Coffee is a great way to start the day, but if you want your cup of joe to taste its best, it’s important to know how to clean your brewing equipment.
The Kalita Wave is one of the most popular coffee makers on the market today. It has an easy-to-use design and can be used to brew a wide variety of coffee.
Its filters are made from a thin paper that allows the oils and flavors to pass through during brewing, resulting in a rich and flavorful cup of coffee.
In this blog post, we’ll show you step-by-step instructions on how to properly clean your brewing equipment using some simple household items!
What Is the Kalita Wave Dripper

The Kalita Wave Dripper is one of the most popular brewing systems out there. It is a pour-over coffee dripper that has a paper filter and conical-shaped cone. The result will be a rich and flavorful cup of coffee.
When brewing coffee with this method, water needs to be heated to the desired temperature (Around 195-205 Degrees) in order to extract all the flavors from the beans.
A normal rule of thumb is that boiling water should never be used because it burns off some of the oils and results in a more bitter-tasting cup of joe.
How to Clean The Kalita Wave

1. Cleaning With Vinegar
It’s important to note that you can clean the Kalita Wave using either warm or cool water. However, using a vinegar solution is an excellent way to maintain the overall cleanliness and sanitation of your dripper.
You’ll want to make sure to use the right amount of vinegar so there is enough to cover your dripper. Fill a bowl with warm water and add half of a cup of white vinegar and stir.
Take your Kalita Wave, and put it inside the bowl filled with vinegar. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
2. Cleaning With Boiling Water
If you’d rather not use vinegar (or if it’s not available), then simply heat some water in a kettle or on the stove. Make sure to wait until it is at a full boil before pouring it into a bowl so you can add your dripper inside.
After adding your dripper inside the bowl, allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water. Cleaning with boiling water is a great way to remove any oils from the coffee that you may not have gotten with using vinegar alone!
3. Cleaning With Dish Soap And Water
A third way to clean your Kalita Wave is by adding dish liquid with warm water and washing it off in the sink. Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry before you store it!
Dish soap works well because it’s powerful enough to break up any oils and grime that may be left on the dripper. It will also remove any residue left behind after brewing your coffee.
4. Cleaning With The Dishwasher
You can also very easily clean your Kalita Wave in the dishwasher if you want to save some time and effort! Just make sure it’s on the top rack and by itself so it doesn’t get damaged.
5.Cleaning With Baking Soda and Hot Water
Another very easy way to clean your coffee dripper is by adding baking soda with hot water. Baking soda and hot water are typically used together because they help remove the oils and smells from your machine!
Take your Kalita Wave and put it in a big bowl, add a tablespoon of baking soda, and then fill it with hot water. After letting it sit for 15-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
As you can see, there are many ways to clean your coffee dripper and have it look brand new again! Not only do these methods work perfectly well, but they will save you time and money as well.
It’s very important to thoroughly dry your dripper before you put it away and store it for future use. A lot of people forget about this step—but it’s very important!

Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ

Is the Kalita Wave dishwasher safe?
Yes, the Kalita Wave is dishwasher safe. Make sure that you put it carefully inside the dishwasher to protect it from breaking, and set it on a normal wash mode.
When was Kalita Wave invented?
The Kalita Wave— also known as the “V60” in other countries — was created by a Japanese Company named Kalita Co. It was invented in the 1950s and was then well known for its famous design.
Kalita Wave vs. V60: What’s the difference?
When it comes to brewing, there is not much difference between the V60 and the Kalita Wave. The result in your cup will be affected by three things:
- their difference regarding their design
- the grind size and
- the water flow
The fact that the V60 has a conical shape and a large single hole in the middle allows for the water to gather directly in the middle of the brewer. If you change the speed with which you pour, this will also change the flavor in your cup.
If you want a full-bodied coffee, add the water slowly but if you want a clean, lighter cup then add the water faster. The Kalita Wave is more forgiving in this sense because it has a flat bottom with three holes for extraction. This distributes the water better than a V60 does and avoids channeling.
What else should I know before buying a Kalita Wave?
Material: The Kalita wave comes in different materials: copper, ceramic, glass, and plastic. Depending on which one you choose to buy, it might need a different approach to cleaning.
Price: The Kalita Wave price varies depending on the material, size, and additional gear that come with it, such as a decanter. You could spend an amount between 20 – 80 USD.
Size: The Kalita Wave Dripper comes in two sizes: #155 and #185. The #155 is a small size, ideal for one cup of coffee. The #185 is a bit larger so you can use it in combination with your favorite decanter and brew up to 3 cups of coffee at once.
Last Thoughts
The Kalita Wave Dripper is a great coffee maker that can make excellent tasting coffee for you and your friends. Cleaning the dripper isn’t hard, as long as you have some basic supplies on hand or access to them nearby.
If not, don’t be discouraged! You just need hot water (or even boiling if it makes things easier), dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, or even put it in the dishwasher.
Either way, we hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to clean your Kalita Wave dripper so that you can enjoy delicious cups of joe every time without worrying about cleaning up afterward. Happy brewing!
More About Manual Drippers
- How to Clean The Hario V60: An Easy Guide
- Kalita Wave vs Hario V60: Which One Is Better?
- Kalita Wave Brewing Guide And Tips!

Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!