There’s always space on the kitchen counter for a coffee maker. Keurig coffee makers have become a mainstay in many households because of their ease of operation and sleek design. They reduce the hassle of using coffee grounds and filters. To keep the machines functional and performing at peak level, you must clean them. It gets rid of mold, removes scale, and keeps your coffee fresh.
Use salty or soapy water to topically clean a Keurig coffee maker. Disassemble the machine and wash the machine-washable parts by hand or in the dishwasher. Reassemble the Keurig coffee maker and run the machine with white vinegar in the reservoir to kill mold and descale the machine.
Keurig coffee maker cleaning instructions
Keurigs are electrical appliances that should not be submerged in water or liquid. However, you can take apart the machine and clean every nook and cranny. While cleaning daily is not necessary, a Keurig coffee has detailed cleaning instructions.
First, wipe the outer part of the Keurig coffee machine with a damp, soapy, lint-free cloth to remove dirt or coffee spills. You can wipe it daily just to keep it sparkling.
It’s a great idea to clean the removable parts weekly for a consistent brew.
You’ll need:
- Lint-free cloth
- Clean paper clip
- Large ceramic mug
- Access to a sink
- Dish soap
Here are some of the cleaning tips as recommended by the manufacturer:
Turn off the coffee maker and unplug from the electricity source.
Cleaning your brewer
Wipe your brewer gently on the outside with a damp, soapy, lint-free cloth. This cleans any dust or dirt on your machine. Do not insert the coffee maker in water or any liquid.
Cleaning the drip tray
The drip tray can be wiped down or removed from the main machine and cleaned with water and soap. Slide the tray slowly towards you when removing, keeping it steady as it might have accumulated brew.
Clean the drip tray parts with a damp, soapy lint-free cloth and rinse in the sink under running water. Do not wash these parts in the dishwasher. Place on a clean surface to dry.
Cleaning your K-cup assembly
- Remove the pod holder.
- Remove the funnel from the pod holder. You might need extra effort removing it for the first time. Pull at the sides of the pod holder until it comes out.
- Cleaning with a paper clip: Using your clean clip, straighten one end carefully and locate the tubes on the pot holder. They are normally on the underside. Insert your straightened end of the clip into the tube. Rotate the clip inside to remove any clogging particles.
- Cleaning the pod holder: Rinse the funnel and pod with running water for a few seconds. This helps to loosen and remove any clogging particles. Be careful while cleaning the pod holder. The exit needle can prick your fingers. Set aside the pod holder and funnel to dry.
- Cleaning the entrance needle: Lift your coffee maker handle and find the entrance needle under the machine’s head. There are two holes in the needle that should be thoroughly cleaned. Use the straightened part of your paper clip to clean the two holes. As before, insert and rotate the clip gently to remove any particles. Keep your fingers safe from the entrance needles.
- Reassemble the pod holder: Your pot holder and funnel are now dry and ready to be put back in your brewer. Click in the funnel back into the pod holder. Look out for the side slots of the funnel and align them with the pod holder for easy reattachment. Once the funnel is back in, align the pod holder tabs with the opening of your coffee maker and snap-in.
Cleaning the water reservoir and lid
Clean your water reservoir at least once a week using a damp, lint-free cloth. Drain the reservoir before cleaning.
Wash the inside gently with the soapy cloth and rinse thoroughly with running water. Do the same for the lid. Avoid drying the water reservoir with a cloth since lint could be left inside. Place the reservoir upside-down on a clean surface to dry.
Cleaning the carafe in Keurig 2.0
The carafe should be cleaned after every use.
Empty the carafe and remove the lid. Using a clean damp cloth, wipe inside and rinse with hot water. Return the lid and reassemble.
Plug and power
Once your brewer is clean in and out, plug it back and power it on.
Run a cleansing brew
Put enough clean water in the water reservoir. Place your ceramic mug on the drip tray, lift and lower the handle without placing a k-cup pod and hold the brew button. The coffee maker will dispense water and pour it out.
Regular cleaning of your brewer will keep it working for longer.
How to clean a Keurig coffee maker with vinegar
White vinegar is a versatile home cleaner. It is used to wipe out any tough mineral deposits inside and outside Keurig coffee makers.
Requirements
- 10 ounces white vinegar
- Water
- Soap
- Clean, dry lint-free cloth
- Ceramic cup
Procedure
- For safety, unplug your brewer.
- Empty your water reservoir and turn off the auto-function button if your Keurig coffee maker has one.
- Fill the reservoir halfway or with up to 10 ounces of white vinegar. Fill the reservoir halfway if you have recently cleaned the machine with vinegar. If you haven’t cleaned the coffee maker for a long time, fill the reservoir with 10 ounces of vinegar.
- Place a big ceramic cup on the drip tray and run the machine through a brew cycle. Do not insert any k-cup inside the pod.
- Pour out the cup of hot vinegar and keep running the brew cycle until the ‘add water’ light comes on.
- Let your brewer sit for a few hours to let the vinegar break down any remaining scale deposits. After 4 hours, you can pour out all the vinegar from the machine, rinse the reservoir and fill it with water. Run brews of the water until all the vinegar is out and your brew has no vinegar smell.
Your coffee maker should be clean at this point and ready to brew a nice cup of Joe.
Keurig coffee maker maintenance tips
Keurig coffee makers are easy to maintain and can serve for a long time. Apply these maintenance tips to improve a Keurig coffee maker’s durability.
- If not used for long, empty the reservoir to prevent bacteria growth.
- Rinse your machine with plain water after sweet brew like hot chocolate to clean out the leftover sugars.
- Empty out the K-cup bin when full.
- According to Keurig, bottled or spring water is the best to clean a Keurig coffee maker. You can also buy a descaling solution specifically for descaling the machine.
