The Keurig coffee machine allows you to brew cups of coffee in the simplest and most consistent way possible. But every now and then, the machine can have its issues: it might flow slowly, barely fill half of your cup, or, worse, refuse to fill it at all. These issues usually occur due to mineral deposits, which cause scale buildup and finally clog the machine.
To prevent this from happening, consider using filtered, softer water for the machine. You should also conduct descaling cycles every three to six months to descale your machine further. Let’s take a quick look at how to clean and descale a Keurig machine.
How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker
Without frequent cleaning, the components of a Keurig can clog, preventing the machine from performing what it does best: create a wonderful cup of coffee quickly and cleanly.
Fortunately, keeping a Keurig in good working order is simple. Follow this easy cleaning method once a week, followed by a similarly simple descaling routine every 3-6 months (more on this in a moment) to ensure a flawlessly prepared cup of coffee every time. Here are the steps you can follow to descale your Keurig quickly and safely.
Steps to Cleaning your Keurig Coffee Maker
Some good news to note is that cleaning a Keurig is not difficult, and you have many cleaning alternatives. It ranges from stuff you already have in your kitchen to purchasing the company’s descaling solution. Here’s a quick and easy way to keep your coffee maker lean, mean, and clean so you can enjoy your espresso in bacteria-free serenity.
It’s important to note that this is a general way to clean your Keurig machine and not specific to the model or a particular series. So here are the steps:
1. Disassemble your machine safely
Remove the Keurig’s detachable pieces after turning them off and disconnecting them from the wall. Depending on the Keurig model, this might include the lid, tray, water reservoir, milk steamer, and K-Cup holder (see your owner’s handbook to be sure). Then take the funnel gently out of the K-Cup holder.
2. Unclog the K-Cup holder with a paper clip
Insert a paper clip into the small tube beneath the K-cup holder. Wiggle it around to get rid of any crud that has accumulated. Be cautious since this is where the pod-piercing “exit needle” is located. Be very gentle when doing this, so you don’t damage the tube in the process of cleaning it.
3. Unclog the ‘entry needle’ with a paper clip
Insert your paper clip carefully (sharp needle alert!) into the two holes next to the entry needle (toward the top of the machine) that punctures your K-Cup. Remove any built-up muck once again. Please make sure you pay attention to the sharp needle so it doesn’t prick your finger as well. Be delicate in cleaning it.
4. Wash removable components
Clean the detachable pieces gently in a sink of warm, soapy water. If your Keurig has dishwasher-safe parts, another option is to use the top rack of a dishwasher. Rather than wash them manually, a dishwasher would do a better job cleaning these parts of your Keurig coffee machine. Make sure to check if the parts are dishwasher safe.
5. Scrub stubborn areas gently.
If there are any stubborn grinds or stains that won’t come off with soapy water, gently scrape them away with a gentle toothbrush dipped in white vinegar. This is because the long teeth of the brush will reach difficult areas.
6. Rinse and pat dry
Before reattaching the pieces to the machine, thoroughly rinse them and allow them to air dry. They should not be dried with a towel since they may accumulate lint. Possibly get a kitchen tissue roll or a soft cloth that can soak up the water to dry it quickly.
7. Clean Your Keurig machine one last time
Wipe clean your machine, including the places you just washed, with a dry or slightly damp kitchen tissue roll until it looks as good as new. Pat down at least 2-3 times, so it gets all the water out and leaves your Keurig machine dry and fresh for you to use.
How to Descale your Keurig Coffee Maker
Descaling a Keurig machine—the process of eliminating calcium deposits, or “scale”—is critical for various reasons. For starters, scale building will produce obstructions that your weekly cleaning process will not be able to clear. Clogs in a Keurig machine result in poor, uneven brewing.
More significantly, the deep cleaning that your machine receives when you descale it aids in the prevention of germs and mold growth inside of it. Descaling a Keurig is simple: all you need is a coffee mug, access to a sink, water, and a bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution or white vinegar.
[amazon box=”B07V3946XL” template=”horizontal”]Steps T0 Clean and Descale Keurig
Before you begin, keep in mind that depending on the type of Keurig you hold, the descaling procedure might take 2–4 hours to complete. Fortunately, depending on how frequently you use your machine, it only has to be done once every 3–6 months. When the moment comes, a more modern model will notify you on its display.
Also, keep in mind, there isn’t a general solution that is used for all Keurig models and series. There can be different descaling solutions used for different models and series, so make sure you get the one that is specific to your machine. To know the kind of descaling solution steps that follow your unique Keurig coffee maker model, you can check here.
1. Empty Your Keurig Coffee Machine
Remove the water filter and empty the reservoir of your Keurig. Check to see whether your machine has a K-Cup holder and that it is empty. This is your first step to clean and descale Keurig.
2. Add descaling solution or white vinegar to the reservoir
Pour the full bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution into the reservoir. Fill the empty bottle halfway with water. Fill the reservoir with water from the bottle. If there is no descaling solution, you can also do this.
Fill the reservoir with a combination of half white vinegar and half water. For extra-heavy scale accumulation, use a 2/3 white vinegar to 1/3 water mixture.
3. Insert your cup over the tray and activate the brew button
Assume you’re making the worst cup of coffee ever: Place a coffee mug on the tray of your Keurig. Depending on the type of Keurig you own, move the machine’s handle up and down or press the start button. Choose 6 or 10 ounces (depending on the size of the cup) and fill it halfway with the cleaning solution.
4. Replace your mug in the sink and repeat the process again
Once that is done, remove the contents in your cup and brew another cup until the reservoir on your Keurig is empty. If you notice that the cleaning solution isn’t flowing as vigorously out of the Keurig as you think it should be by the time your last mug of crap has been delivered, probably, scale building is still there. In this instance, proceed by repeating Steps 2–4.
5. Allow 30 minutes
Remove the Keurig’s replaceable pieces after turning them off and disconnecting them from the wall. Depending on the Keurig model, this might include the lid, tray, water reservoir, milk steamer, and K-Cup holder (see your owner’s handbook to be sure). Now, take the funnel out of the K-cup holder.
6. Finally, rinse it with clean water.
Rinse the reservoir well and refill it with new water. The interior of your Keurig also needs washing before you can use it to make coffee again. To do this, press brew and repeat the process of filling then emptying your cup with the cleaning solution just like you did before until the reservoir is emptied completely. Top up the reservoir for the last time with hot water and brew into your mug until the Keurig’s water supply is depleted.
7. Frequent Maintenance
Congratulations! Your Keurig coffee maker has become clean, descaled, and ready to deliver great coffee once more. To keep your Keurig running at optimal efficiency, clean it regularly and descale it every three to six months. From this list, you should have sufficient knowledge on how to clean and descale your Keurig machine. Endeavor to do regular cleaning on it as well.
Conclusion
Although a Keurig prepares coffee quickly, it is critical to spend a little time cleaning it regularly. This way, you can get the most out of the machine. Descaling it using an equal parts water and white vinegar solution can extend the life of your favorite coffee maker.
What’s more? Your coffee will keep tasting fresh at all times. So, use the guidelines we have provided and enjoy the best-tasting coffee ever with your Keurig machine!
