How to clean different commercial coffee makers

There are many different types of commercial ballot boxes that need to be cleaned daily, weekly, or bi-weekly. Daily cleaning for most of them remains the same. The number one rule of urn cleaning: never use chlorine bleach on any coffee urn. This chlorine will eat away at stainless steel and silicone gaskets. Also, whether you clean daily or bi-weekly, never use soap, scouring powders, or abrasives of any kind to clean your coffee brew urns.

Automatic coffee makers should be cleaned daily after the last batch by following these steps:

1 – Drain the urn; then run a brew cycle with very hot water only. After spraying hot water on the lining, brush the entire urn well with a long-handled brush.

2 – Drain the water and repeat step one.

3 – Wash the wire baskets with urn cleaner and rinse well. The same process is required for double or triple ballot boxes after they have been used.

Automatic ballot boxes must have a special washing once a week. Rub the urn by first filling the urn and heating it to maximum brewing temperature. Fill the liner with several gallons of water and add at least 1½ to 3 ounces of coffee maker cleaning compound. Set the thermostat on high; then run a hot water brew cycle. Allow the solution to remain on the liner for at least 30 minutes. Scrub the inside of the liner and cover with a long-handled brush. Drain the cleaning solution from the liner. Rinse by running several prep cycles with the spray centered over the tile. Be sure to drain the rinse water after each brew cycle.

To clean the indicator glass tube, disconnect power and close the water line to the urn. Use a long, thin gauge glass brush to clean the glass of the coffee indicator. Use the same brush to clean the attachment on the underside of the liner and on the tube that is connected to the coffee tap.

It is an absolute must that Chinese hot tea urns, pour over urns, midline and barista series urns be thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day. After spraying hot water on the stainless steel liner, wash it well with a soft brush using hot water. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to every gallon of water or you can use commercial urn cleaners. Commercial cleaners are not recommended for this type of urn. These urns should be extinguished before each indicator glass is cleaned with a stiff bristle brush. Faucets should be disassembled and properly cleaned until they are completely clean. Daily cleaning of Midland Urns and Barista Series Urns involves going through the hot water brew cycle, brushing the liner, draining the water from the urn again, and repeating the process again. Clean liner covers and fill with about a gallon of hot water to prevent coffee oil from burning.

Cleaning of urns weekly or bi-weekly depends on the amount of use. For regular use, Chinese Hot Tea Urns, Midline Heat Exchanger and Pump Urns, and the Barista Series all require something of the same method. When it varies for a ballot box, it will be noted in that step.

Step 1 – Fill the liners with about a gallon of hot water. For midline urns and space saver urns, leave the thermostat on “Brew”.

Step 2: Pour the recommended concentration amount of urn cleaner that is recommended for that particular urn into the liner. Excessive amounts of cleaner will attack the stainless steel and cause deterioration of the coffee maker. Use cleaners that have been used successfully: DIP-IT from Economics Laboratories, OXYLITE from Avril, Inc., Syndet Division, and TEMP-KLEEN from Caddy Corp. of America.

Step 3 – Scrub the inside of the liner with a large plastic brush, rinse and wring out the liner. For midline and space saver urns, follow Step 3a: Clean indicator glasses with a long narrow brush.

Step 4 – Rinse with empty liners and no power, remove the coffee taps by unscrewing the large plastic wing nuts that hold the taps together. Scrub from the opening to the center of the urn with a long brush.

Step 5 – Unscrew the top of the faucet from your body and give it a good scrubbing. Clean the silicone seat cup with a soft cloth and soapy water.

Step 6: Reassemble the faucets. Fill the liners with hot water and drain until the liner is done and make sure all parts are thoroughly rinsed.

High speed brewing urns require a separate cleaning process due to the outer covering.

Step 1 – When cleaning a high-speed coffee maker, make sure the outer jacket is full of water.

Step 2: Light the fire and fill the urn liner three quarters full with water and use only urn cleaning compounds like those mentioned above.

Step 3: Mix well and let sit for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Clean indicator glass, faucet tubing, plugs, etc. using a long-handled brush. Be sure to clean the “wheel nut” at the base of the liner.

Step 5: Rinse the inside of the urn three to four times with hot water, scrubbing the urn each time you rinse.

Step 6: Rinse all parts well.

Step 7: Leave a gallon or more of water in the urn. The amount of water depends on the size of the urn; larger urns will need more water. Leave the lid partially open until next use. If you used cold water, allow the urn to cool to prevent cracking of the coating.

Step 8 – Clean the urn baskets by dipping them in a cleaning solution and then scrubbing them with a stiff brush.

Step 9: Rinse well and allow to dry. Each spray head should be checked to see that all holes are open; if not, scrub with a stiff brush until all holes are open.

These cleaning steps for commercial ballot boxes come from different manufacturers. Consult your manufacturer for more specific details.