Maintaining your Hamilton Beach 2-Way FlexBrew Coffee Maker is essential for both its longevity and the quality of your coffee. Here's a comprehensive guide to cleaning it:
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Safety First: Always unplug the coffee maker and allow it to cool completely before you begin cleaning.
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Removable Parts: Hand wash all removable parts, such as the carafe, brew basket, and single-serve pack holder, in warm, soapy water. Rinse them thoroughly and let them air dry. Alternatively, these parts are dishwasher-safe on the top rack. Avoid using the "SANI" setting in the dishwasher.
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Exterior Cleaning: Wipe the exterior surfaces of the coffee maker with a soft, damp cloth to remove any spills or splatters.
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Needle Cleaning (Important): If the piercing needle in the lid or the needle holder becomes clogged, carefully remove the gray, removable needle holder. Use a small paper clip to clean the piercing needle. Insert the tip of the paper clip through the hole of the piercing needle and gently up into the shaft to remove any coffee grounds.
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Carafe Side Descaling (Monthly): For routine cleaning, it's recommended to descale your coffee maker at least once a month (or more frequently if you have hard water). To descale the carafe side: Plug the coffee maker in and press the carafe button. Pour 2 cups (1 pint) of plain white vinegar into the carafe water reservoir. Place the carafe under the dispenser. Press the BREW NOW I/O button once, let the process run for 30 seconds, and then press the button again to stop. After 30 minutes, press the BREW NOW I/O button to finish the cycle. Discard the vinegar and rinse the carafe. Run 2-3 cycles of fresh, cold tap water through the carafe side to remove any vinegar residue.
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Single-Serve Side Descaling (Monthly): To descale the single-serve side: Plug the coffee maker in and press the single-serve button. Pour 1 cup of plain white vinegar into the single-serve water reservoir. Place a cup or travel mug under the dispenser. Press the BREW NOW I/O button once, let the process run until it starts dispensing, and then press the button again to stop. After 30 minutes, press the BREW NOW I/O button to finish the cycle. Discard the vinegar and rinse the cup or travel mug. Run 2-3 cycles of fresh, cold tap water through the single-serve side to remove any vinegar residue.
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Final Step: After cleaning and descaling, always unplug the coffee maker and allow all parts to dry completely before you brew your next pot or cup of coffee. Following these cleaning steps regularly will help your Hamilton Beach 2-Way FlexBrew Coffee Maker perform optimally and ensure the best-tasting coffee every time.
