How To Clean a Keurig 2.0 – Learning the Art In Simple Steps

How To Clean a Keurig 2.0 – Learning the Art In Simple Steps

If you are unsure on how to clean your Keurig 2.0 and also how to descale your Keurig 2.0 then this guide is perfect for you. This guide will help you to ensure that you can clean your Keurig 2.0 efficiently and you should find that it will still run efficiently.

You’re not alone in learning that coffee makers can get super gross over time… More than we even realize! This is because over a period of time coffee machines can end up collecting hard water buildup, along with mold, bacteria or even clogs.

How To Clean a Keurig 2.0 – Learning the Art In Simple Steps

As well as these things that can be collected, your coffee machine can also end up collecting a whole host of oil build ups. In turn, you will find that oil build ups will end up making your coffee taste really bitter or quite burned. 

Should You Clean Your Keurig Regularly?

So, this is tough to recommend because we don’t know how often you actually use your Keurig appliance. However, as an estimated guideline we would say that you should make sure that you clean your Keurig 2.0 at least once a month.

This is a super simple way of ensuring that your Keurig 2.0 is running as well as it can be, and this will also ensure that you get a super great cup of coffee each time you use it. 

Here’s the thing, we all know that spot-cleaning after spills or drips is super easy – but there is one element of the Keurig 2.0 that you really need to make sure that you clean.

This is the exit needles – these needles are the area around the k cup holder and the water tank. You should not feel too worried because this will not take as long as you initially envision.

In fact, doing this should only take you 15 or 20 minutes to do. And, we promise you that this will have a huge impact.

It is also really important to make sure that you make time to descale your coffee machine every 3 to 4 months. This time frame totally depends on the mineral content of the water that is in your area. 

If you are someone who is really looking for the best tasting coffee that you possibly can – then you should rinse your tank and also fill it back up with fresh water every morning.

This will make a massive difference in the quality and the taste of your coffee. You should also make sure that you wash the water tank really well with mild soap at least once a week. 

How To Clean Your Keurig 2.0

Now we can get into the technicalities of how exactly you should clean your Keurig 2.0, this is something that you need to make time for as you will really notice a difference in how your coffee tastes.

So, here is everything you need to know about how to clean your Keurig 2.0 machine. 

  1. Important reminder – before you start cleaning your machine you need to make sure that you unplug the machine. This might seem obvious, but you never know when you need a friendly reminder to be safe!
  2. Remove the tank and also remove the drip tray – you need to remove the drip tray along with the water tank. When you do this, you need to wash them with mild detergent and then rinse them when you have done this. 
  3. Clean the valve at the bottom of the tank – you should also clean the part on the machine where the tank goes. This is really important as you can ensure that there is no slime or mold on your Keurig 2.0 machine.
  4. Move on to cleaning the K cup holder along with the exit needles – now you have the perfect opportunity to use a needle maintenance tool and this will allow you to clean the top exit needle. Or you can clean your exit needles in another way that is proven to be much more effective.

Now, we can move on to the best way to clean your exit needles.

  1. The most effective way to clean your exit needles – you should make sure that you take out the K cup holder and also the diffuser so that you can really clean them properly.
  2. Turn off the brewer and take out the K cup holder – once you have done this you can then press the buttons on the K cup holder just to separate the holder and also the housing. 
  3. Use a paperclip to get rid of debris along with grounds from the bottom needle exit – this will then allow you to wash the holder with water. At this stage you need to be careful as the needle is especially sharp.
  4. Wash the housing and the diffuser – doing this will make sure that any oils and also any coffee grounds are removed. 

Back to cleaning the full Keurig 2.0 machine…

  1. Now you can completely wipe down the machine – this will give you a chance to clean out coffee grounds or any dirt that is left in the machine. This is especially key to do around the top exit needle and also the handle. We recommend that you do this using an old toothbrush or even a paper towel. 
  2. Wipe the rest of the machine with a damp cloth – now you can return all of the parts to the machine that are removable and you can plug in the machine.
  3. Add water and also rinse – the last stage in cleaning your Keurig 2.0 is to fill the tank with fresh water, and then run a few brew cycles. Make sure that you do this without inserting the pod just so that you fully rinse the machine.

How Can You Descale Your Keurig 2.0?

Here’s the thing, descaling is super important but it is one of those jobs that we all try to avoid. But, now is our friendly nudge to stop doing this.

