Coffee is a liquid that contains solids and oils that are removed from the coffee beans by hot water or steam. While this concoction makes a flavorful cup, it can leave an oily residue and solid grounds in your coffeemaker, requiring frequent cleaning. Some types of coffeemakers are easier to clean than others. If ease in cleaning is a priority, choose one that is simple to clean for your morning cup.
The French press, or press pot, is one of the simplest designs in coffeemakers. This system consists of a pot, usually made of glass, a plunger and a lid. Place the grounds into the bottom of the pot, pour in the water and allow the grounds to steep. When the coffee is finished brewing, place the plunger into the pot and press, smashing the grounds to the bottom and leaving the coffee at the top of the pot. All the parts of a press pot simply rinse clean, and there are no inside works or corners to clean. Rinse off the grounds, wipe with soapy water, rinse and you're finished.
Old-fashioned stove top percolators were a kitchen staple in the 1950s and are still a favorite in many homes today. The pot itself is either glass or metal, and the workings consist of a metal stem and a metal basket. The stem is not connected to the pot, so it removes quite simply for cleaning. All of the inner workings remove by sliding out and are easily rinsed clean. The pot itself can be rinsed and washed by hand, and some pots are dishwasher safe.
A filter cone is the simplest coffee making system to use and the easiest to clean. This coffeemaker consists of a plastic or glass cone that sits on top of a coffee mug. You pour the coffee grounds into the cone, perhaps adding a paper filter to further help in the cleaning, and add almost-boiling water. The water seeps through the grounds through the bottom of the cone and lands directly in your coffee mug. No moving parts are included with this coffee maker, and only the one cone requires rinsing and washing with a drop of dish soap.