Coffee is a tasty beverage but more than that for most people. It offers that caffeine hit you need to start your day and keep you going for the rest of it. Approximately 400 million cups of coffee are consumed daily in the United States, so it is safe to say that it forms an essential part of our daily routine. The Keurig coffee maker is a household staple for most coffee drinkers, with 45% having it as their preferred brewing method. 

And why wouldn’t they? Forgive our love for convenience, but it is so easy to pop a fresh pod into your Keurig and have a cup of joe whenever you want. However, if you don’t take proper care of your Keurig, mold, bacteria, and limescale will build up and affect the taste of your brew, or worse, your Keurig will break down. It is, therefore, vital that you learn how to clean and descale your Keurig regularly. 

Why Cleaning Your Keurig Is Essential

Every appliance should be cleaned regularly to continue serving you optimally; your Keurig coffee maker is no exception. Here are a few reasons why cleaning your Keurig is essential;

• Improved Taste: With time, coffee deposits and bacteria build up in your Keurig. Mineral deposits from hard water also build up to form scale, preventing your coffee from tasting fresh. If you drink flavored coffee, you might also notice some flavor transfer that will dampen your overall experience.
• Extended Lifespan: When there is scale and product build-up in your machine, it can lead to clogging. If left unattended, this could potentially lead to breakdown and costly repairs. With regular cleaning and maintenance, however, you can avoid this and prolong the lifespan of your machine.

Step-By-Step Guide To Clean A Keurig 

1. Cleaning the Exterior

With constant usage, splatters and fingerprint smudges are inevitable. Dust and dirt can also begin to accumulate on your machine. It’s advisable to wipe it down quickly after every use. 

To clean the exterior, use dish soap or a mild vinegar solution with a microfiber towel to prevent scratching. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for your vinegar solution.

2. Cleaning the Internal Components 

This is simple;

1. Unplug the machine
2. Remove all the removable parts, such as the water reservoir, filter, K-cup holder, drip, and lid.
3. Hand wash with warm, soapy water.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Air dry (this is to prevent the collection of towel lint).
6. Rinse the filter.
7. Replace all the removable parts and reinsert the water filter.
8. Plug in your machine.

PS: It is easy to forget to clean your needle, but you shouldn’t. A dirty needle can affect the brewing process and leave coffee grounds clogging your machine or floating around in your brew. This part might seem tricky, but it is straightforward. For this, all you need is a paperclip.

• Unplug the machine
• Separate the pod holder from the funnel.
• Carefully unfold the paperclip to dislodge any debris in the pod holder's exit needle and tube.
• Wash the pod holder and rinse thoroughly.
• Carefully clean the entrance needle with the paperclip.
• Reassemble the funnel and pod holder and reinsert.
• Brew two cups of water to rinse the needles thoroughly.

3. Descaling the Machine

This is important so your coffee always remains fresh. You should descale your Keurig quarterly if you brew coffee daily. If you brew coffee a couple of times a day, then you need to descale every 6-8 weeks.

For this, you simply need a Keurig descaling solution. If you don’t have this, distilled white vinegar will do the job superbly.

1. Remove the water filter.
2. Empty the water reservoir and fill it to the max line with distilled white vinegar.
3. Place a mug on the drip tray and check to ensure no pod is inside.
4. Select the largest cup size and brew as usual.
5. Do this until the ‘Add water’ indicator lights up.
6. Let the Keurig rest for half an hour.
7. Empty the reservoir and wash it thoroughly.
8. Fill to the max line with clean water and perform 12 rinsing brews. This is to eliminate any trace of vinegar or descaling solution.

Maintenance Tips For Keeping Your Keurig Clean

Regular Cleaning Schedule

It is essential to have a regular cleaning schedule for easy maintenance of your Keurig. Some simple daily maintenance tasks are removing used pods and cleaning the exterior surfaces of your Keurig. Other maintenance tasks are;

• Wash the internal components monthly.
• Descale quarterly.
• Replace the filter every 2-3 months.

Filtered Water Usage

Always using a filter to reduce mineral deposits within your machine is essential. You should change the filter every 2-3 months with these easy steps;

• Soak your new water cartridge in clean water for about 5 minutes.
• Wash with soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
• Wash the filter holder with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
• Properly reinsert the water filter and lock it in place.

Handling Common Issues

1. Clogged Needles

Needles can get clogged over time because of the buildup of excess coffee grounds. This could lead to coffee grounds floating around in your brew or other problems, such as incomplete brewing. Thankfully, this problem is easy to fix. Simply clean the needles with the guide above. Remember to do it carefully to prevent injuries.

2. Weak Brew Strength

If the strength of your brew is weak, it means that your machine needs a thorough cleaning. Residual coffee grounds and limescale build-up heavily impact the taste and strength of your coffee. Use the already-mentioned tips to clean your Keurig efficiently. Some other tips to help with your brew strength are;

1. Add a filter to the machine or use distilled water.
2. Use a darker roast coffee.
3. Choose a smaller cup size.
4. Pull your mug out early before the last few watery drops.

Every coffee lover’s nightmare is terrible tasting coffee or to have their machine breakdown on them. With the maintenance tips in this article, you can easily avoid that and always count on your Keurig to deliver.

Make sure to share this article with your friends and any other coffee lovers you know.