How to Clean a Stovetop Percolator

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If you find that your pot has coffee residue or bitter-tasting coffee, then it is time to descale it. How to Clean a Stovetop Percolator has never been easier & requires little effort.

Sometimes, you will get a bitter coffee taste with daily use of your percolator. That means it is time for deep cleaning. I am sharing two options on how to clean a stovetop percolator to maintain it and continue to have great-tasting coffee.

When I ditched the coffeemaker and started using the stovetop percolator, I never looked back. It was seriously one of the best decisions I made. Of course, using the percolator definitely takes longer for that first cup of brew in the morning. But, at least I know I will enjoy my cup of coffee before I start my day.

Here are 3 tips to ensure that your coffee is tasting its best

Maintain it by doing daily cleaning soap & water.
Never leave coffee sitting overnight
Descale it once a month

Regular Maintenance is Necessary for Your Percolator

It is best to avoid letting coffee or coffee grounds sit in the percolator overnight. To maintain your percolator and keep it in good shape, take the time to clean it every time you are done using it. You will want to drain any excess liquid and discard the used coffee grounds. Leaving the leftover coffee and coffee grounds in your percolator for too long can stain and affect the quality of your brew, tasting bitter or burnt.

Clean your percolator with dish soap & warm water. Use a non-abrasive sponge to clean the grime & residue off. If you have a small brush on hand, use it to clean the inside of the tube.

Before assembling your percolator, be sure it is free of any water. Air dry or use a tea towel to dry well. Store until ready to use.

Why should Baking Soda be used to clean a percolator?

Baking soda is known to have natural antibacterial properties and can be used to remove tough stains.

How to Descale your Percolator with Baking Soda?

Fill your percolator with water.
Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda-2 tbs into the pot of water, then then the last 2 tbs in the filter basket.
Put the percolator on the stove; let it run through a cycle; once it starts to the percolate, turn the heat down and run the process for about 8-10 minutes.
Once the water is cooled down, Discard the water, then scrub inside the with a sponge.
Clean with soap & water and dry well.

Note: Depending on how much residue is in your percolator, you may have to do a second cleaning cycle.

Can I use Vinegar for descaling?

Absolutely! This is another excellent option for descaling your percolator. Vinegar has natural cleansing properties that can restore your percolator’s shine.

Does Vinegar remove coffee stains?

Vinegar does a great job because its acid degrades the coffee stain.

How to clean a percolator with Vinegar?

Mix equal parts of water and Vinegar into the percolator.
Place the pot onto the stove, and once it starts to percolate, turn the heat down.
Continue to percolate the mixture brew for approximately 8-10 minutes).
Once the cycle is complete, let it cool for about 10-15 minutes.
Next, empty the percolator and use a non-abrasive sponge to clean with soap & water.
Rinse well and make sure it is dry before reassembling.

Can I use the vinegar or baking soda cleaning method on an electric percolator?

Yes, you can! Just be sure to unplug it first!

What do you need to deep clean the percolator?

Non-abrasive Sponge
Pipe Cleaner Brush
Dish Soap
Water
Baking Soda or Vinegar

How often does a Percolator need to be descaled?

Deep cleaning should be done every 1 to 2 months unless you start noticing your coffee taste bitter or the percolator is stained badly.

I hope these tips for cleaning your percolator help you! Have questions? Let me know in the comments below.

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