chances are when you think of a cup of jo, the focus is on the need for caffeine, not how to clean a keurig. Perhaps one of the reasons you bought the machine is so you don’t have to worry about cleaning a classic coffee maker, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect the k-cup. Yeah, one of the perks of a keurig is that it’s a quick fix to start your day or stave off a midday slump, but you still have to watch out for your caffeine hero. don’t wait until your cup of coffee tastes bad or until you notice a buildup every time you open your keurig machine.
Even if you think your kitchen appliance is in good working order, it still needs to be routinely cleaned and sanitized to keep it running smoothly, no matter if it’s a Keurig K-Mini Single Serve or a K-Elite with five cup water tank. the k-cup capsule holder is a damp and dark place. The water reservoir can suck if left unattended for too long, and the drip tray under the coffee cup not only collects water, it’s also a bathroom for bacteria and slimy messes. Plus, hard water increases mineral deposits that can cause your Keurig mechanisms to fail. That said, learning how to clean a Keurig coffee maker doesn’t have to consume all your energy; after all, a coffee machine shouldn’t wear you out. that would be ironic.
Reading: Best way to clean a keurig coffee maker
The good news: Your Keurig is a snap to maintain, especially if you set a regular reminder to descale the single-serve brewer. Here’s a step-by-step guide to a clean machine so you always have a perfect cup of coffee.
what is the best way to clean a keurig?
Think of cleaning a Keurig coffee maker in three parts: cleaning the exterior, flushing out clogs and buildup, and descaling to get rid of calcium deposits. The easiest and most hassle-free solution is to invest in a Keurig descaling solution and maintenance kit, available from Amazon. But there are plenty of things you can do to address scale buildup using household products like white vinegar and distilled water.
water and electricity do not mix. unplug your keurig machine before you start cleaning.
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remove the water reservoir (or water reservoir). pour off any excess water, preferably on a nearby plant. it’s a good idea to clean the container at least once a week with soapy water. If your Keurig has a water filter, remove and replace the water filter cartridge once every two months. dedicate an old toothbrush to scrub dirty coffee residue from the corners of the drip tray. It’s also a great tool for cleaning under the k-cup pack holder (where the coffee comes out). let all pieces air dry.
clean the capsule holder. lift the handle to open the machine and gently push the cup holder from below (yes, it pops out). this further breaks down into two pieces, one of which is the funnel with the brew needle. Using a paper clip, gently circle inside the opening to dislodge coffee grounds and free any clogging stuck inside. a toothbrush, damp cotton swab, or even an unused mascara wand can do the job. once you’re satisfied, rinse the funnel and cup holder with hot water. don’t forget to clean the brewing needle, a paperclip is your friend here too.
For a more thorough cleaning, use white vinegar or a descaling solution to remove mineral deposits from the water tank. you only need to do this every three to six months.
Now start the brew cycle using only fresh water. you’re not making a cup of coffee yet, so skip the pod. repeat this step several times to remove the descaling chemical or vinegar.
Wipe down the exterior surface with a microfiber cloth to minimize water spots and restore the novelty factor to your keurig.
how do i clean the inside of my keurig?
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empty all the descaling solution into the water tank, then add filtered water until it reaches the brim (you can also buy distilled water, but you can also use tap water if necessary). plug the machine back in, turn it on, and place the largest cup you have under the sprout. set the machine to brew on the highest cup setting (8 or 10 ounces). start the brew cycle.
Repeat this process until the reservoir is empty, pouring the solution from the cup into the sink as you go. once you’re done, let the machine sit for about 30 minutes so the solution can soak into the internals. then rinse the reservoir one more time with fresh water by starting another brew cycle without coffee. According to Keurig’s manufacturing instructions, it takes about a dozen cycles to fully remove the chemicals so they don’t end up in your cup of coffee. As a final step, leave an empty cup under the funnel, in case water leaks out. your keurig must be spotless for your morning coffee.
how do i clean my keurig with white vinegar?
if you don’t have keurig descaling solution on hand, white vinegar is the cleaning solution to keep on hand. you’ll want to make equal parts water and vinegar. fill the reservoir halfway with white vinegar, then add water until it reaches the top. don’t fill the reservoir to the top with vinegar, otherwise you may end up with a vinegary, coffeey taste that you’ll want to skip. lift the lid so the solution can go into the keurig. the vinegar solution can stay in the machine for about 30 minutes, but don’t let it sit for more than 3 hours.
Turn on the machine, place the cup in position and run the brew cycle until the reservoir is empty. top off your reservoir with clean water while letting the vinegar really tackle that mineral buildup. Just as you did with the descaling solution, run a few brew cycles with fresh water to remove all traces of vinegar. leave an empty cup in the base in case there are leaks.
is vinegar enough to clean a keurig coffee maker?
You can do a white vinegar mini-rinse whenever you decide to change the flavors of the k-cup, such as from a coffee pod to a hot chocolate pod. alternatively, keurig rinse pods will do the trick in a jiffy. put one in the machine and run an eight ounce cycle. ta-da! their new flavor of choice is the star. Even if you’re committed to just one flavor, using a rinse pod once a week will make your coffee taste like you’re working as a barista. For general Keurig maintenance, wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and dish soap.
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