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A Complete Guide To OXO Coffee Maker Descaling

The water used to brew your coffee has minerals that build up inside your OXO machine. These are not toxic but they can impact the flow, temperature and performance of your machine. They can affect the taste of your cup of coffee too. Descaling removes those mineral deposits. When done often, OXO coffee maker descaling can help extend the life of your brewer. Keep reading to learn how to descale an OXO coffee maker.

How Often To Descale OXO Brewers

OXO brewers have have a descale warning light. It will flash red when it is time to descale. On the 9 cup Oxo coffee maker, it will be in the shape of a triangle with an exclamation point. On the OXO 8 cup coffee maker, it will be a circle next to the CLEAN button. Regardless, a good rule of thumb is that you should descale your OXO coffee maker after 3 months or 90 uses, whichever comes first. This is true if you are using filtered, bottled or tap water with a low to normal mineral count.

If your tap has “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals, then you should descale your machine more often. If you are not sure about the mineral content of your water, you can get a low-cost water testing kit.

Is Oxo Coffee Maker Descaling With Vinegar A Bad Idea?

You should not descale your OXO with vinegar. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid and apple cider has 5-6%. This type of acid can wear down metal and cause your machine to leak. Vinegar is also not effective in remove oils left by used coffee beans.

Oxo Coffee Maker Descaling Solution

Instead of vinegar, the best way to descale your coffee maker is with the OXO Brew descaling solution. The kits contain safe and effective types of acids that won’t damage your machine.

Oxo brew coffee machine descaling solution

The OXO Brew descaling solution works with all OXO coffee makers and kettles. The all-natural, phosphate free and non-toxic formula is odorless. It acts fast to remove mineral build up. The gentle citric acid cleaning agents won’t cause any harm to your brewer. It is made in the USA. One bottle is enough for three uses.

9-Cup OXO Coffee Maker Descaling Instructions

To descale your machine BEFORE the red exclamation point warning light has come on:

  • Power off the coffee maker
  • Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
  • Fill the water tank to the max line. Never overfill!
  • Ensure there is no coffee or filter in the machine.
  • Hold down the OXO button while plugging in the machine. In the LED ring, you will see a 9 appear and the ring will turn red.
  • Press the OXO button to begin the descaling cycle.
  • When done, run a 5 to 9 cup cycle with water only. Discard the hot water after use.

To descale your machine AFTER the red exclamation point warning light has come on:

  • Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
  • Fill the reservoir to the max line. Never overfill!
  • Ensure there is no coffee or filter in the machine.
  • Turn the dial to the right until 9 is displayed in the LED ring and the ring turns red.
  • Press the OXO button to run the machine and begin the descaling cycle.
  • After descaling, run a 5 to 9 cup cycle with water only. Discard the water after use.

8-Cup OXO Coffee Maker Descaling Instructions

  • Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
  • Fill the water tank to the max line. Never overfill!
  • Ensure there is no coffee or filter in the machine.
  • Screw on carafe lip and place empty carafe under the Oxo brew basket.
  • Slide the switch to carafe mode. Press the power button, then press the clean button.
  • After 25 minutes, the process will be done. The machine will chime and the light will turn off.
  • Run a rinse cycle by filling the water tank with only fresh water. Then, start a 5 to 8 cup brew cycle. Finally, discard the water.
Note that instructions for descaling begin around the 30 second mark of this video

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