how to clean a bunn coffee maker

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If you want to brew premium home coffee – you will do it with the BUNN coffee maker.

These handy and powerful products of the industry's leading brand, brew coffee that matches the standards of the most sophisticated coffee cup in any restaurant.

Why we love Bunn Coffee Makers

There are many reasons but to name a few…

They have stainless steel tanks with hot water ready for you at any moment. Water is kept at 200°F – an ideal brewing temperature. This gives coffee rich, robust flavor with zero bitterness.
An advanced spray head feature dissipates the water over the coffee evenly so the ground coffee is set apart just the right way. This is how the desirable final flavor is extracted.
Bunn coffee makers rock in timing! They have a fast brew cycle which exposes the water to the ground coffee beans for the perfect length of time. Again – another detail that enriches the taste of coffee, reminding all of us why we choose Bunn.

To keep your coffee awesome, it is important to keep your Bunn buddy clean.

Today, we will introduce you to 3 main types of coffee makers from the Bunn Family, we will show you the best ways to clean them and highlight the specific parts of certain models you should pay attention to, when it comes to overall maintenance.

You will also get some extra tips on how to keep your Bunn coffee machine germs-free and ready to brew!

Three types of Bunn Coffee Makers

Modern Bunn coffee makers are made in 3 lines and each has different design.

The most practical cleaning methods, though, are not closely connected to design itself as your focus should be on the key parts each Bunn line has – brew funnel, carafe, spray head and spray head tube.

We will cover instructions on how to clean the parts unique for specific model in the section to come.

1. SPEED BREW LINE

This line Delivers Speed Brew technology that brews 20 oz of coffee in about 2 minutes and 10 cups in about 4 minutes. There's a drip-free carafe and multi-stream spray head too. Unique design of this model's funnel allows the quick flow of water and features filters which are ¼" taller than other ones. Key parts include: brew funnel, lid, internal hot water tank, drip-free carafe, carafe lid with drip-free spout, warmer plate, spray head, pour in bowl, thermal carafe with lid and base.

2. HEAT N' BREW COFFEE MAKERS

Based on commercial brewing expertise, Bunn developed a brewing process called Heat & Release Technology. It precisely measures when the water reaches the ideal brewing temperature of 197.6ºF-204.8ºF and only then activates the brewing process.

Digital controls automatically turn on the warmer plate during brewing and turn off the machine after 2 hours.

Key parts of these models are: top tank with flip lid, brew funnel, spray head, carafe and warmer plate. The most unique feature is digital control panel.

3. MY CAFÉ, SINGLE SERVE MACHINE

This model of a Bunn coffee maker has simple yet modern design. It comes with K-cup pods and 4 replaceable drawers, so you can select the drink you like the most. The single cup technology prevents the overflow of the liquid, while the machine itself can extract hot water easily, for a hot chocolate or another type of drink. What gives the coffee strong and rich flavor is the pulse brew option. Key parts of single serve model inlcude: pour-in bowl with spin lid, stainless steel hot water tank and back splash, spray head with the seal, travel mug base, removable drip tray with the cover and 4 different types of drawers.

Cleaning your Bunn Brewer

If you properly clean your Bunn brewer it will last longer serving you the best possible home-made marvel – your home-brewed coffee cup.

We strongly recommend you wash the pot and machine between uses. The outside should be regularly wiped down and the whole brewer needs to be thoroughly cleaned every three months.

Supplies to use:

ingredients you'll need for cleaning

Spray head cleaning tool
Soft clothes
Soap or mild liquid detergent
Distilled water
White vinegar

5 Steps to Standard Cleaning

Step4 – Remove and clean the bunn coffee maker spray head

Step5 – Cleaning the spray head tube of bunn coffee maker

Step1 – Turn the coffee brewer off.
Step2 – Clean the machine surfaces: Do this by using a soft cloth damped in warm water and a bit of mild liquid detergent. Then, rinse the surfaces of your Bunn machine with the second cloth damped in warm water only. Dry off the brewer with a dry cloth.
Step3 – Clean the carafe: Though the carafe and brew funnel can be placed in the top rack of the dishwasher, hand washed or cleaned with the baking soda, this is what we recommend – fill the water reservoir with your vinegar solution and start the cycle the same way you would when brewing coffee. After all of the solution filters through the coffee machine, let it soak for around 15 minutes in the decanter, with the device turned off. Next, pour out the mixture and rinse out the pot. Repeat this process several times using cold water until all vinegar residue is cleared from the machine.

