First, make sure your coffee maker and coffee pot are clean, both on the inside and out. Wash the coffee pot and filter basket either by hand or in the dishwasher. Use a wet rag with either dishsoap, lemon/lime juice and water or vinegar and water to wipe down the maker.

To clean the inside of the coffee maker, fill the bottom of the clean coffee pot with lemon/lime juice or vinegar, then fill the rest of the pot with tap water. Pour this into the water reservoir, put the coffee pot on the hotplate of the maker, and turn the coffee pot on. Let it run 'til the pot is halfway full, then turn the coffee maker off. Wait 15 minutes, then turn the coffee maker on again, allowing the water mixture to run the rest of the way through. Turn the coffee pot off and let it cool for about 15-20 minutes. Follow this cleaning by rinsing with a couple run-throughs of pots filled with plain tap water. Wait about 15-20 minutes between each rinse. This will allow time for the pot to cool so it doesn't crack or break.

When the cleaning of the coffee maker and pot are done, wipe it down with a rag to remove any condensation from the cleaning process.

By the way, this cleaning should be done every few months, or whenever your brewed coffee starts tasting icky to you.

Now you're ready to make coffee!

What you'll need:

1. Good, fresh, clean tasting water (bottled or filtered works best).

2. Coffee filter

3. Any kind of coffee that smells and tastes really good to you. It doesn't matter if it comes ground or you grind it yourself. As long as it smells and tastes good to you, that's all that matters. Keep in mind that if the coffee isn't pleasing to you before you brew it, it won't be pleasing after.

4. Whatever accoutrement you might want. Cream, milk, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, whip cream, whiskey, etc

5. A Spoon

6. Your absolute favorite coffee mug

1. Fill the coffee pot with as much filtered water as you'll need to make one cup (the size of that cup is relative to what you consider a cup) of coffee for you, and maybe the person you may be with, to enjoy as soon as the coffee is finished brewing.

2. Fill the coffee filter with enough coffee to suit the amount of water in the pot, you're tastes, and whatever accoutrement you might be adding later. For example, if you plan to be adding lots of milk, add more coffee to the filter. This may take some futzing around with, but eventually, you'll find a combo that you prefer.

3. Brew the coffee

4. Once the coffee is done steaming, turn off the coffee maker. Don't let the coffee sit in the pot with the coffee maker on. Along with icky water and icky coffee grounds, this is what makes coffee tastes bitter.

5. If you want to, grab a spoon and stir the coffee up from the bottom of the pot. This will make the flavor of the coffee more even.

6. Add whatever accoutrement you like (cream, milk, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, whip cream, whiskey, whatever) before or after you pour the coffee in your favorite mug. Then enjoy!

After...

Eat a little bit of apple to help get rid of the annoying coffee consequence – coffee breath!