Is cleaning my coffee carafe necessary for better tasting coffee?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the necessity of cleaning coffee carafes and its impact on the taste of coffee. Participants share personal experiences and varying practices regarding the cleaning of coffee-making equipment, including carafes, pots, and espresso machines.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that cleaning the coffee carafe is essential to avoid a muddy taste in coffee, citing personal experiences with buildup affecting flavor.
  • Others argue that they do not clean their coffee equipment regularly, relying instead on rinsing or minimal cleaning, and express uncertainty about the impact on taste.
  • A participant mentions a traditional method of making coffee that involves not cleaning the kettle, suggesting that the buildup may enhance flavor for some.
  • Some participants highlight the role of hard water in affecting coffee taste, indicating that cleaning is prompted by noticeable changes in flavor.
  • There are differing opinions on the necessity of cleaning based on personal preferences for coffee taste, with some expressing a preference for instant coffee due to its convenience and lower energy use compared to brewed coffee.
  • Concerns are raised about rancid oils and lime buildup affecting coffee taste, with some participants advocating for regular cleaning practices.
  • One participant humorously notes the time-consuming nature of cleaning and preparing coffee, suggesting instant coffee as a simpler alternative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether cleaning is necessary for better-tasting coffee. Multiple competing views exist regarding cleaning practices and their effects on flavor.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific cleaning methods, such as using vinegar or soap, while others express limitations in their cleaning routines due to the design of their coffee equipment. The discussion reflects a variety of personal habits and preferences without resolving the debate on cleaning necessity.

Do you clean your coffee pot?

  • Total voters
    30
  • #31
We clean our equipment every Sunday, mainly for the reasons Evo mentioned. Coffee starts to taste a bit funky after a few weeks of buildup.
 
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  • #32
xxChrisxx said:
EDIT: Also to the poster above, instant coffee tastes ****. So no point in making it in the first place. Then you can save your 47p by not buying Tesco rubbish.
There are nice instant coffees Nescafe Gold Blend and Blend37 - but instant has such a bad rep outside the UK you can't buy them anywhere else.
They are better than 'supermarket brand' ground coffee in the USA and a lot more convenient.
 
  • #33
NobodySpecial said:
There are nice instant coffees Nescafe Gold Blend and Blend37 - but instant has such a bad rep outside the UK you can't buy them anywhere else.
They are better than 'supermarket brand' ground coffee in the USA and a lot more convenient.

Or just have the best of both worlds... Augment your brewed coffee with instant. But still clean the pot. The idea of gray fuzzy mold...
 
  • #34
easiest way I've found to clean coffee patina off glass is automatic dishwasher powder (which i think is mostly trisodium phosphate and a bit of chlorine bleach) and hot water. shake/swirl/sit/rinse. easy-peasy.

for calcium deposits on the water heating element of the coffee maker, i pour hot vinegar into the back of the thing where the water goes and turn it on. you get rewarded with a pot full of vinegar, calcium acetate, and calcium sand.
 
  • #35
NobodySpecial said:
There are nice instant coffees

this statement is false
 
  • #36
Proton Soup said:
this statement is false
I've actually had a few instants that weren't bad. They were in foil pouches, maybe that helped.
 
  • #37
Yesterday I decided to take the next step. I added ~250ml of white vinegar to the water and ran in thorough the coffee maker. Today I actually think I tasted an improvement in our coffee. I am still not convinced that cleaning the patina out of our carafe made any difference but just maybe there were some mineral deposits in the heater mechanism which were adding something to the water.
 

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