Is The Coffee In Hotel Rooms Free – In this article, I discuss whether it is safe to use coffee machines in hotel rooms and provide some information and advice on the best way to do so.
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Is The Coffee In Hotel Rooms Free
In general, hotel coffee machines can pose health risks because they are often not cleaned properly and, due to the nature of the design, can easily accumulate.
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Bacteria and other harmful germs. However, you can mitigate the risk by using disqualifying cleaning methods (discussed below).
You might think that since boiling water is passed through these coffee makers, the risk of bacteria or other undesirable elements would be virtually eliminated.
First, Keurig coffee makers do not boil water. The maximum temperature reaches 192°F, well below the 212°F (at sea level) required for boiling. This is due to the ideal coffee brewing temperature (which is sometimes lower than the ideal tea temperature).
The good news is that you don’t need boiling water to kill many harmful substances, according to Business Insider.
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The bad news is that you have to stay at these high temperatures for a long time to kill these harmful substances and coffee machines may not be able to provide that.
Coffee machine reservoirs are dark, moist environments that allow mold to grow. Also, they are sometimes better hidden in a humble drawer or closet next to a hotel safe, possibly to make matters worse.
A 2011 NSF International Household Germ Study found that household coffee makers had more germs than toilet faucets and toilet seats!
These germs included staphylococci, coliforms, and yeasts and fungi. Specifically, yeast was found in 50% of the coffee pods!
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Do you think a home coffee maker is cleaner or dirtier than a hotel one?
Keep in mind that hotel cleaners will not spend much (or any) time in many cases deep cleaning the coffee machine. You may also be reluctant to wash your mugs, which is one reason you may want to bring your own disposable cups or mugs when traveling.
I certainly wouldn’t bet on a coffee pot being as clean as it is in your kitchen and I’d assume it’s a breeding ground for all sorts of germs.
Another interesting thing about this study is that none of the volunteers put the coffee machine in the top 10 when asked where the most germs grow.
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So there is definitely a disconnect between perception and reality as to how dirty these coffee pots can be.
Not to raise the fear meter, but you must be tired of using the coffee maker elsewhere. If you’re going to have a continental breakfast, think twice before picking up the handle of the coffee pot without cleaning it.
Coffee pot handles are known breeding grounds for viruses, so try to be a little more careful when drinking coffee.
Rather than risk drinking mold and bacteria, a much safer way to consume coffee or tea during a hotel stay would be to properly clean it first.
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These coffee makers can come in different shapes, so the exact cleaning regimen will vary depending on the model you are using.
Descaling should remove calcium and lime scale build-ups, which are non-toxic but can affect the functionality of the machine. But descaling can also remove mold, algae, and bacteria.
To descale, first create a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Then run this through the machine.
When the cup is full, simply dump the mixture, then run another batch and repeat the process until all the mixture is empty.
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After that, run a water cycle on the machine for further cleaning. You may need to run a few water cycles to get the vinegar flavor out.
Some people like to wait about 30 minutes between applying the mixture and washing it off with water, but I don’t think it’s necessary to wait that long.
This process of running vinegar and water through a coffee maker should be done every two months for perfect cleaning.
However, as you can probably imagine, there are hotels where this cycle can take much longer than a few months to kick in. And some hotels and motels can go years without doing this, which leads to a pretty significant build-up of bacteria.
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In addition to cycling a vinegar-water mixture, you can also clean areas of the machine.
According to University of Arizona microbiology professor Chuck Gerba, one of the dirtiest areas of a coffee machine is the part of the machine where people put the plastic pod.
So if you have Lysol wipes, you might want to clean all the “high touch” spots.
If you’re dealing with a more complex coffee maker with multiple components, consider taking everything apart and cleaning each part thoroughly. It can be a lot of work, but if you’re interested in seeing how it works, check out this video.
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Tip: It should be noted that the ice buckets usually located next to the coffee machines can also be problematic. If you’re considering using one of these, you’ll definitely want to give it a good scrub.
Personally, I don’t like traveling with white vinegar and going through a cleaning process that may or may not eliminate the risk of exposure to everything in a hotel coffee maker.
My solution is to buy a travel kettle. You can find them in various forms.
Many travelers like to go with collapsible containers. They flatten like a pancake and fit easily into your luggage without worrying about breaking glass or taking up too much space.
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These are usually made of silicone and have a stainless steel plate and lid. When laid flat, they are only 2 inches tall and 5 inches wide.
I will generally try to avoid buying a travel kettle made of glass because of the risk of it breaking. If you go this route, try to keep it in the gear so you can control how it handles.
Tip: If you can’t clean your coffee machine and don’t have a travel kettle, call the front desk and ask if you can borrow a pot. It’s very simple, but some hotels will be happy to give it to you during your stay.
Based on available data, coffee machine storage can be breeding grounds for all kinds of germs, including yeast and mold. In some cases, it may be better to boil the water in the toilet. Okay, that might be exaggerating, but seriously, I’d recommend avoiding coffee makers in hotel rooms. Try to find a portable container that you can take with you, and do this to avoid whatever is hiding in the coffee maker.
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Daniel Gillaspia is the founder and creator of the WalletFlo credit card app. He is a former attorney, full-time credit card rewards/travel specialist and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel around the world. Since 2014, his content has appeared in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.
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