Single serve coffee makers are all the rage these days, and they have become a hot gift item for foodies and non-foodies alike. You may have admired your friend’s Keurig coffee machine and dreamed of having one of your own. Maybe you even bought yourself a brand new single serve coffee maker the last time they went on sale.
Whether you already own one or are just thinking about buying a Keurig coffee machine, it’s important to keep the appliance clean and disinfect it regularly. As is the case with all machines, treat it right and it will treat you right. Maintaining and descaling your Keurig machine or other coffee pod maker properly can vastly improve the taste of the coffee and help you get the most out of the device. Cleaning your coffee maker is not a complicated or time-consuming process, so there’s no reason not to do it.
Note: There are differences between every Keurig model so please review the instructions that came with your specific model before proceeding.
Tips for Descaling your Keurig
Start by gathering the items you will need. Those cleaning supplies include:
- a bottle of white vinegar
- a clean toothbrush
- a few clean cloths
- a mug
- plenty of fresh water
You will need to remove a few things from the coffee maker before you start the cleaning. Remove the water level guide and set it aside, then take out the drip tray and the funnel that normally holds the K-cups or other coffee pods.
Once those parts have been removed and set aside, you can start looking for, and cleaning out, coffee grounds. Dip a clean toothbrush in white vinegar and reach into the interior of the machine. Use the toothbrush to remove any coffee grounds you find. You may need to push the brush into the funnel hole and gently clean that area as well.
Once the machine is free of leftover coffee grounds, you can continue the cleaning with a thorough descaling. Start by filling the reservoir with white vinegar – you will typically need about 10 ounces.
Place a ceramic coffee mug on the drip tray to catch the liquid that comes out of the machine. Wait about five seconds, then carefully lower the brewer handle and press the brew button to start the descaling process.
Wait for the vinegar to go through the machine, then discard the liquid. Repeat the descaling process a second time and a third if necessary. If your single serve coffee maker has never been cleaned before, you may need to descale it several times to get it clean. Once it has been thoroughly cleaned, descaling the machine once a month should be enough to keep it in top shape.
Once the descaling process has been completed, you can clean the loose pieces you removed using the same vinegar solution. Rinse the pieces thoroughly with warm water, then reassemble the machine and brew yourself a fresh cup of single serve coffee.
Now that you’re single serve coffee machine or Keurig machine is cleaned, you’ll be enjoy a noticeable improvement in your coffee’s flavor and body.
Other Brew Methods that Won’t Require Descaling
Single serve coffee machines or K-Cup machines aren’t for everyone. If you’re someone who likes the simple non-electrical brewers, consider going with a Pour over brewer or French Press. They won’t brew you a cup of coffee with the push of a button, but these methods will generally produce a higher quality cup of coffee. The reason for this is that these brew methods give you full control over the brewing variables involved such as temperature, water quantity, pressure, etc.
Related Link: Choose from our selection of top drip coffee makers
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