Over a year ago, I wrote about using denture tablets to clean a coffee basket (like a Mr. Coffee basket or a manual drip cone). And that does work pretty well.
But I’ve now found a way that’s faster, uses less water and does an even better job.
It also works well on reusable Keurig filters and on permanent coffee filters (I’m still not wild on the permanent filters — read here — but this does help with the build up if you use one). All of these get some build up from the coffee oils that just doesn’t come off with regular dish washing.
So what’s this better way? Spray it with some Krud Kutter (read about it here or see it on Amazon) and then use a bent toothbrush to scrub a bit (it takes about a minute to bend a toothbrush, see how to do it here). Krud Kutter is non-toxic and doesn’t leave any taste or smell — just rinse well. It took no time at all and no hard scrubbing; I use the bent toothbrush to get into the little nooks and crannies.
For the record, after seeing how well this worked, I also tried the same basic technique with a couple types of dish soap and also with Awesome degreaser. I wondered if it was just having a brush to scrub with that made a difference. Nope. None of these worked nearly as well as Krud Kutter, although without the brush, I couldn’t get the nooks and crannies clean even with the Krud Kutter.
I tried this first with my Melitta cone. No before pictures as I didn’t expect it to be a revelation, but suffice to say that it’s been really hard to clean down at the bottom of the “V” shape. Here’s the after — not bad for a 10-year-old cone that’s seen a lot of use!
Here’s a before and after on the Mr. Coffee basket. Yes, the “before” is disgusting and I’m ashamed to show it, particularly as it took about a minute to change it to the “after:”
I thought that cleaning with denture tablets made things a lot better, but Krud Kutter and a bent toothbrush takes “easier and cleaner” to a whole new level.
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Mark and Cindy - s/v Cream Puff says
Be careful, Krud Kutter will also take paint off.
Ask me who I know this.
Mark and Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
Kate says
How do you hold the hot toothbrush without burning your fingers?
Carolyn Shearlock says
The toothbrush is only hot right where the heat is applied. Hold it a couple of inches away and it’s not even warm.
Kate says
I purchased a bottle of Krud Kutter at an Ace Hardware store in our neighborhood. I tried it, along with brushing, and it did not work. Any suggestions? (I have two Melitta filter cones, one that I bought new and one that I inherited. It is the older yellow cone that arrived stained and giving off a burnt-coffee odor (also the one for which Krud Kutter did not work). Since I inherited the yellow cone, I have tried to clean it in a variety of ways (brushing, too). I have tried boiling water, baking soda, white vinegar, Bon Ami, and various other things. Any help would be much appreciated.! Thank you very much. Kate
Carolyn Shearlock says
Have you tried denture tablets? That’s my other go-to cleaner. Put a bunch in a bowl, add the coffee basket, fill with water to cover the basket, toss a few more denture tablets in the basket and let sit for several hours.
Kate says
Yes, I have tried denture tablets, but apparently not enough of them! I have two one-cup Melitta plastic cones that I am trying to clean, not coffee-maker baskets. I am having problems withy only one of the cones. How may denture-cleaner tablets should I use to clean one filter cone (about one quart of water) and how hot should the water be? Thank you.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Water doesn’t have to be hot. Denture tablets are designed to work in any temp. I’ll use 10 or 12 tablets if something is really dirty. There’s no real “recipe”
Jim Shell says
Carolyn…shame on you for removing the “essence” from the coffee cone! The cone is like a tobacco pipe and the residue is essential for a proper flavor. By the way, I am just kidding. A little early for April Fool’s day. Thanks for the tip.
Mark and Cindy - s/v Cream Puff says
We once had a slip next to a 110′ 1930’s motor yacht. It was the most beautiful boat. I use to have morning coffee with the skipper every once and a while. They had the best coffee ever! When I asked what the secret was, he said, “I don’t think we’ve ever washed the coffee pot”
Eddie says
To clean a reusable coffe filter or basket,get a dishwasher tab, dissolve it in hot water, stick your filter or basket in the solution for 4/8 hrs, occasionally running the solution through the basket or filter. Eddy I,
Brian McCue says
When you go to get your car washed at a do it yourself car wash, use the high power pressure washer to clean the filter. Works like a charm for many things. Caution – wear gloves.
Kate says
Thank you! I think I used about 5 or 6 tablets. I’ll try it with 10-12.
Alexandra Gruber says
Love Krud Kutter, but another warning for the uninitiated: In addition to removing paint, it will also etch glass! That goes for glass stove covers like the one we have on our boat. I managed to mark the glass tabletop and glass stovetop we have at home before I realized how powerful it is! No idea what it might do to gelcoat.
Monica Valero says
I lost the coffee basket ….how can I use my coffee maker with the coffee basket? (Just while I order a replacement and while it gets delivered).
Carolyn Shearlock says
I don’t know of a way to do that . . . I don’t think a filter alone would stay in the right spot.
Marshall Dudley says
Our basket gets stopped up. I am not sure if it is the coffee or the cinnamon we add when brewing. I have tried everything I could find on the net, and nothing worked. In desperation I tried boiling it with an oxygen cleaner (Oxyclean or other brand). It took all the stain out in a few minutes, and completely unplugged the screen.