A tall glass of milk or juice is fine, but you will need a cup of Joe if you really want to get going in the morning. Besides, who doesn’t love pushing the button on their Keurig coffee maker every morning and waiting as their favorite aroma fills the entire kitchen? Whether you are a coffee drinker because of the kick you get whenever you take a sip, or just can’t resist the taste of Nicaraguan Arabian coffee by Lifeboost Coffee, regardless of the reason, you will want to keep on enjoying your favorite brew – one that your Keurig coffee maker has to offer. 

For those of you who think that the pod coffee system is the best thing since sliced bread - you’re not wrong. There’s nothing like enjoying a potent cup of your favorite coffee at a moment’s notice – no need to roast or grind here!

While pre-ground coffee pods are ideal for those in a hurry and are good for just one-time use, the level of convenience, options, and efficiency they offer make them the preferred choice for folks who are looking for a hassle-free cup of their favorite brew. 

Since the Keurig coffee maker has become an important addition to a kitchen, it is unthinkable to start it up one morning and find that the custom flavored pods you cherry-picked recently have not quite delivered on their promise. So, where did that horrible, bitter cup come from? 

The answer is simple. It came from your Keurig coffee maker. Coffee machines that get a lot of daily use tend to develop clogs, which can not only take a toll on the overall taste of the coffee but can also stop it from working completely. Another reason to clean a Keurig coffee maker regularly is because, like any other type of coffee machine, the Keurig also has a reservoir along with other components that require cleaning. If you don’t clean these components, you will not only be drinking coffee but also bacteria, mold, dust, and heaven knows what else every morning. 

The good news is that there is one red flag that can indicate that your beloved Keurig coffee maker is housing more than just tiny particles of pre-ground coffee beans. If the coffee coming out of your Keurig coffee maker is tasting weird, bland, or plain disgusting, then you’re not alone. Many folks swear by the goodness that the Keurig coffee maker has to offer, but fail to make sure their go-to morning gizmo is kept clean. 

Keeping that in mind, here we are going to take a quick look at how to clean a Keurig coffee maker the right way so you can keep on enjoying your favorite java made in the comfort of your home.

To begin the process, you will have to dilute the white distilled vinegar with water. This is done by filling the reservoir of the coffee maker with equal parts of water and vinegar. However, the ratio of the water to vinegar will depend on the condition of the coffee maker. If your coffee has a particularly nasty taste, then it is recommended to add a bit more vinegar to the mix.

You can mix the vinegar and water by pouring equal parts into the chamber itself, or mix the two beforehand and just pour the mixture into the chamber. Vinegar is great when it comes to cleaning a coffee maker not just because it helps clean out any mineral deposits that have accrued over time, but it also helps sanitize the coffee maker and the carafe. 

Remove the Parts for Cleaning

Remove all removable parts from the Keurig coffee maker and clean thoroughly with warm soapy water. You should only remove the water filter if you can do so as per the user manual. Now, replace the empty carafe and the filter basket. 

Brew and Soak

Place the filter into the basket and switch on the brewer. It is important to note that halfway through the brewing process, turn off the coffee maker so that the solution of water and vinegar soaks in the reservoir for a while. Let the solution soak in the reservoir for around an hour or so, depending on the condition of the coffee maker. Good results can also be achieved if you let the solution soak in the reservoir for half an hour. 

Finish Cycle 

Turn the coffee maker on again so that it can complete its brewing cycle. You can toss in the paper filter if you have one for the coffee maker. If you use a paper filter, be sure to place one in the brew basket. 

Discard Solution 

After the brew cycle has finished, discard the solution from the carafe and replace the filter if you use one. Now that you have poured out the water and vinegar solution, you will need to get rid of the distinct vinegar odor and taste. 

Run the Cycle

To do that, fill the water chamber of your coffee maker with clean water and start another brew cycle. This will help to flush the taste and smell of the vinegar from the coffee maker. You can repeat this process twice by discarding the clean water and filling the reservoir with more fresh water and then starting the full brew cycle again for the second time. Running the brewing cycle twice with clean water should be more than enough to get rid of the smell and taste of vinegar from the coffee maker. 

Wipe the Keurig Coffee Maker Dry

Now that the process is complete, make sure to wipe down both the coffee maker and the carafe properly using the soft clean cloth. 

Clean the Interior and Exterior

Use an old soft toothbrush (or any soft brush) and give the exterior of the coffee maker a nice scrubbing. Be sure to clean the reservoir, the drip tray, and the cover. You can toss the funnel and holder in the dishwasher for thorough cleaning while you focus on the exterior of the coffee maker. That said, it is advised not to place the lid of the reservoir into the dishwasher. 

