle: Turn on the brewer and let it run half of a cycle. Then, stop the machine. Let the vinegar solution sit in the system for 30 minutes to an hour. This soaking time is crucial for breaking down mineral deposits.
- Complete the Cycle: After soaking, turn the brewer back on to finish the cycle. Discard the hot vinegar water from the carafe.
- Rinse Thoroughly: This step is critical. Fill the water tank with fresh cold water only. Run a full brew cycle with a clean filter and the empty carafe. Discard that water. Repeat this rinse cycle 2-3 more times to ensure all vinegar smell and taste is gone from the system.
Cleaning Individual Components
While the vinegar cycle runs, you can clean the removable parts. This ensures every piece of the system is fresh.
The Carafe (Coffee Pot)
Coffee oils stick to the glass. To clean it, use warm water, a little dish soap, and a soft sponge. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the inside of the carafe, especially the bottom. Rinse it extremely well. If your carafe is glass, avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent cracking.
The Brew Funnel (or Spray Head)
This is the part that holds the filter and grounds. Remove it according to your manual. Wash it in warm, soapy water. Use a small brush to scrub the small holes where water sprays out. A clogged spray head leads to uneven brewing. Rinse it thoroughly and let it air dry before putting it back.
The Water Tank
Unplug the machine and let it cool. Empty any remaining water from the tank. Wipe the inside with a damp cloth. If you see any scale, use a vinegar-dampened cloth to wipe it away. Don’t submerge the main unit in water. Just a careful wipe is sufficient for the tank interior.
The Warming Plate
Coffee spills can bake onto the warming plate. Make sure the plate is completely cool. Dampen a cloth with a vinegar-water mix and gently scrub the plate. For tough stains, a paste of baking soda can help. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth afterwards. Be careful not to let liquid drip into the machine’s internal parts.
Descaling Your Bunn Coffee Maker
Descaling is similar to the vinegar clean but uses a stronger product for hard water areas. If you see white flakes in your coffee or the brewer seems slow, it’s time to descale.
- Use a commercial descaling solution made for coffee makers, following the package directions exactly.
- Or, you can use a stronger citric acid solution, but vinegar is usually fine for monthly maintenance.
- Always, always follow a descaling treatment with multiple fresh water rinse cycles. This prevents any chemical aftertaste.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes cleaning solves performance problems. Here are a few common fixes.
Slow Brewing Time
This is almost always caused by mineral scale in the internal tubes. A thorough monthly vinegar or descaling clean should fix it. Also, check that the spray head holes are not clogged with coffee grounds.
Water Not Getting Hot Enough
If your coffee is lukewarm, the thermostat might be affected by scale. A good descaling can help. Also, ensure the carafe is the correct one for your model. A cracked or incorrect carafe won’t seal properly on the warming plate.
Coffee Tastes Bad or Vinegary
This means you didn’t rinse enough after a vinegar clean. Run 3-4 full cycles of fresh water through the machine. If the taste persists, try using a baking soda solution (1/4 cup baking soda in a full tank of water) for one cycle, followed by several clear water rinses. This can neutralize leftover acidity.
Important Safety Tips
Always put safety first when cleaning any appliance. Unplug your Bunn coffee maker before cleaning any external parts or the water tank. Never immerse the main unit, cord, or plug in water or other liquids. Allow the machine to cool completely before you handle the carafe or warming plate. And always handle the carafe with care, especially when it’s hot or when washing it.
Maintaining Your Clean Machine
Now that your Bunn is sparkling, keep it that way. Use filtered water if your tap water is hard. This dramatically reduces scale buildup. Empty the water tank if you won’t be using the machine for a few days. Store it with the lid open to let air circulate and prevent mildew. Following the daily and weekly tips will make your monthly deep clean much quicker and easier.
FAQ Section
How often should I clean my Bunn coffee maker?
You should do a full vinegar or descaling clean about once a month. If you use very hard water or brew coffee multiple times a day, consider doing it every two to three weeks. The weekly water rinse and daily pot rinse are also important.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar to clean my coffee maker?
Yes, you can. Lemon juice is a natural acid that can help with scale. However, it may not be as effective as vinegar or commercial cleaner and can sometimes leave a citrus scent. If you use it, be prepared to run extra rinse cycles afterwards.
What is the best way to clean a Bunn velocity brew system?
The process is very similar. The key for Velocity Brew models is to ensure the spray head (often a flat plate with holes) is removed and cleaned carefully. Refer to your manual for how to detach it. Soaking it in vinegar water can help clear any clogged holes.
Why is my Bunn coffee maker dripping water?
A drip is often a sign of a clogged or misaligned spray head. Make sure it’s seated correctly after cleaning. It could also be a worn-out gasket or seal. Check for any visible cracks in the funnel or carafe lid. Proper cleaning of the spray head often solves minor dripping issues.
How do I clean the outside of my Bunn brewer?
Unplug the unit and let it cool. Use a soft cloth dampened with a mild soapy water solution. Wring it out well so it’s only damp, not wet. Gently wipe the exterior. Avoid any abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the finish. Dry it with a clean towel.
A clean Bunn is a happy Bunn. Taking these steps ensures your coffee always tastes its best and your machine lasts for years. The whole process becomes a quick routine once you’ve done it a few times. Your morning coffee will thank you for the effort, delivering a clean, pure flavor cup after cup. Remember, consistency is key—don’t wait for a problem to start your cleaning habit.