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With the revolution in coffee making and the increasing demand for coffee, it has now become very easy to brew your cup within seconds by using coffee makers.
Loved by many, Keurig is one of the most used one-cup coffee makers. But are you giving it the attention that it needs?
Today, I am going to tell you how to clean Keurig one-cup coffee maker.
You might have noticed the changes in the taste of the brew if you are using a coffee maker. This occurs due to the buildup of contaminants in the coffee maker and its filter which compromises the taste of your coffee.
It is therefore very essential to clean your Keurig so that it does not become a breeding ground for the harmful bacteria which might make you sick.
Frequency of Cleaning
The frequency of cleaning depends upon how often you use your Keurig coffee maker and also on the model that you own. For average use, you can follow this cleanup routine:
Water filter cartridge: Every 2 months
Mineral build-up: Every 3-6 months
Needle: As per your need
Removable parts such as drip tray, and k cup holder: as often as needed or at least weekly.
How to Clean Keurig
Many users want to know “How to clean a Keurig coffee machine” and that might be troublesome for them although it’s very easy to clean it. You may need the following things to clean your Keurig;
- A dishwashing liquid
- Descaling solution (Keurig has its descaling solution too)
- White vinegar
- Clean water
- Cleaning sponge or cloth
You need to unplug your Keurig first and then disassemble all of its parts which include a coffee mug tray, coffee pot holder, and water reservoir.
The cleaning involves the following steps;
Wash the disassembled components
Once you have disassembled the removable parts, carry them to a sink and give them a thorough wash with warm and soapy water to get rid of molds and bacteria. The parts are also dishwasher-safe.
Once washed, keep them aside for drying.
By that time, wipe the surface of the machine with a damp piece of cloth. Check around the coffee pot holder area for granules and clean them up.
If you have a refillable K cup, wash it well to remove the oil which might cause bitterness.
Read our popular post: The 13 Best Espresso Machines Under 700 | Reviews 2024
Clean the crevices
Get a small brush or a toothbrush and have a detailed cleaning of the remaining components of your Keurig. This has built-up grit and grime inside resulting in clogging which affects the taste.
You can use Keurig needle cleaning tools to poke inside the toothy components of your K-cup. You can also use a simple pin or paper clip to wiggle around the holes to remove any debris.
Clean the machine with white vinegar or a descaling solution
Normal household vinegar is acidic enough and is the best choice to descale your machine without causing harm to it.
Now the question here arises about how to clean a Keurig with vinegar. The answer is very simple, take Keurig’s water reservoir and fill it up with water and white vinegar. Attach all the components back to their place and plug in your Keurig. Start the brew cycle without inserting the K cup into your machine.
Fill your mugs with the solution until it’s finished and your reservoir is empty. For thorough cleaning, you can repeat the process by filling the reservoir again with vinegar and water solution.
Keurig is also selling its descaling solution for this purpose if you don’t want to use the vinegar you can opt for this option.
You may also like to know: How long do Coffee Makers Last? – Useful Guide
Clean the machine with water
To complete your one-cup Keurig coffee maker cleaning process and to get rid of that stinky smell of vinegar, fill the empty reservoir back. Then with fresh clean water run through a full container again to flush out all the residual vinegar. Make sure not to insert your cup during the brew cycle.
Some Keurig models feature a water filter as a part of their water reservoir. If you are using that model, it’s good to clean the water filter too.
How to Clean A Keurig Filter
The filter of your Keurig needs to be changed and cleaned every few months for better performance of the machine and to get a brew free of mineral deposits. If you are a regular user, try replacing the filter cartridge after about every 60 tanks.
For the best performance of your Keurig, you can try considering the following;
- Try not to use hard water for your Keurig
- Check for the punch needles of your machine for clogs for an efficient brew cycle
- Use a straw to clean your water reservoir. Sputtering sound results due to debris in the water reservoir line.
- Avoid entrapment of moisture by emptying the reservoir and leaving the lid open.
Viola! Your Keurig is now free from scaling and is ready for its full-fledged performance.
Final Words
If you love your Keurig it’s very important that you also take care of it by giving it the attention that it needs. As long as you are following the steps correctly you don’t need to worry about anything going wrong with your machine or with the taste of your brew.
As of now, you all are aware of how to clean Keurig one-cup coffee makers so you can easily take some time out to clean your machine.
After all, you are doing this for yourself and the sake of your taste buds. I hope you will find this article helpful so don’t forget to share your opinion with me.
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