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Nothing feels better than waking up in the morning with the smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee. The aroma is enough to energize and wake you up even before caffeine enters your body. That first glorious sip of coffee in the morning is one of life’s simple pleasures. This is one of the reasons why coffee enthusiasts invest in a coffee machine.
Having an espresso machine gives you the full barista control right in your kitchen. It allows you to create a unique cup of espresso beverage with very little to no effort at all. Ultimately, having one in your home is sure to add to the modern looks of your kitchen.
Most people use their coffee maker regularly. Living a busy life, many of them would brew a pot of coffee, get ready for work, grab their tumbler and run out the door. They absolutely enjoy their cup of java, but don’t even think about the upkeep and maintenance. This, however, can have negative effects on your espresso machine.
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Here are 3 important reasons why you should clean your coffee machine on a regular basis.
Mold and bacteria can thrive in your coffee maker
Mold and bacteria thrive in a moist, warm environment. Most people fail to realize this, but your coffee maker makes the perfect environment for molds to grow. They start multiplying within 1 to 12 days once they attach to an item.
According to a study that was conducted by NSF international, almost half of the coffee makers they tested had molds and yeast growing in their reservoir. Another study suggests that your coffee reservoirs have a higher germ count as compared to your toilet seat, door handle or bathroom door.
Mold and bacteria in your coffee maker can make you sick. Sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, headache, and watery eyes are symptoms that are commonly associated with allergies. But if you are experiencing these symptoms, it may also be due to mold exposure. To prevent these problems, make sure that you clean your coffee maker every day. Depending on how hard the water is in your area, it should also be decalcified every one to three months.
A quick dip in the dishwasher isn’t enough to get rid of mold and bacteria. Hot water won’t get the gunk out as well. Vinegar will help decalcify and remove the mineral build up from tap water.
Dirty coffee machine will ruin the taste of your coffee
Coffee lovers from all over the world invest in fresh, good quality coffee beans, coffee machine, and a coffee grinder to ensure that they make the best tasting coffee possible. However, there is no point in spending a huge sum of money on these things if you don’t clean your coffee machine on a regular basis.
Coffee beans have natural oils in them. The oil is usually produced during the roasting process. When coffee beans are roasted long enough, the cell walls burst and the oils start to leak out. Dark, oily beans are bold, bitter, and strong tasting. These beans are ideal for making espresso shots.
If you’re using oily beans, then it is important to clean your coffee machine regularly. Whether you have a French Press, an espresso machine or a standard coffee brewing machine, oil can build up in your coffee maker. Eventually, it will start to bring strange flavors to your coffee.
As a coffee lover, you are probably looking forward to a delicious steaming cup of coffee every morning. Unfortunately, a dirty machine will ruin the taste of your favorite beverage. Instead of making cafe quality coffee at home, you’d end up sipping a shot of slippery black scum.
The best coffee beans cannot make up for the gunk and residues in your coffee maker. Keeping your equipment clean will guarantee cup after cup of great tasting coffee. A good thorough cleaning after every use is a must in order to get rich, dependable flavors you always wanted in your coffee.
Protect your investment through regular cleaning
A standard coffee maker is cheap. But if you own a super automatic espresso machine, then you have probably spent thousands of dollars for that gorgeous piece of equipment. This type of machine may cost you about $2,000 to $3,000.
Convenience is one of the biggest selling points of the super automatic espresso machine. It allows you to make a perfect cup of espresso, latte, and cappuccino without the fuss. These machines will do almost everything for you. All you need to do is select a program and push a button. Now, you can relax and wait for your coffee. In our modern world of convenience and one-touch operation, we often forget about our homework. Super automatic espresso machines can do all the dirty work, except the cleaning part.
Considering how expensive these machines can be and how they can make your life easier, make sure that you give your coffee machine some love. Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that it keeps on delivering the coffee you love. It also goes a long way towards extending the life of your coffee equipment.
Final thoughts
They say the quality of coffee you make is only as good as the ingredients you use. We certainly agree. Freshly ground, good quality coffee beans will result in the best coffee quality possible, provided that you keep your coffee equipment clean.
An espresso machine is a big investment. Coffee lovers from all over the world have spent thousands of dollars on this piece of equipment in the hopes of recreating their favorite beverages at home. If you want to be a full-fledged home barista, you need to give your espresso machine the proper care and attention it deserves. After all, it is such a costly investment. You want it to last for several years.
Make it a habit to clean your coffee machine regularly. Not only will it keep your java tasting fresh, it also eliminates the debris from the beans and hard water as well as the lime deposits. When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? If it has been a while since you did, now would be the best time to do so.