BUNN is one of the most trusted coffee machines in the market. Even so, without proper maintenance and regular cleaning, it can still malfunction prematurely. To keep your machine in the best shape for as long as possible, and ultimately enjoy your money’s worth, make sure that you are doing your part.
For tips and tricks on how to keep your BUNN machines working their best, keep on reading!
BUNN coffee maker
To survive approximately 60 years in the business, it’s safe to say that Bunn coffee makers can be found in a lot of households. It delivers a delicious cup in an ideal amount of time. It also has brew temperature ranges options to choose from with a uniformed flow distribution to prevent over-brewing.
With a BUNN coffee maker, you can enjoy a soothing decaf or a great espresso at the comfort of your home.
How often should I clean my BUNN coffee maker?
There are various factors that influence how frequently each component of a coffee maker should be cleaned. While a carafe and filter basket should be rinsed off after each use, they also require more frequent cleaning than other elements of the brewing jigsaw.
The mineral content of your water also has a significant impact on how frequently you may need to descale or delime your coffee machine. According to conventional knowledge, descaling should be done every few months and deliming every few weeks.
This may alter if you use your maker more frequently than the average coffee user or if your water has more mineral deposits than usual. If you have jams in the showerhead or notice a buildup in the reservoir, delime and descale as needed.
Washing the BUNN coffee maker
If you want to be as diligent as possible, you should be washing your device every after use to keep it as clean as possible. Every brew accumulates dirt and grime so it’s best to always have it washed.
To do so, hand wash all the parts that are removable. Use warm soapy water for a more thorough clean or you may also opt to throw them into the dishwasher if you don’t have the luxury of time. Don’t forget to do some quick wipes to the exterior and warming plate too!
Keep in mind that it’s best to let the device dry with the reservoir lid open because moisture attracts germs. Have it sit for an hour then store properly.
Deep cleaning the BUNN coffee maker
Thoroughly clean the whole BUNN coffee maker once a month at the very least. Of course, the more often, the better. Take note that cleaning is different from just washing. Cleaning means you have to decalcify and remove mineral buildup as much as you can.
Cleaning materials
Here’s a list of helpful things that can help you keep your coffee machine as clean as possible:
Vinegar
Vinegar is a good cleaning tool because it can seep into the tiniest of spaces. Its acid content helps remove stains and germs and other things that can otherwise cause harm to your machine.
Dishwasher
Throw in removable parts into your dishwasher for a quick wash. This is great if you don’t have all the time in the world for some hand washing.
Dish soap or mild liquid
Most dish soaps have antibacterial content which can help keep your machine free from stains.
Soft cloth
Use a soft cloth to dust off dirt out of the surface of your coffee maker. Make sure to use a soft fabric to avoid any scratches.
Spray head
To reach spaces that are difficult to reach by hand, a pressurized spray or device can help you get into those tricky places.
Distilled water
Descaling is a process where you have a cleaning agent run in your machine to remove deposits and stains that have accumulated. To do so, you may mix distilled water and vinegar for this purpose.
A guide to cleaning a BUNN coffee maker
Removal of lime deposits
- Unplug your coffee maker from the power source.
- Look for the spray head above the decanter.
- Unscrew the spray head and place it on a dish towel.
- Locate the probe that came with your coffee maker.
- Put the probe into the hole where the spray head used to be in.
- Keep at least 2 inches of the probe external to the hole.
- Shake the probe and watch deposits and dirt fall out of the machine. Repeat for 5 to 6 times.
- Check to ensure that all holes are free of clogs.
- Should you find clogs, just remove the deposits with the use of a toothpick or an old toothbrush.
- Put the spray head under the tap and let water run through the holes.
- Once done, let the spray head dry and put it back into place.
Hard water cleaning
- Unplug your coffee maker from the power source.
- Check and ensure that the brew funnel is anchored in place.
- Position the decanter as if you’re making a cup of coffee.