The best way to clean the reservoir lid of your coffee maker is by placing it in the kitchen sink filled with hot water and a dash of liquid detergent and let it soak for 20 minutes before rinsing and drying. With all the excitement of seeing the exterior of your coffee maker sparkle again, you might forget about another important part of the coffee maker that needs the same level of attention – the interior. 

Pro Tip:

Before you use this method, you should check the user manual to ensure it’s safe to use vinegar to clean your coffee maker. While this is a well-known way of cleaning coffee machines, not all brands advise it, depending on the model, type, and materials that have been used during the manufacturing process of the coffee machine. To be on the safe side, it’s always best to check the user manual that came along with the coffee maker.

• You will start by pouring one-third (4.6 oz) of the Keurig descaling solution into the water reservoir (if you are using the Keurig descaling pouch, its entire contents will be poured into the reservoir.
• Now, pour water into the reservoir and fill it with the MAX fill marking.
• On the control panel, press down on the ‘OZ/POD’ button to perform a cleansing brew. You can begin the process by selecting the 12 buttons before hitting ‘brew’ on your machine. You will need to make sure no K-cup pod is inserted into the machine during this process.
• Place a large mug on the drip tray to catch the contents.
• Press down on the ‘Cups/Carafe’ button after placing a carafe on the heating place. You can begin the cleansing brew by pressing the ‘10 button’ then ‘Brew.’
• Once done, empty the carafe and switch off the heating plate to give the brewer time to cool down (30 minutes should be enough time for the brewer to cool).
• Now, thoroughly rinse the reservoir to get rid of all the leftover contents and fill it with fresh water till the MAX line indicator.
• Place an empty carafe on the heating plate and hit ‘Cups/Carafe’ to start the cleansing brew. You will have to select the 12 buttons and then ‘Brew’ to start the process.
• This is the tricky part. You will now have to switch off the heating plate by pressing down on the red button (Cups/Carafe) until the red light turns off.
• You will now have to fill the reservoir with fresh water again till the MAX fill line and repeat the process three more times. 

Some additional tips from Keurig:

• According to the Keurig website, you shouldn’t use softened water or distilled water. Bottled or spring water works best when brewing with the Keurig.
• Help dislodge debris by forcing air through the waterline by using a straw.
• Try cleaning the entry and exit needles if your system isn’t performing properly.
• There are many types of Keurig machines, such as K-Elite, K-Classic, K-Cafe, K-Compact, K-Select, and K-Latte, so make sure you read the user manual carefully before cleaning the Keurig coffee maker you own. 

How To Clean Keurig Coffee Maker: Weekly

Your Keurig coffee maker may be one of the more robust machines you have around the kitchen, but it too needs some TLC from time to time. To make sure your Keurig coffee maker keeps on chugging out those excellent K-cups, you will need to clean it at least once a week.

So, take some time out of your busy schedule and wash the water reservoir along with its lid, the mug tray, and K-cup holder, and don’t forget to wash any other removable parts as well to keep the coffee machine safe from the build-up of dust, debris, bacteria and mold (gross!).

How To Clean Keurig Coffee Maker: Monthly

It is no secret that your coffee is going to taste delicious every time if you follow a strict monthly cleaning schedule for your Keurig coffee maker. Your monthly chore to thoroughly clean the coffee machine should include washing the mug tray along with the K-cup holder, and the reservoir and lid. You will need to remove the water filter cartridge first. Take a Clorox wipe or use a soft, damp cloth to the exterior to make sure it looks just like the first time it was unboxed. 

How To Clean Keurig Coffee Maker: 2-Month Rinse Down

While cleaning your Keurig coffee maker on a weekly and monthly basis is all fine and dandy, once it hits the two-month mark it is time to replace the water filter cartridge. You can unwrap the filter refill and keep it soaked for a few minutes in fresh water.

Rinse it with cold running water and viola. It is also advised to clean the filter holder, as in, the mesh at the bottom with soapy water and dry. Replace the cartridge and Bob’s your uncle!

So, you don’t mind cleaning the vents at your home or polishing the tabletop, but what about your Keurig coffee maker? It goes without saying that if you want to really enjoy your coffee every morning, then you are going to need to know how to clean a Keurig coffee maker, and more importantly, how to descale a Keurig coffee maker? 

If you’ve been noticing that your Keurig machine has been giving you bland coffee lately, it’s time to use the aforementioned tips to make sure all of the components of your Keurig coffee maker are clean. If you want to learn more about how to clean a Keurig coffee maker or find out more about the best coffee beans as in, Nicaraguan Arabian coffee by

Lifeboost Coffee then visit LifeBoost Coffee today.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content.

All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.