How to Clean a Bunn Coffee Pot

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: February 2, 2022

Bunn coffee makers can be used for commercial and personal use and are extremely popular. To make delicious coffee, it is important that you keep your coffee pot clean and free of bacteria. Regular cleaning will also ensure that your coffee pot lasts longer. In order to clean a Bunn coffee pot, you should wash the pot and machine between uses, clean the thermal carafe, and give the entire a machine a thorough cleaning ever three months.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing the Pot Between Uses

1
Wash by hand using mild dish soap. For general cleaning, wash your Bunn coffee pot by hand using a mild detergent, warm water, and a soft cloth.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} Avoid using an abrasive scrubber because this could scratch the glass or stainless steel decanter.^{[2]
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EXPERT TIP

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company that services the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional

You don't need special tools to get your coffee pot clean. Bridgett Price of Maid Easy says: "Try soaking your coffee maker in liquid dish soap and warm or hot water for about 20-30 minutes. Then, rinse it out and wipe it clean. Even if it's been a long time since the last time you cleaned your coffee pot, it should come clean easily."
2
Clean the pot in the dishwasher. Bunn coffee pots and filters are also top-rack dishwasher safe. Place your coffee pot upside down on the top rack of your dishwasher. Use a mild detergent and wash the pot on a normal cycle.
- Do not wash the lid of the coffee pot in the dishwasher.
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3
Soak the pot with vinegar. If you begin to notice stains on the bottom or sides of your glass coffee pot, then you will want to give the pot a more thorough clean. Fill the entire coffee pot with vinegar and let it sit for three to four hours. Then, rinse and wash the pot with warm soapy water.^{[3]
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- You can also scrub the sides using a soft cloth or sponge.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  Green Cleaning Expert
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
4
Wipe the brewer frequently. You should also keep the outside of your Bunn coffee maker clean by periodically wiping down the brewer. Use a non-citrus dish soap and wipe down the entire machine with a damp cloth. Make sure to always unplug the machine before wiping it down.^{[5]
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5
Wash the brew funnel 1-2 times weekly. Remove the brew funnel from the machine by sliding it out. Clean with mild dish soap and warm water, or place it in the dishwasher. This should be done about once or twice a week if you are using the brewer on a daily basis.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning the Thermal Carafe

1
Remove the lid. If you own the thermal carafe Bunn model, you will need to take apart the decanter periodically in order to thoroughly clean the lid. You can remove the lid by rotating it counterclockwise.
2
Wash the lid with a non-abrasive soap. While cleaning, pay particular attention to the valve in the center of the lid. Do not use an abrasive sponge because this could scratch the surface.
- The lid must be washed by hand and is not dishwasher safe.
3
Clean the valve. In order to remove the valve, you need to pull up at the edges. Then, clean the valve with warm water and a mild soap. Alternatively, you could place the valve in the dishwasher. To replace the valve, align it with the slot on the lid of the pot and press the valve into the hole.
- This type of thorough cleaning should be done once a month.
4
Place a filter in the coffee maker. In order to give your Bunn decanter a more thorough clean, you should begin by placing a paper filter into the funnel of the coffee maker.
5
Add two teaspoons of dishwasher detergent. Then pour two teaspoons of dishwashing detergent into the filter. Slide the filter funnel into place.
6
Pour cold water into the brewer and brew. This can be done by filling the Bunn coffee pot with water and then pouring the water into the back of the coffee maker. Return the coffee pot to the base and start the brewer.
7
Remove the filter and rinse thoroughly. Once the brewing is complete, remove the brew funnel and dispose of the coffee filter. Rinse the funnel thoroughly in warm to remove any soap that may have been left behind.
8
Let water sit in pot for 15 minutes. Allowing water to soak in the pot will help to loosen any stains that may develop on the sides of the pot.
9
Clean inside the pot with a soft bristled brush. Using a soft bristled brush with a long handle, scrub the inside of the coffee pot to remove any stains.
10
Pour the solution into the sink and rinse with water. Once you have thoroughly brushed the sides of the pot, you can dump the water and detergent solution down the sink. Then rinse the coffee pot with warm water to remove any residual soap.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping the Brewer Clean

1
Unplug the coffee maker. Prior to cleaning, you should always unplug the coffee maker. This will ensure that you don't accidentally turn on the machine and heat the vinegar or water that is used for cleaning.^{[6]
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2
Pour one quart (1 L) of vinegar into the brewer. Make sure that the funnel and pot are securely in place. Then, pour one quart (1 liter) of white vinegar into the top of the brewer. This is the same place that you normally pour water when brewing a pot of coffee.^{[7]
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3
Let the vinegar drip through the brewer. The vinegar will begin to slowly drip through the coffee funnel and into the pot. Once the vinegar has completely stopped dripping, you can empty the decanter into the sink.^{[8]
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4
Pour one quart of water into the brewer. After running white vinegar through the machine to help clean it, you need to rinse out the vinegar using cold water. In order to do this, pour one quart (1 liter) of cold water into the back of the brewer. Allow the water to drip through the machine and into the pot.^{[9]
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- Repeat this process.
5
Unscrew the spray head. Then, unscrew the spray head which is the area that the water drips through from the funnel into the pot. This can easily be unscrewed.^{[10]
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6
Lift the entire coffee maker and empty all liquid contents. Once you have removed the spray head, lift the entire coffee maker. Be sure to use one hand to support the base of the coffee maker and the other to steady the top of the machine. Turn the machine upside down and empty all liquid contents from the machine.
- Make sure that the coffee pot is removed from the base and that the machine is unplugged prior to lifting.
- Water will likely drip out the top of the machine from both the back and funnel areas.
7
Reattach the spray head. Once the water has stopped dripping, place the machine back onto the counter and reattach the spray head.
8
Continue to pour water through the brewer. Pour another quart (liter) of water through the machine. This will help continue to rinse the machine. Once the water no longer tastes of vinegar, you can stop rinsing out the machine with water.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What is the benefit of soaking the pot?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

If you soak the pot in water and dishwashing soap for a sufficient time, they do most of the cleaning.
Question

How can you remove burnt-on food from a pot?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

To remove burnt-on food from a pot, soak it in warm water and dishwashing liquid. Then scrub it with a scrubby sponge or a brillo pad.
Question

My Bunn is a month old and takes a half hour to brew a pot when it is supposed to take 4 minutes. Why?

Community Answer

You may need to clean it. You might try running vinegar through it, and then run several loads of just straight up water to get rid of the vinegar flavor. It will smell terrible, but usually does the trick.