How do you clean algae out of a Ninja reservoir?

If you have a home pod coffee system you might notice a green tinge start to appear on the bottom of the clear plastic water reservoir. What is this, what causes it and how do I remove it?

After making your brew the instructions usually recommend washing out the water reservoir. But for convenience we often leave water in there.

Exposure to direct sunlight also seems to be a contributing factor.

Although your tap water may be treated to remove any bugs, the chlorine will evaporate out of the water in a short period of time.  This process will be accelerated by direct sunlight.

Left alone, mould will gradually grow on any surface.

How do I prevent this green film growing in the first place?

With prevention usually being simpler than a cure, there are a few things you can do. When you make your pod coffee, fill up the reservoir with fresh water. Make your coffee and then rinse out the water reservoir and leave to dry.

I’ve got green mould growing, how do I get rid of it?

Typically the pod coffee reservoirs are awkwardly shaped and not easy to scrub. But your first thing to try is scrubbing it out with a soapy cloth. It might be difficult to reach the bottom or get into the corners.

Bleach will damage and pit the plastic of the water reservoir, so avoid using bleach to clean it.

You can put the water reservoir in the top drawer of your dishwasher. This can be a good way to get a thorough clean. But depending on the awkward shape of the water container, you may need to wash it a couple of times, repositioning it after the first wash.

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How to Clean the Ninja Coffee Bar – The Fast & Simple Way

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  Like all coffee machines, the Ninja Coffee Bar needs regular cleaning and descaling to work well. When the cleaning indicator comes on, you may wonder how to clean the Ninja Coffee Bar — quickly and easily. The good news? With the push of a button, it cleans itself!

  Keep reading for our complete guide to Ninja Coffee Bar cleaning, from the water reservoir to the carafe. Your Ninja Coffee Bar will be sparkling clean before you know it.

  How to Clean a Ninja Coffee Bar

  Has your cleaning indicator turned on? It’s time for a deep clean! To get started, you’ll need your Ninja Coffee Bar, a descaling solution or white vinegar, and water.

  1. Pour in cleaning solution or vinegar.

  Pour descaling solution into the empty water reservoir. Dilute it with water, according to the instructions on your descaling bottle.

  If you’re using vinegar, fill to the 16-ounce Travel Mug line. Then add water until you reach the Max Fill line.

  2. Put the carafe under the filter basket.

  Put the empty, clean carafe under the filter basket. Select the Full Carafe brewing size.

  3. Press the Clean button.

  The clock will count down, and then the machine will automatically start its cleaning and descaling cycle. This takes about 60 minutes. Don’t unplug or turn off the machine while the cycle is running. Once your machine has finished cleaning, the clean light should turn off.

  RELATED READ: Ninja Coffee Bar Cleaning Light Always On? Here’s the Fix!

  4. Empty and rinse the carafe, water reservoir, and filter.

  Remove the water reservoir and wash it out thoroughly with fresh water. Rinse the carafe and filter to get rid of the cleaning solution.

  5. Run a rinse cycle.

  Fill the water reservoir with water and replace the carafe. Select the Full Carafe Classic Brew option and let your Coffee Bar brew as normal.

  That’s it! Your Ninja Coffee Bar is now clean, descaled, and ready to brew a fresh pot of coffee.

  Cleaning a Ninja Coffee Bar Regularly

  To keep your Coffee Bar looking good and producing delicious cups of coffee, you’ll want to rinse it regularly. Rinse the carafe, permanent filter, and filter holder every time you use them. No one likes spending their time scrubbing, so make it easier on yourself by not letting brewed coffee sit in the carafe for too long. If you spill on the heating pad, wait until it cools down and then wipe it clean.

  If you see any coffee buildup inside your carafe, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. To avoid scratching your glass carafe, you’ll probably want to use a soft bottle brush or sponge. Ninja sells one, or you can pick one up at the grocery store. You can also put the carafe on the top rack of your dishwasher.

  You may also want to wipe down the outside of your machine. Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe off dust and stains. Be careful with the warming plate, which is a more delicate piece of the machine.

  Milk Frother

  Your milk frothing wand, in particular, needs regular cleaning. To quickly rinse your frother after you use it, fill a cup halfway with warm water. Hold the frother below the surface and turn it on for 20 to 30 seconds.

