How To Get Rid of Coffee Maker Mold Illness

Most of us coffee geeks have a coffee maker at our disposal. We all agree that coffee makers are wonderful machines that help us start our day off right! However, if not they’re not taken care of properly they can become a source of coffee maker mold illness, and discomfort as with most things!

Moldy coffee makers can be disgusting to look at, but even worse than the sight is the fact that molds and bacteria can easily grow in your maker. We simply don’t want our problems to become moldy! If you use your coffee maker regularly then you should clean it often to avoid this problem altogether and develop a healthy habit in the process.

There are several ways and reasons for cleaning your coffee machine, so you can keep it clean and free of harmful substances. There’s not a lot of work or money involved. Read on to keep our precious coffee gear mold-free!

What is mold exactly?

Mold is a plant that grows on various moist surfaces and feeds on decaying organic matter, which is why it’s so easy for mold to take over the damp environment of a coffee maker.

They are some type of fungi and are a threat in your household and can appear in other places than your coffee machine: coffee grinder, home appliances.

Molds can release toxins. As with all toxins, our body can cope with a certain level of them, that’s why we should prevent mold from growing.

What happens if you drink moldy coffee?

Normally, according to healthline, you won’t get sick from a cup of moldy coffee.

So no worries there, at first glance, there’s no high risk involved but this depends on the person’s health and immune system.

You’ll most likely feel like you have flu when you’ve been drinking mold regularly. You’ll have some symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue and just feel sick.

The real danger of mold is that it can attract mycotoxins.

In case you have been drinking moldy coffee regularly, your body will react with a flu-like syndrome.

These symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue accompanied by a general sense of illness.

Possible health signs by consuming coffee maker mold

1. Mild flu: you’ll start feeling like you have a flu, a mild one. You’ll get some headaches, nausea and just feel fatigued. Think about the routine you’ve been drinking coffee and the symptoms come up. That might be a first sign.
2. Bitter coffee taste: when you daily brew suddenly tastes a bit more bitter.
3. Allergy: the mold can make you sneeze or cause an allergic reaction
4. Respiratory infections: when you have difficulties with breathing. It could be the start for a bronchitis
5. Digestive issues: your coffee can be the cause for your bloats, diarrhea and even your vomiting.

These are all symptoms that can be a sign that your moldy coffee maker is the cause. Of course, the truth lies somewhere in the middle as the human body is a complicated “thing”. There can be other contributing factors to your symptoms. If you’re in doubt, please get medical advice from your doctor.

We’re confident that if you follow the steps in our blog post, the cause will be most likely something else than your moldy coffee (maker).

Why should you clean your coffee maker?

You’ll want to avoid coffee maker mold illness.

It’s just plain simple with everything in life. If you clean and maintain your coffee maker regularly, you’ll be doing yourself, your family members, and your household guest a huge favor by doing so.

Mold can grow in kitchen appliances like coffee makers and just attack your health or from the ones you love. We simply don’t want that.

Another reason is that mold can heavily decrease the taste of your daily cup of coffee. Cleaning regularly will improve your taste. Of course, if you clean daily, the improved effects will decrease.

How should you clean your (moldy) coffee maker?

It’s simple. If you clean your coffee maker after every use, you’re safe and it’s a nice habit too. Here we will divide it into daily cleaning habits monthly cleaning habits.

Daily:

Filter basket: Start with cleaning the filter with the used grounds and put it in the trash bin. By all means, don’t put it in the garbage disposal but give it a second life like for growing your garden. Clean the filter basket thoroughly.
Carafe: When you’re done brewing, clean out the carafe.
Water tank: Clean out the water tank, you can as well clean it all right?

Monthly:

1. Use vinegar to tackle the mineral build up in your coffee maker. Fill your carafe half vinegar and half water and brew. By doing this you’ll kill the mold and destroy the mineral build up, making sure your future coffee won’t taste bitter.
2. After this, please brew one more time with just water to clean the vinegar and other stuff up just to make guarantee the great flavor from your next batch of coffee!

If you’re solid in your daily cleaning habit, you can do the cleaning with longer periods in between. The more regular your habit is, the better.

F.A.Q.

Are there coffee makers that don’t get moldy?

No, simply no. However, there are brewing methods and coffee makers that easily can be cleaned thoroughly so it will be less likely mold will get in the coffee maker. French Press and Chemex are 2 examples. If you don’t clean regularly, be aware!

How often should you clean your coffee maker?

It depends on the coffee maker you have. The more parts it has that moisture and grounds can be trapped, the more regular you should clean your coffee maker. Some coffee makers have a simpler design and are thus easier to clean. We advise you to clean it daily and do a brew with half vinegar and half water for a thorough cleaning.

Can a moldy coffee maker make you sick?

Yes, it can contribute to you becoming sick. You’re the boss about your coffee maker and responsible to maintain and clean it regularly. The same level of mold will cause other results on multiple persons because other factors can contribute to the probability of you becoming sick.

How do I prevent mold in my coffee maker?

Just develop a regular cleaning habit and do it daily after each brew. Clean the removable parts thoroughly and let them dry. Every month or every 2 months, do a cleaning with half vinegar and half water to tackle mineral buildup and mold.

If you clean with vinegar, please do a brew with just water to get rid of this bad taste and ensure the fine flavor of your next batch of black gold! Also cleaning your hands before brewing coffee can contribute to mold prevention.

What happens if you dont clean coffee maker?

As with most things in your house, if you don’t clean it (regularly), bad things will happen. It will be an ideal place for bacteria, mold to grow and overall decrease your coffee experience. So be a good guy or girl and clean your coffee maker regularly.

Does mold grow in coffee makers?

Yes! Mold is likely to grow in an enclosed place where moisture and coffee residues can reside and escape their ‘process’. So think about your coffee maker, the smaller (removable) parts it has, the more difficult it is to keep them free of mold.

What are the symptoms of drinking moldy coffee?

There are a few symptoms that can refer to moldy coffee. You can have feelings of flu, nausea, headaches, and feel more fatigued. The bitter taste of your coffee, an allergic reaction to your coffee (that you didn’t have before), respiratory infections, and trouble with breathing. Digestive problems like diarrhea, vomiting can also be an indicator that you’ve had some moldy coffee!

How do I get rid of mold in my coffee maker?

By cleaning your coffee maker regularly. If not, do a thorough cleaning with half vinegar and half water in your carafe. If you’re unsure, do it again. Don’t forget to brew one cycle with water to get rid of the bad taste of your next brew, you’ll be glad you did!

Conclusion

So, we all agree that coffee makers can make our life a lot easier but can also be dangerous if not cleaned regularly. Coffee makers can get moldy and eventually make you ill as molds and other bacteria can grow inside your coffee makers.

That’s why it’s key to develop a regular cleaning habit for your coffee maker. We advise you to clean your coffee maker daily. Every month or every 2 months you’ll brew with half vinegar and half water to tackle the minerals and mold in your coffee maker. After this brew one cycle of water and start brewing your next coffee batch. By doing this you’ll be sure of a great taste and coffee experience!

Enjoy your coffee!