Note: If you have a Bunn coffee maker with a thermal carafe remove the lid and pull apart the valve at its center. Place a paper filter in the brew funnel and add two teaspoons of dishwasher detergent. Slide your funnel back into place and pour cold water into the reservoir. Start the brew cycle and allow all of the water to run into the coffee pot. After the brewing cycle is complete, rinse the funnel and pour additional water into the decanter. Allow the coffee pot to soak with warm water for approximately 15 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush. Rinse with water and dry.

Step4 – Remove and clean the spray head: Unscrew the spray head with your fingertips. It is located underneath the top part of the machine. Take a closer look and if you see any mineral deposits in the holes, use a toothpick to clean it off. Clean the spray head with a cloth and mild detergent, then rinse with mild water.
Step5 – Cleaning the spray head tube: Depending on the model of your Bunn machine, you will get either metal or plastic tool for cleaning the spray head tube. Once the brew funnel and the spray head are removed, you can insert your deliming tool into spray head tube and move it gently up and down to remove any deposits. Rotate the tool as well until the mineral deposits are cleaned off. Reattach the brew funnel and the clean spray head.

Deep cleaning process

Descaling is a process that helps remove mineral and hard water deposits throughout the machine. This should be done once every 3 months or at least once a month in areas with hard water.

Five Steps to Deep Cleaning

Step 1 – Mix vinegar with distilled water: Mix white vinegar with distilled water and fill it into a pour-in bowl. The exact ratio of vinegar/water depends on the model of the Bunn brewer, but the general rule is 1/3 vinegar to 2/3 distilled water.
Step 2 – Start a brewing cycle: Pour the descaling solution in the water reservoir and start a brewing cycle. Wait for carafe to fill, then get rid of descaling solution and unplug the machine. Let the vinegar do its work and sit in a water tank for about two hours. This process will remove lime and mineral deposits from inside the coffee machine.
Step 4 – Clean the spray head and fittings: While the coffee maker is off, clean the spray head and its tube following the above-mentioned steps.
Step 5 – Rinse cycles: Reattach the spray head, and plug the machine back into the power outlet. Then fill a pot with distilled water and pour it into the machine's reservoir. Start another brew cycle to remove any remaining odors left by the descaling solution. Repeat if necessary until aromas disappear.

Specialty Models

Some models of Bunn coffee brewers require special attention, because they have more sensitive parts than other machines.

BT Model from SPEED BREW line

With this specific model it is very important not to use an abrasive cleaning device to clean the carafe, because it will scratch the stainless steel. Occasionally, you can remove the brew through valve on the thermal carafe lid and clean with mild, non abrasive detergent. To remove the valve, lift at the edge and pull up. Be sure to clean the passage where the valve is located.

My Café SINGLE SERVE Machine

These models come with two water probes in the pour-in bowl and you should give them some extra care.

These stainless steel water probes are designed to detect if water is present. The issue that may occur is that the minerals from the water may build up in the pour-in bowl and on the probes and may cause the brewer to incorrectly read that water is in the bowl. To clean this part of your Bunn coffee maker follow these few steps:

Unplug the brewer and allow it to cool for about an hour. Then rotate the spin lid open.
Remove the 2 screws in the pour-in bowl.
Remove top of the bowl by lifting the front edge up slightly, sliding the lid back to unhook it and then lift off.
Gently scrub the water probes and surrounding area with either a toothbrush or a textured sponge and remove deposits.
Replace top of pour-in-bowl by sliding forward until rear catch engages, then lower the front of the lid.
Re-install the screws to the bowl lid.

Bunn Maintenance Tips

If you want your coffee maker to be in a tip top condition, it's always recommended that you clean it every time you use it – the brew funnel and decanter should be cleaned on a daily bases.

We mentioned the vinegar as the key ingredient for deep cleaning. However, you can also use:

Coffee maker cleaners
A mixture of water and two denture tablets
Straight bleach
Citric acid that's dissolved in 50:50 hot-cold water

Dishwasher? Oh, yes! One of the reasons why Bunn coffee makers are so popular is because Bunn coffee pots and filters are dishwasher-friendly! Just make sure you put them upside down on the top rack. Use a mild detergent and wash the pot on a normal cycle. Make sure to remove the lid as this part is not dishwasher safe!

Avoid using dishwashing soaps with a strong fragrance. The scent will linger in the coffee pot and transmit into the coffee itself ruining its flavor.

Regardless of the method of cleaning you use, always make sure the coffee maker is unplugged. This ensures that you don't accidentally turn on the machine and heat the liquids you're using for cleaning.

That would be all.

Now you know how to clean your Bunn coffee maker like a pro! Do this properly with care and attention and your Bunn buddy will thank you in the best possible way – with a perfect cup of coffee.