Empty the carafe and grounds basket after every brew

The fastest way to keep your Drew Barrymore coffee maker running well is to empty it while it is still warm, before mineral buildup and old grounds harden inside. Remove the carafe and pour out any leftover coffee. Lift out the grounds basket — it usually sits in the top of the machine — and throw away the used filter and grounds.

Rinse the carafe under warm running water and wipe the inside with a soft cloth or sponge. If you see brown staining on the glass, a paste of baking soda and water will lift it without scratching. Rinse the grounds basket the same way and let both air dry before putting them back.

Key Takeaways

  • Empty and rinse the carafe and grounds basket while the machine is still warm, before residue hardens.
  • Run a descaling cycle with white vinegar every one to three months, depending on your water hardness, to remove mineral deposits from the heating element.
  • Wipe the exterior and the drip tray with a damp cloth weekly to prevent dust and spilled coffee from building up.
  • Never soak the main machine body in water — only the removable parts should go in the sink.

Descale the heating element with white vinegar

Mineral deposits from tap water collect inside the heating chamber and slow down brewing. Drew Barrymore machines do not have a dedicated descale button, so you will run a normal brew cycle with vinegar instead. Fill the water reservoir halfway with white vinegar and halfway with water, then place the empty carafe on the warming plate.

Start the brew cycle and let it run until about half the liquid has dripped into the carafe. Turn off the machine and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes so the vinegar can soak the heating element. Turn it back on and finish the cycle. Repeat this soak-and-brew step one more time with the same vinegar mixture.

After the second cycle, empty the carafe and refill the reservoir with fresh water only. Run two full brew cycles with plain water to rinse out the vinegar smell and taste. Do this descaling process every one to three months — more often if your tap water is hard or if you notice the coffee brews slower than usual.

Clean the exterior and drip tray weekly

Dust and dried coffee splatters collect on the outside of the machine and inside the drip tray. Unplug the coffee maker and let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Wipe the exterior with a soft, damp cloth — avoid spraying water directly on the machine or getting moisture near the power cord.

Pull out the drip tray, which usually slides out from under the carafe platform, and empty any standing water. Rinse it under warm water and dry it before sliding it back in. If the tray has stubborn stains, soak it in warm soapy water for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush.

What not to do with your Drew Barrymore machine

Never submerge the main machine body in water or run it through a dishwasher. The heating element, electrical components, and wiring are inside the plastic housing, and water will damage them. Only the carafe, grounds basket, and drip tray are safe to wash in the sink or dishwasher.

Do not use abrasive scrubbers, scouring pads, or harsh chemical cleaners on any part of the machine. These can scratch the carafe, damage the plastic, and leave chemical residue in your coffee. Stick to soft cloths, baking soda paste, and white vinegar — all three are safe and effective.

Signs your machine needs deeper cleaning

If your coffee tastes bitter or burnt even with fresh grounds, mineral buildup is likely blocking water flow through the heating element. If the machine takes much longer to brew than it did when new, or if water leaks from the bottom during brewing, descaling with vinegar should fix it. If the carafe has permanent brown staining that baking soda does not remove, the glass may be etched, but this does not affect how the coffee tastes.

If water does not drip into the carafe at all, the heating chamber may be completely clogged. Run the vinegar descaling cycle twice in a row, with a 30-minute soak between cycles, then follow with three plain-water rinse cycles. If the machine still does not brew, the heating element may have failed and the machine may need replacement.

How often to clean each part

After every use: empty the carafe and grounds basket, rinse both, and wipe the warming plate dry. Weekly: wipe the exterior and empty the drip tray. Monthly: soak the carafe in baking soda and water if staining appears. Every one to three months: run the vinegar descaling cycle, depending on how hard your tap water is.

If you brew coffee every day, aim for the shorter end of that range — every month or six weeks. If you brew a few times a week, every two to three months is usually enough. Hard water, which leaves white or chalky deposits, needs more frequent descaling than soft water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use commercial descaling products instead of vinegar?

Yes. Commercial coffee machine descalers work faster than vinegar and often smell better. Follow the product instructions for your machine type — most require mixing the descaler with water and running it through a brew cycle, then rinsing with plain water. Vinegar is cheaper and works just as well if you have time for the longer soak.

What if my Drew Barrymore machine leaks water from the bottom?

A leak usually means the carafe is not seated properly on the warming plate, or the drip tray is full and overflowing. Remove the carafe, check that the metal rod in the center of the plate is clean and dry, and push the carafe down firmly until it clicks. Empty the drip tray. If water still leaks after that, mineral buildup may be blocking the spray head — run a vinegar descaling cycle.

Is it safe to put the carafe in the dishwasher?

Most Drew Barrymore carafes are dishwasher-safe on the top rack. Check your manual or the bottom of the carafe for a dishwasher symbol. Hand washing with warm soapy water is gentler and extends the life of the glass, especially if your dishwasher runs hot cycles.

Why does my coffee taste like vinegar after descaling?

You did not run enough plain-water rinse cycles. After the vinegar descaling, run at least two full brew cycles with fresh water only, and empty the carafe between each one. If the taste lingers, run a third plain-water cycle. The vinegar smell usually fades after the first cup of regular coffee brewed after rinsing.