Learn how to descale a Keurig to remove mineral build-ups and help your machine last longer.
What does descaling a Keurig mean?
Descaling is an important part of Keurig cleaning routine. This process removes calcium deposits, or scale, that can build up inside a coffee maker over time. Descaling your machine on a regular basis keeps your machine in a good condition and it also helps with poor performance.
Descaling should be done every 3 – 4 months, depending on the mineral content of the water in your area.
What to use for descaling?
You can descale a Keurig with vinegar or with a commercial descaler. White vinegar is a good option if you’re worried about germs and yeast, but commercial descalers are much more efficient for mineral deposits.
It’s also much faster to descale your machine with a commercial descaling solution because it’s more efficient. Keurig recommends waiting around 30 minutes if using a commercial descaler, and 4 hours if you’re using vinegar to descale K Mini for example. Of course, if you prefer natural cleaners, feel free to use vinegar.
How to descale Keurig
You will need:
Water
large mug/ bowl
Keurig descaling solution
How to descale Keurig K Elite, K Select, K Compact, K55 and Elite
1. To prepare your machine, empty water from the water reservoir and remove the water filter from the tank. Make sure there’s no k-cup in the machine and make sure that auto-off feature is disabled. To disable, press the black auto off button on top – the green auto off light should turn off. Turn off the brewer.
2. Pour 1 bottle of Keurig Descaling solution and 14 ounces of water into the reservoir, then turn on your brewer. Place a mug/ a pitcher on a drip tray. Open an close the handle and press the largest brew size. Wait until the solution is dispensed. Discard mug contents.
3. Repeat the rinse process until the “add water” light turns on. Next, let the brewer stand for at least 30 minutes. Do not turn off the machine during this period.
5. After 30 minutes, discard any residual solution from the tank and rinse well.
6. Next, fill the reservoir to the MAX fill line with clean water and press the brew button. Repeat the rinse step until the “add water” light turns on. Repeat again: refill the reservoir and rinse until all water is dispensed.
You want to completely rinse the machine and make sure there’s no residue or smell. Two full tanks should do the job on Elite, K-Select or K55. For K-Compact you will need 3 full tanks (Keurig recommends rinsing your machine 12 times at 10 ounce cup setting).
7. Wipe the machine and all removable parts, fill the reservoir with clean, fresh water and you’re ready to brew.
How to descale Keurig K Mini and K Mini Plus
1. Pour 1/3 of the descaling solution in the tank and add fresh water to the 10 oz fill level.
2. Place a mug/a pitcher on the drip tray, lift the handle and close the handle without inserting the pod.
3. Press the brew button. Wait until the descaling solution is dispensed and empty the mug/pitcher.
4. Repeat the process but this time turn off the machine when the brew button turns solid and the brewer starts to dispense solution. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
5. When the time has passed, press and hold the Brew button until all of the solution has been dispensed. Discard the solution into the sink.
6. Next, add 12 ounces of fresh water into the tank without the solution. This is a cleansing brew. Lift and close the handle and press the brew button. Wait until the water is dispensed and discard water from the mug. Repeat this process twice.
7. Wipe the brewer with a damp cloth and you’re ready to brew.
Any amount of time spent cleaning your coffee maker is going to be time well-spent. Your coffee maker will work better and the coffee will taste better, as well. I also have some extra tips and tricks that will help you make better Keurig coffee at home.
Leave a Reply