How To Clean Mr Coffee Espresso Machine – Barista HQ

Having a Mr. Coffee espresso maker in your home can make getting your caffeine fix a much more relaxing on-demand experience.

Alongside the joy of owning coffee makers is the essential knowledge of how to take care of them. Need to know how to clean Mr. Coffee espresso machine models?

We have everything you need to know below to get you back to brewing in no time.

Man Brewing From A Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine

There are two types of cleaning for your coffee maker - regular and deep cleaning.

Regular cleans are done every day or every week, depending on how often you go through those coffee grounds. 

This simple process is quick and ensures you get top-quality coffee every time.

Here are our tips on how to clean a Mr. Coffee espresso machine.

What You’ll Need To Get The Job Done

  • A damp microfibre cloth
  • A toothpick or small dull needle
  • Cleaning toothbrush
  • White vinegar and water solution
  • Lemon juice and water solution
  • Hot soapy water

How To Do It

Step 1 - Prep Your Machine & Space

Turn off the machine and unplug your Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista power cord. Gather the supplies above and situate everything near your sink and bin.

Fill a sink or container with hot soapy water and prep a damp microfibre cloth.

Alternatively, you can mix a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and hot water or lemon juice and hot water to wash your parts in.

Step 2 - Clean and Remove Frothing Aid

Wipe down your milk frother with the damp microfibre cloth, making sure to scrub at the entrance to remove any clogs or dried milk with the toothbrush or toothpick.

You may need to remove the frothing aid to get at the stubborn stuck spots. Press the frothing tube button to remove any debris once done.

Step 3 - Remove And Clean External Removable Parts

Remove the drip tray, filter basket, reservoir, brew head, and carafe before washing them in warm soapy water.

You can scrub any stubborn spots with the toothbrush, damp cloth, or toothpick, depending on how narrow the area is.

If you are struggling, let them soak for a while before scrubbing again. Once done, let these parts air dry.

Step 4 - Clean The Knock Box, Portafilter, And Water Reservoir

If applicable, empty your knock box and portafilter before washing and air drying them. If you have a removable water reservoir, empty it and wash it the same way.

We do not recommend putting any of these external parts in the dishwasher as they may become damaged in the cleaning cycle.

Step 5 - Clean The Coffee Filter and Grinder

If your model has a coffee grinder, open it up according to manual instruction, empty the old beans and brush away any old coffee grounds. Refill with new beans and seal back up.

Step 6 - Wipe Down The Outside Of Your Mr. Coffee Machine

Wipe the housing of the machine down with your soft wet cloth. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaners and scouring pads, as this will damage the stainless steel finish.

A damp cloth is perfect for getting the job done while maintaining its finish.

Step 7 - Dry And Reassemble Your Espresso Machine Parts

Once all of your external parts are washed and completely dry, reassemble them in their rightful places. Plug in and turn on your clean Mr. Coffee machine.

While quick and easy, these steps ensure that your coffee-making routine remains smooth sailing between deep cleaning sessions.

Always remember to rinse and refill your water reservoir, check on the steam system, and remove any old coffee grounds.


Deep Cleaning Of Your Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine

Your machine’s outer parts are not the only pieces that need maintenance. The inside of espresso machines is both where the magic happens and where unseen issues can occur.

Your water supply has various levels of small white deposits. These are minerals, or mineral deposits, often made of calcium and magnesium deposits.

While these are not harmful to you, a build-up of these deposits can adversely affect the effectiveness of your machine and the quality of your brews.

A build-up of hard water deposits and limescale can lead to clogged parts and excess wear, limiting the lifespan of your machine and creating poor brews.

The best way to deal with these is to delime the water reservoir and other internal parts frequently, particularly if you are living in areas with high levels of limescale in your water supply.

Rinsing a Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine

Regularly follow these instructions to continue to brew espresso in a coffee maker that will work properly.

