This Keurig Cleaning Tip Keeps Your Coffee Tasting Fresh
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A Keurig machine makes getting your caffeine fix so much easier, but we all know how bad the coffee can be if it hasn't been cleaned in a while—acidic, stale, even gritty. We may not be able to set an alert on your phone to remind you to clean yours, but we're here to walk you through the process step by step so your morning cup always tastes fresh. A good day starts with good coffee, right? To learn how to clean a Keurig and descale it, we tapped an expert at the company: Lindsay Fermano, senior director of marketing.
"Like any kitchen appliance, Keurig brewers need some basic maintenance to stay clean and continue operating at their best," says Fermano. "By performing these steps regularly, you can not only help extend the life of your brewer, but you'll also continue to get a great-tasting cup of coffee with each brew."
If you've never cleaned your machine, your coffee may be starting taste a little bit off. That's because old grounds and minerals from your water gradually accumulate inside and seep into every cup you make; the damp environment also breeds mold and mildew. This isn't necessarily unsafe (mold usually won't make you sick), but it's definitely gross. When the buildup gets bad enough, some machines won't let you make more coffee until you clean them—which is the last thing you want to find out at 6 a.m. Below, we've laid out Fermano's instructions to keep your Keurig clean and ready to brew.
How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker
It depends on how often you use your brewer, but you should do this cleaning routine once a week if you make coffee daily.
What You'll Need
Keurig 3-month maintenance kit (includes descaling solution, rinse pods, cleaning tablets, and filters)
Large ceramic mug
Water
Step One: Wipe Down the Exterior
Clean the outside of your brewer by gently wiping it down with a damp cloth.
Step Two: Clean the Drip Tray and Plate
Slide out the drip tray, being careful not to spill any excess liquid that may be in it. Hand wash the drip tray, then wipe the plate with a clean, damp cloth.
Step Three: Wash the Reservoir
Remove the water reservoir and lid, wash both by hand, and rinse. Make sure you remove the water filter first if your machine has one, and let the inside of the reservoir air-dry instead of wiping it with a cloth—you don't want to leave any lint behind in there.
Step Four: Run a Water-Only Cycle
Now that you've cleaned the exterior and the reservoir, it's a good idea to run a water-only brew to flush the system. To do this, fill the now-clean reservoir with water, and place a large mug on the drip tray. Run a brew of just water—no K-Cup—on the largest size setting. You can also do this by using one of Keurig's Rinse Pods in place of a K-Cup.
How to Descale Your Keurig Coffee Maker
For a deeper clean, you should descale your Keurig brewer every three to six months, depending on how often you use it, whether you use filtered water to make coffee, and how hard the water is in your area. This process removes any calcium deposits inside.
Step One: Add Descaling Solution
Empty your brewer's water reservoir, and remove then, pour in a full bottle of the descaling solution. Fill the now-empty bottle with water, and pour that in too. Make sure the brewer doesn't have a leftover K-Cup pod inside, and place a large mug on the drip tray.
Step Two: Turn On Descale Mode
How you start Descale mode will differ depending on your model, but for the K- Supreme model seen here, you do this by powering off the brewer and holding down the 8oz and 12oz buttons together for three seconds. Once the light starts flashing, press the brew button to start descaling. Continue to press the brew button and repeat the descaling process until the "add water" indicator lights up.
Step Three: Repeat As Needed
Rinse the reservoir thoroughly, fill it with fresh water, and run a cycle without a pod to cleanse the system. Repeat until the Descale notification turns off. Once the Descale notification turns off, your brewer is ready to use again.
Looking for details for your exact machine? "Head over to this page on Keurig.com for descale instructions specific to your Keurig brewer model," advises Fermano. You'll find instructions for each model along with the user guide, how-to videos, answers to frequently asked questions, troubleshooting tips, and warranty details.
How to Replace Your Keurig's Water Filter
If your Keurig has a water filter holder, you need to replace the water filter cartridge inside it to keep your coffee tasting its best. They help remove chlorine from the water. A Keurig water filter cartridge should be changed about every two months. Not all Keurigs come with water filter holders, but you can buy them and the cartridges separately.
Step One: Prep the Cartridge
Fill a small container with fresh water and soak a new Keurig water filter cartridge for five minutes, then rinse it under running water for 60 seconds.
Step Two: Install the New Cartridge
Keurig water filter cartridges fit into a water filter holder that stands inside the water reservoir. The holder has two pieces: a tall top and a base with grooves to hold the cartridge. Press the tabs on both sides of the bottom of the water filter holder at the same time and pull down to remove the base. Remove the old cartridge, and insert the new one. Push the top of the water filter holder back down onto the base.
Step Three: Replace the Water Filter Holder
There are grooves on the bottom of the water reservoir to hold the water filter holder upright. Put the water filter holder back in the reservoir, making sure to push down firmly to attach it securely. Refill the reservoir with water, and you're ready to brew again.
Keurig Cleaning FAQS
How Often Should I Clean My Keurig?
We recommend wiping down and cleaning your Keurig once a week or so. This will ensure your machine is in tip-top shape and will actually result in better tasting coffee. If you care about your coffee, it's a quick chore that's completely worth it.
How Often Should I Descale My Keurig?
You should run a descaling cycle every three to six months, depending on how often you use your machine, whether you use tap water in it, and how hard the water is where you live. If you're making multiple cups of coffee a day, three months is probably the longest you want to go without descaling. However, less frequent use might mean you can go longer between cleaning cycles since there'll be less gunk and grime to deal with.
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