How to clean a Ninja coffee maker – expert steps to follow after a caffeine kick

Knowing how to clean a Ninja coffee maker properly is one of the most impactful things you can do to ensure the all-important brew experience remains seamless. After all, for coffee lovers, few things in life bring as much joy as that first cup of caffeine in the morning. 

However, if that anticipated sip hasn't quite lived up to expectations recently, it's likely you need to know how to clean your coffee maker, and specifically here, your Ninja coffee maker. 

And as one of the best coffee makers on the market, it's likely that you're going to want to know how to clean, and maintain, a Ninja model after your first serving of the day. But what does the process involve? Here, experts from Ninja share the only cleaning tips you need to know. 

How to clean a Ninja coffee maker – what to do after a brew

There are no better people to ask than the experts – so we did just that. Here's how the professionals at Ninja maintain their coffee maker after their caffeine kick. You can check how to clean a Keurig coffee maker in our separate guide.

1. Remove the brew basket

The first step involves removing your basket, which is best left until after your brewer has cooled. If you're using pods, the team suggests removing the Ninja Pod Adapter and brew basket before washing the used parts thoroughly with soap and warm water.

2. Clean the frother whisk

Ninja's experts then suggest cleaning the frother whisk after each use. It is best to hand-wash thoroughly – or place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. 

3. Cleanse the carafe and brew-through

After caring for the frother whisk and brew basket, it's time to take on the carafe and brew-through lid. Ninja's experts similarly suggest using soap and warm water during this step. 

'Use a bottle brush or cloth to wash the inside of the carafe,' they say. However, the urge against opting for a wire brush to avoid any damage. 'For best results, we recommend rinsing the reservoir after brewing and refilling with fresh water for the next brew.'

It's also worth noting that the glass carafe, brew-through lid, permanent filter, brew basket, water reservoir, water reservoir lid, frother whisk, and special Ninja scoop are all things you can clean in a dishwasher. 

Cleaning the water reservoir

To clean your water reservoir, Ninja's experts suggest emptying your reservoir and hand-wash or place in your dishwasher. 'For a better clean, we recommend placing it in the bottom rack of the dishwasher, standing upright with the opening facing downward,' they say. They recommend doing this weekly.

Cleaning your Ninja carafe

To clean your carafe, you should use warm, soapy water, to ensure the piece is spotlessly clean in-between coffees. 'To clean the carafe more thoroughly, we recommend using a soft foam brush,' the experts add. 

Cleaning your sliding lid

Caring for your sliding lid is part of cleaning your best espresso machine but – thankfully – the process is simple. 

'Open the hinged hood on top of the brewer by pulling up on the left side. Once opened, slide the sliding lid out of the back of the brewer to remove it,' the experts say. They then recommend hand-washing the sliding lid with warm, soapy water before putting the sliding lid back into its tracks and closing the hinged hood. However, it's important to note that you can't put your sliding lid in the dishwasher.

Can you clean a Ninja coffee maker with vinegar?

No, it is better to avoid cleaning with vinegar. This solution is harmful to the internal parts of your machine (most notably the rubber gaskets and seals). There is also the risk of a lingering scent that could be detrimental to the taste of your coffee until it passes.