5 Coffee Machines That Breed Mold Fast (Though Hardly Anyone Cleans Them Enough)

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Traditional Drip Coffee Makers: The Mold Paradise in Your Kitchen

Your standard drip coffee maker sits there looking innocent, but it’s actually hosting a disgusting party for bacteria and mold. The study revealed that 50 percent of American households had yeast and mold growing in the reservoir of their coffee makers. And about one in 10 coffee makers had traces of coliform, a bacteria that’s found in animal and human feces and can cause diseases. Think about that the next time you grab your morning cup without rinsing the machine first. The inside of a coffee maker, or a home espresso machine, is dark, damp and often warm. In other words, ideal growing conditions for both mold and bacteria. Most people just switch it on and assume the hot water kills everything, but that’s not how it works. The water isn’t hot enough. To sterilize your brewer the water would need to be at boiling point, and be in contact with the inside of the brewer for a minute or two. Your coffee maker never reaches those temperatures, which means all those nasty microorganisms keep multiplying in the warm, wet environment you’ve created for them.

Keurig Single-Serve Machines: Bacteria Breeding Grounds in Plastic Pods

Those convenient single-serve pod machines might save you time, but they’re creating a bacterial nightmare you probably don’t want to think about. The Dallas station said they found eleven different bacteria, as well as mold, across the ten machines they looked at. We’re talking about some serious stuff here too – pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterobacter, klebsiella, staph, e. coli, staphylococcus and streptococcus, to name a few. The worst part about these machines is all those little plastic components that trap moisture and coffee residue. However, on a single-use machine, he says the top of the machine where the people place the plastic pod has the most germs. “When you use the machine, it could get in your coffee,” he said. Every time you pop in a new pod, you’re potentially pushing bacteria from dirty surfaces right into your brewing chamber. The problem is probably exacerbated inside modern, single serve brewers which include small water pumps which are constantly primed. This means there is water in the machines even between brewings.

Nespresso Capsule Machines: The Bacterial Communities You Never Knew Existed

Nespresso machines look sleek and modern, but scientists have discovered they’re literally growing entire bacterial communities inside them. Researchers sampled ten Nespresso brand espresso machines, zeroing in on the drip trays, which catch those last drops of brown gold after a brew. They found that nine of the ten machines harbored residues rich in Enterococcus bacteria, a typical marker of human fecal contamination. Yeah, you read that right – fecal bacteria in your coffee machine. A study done on nine Nespresso® machines and Krups® revealed that bacteria can thrive in the coffee machines’ drip tray and spread to the rest of the machine as they multiply due the moisture. Research revealed that up to 67 variants of bacteria can be present in a machine. The drip tray isn’t even the worst part though. Every time you extract a shot of espresso, a layer of coffee oil stays behind inside the brewing chamber of your machine. The dirtiest part of your capsule machine is not the water tank, or the pipes – it’s the washer plate. That tiny component with all the holes where your coffee passes through becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines: Where Coffee Oils Turn Into Bacterial Feeding Grounds

Semi-automatic espresso machines are the darlings of coffee enthusiasts, but they’re also bacterial breeding champions that most people completely ignore when it comes to cleaning. A dirty espresso machine can sabotage even the finest specialty beans. Coffee oils left in grinders or espresso filters oxidise over time, producing rancid flavours that overpower delicate tasting notes. Those rich coffee oils that create the perfect crema? They’re also feeding the bacteria that’s growing inside your machine’s group head and portafilter. When you make coffee – whether in a drip coffee maker, espresso machine or another specialty machine – you mix coffee grounds, water and heat, creating a perfect environment for microorganisms like bacteria, yeast and mold to thrive. In fact, some recent studies suggest that up to half of coffee makers contain one or more of these microorganisms, including some strains that cause diseases like E. coli and Salmonella. The complex internal piping and multiple components in these machines create dozens of hidden spots where moisture and organic matter can accumulate. An unclean coffee machine is a breeding ground for bacteria and rancid coffee residues—everything you don’t want in a cup, just waiting to be consumed by a customer. The experience your customers walk out with is critical, and the last thing you want is what’s expected to taste like a rich, flavoursome sip of coffee to end up having nasty, metallic after-taste, paired with a side of digestive discomfort, thanks to cross-contamination and rancid oil build up.

Fully Automatic Coffee Machines: The Ultimate Bacterial Playground

Fully automatic coffee machines are like bacterial theme parks – they’ve got everything microorganisms need to thrive and multiply. Statistics reveal that approximately 72% of Germans indulge in their daily coffee ritual. With a plethora of brewing methods and machines at our disposal, it’s vital to remember that coffee machines can become breeding grounds for bacteria and germs if not properly maintained. These machines have internal grinders, multiple water lines, milk frothers, and waste containers that create the perfect storm for bacterial growth. Daily, ensure that the coffee grounds container is emptied, cleaned, and thoroughly dried. Residual coffee grounds can quickly develop mold due to moisture and heat. The milk system is probably the worst offender – Lastly, don’t forget to clean the milk frother daily, as milk residue can accumulate here and pose a germ risk. The water tank also requires daily attention. Empty and wash it with dish soap to eliminate limescale and other contaminants, as germs can proliferate in stagnant water. Most people think running the automatic cleaning cycle once in a while is enough, but activate the machine’s cleaning program at least once a week if used daily. However, this rinsing alone may not be sufficient to eliminate mold and bacteria. With all those internal components you can’t see or reach, who knows what’s growing in there?