Barista Aroma 8-Cup Coffee Maker: Cleaning Guide

Keeping your coffee maker clean is essential to maintaining its functionality and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. This guide will take you through the steps to clean your Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker.

Remove all parts that are removable, including the carafe, filter basket, and lid

To clean your Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker, the first step is to unplug the machine and remove all the removable parts, including the carafe, filter basket, and lid.

The carafe is the container that holds the brewed coffee. It is typically made of glass or stainless steel and needs to be removed for cleaning. The filter basket is where you place the coffee grounds, and it needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent clogging and ensure proper coffee flavour. The lid is the cover that seals the carafe and needs to be removed for effective cleaning.

By removing these parts, you can ensure that all the components that come into direct contact with coffee are thoroughly cleaned. This step is crucial for maintaining the coffee maker's optimal performance and preventing the buildup of bacteria and residue.

Once removed, these parts can be washed with warm, soapy water. It is important to rinse them thoroughly and allow them to air dry completely before reassembling the coffee maker.

Wash removable parts in warm, soapy water

To clean a Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker, you must first unplug the machine and remove all the removable parts, including the carafe, filter basket, and lid. Once you have removed these parts, you can begin the cleaning process by following these steps:

Fill your sink with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap to create a soapy solution. You can also use a mild detergent if you prefer. Place all the removable parts in the sink and let them soak for a few minutes to loosen any coffee stains or residue. If your machine has a steam wand, be sure to clean it with a damp cloth after each use to avoid residue buildup. If there is still some buildup, submerge the tip in a container of hot water and let it soak overnight.

After they have soaked, take a soft sponge or cloth and gently scrub each piece individually, ensuring that you reach all the nooks and crannies. Pay close attention to the filter basket, as it can get clogged with coffee grounds and oil over time. Rinse each piece thoroughly under running water to remove any soap residue.

Once you have rinsed all the parts, shake off any excess water and place them on a drying rack or clean towel to air dry completely. Make sure that all the parts are completely dry before reassembling your coffee maker.

It is important to clean the removable parts of your Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker regularly to ensure that your coffee tastes its best and to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. Aim to wash these parts in warm, soapy water at least once a month to keep your coffee maker in good working condition.

Wipe down the inside of the coffee maker

To wipe down the inside of the Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker, you'll first need to unplug the machine and remove all the removable parts, including the carafe, filter basket, and lid. Set these aside to be washed in warm, soapy water.

Now, it's time to wipe down the inside of the coffee maker. Use a damp cloth to thoroughly clean the interior, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to remove any built-up residue or bacteria. If there is any stubborn residue, you can use a small brush to gently scrub it away.

After wiping down the inside, you can move on to the next step, which is filling the coffee maker's reservoir with equal parts water and white vinegar to further clean and descale the machine.

• Unplug the coffee maker and remove all removable parts, including the carafe, filter basket, and lid.
• Set the removable parts aside to be washed in warm, soapy water.
• Use a damp cloth to thoroughly wipe down the inside of the coffee maker.
• Pay special attention to any nooks and crannies, ensuring that all residue and bacteria are removed.
• If necessary, use a small brush to gently scrub away any stubborn residue.
• Once you've finished wiping down the inside, move on to the next step in the cleaning process, which typically involves a mixture of water and vinegar to further clean and descale the machine.

Fill the reservoir with equal parts water and vinegar

Filling the reservoir with equal parts water and vinegar is a great way to clean your Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker. This process is known as descaling and helps to remove mineral buildup, calcium deposits, and residue from the machine. It is recommended to do this at least once a month or whenever you notice any buildup or change in the taste of your coffee.

• Unplug the coffee maker and remove all removable parts, including the carafe, filter basket, and lid.
• Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a separate container. The amount of vinegar and water you need will depend on the size of your reservoir. You will need enough to fill the reservoir halfway.
• Pour the vinegar and water mixture into the reservoir.
• Replace the empty filter basket and carafe.
• Run your coffee maker through half of its brew cycle, then stop it so that the vinegar-water mixture can sit in the reservoir and the channels for 30 minutes to an hour.
• After the waiting period, resume the brew cycle to finish running the vinegar-water mixture through your coffee maker.
• Discard the vinegar-water mixture and replace the filter if you are using a paper filter.
• Fill the reservoir with plain water and run another full brew cycle to rinse out any remaining vinegar. You may need to do this two or three times until the vinegar smell is completely gone.
• Clean the removable parts, such as the filter basket and carafe, with hot, soapy water.
• Rinse and dry all the parts before reassembling your coffee maker.

By following these steps, you will effectively clean your Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-cup thermal coffee maker, ensuring that it functions properly and preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria and minerals.

Run a brewing cycle with the vinegar solution

Now, it's time to run a brewing cycle with the vinegar solution.

Pour the vinegar solution into the coffee maker (the same place you pour the water to make coffee). Then, run a full coffee cycle. If your coffee maker has a "brew strength" selector, choose the stronger option. This will allow the solution to sit and warm up longer in all the tubes. If your coffee maker has a "cleaning cycle", select this option. If not, you can simply turn off the maker and then start it again a while later.

When the brew cycle is done, you will be left with some dirty vinegar water in your carafe. Turn the coffee maker off, then pour the same dirty vinegar solution back into the coffee maker to run it through again. If you are feeling weird about this, you can mix a new vinegar water solution, but it is more cost-effective to reuse the solution.

Now, the water should be even dirtier. Turn the machine off and pour out the vinegar solution. Rinse the carafe a few times and fill it with cool, clean tap water. Pour the clean water into the maker and run it through another cycle.

Frequently asked questions