How to Clean a Ninja Coffee Maker (Clean Light + Deep Clean)

If the CLEAN light on your Ninja is on, the machine is asking for a clean cycle that removes mineral scale. Here is how to clean a Ninja coffee maker with that cycle, then wash the parts that touch your coffee. The full steps below follow Ninja’s own guide for the CM360 and CM371, so check your model first.

Quick Answer

1. Find your model number. The step-by-step example below is for the Ninja Hot & Iced Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew (CM360 and CM371).
2. Choose your cleaner: a descaling solution made for coffee makers, or white vinegar. Ninja allows only white vinegar.
3. Put an empty carafe under the brew basket, fill the reservoir, choose the Full Carafe size and press CLEAN.
4. Let the cycle finish without removing the carafe or cancelling. Then wash the reservoir, refill with fresh water and run a water-only Classic brew to flush.
5. Wash the removable parts separately. The clean cycle does not do that.

What the CLEAN Light Means

On the CM360 and CM371, Ninja’s owner’s guide says the CLEAN light comes on when a cleaning cycle is recommended because calcium scale may be affecting the flavor of your coffee. Hard water builds scale faster, so the light will come on more often if yours is hard.

That makes the clean cycle a descaling job, separate from washing the carafe, filter and reservoir after brewing. You need both, and this guide covers each. The light isn’t a mold check either. If you can see or smell mold, our guide on mold in a coffee maker is the place to start.

Before You Start

Identify your model. On the CM360 and CM371, Ninja says the model and serial numbers are on the QR code label on the back of the unit, next to the power cord. The two models differ in reservoir size: the guide gives 50 oz. for the CM360 and 60 oz. for the CM371.

Pick your cleaner. Ninja’s CM360/CM371 owner’s guide allows a descaling solution specifically formulated for coffee makers, used according to its package directions, or white vinegar. The guide is firm on one point: if you use vinegar, use only white vinegar. The amounts are in the steps below. They are Ninja’s amounts for this model, so don’t copy them to a different machine.

Our guide to cleaning a coffee maker with vinegar explains the general idea for drip machines. For a Ninja, follow Ninja’s own numbers instead.

Set up safely. The carafe must be completely empty before you start. Let the unit cool and unplug it before you remove parts to wash. Never immerse the coffee maker in water.

How to Clean a Ninja Coffee Maker: CM360 and CM371 Clean Cycle

This walkthrough follows the Care & Maintenance section of the Ninja CM360 & CM371 Owner’s Guide (US edition, footer code CM360 CM371 IB MP Mv14). It applies to those two models only.

1. Set the size and carafe. Select the Full Carafe size and place the empty carafe under the brew basket.
2. Fill the reservoir. With descaling solution, follow the package directions and fill to the Full line (50 oz. on the CM360, 60 oz. on the CM371), not past it. With white vinegar, fill to the Travel Mug line (16 oz.), then add water up to the Full line.
3. Press CLEAN.
4. Let the cycle run. The clock counts down. The unit releases some solution, pauses, then releases more until the cycle is complete. The owner’s guide gives approximately 60 to 75 minutes for the cycle. During the cycle, don’t remove the carafe and don’t open the brew basket, because scalding may occur.
5. Don’t cancel. Ninja warns that a cancelled cycle is not properly descaled. If you do stop it, press Power or CLEAN once. The unit beeps and stops, and you still need to do the rinse steps below.
6. Wait for the end signal. When the cycle finishes, the unit beeps, the clock shows End and the CLEAN light turns off.
7. Wash the reservoir. Empty the carafe, put it back under the brew basket and wash the reservoir with warm, soapy water to remove the cleaning solution. Rinse away the soap before refilling it.
8. Refill with fresh water up to the Full line.
9. Flush. Run a Full Carafe, Classic brew with water only. Discard the water, then clean the carafe thoroughly.

A water-only clean cycle will not descale the brewer properly. Use the approved cleaning solution or white-vinegar preparation above; fresh water alone is for the flush afterwards.

Other Ninja families, such as the single-serve and programmable brewers, have their own guides. Look up yours on Ninja’s support site by model number.

Wash the Removable Parts

Let the unit cool and unplug it before you take anything out. These permissions come from the CM360 and CM371 guide:

• Filter holder and permanent filter: remove the holder once the unit has cooled and throw away any paper filter. Wash the permanent filter with soap and warm water, or put it on the top rack of the dishwasher.
• Carafe: the glass carafe can go in the dishwasher, but the thermal carafe cannot. Otherwise wash it with soap and warm water, using a bottle brush or cloth and never a wire brush.
• Brew-through lid: the guide lists it as dishwasher safe.
• Reservoir and lid: hand-wash weekly with warm, soapy water. Both are dishwasher safe.
• Main unit: wipe the outside, the showerhead and the reservoir shelf with a damp cloth and warm water.

If the CLEAN Light Stays On

A light that comes back after a cycle isn’t necessarily a fault. On the CM360 and CM371, Ninja’s guide says that if you have just finished a cycle, you may need to run a second one to remove mineral buildup. If the clock shows CLOG, the machine has detected heavy scale in the boiler, and Ninja says to run a clean cycle before you try to brew again.

Before a second run, check that the first one was complete. Ninja says a cancelled cycle isn’t properly descaled, and a water-only cycle won’t descale either. Check too that you used the amounts in step 2 and finished the flush.

Ninja’s guide doesn’t give any further reset steps, so don’t try button combinations from forums. For an operating problem, the guide tells you to visit ninjakitchen.com or contact SharkNinja Operating LLC. Its customer service number, 1-877-646-5288, is listed for error codes, leaks from the bottom of the unit and warranty claims.

FAQ

Can I use vinegar to clean a Ninja coffee maker?

Yes, on the models covered here, as long as it is white vinegar. The CM360/CM371 guide allows a coffee-maker descaling solution used according to its package directions, or white vinegar. The vinegar amounts above (16 oz. then water to the Full line) are for the CM360 and CM371.

How often should I clean it?

Run the descaling cycle when the CLEAN light comes on. Separately, follow the after-each-brew care for the removable parts; Ninja recommends emptying and hand-washing the reservoir weekly.

Can I run the clean cycle with water only?

No. Ninja says a water-only clean cycle won’t descale the brewer properly. Water-only is for the flush at the end.

Does the clean cycle get rid of mold?

Don’t count on it. The cycle is for mineral scale, not mold or disinfecting. If you see or smell mold, treat that as a separate problem.

Wrap-Up

Run the clean cycle when the light asks, wash the removable parts on a regular schedule and flush well. For more ways to look after your gear, see our home brewing guide.