  For a deeper clean, unlock the whisk and slide it off. In the sink, you can wash it with soap and water. You can also put it on your dishwasher’s top rack, along with the brew-through lid and water reservoir.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Is the Ninja Coffee Bar dishwasher-safe?

  Though not all of the Ninja Coffee Bar is dishwasher-safe, many components are! You can safely wash the glass carafe, frothing whisk, brew-through lid, water reservoir, and coffee scoop on the top rack of your dishwasher.

  What does descaling do?

  The water you brew coffee with may contain minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals can coat the inside of your Coffee Bar, clogging up the tubes and filters. Descaling removes the buildup, cleans the inner parts of your coffee maker, and ensures that it can keep brewing smoothly.

  How does this work? Vinegar and the descaling solutions you can find for sale dissolve the minerals left by your water. To do this, they charge the mineral particles, attracting them to water particles and making them easy to rinse off.

  Where can you buy cleaning solutions?

  You can buy Ninja’s descaling solution on their website. You can also check with your favorite online retailer or try your local grocery or kitchen supply stores.

  Can you make Ninja Coffee Bar cleaning solutions at home?

  Yes! If you’d rather not buy a specific cleaning solution, you can substitute white vinegar. For the Ninja Coffee Bar, pour white vinegar into the water reservoir up to the Travel Mug line, which is 16 ounces. Then fill it to the max line with water.

  How often should you descale your Ninja Coffee Bar?

  Ninja recommends doing a deep clean every time your clean light comes on.

  Where can you find Ninja’s cleaning instructions?

  If you misplaced the instructions that came with your Ninja Coffee Bar, you can find them here. If you’re wondering how to clean Ninja Coffee Bars, the user’s manual is a great place to start!

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  Print

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  How to Clean a Ninja Coffee Bar

  Has your cleaning indicator turned on? It’s time for a deep clean! To get started, you’ll need your Ninja Coffee Bar, a descaling solution or white vinegar, and water.

  Prep Time2 mins

  Active Time4 mins

  Cleaning Cycle1 hr

  Total Time1 hr 6 mins

  Keyword: how to clean ninja coffee bar, how to clean ninja coffee maker

  Cost: $2

  Equipment

  • Ninja Coffee Bar

  Materials

  • Descaling solution or white vinegar
  • Filtered water

  Instructions

  Set up your Ninja Coffee Bar for cleaning.

  • Start by adding your cleaning solution or vinegar. Pour descaling solution into the empty water reservoir. Dilute it with water, according to the instructions on your descaling bottle. If you’re using vinegar, fill to the 16-ounce Travel Mug line. Then add water until you reach the Max Fill line.

  • Put the clean, empty carafe under the filter basket.

  • Select the Full Carafe brewing size.

  Run a cleaning cycle.

  • Press the Clean button. The clock will count down, and then the machine will automatically start its cleaning and descaling cycle. This takes about 60 minutes. Don’t unplug or turn off the machine while the cycle is running. Once your machine has finished cleaning, the clean light should turn off.

  • Remove the water reservoir and wash it out thoroughly with fresh water. Rinse the carafe and filter to get rid of the cleaning solution.

  Run a rinse cycle.

  • Fill the water reservoir with fresh water and replace the carafe.

  • Select the Full Carafe Classic Brew option and let your Coffee Bar brew as normal.

  • Discard the rinse water.

  • That’s it! Your Ninja Coffee Bar is now clean, descaled, and ready to brew a fresh pot of coffee.

  Table of Contents

  • How to Clean a Ninja Coffee Bar
    • 1. Pour in cleaning solution or vinegar.
    • 2. Put the carafe under the filter basket.
    • 3. Press the Clean button.
    • 4. Empty and rinse the carafe, water reservoir, and filter.
    • 5. Run a rinse cycle.
  • Cleaning a Ninja Coffee Bar Regularly
    • Milk Frother
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Is the Ninja Coffee Bar dishwasher-safe?
    • What does descaling do?
    • Where can you buy cleaning solutions?
    • Can you make Ninja Coffee Bar cleaning solutions at home?
    • How often should you descale your Ninja Coffee Bar?
    • Where can you find Ninja’s cleaning instructions?
  • How to Clean a Ninja Coffee Bar
    • Equipment
    • Materials
    • Instructions
      • Set up your Ninja Coffee Bar for cleaning.
      • Run a cleaning cycle.
      • Run a rinse cycle.

Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

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