Cleaning a Keurig coffee maker coffee maker is easy, and there are different ways to achieve it. The first way is using a dish cleaning detergent to give the unit a general cleaning. You can also rely on vinegar to clean the machine while eliminating mineral buildup on the machine part.
It’s advisable to clean the unit often using dish detergent. But you can schedule when to use vinegar on your Keurig brewer depending on the frequency of use.
You will realize several benefits if you clean the brewer often;
- It will make a better-tasting cup of coffee each time
- You will prolong its life
- Cleaning prevents bacteria and bad flavor from developing in the machine
- A clean Keurig will appear beautiful on the kitchen counter.
Contents
What you require to clean the machine
- Non-abrasive piece of cloth
- A dry towel or piece of cloth
- Dish detergent
- Hot soapy water
- Get your dishwasher ready
Note: before you start, switch off the machine and unplug it to avoid an accident.
The cleaning process
Step 1: Detach the brewer’s Components
Carefully disassemble your brewer; you should start by opening the cover of the unit by lifting the handle and then removing the K-Cup holder inside.
To detach the K-Cup holder, hold the top of the holder. Then push up the bottom side of the K-Cup assembly from below. All standard Keurig brewers come with two sharp needles inside that can cause accidents, so you should be keen when detaching the K-Cup holder. Disassembling the funnel, drip plate, and drip tray should be pretty simple after detaching the K-cup holder. Be cautious to avoid breaking these parts since they might be plastic.
Step 2: Clean the components (K-Cup holder, drip plate, funnel and drip tray)
Cleaning these components is easy since they are dishwasher safe. Put the parts in the dishwasher and run the equipment on a regular wash setting using dish detergent. Remember these parts should enter the top rack of the dishwasher.
You can also hand wash these components. The K-Cup holder requires rinsing under warm to hot water. It’s not necessary to scrub the K-Cup holder after rinsing it.
To hand wash the drip plate, funnel, and drip tray, simply immerse them in hot soapy water. Then scrub them using a non-abrasive piece of cloth. Then rinse these parts well.
Using a dry towel dry all these components. Alternatively, you can allow them to air dry.
Step 3: Clean the exit needle
The exit needles are found in the upper and bottom parts of the K-Cup holder. The exit needles have three holes that require cleaning. Remove possible debris from the holes; you can use a paper clip to achieve that.
Coffee grounds might enter these holes, so it’s vital to clean these parts. When using a paper clip, insert it about 2.5 cm deep into the tube. Try wiggling to remove any debris that might have been lodged in these holes.
Step 3: Clean the Water reservoir & removable lid
The water reservoir & removable lid aren’t dishwasher safe, and you should hand wash them using a non-abrasive cloth and water. Do not use detergents or cleansers when cleaning these parts. These agents might contaminate the water supply for next use. Simply wipe out these components with a wet cloth and then rinse under hot running water.
After cleaning, dry the components using a dry towel or allowing them to air dry.
Step 4: Wipe down the machine’s exterior
Use a wet non-abrasive cloth to wipe the exterior of the Keurig, coffee maker. Your target should be dried coffee grounds, water stains, or other unpleasant stains on the body of the machine.
If the exterior needs a thorough touch, dip the cloth in soapy water and use it to wipe the machine. Then rinse the exterior under running water or rinse the cloth and use it to wipe soap on the machine. Avoid immersing the entire body in water.
Step 5: Reassemble the Machine
Insert the funnel back into the K-Cup, and place the K-Cup holder into the unit. Ensure to slide back the drip plate and drip plate. Now your Keurig brewer is clean, and you can use it to continue brewing your favorite cup of coffee.