What You’ll Need

  • Undiluted white household vinegar
  • Water
  • The glass carafe or another container

How To Do It

  • 1
    Turn Off And Unplug
    Turn off and unplug your Mr. Coffee espresso maker from the electrical outlet.
  • 2
    Delime Water Reservoir
    Fill the water tank with one cup of white vinegar, making sure to re-secure the lid properly. Let the vinegar sit overnight.
  • 3
    Discard All The Vinegar
    The next day, discard vinegar leftovers and rinse the reservoir thoroughly with water.
  • 4
    Fill Your Coffee Makers System
    Pour fresh white vinegar into the glass carafe until it reaches the top metal band fill line. Then, pour this vinegar into the water reservoir and secure it.
  • 5
    Insert The Brew And Filter Basket
    Insert the brew basket and filter.
  • 6
    Protect Surfaces From Excessive Steaming And Overflowing
    Place the carafe with a lid onto the drip tray to catch any drips from the vinegar solution.
  • 7
    Slowly Turn The Brew Cycle On
    Plug your Mr. Coffee espresso maker in and turn it on. Turn the control knob to “brew” to run a brew cycle. If there is still some debris, you can run a delime cycle here as well.
  • 8
    Steam The Milk Froth Aid
    When the vinegar starts to flow into the carafe, place a cup of cold water under the frother and froth for 10 seconds.
  • 9
    Let Machine Cool And Empty Descale Solution
    Once the vinegar flow has stopped, wait for your machine to cool before emptying the liquid out. If you notice any steam or clogged valves or need to change the filter, do it once the espresso machine is cool.
  • 10
    Rinse Out And Clean Your Mr. Coffee Machine
    Repeat the above brew cycle process with water to remove any remaining traces of vinegar residue, descale solution, or old coffee residue left inside the machine. You may need to perform one or two rinse brew cycles to remove any calcium deposits or hydrogen peroxide solution. Remember to replace the water in the water reservoir with fresh water once done.

The suggested cleaning intervals for descaling your espresso machine depend on how hard or soft your water supply is.

It is recommended that you do this deep descale clean every 80 brews or so for soft water areas. The recommended cleaning interval for descaling in hard water areas is around every 40 brews.[1]

If the problem persists, you may need to switch to using bottled water instead of only tap water while cleaning and brewing coffee or use more intensive descaling solutions on your appliance.

Your tap water may still be usable if you live in soft water areas.


Why Is Cleaning An Espresso Machine So Important?

By keeping on top of your espresso machine cleaning schedule, you not only benefit yourself but your improve the life of your coffee maker.

  • Aesthetic
    By regularly wiping down your external parts, like the control knob and filter holder, you can ensure that your coffee machine stays beautiful. This makes impressing your guests a simple task.
  • Efficiency
    When you properly clean your Mr. Coffee maker, you ensure that your machine works efficiently and avoid stressing the internal parts. This means fewer repairs and more saved money.
  • Longevity
    A regular cleaning schedule keeps your machine working well for longer, allowing you to get more bang for your buck.
  • Health
    Your coffee machine is a hotbed of mineral build-ups, mold, and bacteria. By sticking to a cleaning schedule, you prevent any of these things from damaging your health and your machine's parts.
  • Taste
    Any clog or build-up of mold in your machine will show in the cups you brew. By cleaning both the surface and internal parts of your machine, you can ensure that your coffee filter properly provides your favorite cup of joe.
Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine & Accessory Gear

Common Questions About The Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine

How do I know If I have hard water?

You can typically tell from the cups you brew as they have a thin film of deposits on the top and taste off.

You can also look up if you live in a hard area[2] or purchase a water test kit to be sure.[3]

Can hard water damage Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine?

Hard water mineral build-ups can cause a previously clean valve to become clogged, making your Mr. Coffee appliance less efficient and increasing the need to replace parts.[4]

What happens if you don't clean a Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine?

Not cleaning your Mr. Coffee espresso maker can lead to several issues.[5] Mineral build-up is one, but bacteria and mold can also build throughout areas like the water reservoir and frothing tube.

Once your machine starts to face extreme problems, it may break down or need to be sent away for repairs. This is why it is vital to clean and descale your machine regularly.


Conclusion

Your espresso maker is a vital investment for your home. Part of your responsibility to your machine is sticking to a regular cleaning schedule.

By frequently following our instructions above, you can ensure that your appliance works effectively, maintaining efficient brew cycles and a delicious brew for years to come.

We recommend making a note in your calendar so you never miss an opportunity to clean your Mr. Coffee espresso machine.

References:

1. https://www.mrcoffee.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-mrcoffee-Site/default/Support-Show?cfid=espresso-makers-faq
2. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/map-water-hardness-united-states
3. https://www.safewise.com/best-water-testing-kits/
4. https://www.mrcoffee.com/e-replacement-parts.html
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775162/

Chloe Page

Chloe Page

A lifelong mocha fan, Chloe is an award-winning writer with over eight years’ experience weaving words. You can typically find Chloe sipping on Bird and Blend tea while scribbling in a notebook.

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