Here’s the secret: white distilled vinegar is your best friend. Pour half a cup of vinegar into the empty pot, then fill the rest with water. Assemble the whole thing (yes, put the basket and stem back in). Plug it in or put it on the stove and let it percolate for about five minutes.
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Your kitchen will smell like a vinaigrette wrestling match—that’s normal. The vinegar dissolves the mineral scale and the rancid oil that dish soap can’t touch. Don’t skip this step. If you do, your next cup will taste like a mechanic’s shop rag. After the five minutes, turn it off and let it sit for ten more minutes to really marinate in that sour acid bath.
