Not sure how to clean the Ninja coffee maker properly? In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for cleaning and descaling your Ninja coffee bar.
I know – what we can’t see, we don’t always clean. Generally, that can be fine and pretty harmless, but there are times it can be, well, pretty gross. If you want to always have the best tasting cup of coffee, you should clean your Ninja coffee maker on a regular basis.
You might not feel like you have time for this, but cleaning your Ninja might not take as long as you think. It only takes 10 minutes and it will have a huge impact. I recommend cleaning your Ninja once per week.
You should also descale your coffee maker when the CLEAN light turns on. This process removes calcium deposits, or scale, that can build up inside a coffee maker over time. Here’s how to do cleaning and descaling process:
How to clean a Ninja coffee maker
1. Empty the carafe and the filter basket of leftover coffee/ grounds.
2. Remove all removable parts and hand wash them with mild detergent or place in the dishwasher on the top rack. The permanent filter, water reservoir, the lid and the glass carafe are dishwasher safe. The thermal carafe and brew basket are not dishwasher safe.
3. Wipe the unit with a soft damp cloth. Put everything back, and fill the reservoir with clean fresh water.
After each use : Clean the carafe and filter basket
Discard the grounds and hand wash the carafe and the filter basket with a mild detergent after each use, or at least once every day. This will take less than 1 minute but it will keep your machine clean, oil and germ-free.
Be sure to allow the brewer to cool before cleaning.
How to descale Ninja coffee maker
When the CLEAN light turns on, it’s time to descale your Ninja coffee maker.
The descaling process is slightly different depending on the model and date code of your unit, so before you start, you first need to check the date code. You will find the 4-digit number code at the end of the power cord, engraved on the plug prong. These are the date codes:
Classic model:
1. Date code 0016 – 2516, or ends in 15
2. Date code 2616 -5216
3. Date code ends in 17
Model with a built-in frother:
1. Date code 0016 – 3216
2. Date code 3316 -5216
3. Date code ends in 17
The recommended descaling solution for Ninja coffee bar is Full Circle Descaling Liquid.
You will need:
Mild detergent
Water
Clean, dry cloth
Descaling solution
Instructions for Classic Ninja with date code 0016 – 2516, or ends in 15, new model with date code 0016 – 3216
1. Empty the water reservoir, filter basket, and the carafe of any leftover water or coffee/grounds. Select full carafe size and set the empty carafe under the brew basket.
2. Pour in 1 bottle of Full Circle solution and add 32 ounces warm water (or if you have a model with a smaller tank – up to the MAX fill line).
3. Press the Clean button. The machine will start dispensing a descaling solution. Do not press any buttons or remove the carafe during this period. This process will take about 8 minutes.
4. After 8 minutes, remove and empty the water reservoir and the carafe, and thoroughly rinse. Fill the tank to the MAX fill line with clean water only and place the tank and the carafe back.
5. Run two more clean cycles – press the clean button and once the entire reservoir is dispensed, discard water from the carafe and fill the tank once again with clean water. Repeat.
You need to rinse the machine with 2 full tanks of clean water. When your machine is clean, the clean light should turn off.
6. Hand wash all removable parts with mild detergent, wipe the unit with a damp soft cloth, place everything back, fill the reservoir with fresh clean water and you’re ready to brew.
Descaling instructions for Classic Ninja coffee bar date code 2616 -5216, New model date code 3316 -5216
1. Empty the water reservoir, filter basket, and carafe from any leftover water or coffee/grounds. Select full carafe size and set the empty carafe under the brew basket.
2. Pour in 1 bottle of Full Circle solution and add 32 ounces warm water (or if you have a model with a smaller tank – up to the MAX fill line).
3. Press the CLEAN button and let the machine sit for 1 hour. The machine will dispense water and pause a few times during this period. Just make sure you don’t press any buttons or remove the carafe during this period because it can stop the process.
4. After 1 hour, you should hear a beep and a FLUSH message should appear on the screen.
5. Remove and empty the water reservoir and carafe and thoroughly rinse. Fill the reservoir to the MAX fill line with clean water and place the reservoir and the carafe back. Press the CLEAN button.
You should do this within 15 minutes, so make sure not to wait for too long after the beep. Once you press the clean button, the machine should start dispensing the water and rinsing your machine. This will take about 8 minutes. Once it’s done, the clean light will turn off.
6. Remove all removable parts and hand wash them with mild detergent.
7. Wipe the unit with a damp soft cloth, place everything back, and fill the reservoir with fresh, clean water.
Descaling instructions for Ninja coffee maker date code ends in 17
1. Empty the water reservoir, filter basket, and carafe from any leftover water or coffee/grounds. Select full carafe size and set the empty carafe under the brew basket.
2. Pour in 1 bottle of Full Circle solution (or 1 packet) and add 32 ounces warm water (or if you have a model with a smaller tank – up to the MAX fill line).
3. Press the CLEAN button and let the machine sit for 1 hour. The machine will dispense water and pause a few times during this period. Just make sure you don’t press any buttons or remove the carafe during this period because it can stop the process.
4. After 1 hour, you should hear a beep, and the CLEAN light will turn off.
5. Remove and empty the water reservoir and carafe and thoroughly rinse. Fill the reservoir to the MAX fill line with clean water and place the reservoir and the carafe back. Make sure the machine is set to the full carafe and press the CLASSIC BREW cycle to rinse the machine.
Repeat with another full reservoir of fresh water.
6. Remove all removable parts (water tank, carafe, and a brew basket) and handwash with mild detergent.
7. Wipe the unit with a damp soft cloth, place everything back, and fill the reservoir with fresh water.
Now you can make coffee that doesn’t taste like feet!
Troubleshooting: Ninja coffee bar clean light won’t go off
If the clean light still illuminates after a clean cycle, this usually means there is still calcium build-up in the brewer. You need to repeat the descaling process and the clean light will automatically shut off when the machine is completely clean from calcium deposits.
If the problem persists after that, I recommend calling Ninja customer service at 1-877-646-5288. For some reason, Ninja machines have problems with clean lights and this often happens.
Related:
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Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed with This Ninja Hot & Cold Brewer
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