Community Forums

DCMAC214 · 03-29-2021, 11:43 AM

RE drip coffee brewer like Mr Coffee, etc.

How do you keep crud from growing in the coffee brewer in between camping trips, or extended storage? It's easy enough to keep the carafe, basket, etc, dry so nothing grows there but what about the water reservoir and "plumbing" inside that you can't get to?

**pasdad1** · 03-29-2021, 12:18 PM

I run a cycle with vinegar through the machine. Leave the vinegar residue (do not rinse until ready to use again). I think the acidic vinegar is not a hospitable environment for most nasty stuff to grow.

TMyers17 · 03-29-2021, 12:20 PM

The way we try to combat growth is with white vinegar. We mix 50/50 water and white vinegar and run about half the cycle then unplug it. This traps the solution in the pump and lines. I leave it in them about 30 minutes then plug it back in to finish. Afterwards, I run a pot of water to rinse.

I bet it would disgust a lot of folks if they knew what they were drinking.

twogypsies · 03-29-2021, 12:57 PM

You could use a stovetop coffee perculator. They make excellent coffee! That's what we used since we boondocked on public lands most of the time and we didn't have electric.

Ray,IN · 03-29-2021, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

I run a cycle with vinegar through the machine. Leave the vinegar residue (do not rinse until ready to use again). I think the acidic vinegar is not a hospitable environment for most nasty stuff to grow.

Vinegar is a disinfectant. although it has limitations.

Old-Biscuit · 03-29-2021, 10:39 PM

Empty it, turn it upside down and let it fully drain/dry out

daveandcarol · 03-30-2021, 11:51 PM

I thought the "crud" in the pot was what gave coffee its flavor...

Boogie_ · 03-31-2021, 05:25 AM

We use dollar store coffee makers.

Usually get them for $10 - $20 bucks.

Although we do clean them after a trip, if we don't like what we see, it's thrown in the trash.

Usually have a spare on hand that DW scooped up on sale for cheap.

C.Martin · 03-31-2021, 05:37 AM

The calcium scale buildup it can be prevented with water that has passed thru an ion exchange filter like the BWT filter. Zero Water can help...but may effect flavor.

If it’s there...mild acid such as Vinegar or Citric Acid solution will help.

For coffee oils... Urnex Cafiza cleans them away.

MSHappyCampers · 03-31-2021, 09:30 AM

We run the coffee pot through a cycle with 50/50 mixture of clorox and water! That cleans it thoroughly. Then we run another cycle of just water to get the clorox smell out.

Mudfrog · 03-31-2021, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveandcarol

I thought the "crud" in the pot was what gave coffee its flavor...

You beat me to it!

I'm the only one that drinks coffee in my Family so I don't worry about it. If the pot has sit for weeks/month/s, then I simply fire it up and run a pot of clean water through it before making the first pot of coffee.

GoneToTheDog · 03-31-2021, 07:27 PM

I am a 'one cup in the morning' guy, so I use Folgers Singles. (just like tea bags)
Two to three minutes to heat the water in the microwave, let the bag steep a minute or two, and done.
No coffee maker that needs constant washing/cleaning, or to take up room on the kitchen counter. Perfect for the motorhome, and it's all I use at home also.

propchef · 03-31-2021, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

We run the coffee pot through a cycle with 50/50 mixture of clorox and water! That cleans it thoroughly. Then we run another cycle of just water to get the clorox smell out.

Chlorox is not really a good idea, it reacts with anything aluminum and other metals and leaves a residue. Beach shouldn't be used past 100ppm. Vinegar is a much safer alternative and does a great job.

Ldubs · 03-31-2021, 11:03 PM

Oh boy, I had not thought of this. We use a one-cup Keurig. I assume it will have the same potential issue.

Thanks everyone for the heads up and potential solution.

BTW, I like the Keurig a lot but can't use it early in the morning when we don't have shore power (neighbors won't like an early morning generator). Like @Twogypsies says, the old camping percolator makes pretty good coffee.