- Throw in 4 cups of distilled vinegar and water into the brewer in a 50:50 ratio.
- Let the solution flow through the funnel until it reaches the decanter.
- Remove and clean the decanter then put it back in its place.
- Plug the machine and let it be for a couple of hours.
- After a couple of hours, unplug it again.
- Throw in 4 cups of cold water and allow it to flow through the system.
- Empty the decanter and set back.
- Repeat the whole process with 4 cups of cold water.
- Unscrew the spray head and let it sit.
- Get the machine with one hand under the warming plate and the other on top of it.
- Allow the remaining water to flow out into the sink.
- Screw the spray head back and plug the machine.
- Brew 6 to 8 cups into the unit.
- Empty the decanter.
- Keep running another brew until there’s no vinegar taste left.
Should you want an alternative to vinegar, you may try these:
- Coffee maker cleaners
- Straight bleach
- Water and two denture tablets solution
- Citric acid and hot-cold water in 50:50 ratio
Cleaning of the thermal carafe
- Pour 2 tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent or any liquid alkaline-based detergent into the brewing filter.
- Fill the carafe with water and turn the machine on.
- Throw the filter away but let the water sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Clean the inside of the carafe using a soft-bristle brush. Make sure to do it gently to avoid scratches.
- Rinse using cold water.
Cleaning with soap and water
- Unplug your machine and turn it off.
- Soak your coffee machine in soap and water for 30 minutes.
- With a soft sponge or a soft fabric, scrub the machine inside and out.
- Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely.
Cleaning with baking soda
- Put some baking soda on stained areas.
- Place some vinegar into a sprinkle bottle and spray the stained spots that are sprinkled with baking soda.
- Soak for 5 minutes.
- With a soft sponge or a soft fabric, scrub the machine inside and out.
- Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely.
Do’s and don’ts
Do’s
- Do wash after every use and deep clean once a month at the very least.
- Do measure your coffee to avoid any excess that can cause stains.
- Do turn off and unplug your machine before cleaning.
- Do dry all the parts completely before storage.
Don’ts
- Don’t use abrasive cleaning materials to prevent scratches.
- Don’t use a dish soap with a strong scent.
- Don’t troubleshoot without reading the instructional booklet.
- Don’t be lazy! Clean your machine!
How to Clean a BUNN Coffee Maker
Descaling a coffee maker is the removal of hard water and mineral deposits within the unit. This should be done at least once a week, more frequently if you live in a hard water location.
- Fill a coffee pot halfway with white vinegar and distilled water: Fill a coffee pot halfway with vinegar and distilled water. Make sure the mixture is 2/3 pure water and 1/3 vinegar.
- Start brewing: The next step is to pour the descaling solution into the water tank and begin brewing. This allows the combination to remove mineral deposits and lime from the machine.
- Remove the brewed cleaner: As soon as the pot is full of your brewed descaling solution, remove it.
- Clean the fittings and the spray head: Turn off the coffee maker and unplug it from the wall. Clean the spray-head and its fittings now. To begin, remove the spray head and use the spray head cleaning tool to remove deposits from the holes. Then, using the long head of the tool, clean the bypass fittings and spray head.
- Rinse the coffee maker: Now reattach the spray-head and re-plug it into the wall socket. Put distilled water in a saucepan and pour it into the machine’s reservoir as soon as it’s been turned back on. Begin another brewing cycle to help remove any leftover flavors or aromas from the solution. Repeat the procedure as needed until the aromas have faded.
FAQs
Why is my BUNN coffee maker slower than before?
What is the lifespan of a BUNN coffee maker?
How long does it take for my BUNN machine to warm up?
Final thoughts
If you want to enjoy your investment for longer, you should do your part in ensuring proper maintenance is carried out. Plus, with proper and timely cleaning, you can keep enjoying your machine like it’s brand new!
We hope our article helped you. Happy cleaning!
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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