If it has been a while since you have descaled your Keurig, then stop what you’re doing. Go and descale your Keurig 2.0 machine. Or… finish reading this, and then go and descale your Keurig 2.0!

Descaling is actually really important for the maintenance of your Keurig 2.0 machine. This is because descaling actually helps to clean mineral build-up that is inside your machine.

Descaling can also really help if you have noticed a decline in the performance of your Keurig machine too.

You should make sure that you descale your Keurig 2.0 every 3 to 4 months – again this is something that really is up to your personal judgement.

The mineral content of the water in your area can really influence this too. In fact, your Keurig itself will remind you of when you should be descaling it as it should show up on the touch screen.

If your Keurig 2.0 screen is screaming out to you: ‘time to descale the brewer’ then you should really listen to your machine.

What Should You Use To Descale Your Keurig 2.0?

What Should You Use To Descale Your Keurig 2.0

When it comes to knowing what to use when descaling your Keurig 2.0, we would recommend keeping it simple. You should use vinegar or a commercial descale just to descale your Keurig 2.0 machine.

In fact, you will even find that white vinegar is a really good option if you are especially stressed out about germs or even yeast. It is important to note that using commercial descalers will be much more effective for those mineral deposits.

Now, let’s get into how you should descale your Keurig 2.0 machine.

  1. Prepare the brewer – to do this you need to empty the water from the water reservoir. Then you need to make sure that you remove the water filter and also turn off the brewer.
  2. Add that descaling solution – now is the time to get stuck in with your descaling solution. You need to make sure that you pour one bottle of descaling solution along with 14 ounces of water straight into the reservoir. Once you have done this you can turn on your brewer.
  3. Time for the descaling rinse – to do this you need to first of all put a mug onto the drip tray. Then, open and close the handle without inserting a pod and just press the brew button.
  4. Make sure the setting is correct – make sure that if you have a Keurig K250 that you use the 6 ounce setting. If you have any other model you should use the 10 ounce setting. Make sure that you wait until the solution has dispensed before you discard the mug contents. 
  5. Repeat the rinse process – you need to do this until the brewer tells you that it needs more water – it will literally flash up on the screen.
  6. Now you need to let your brewer stand for at least 30 minutes – during this time you need to ensure that you do not turn off your machine. After 30 minutes you need to remove and also empty the water tank. Make sure that you also rinse it well!
  7. Time for some fresh water rinses – now you need to fill the reservoir with clean water only! Again, you will need to put a mug onto the drip tray when you do this. Make sure that you press the brew button to rinse this, and continue repeating the brew step until you empty an entire reservoir. Make sure that when you refill that you just use fresh water.
  8. Make sure that you have completely rinsed the machine – when you do this you need to make sure that you have completely rinsed the machine. You need to do this just to make sure that there is no residue or no smell. As a rough guide, two full tanks should ultimately do the job.
  9. Now you need to wipe the unit and then wash all of the removable parts – you need to make sure that you wipe the machine down with a damp cloth and also wash all the removable parts. Make sure that you wash all the removable parts with mild soap and then return them to the unit.
  10. Make sure that you clean over everything – this will include the exit needle and also the K cup holder. This will definitely give you the best result after your descaling process. Now you should fill the tank with fresh and clean water. Now, you should definitely treat yourself to a delicious cup of coffee. It’s fair to say that you have earned it for sure! 

Replacing The Water Filter In Your Keurig 2.0 machine

So, you need to make sure that you do not neglect your water filter. You really need to make sure that you change your water filter every 2 months, or after 60 tank refills! 

When it comes to working out what the best water to use in your Keurig 2.0 is, then you should really opt for bottled water or filtered water.

In fact, this is recommended by Keurig themselves. You should not use softened water or distilled water in your Keurig machine.

Let’s Talk Keurig 2.0 Needles

Needle maintenance is something that is super easy to forget about or overlook – but for a really clean Keurig machine you need to make sure that you clean your exit needles at least once a month. You can even do this using an old toothbrush or a paperclip. 

Or, you can even use the needle maintenance tool. This is an especially speedy solution if you notice that the top needle seems to be a bit clogged.

This works really well if you see ‘sorry, brew interrupted’ come up on your touch screen and you do not have the time to do a full cleaning routine. You can just use the needle maintenance tool to fix this. 

You might be wondering how to use a needle maintenance tool, then do not worry. It is actually super simple.

  1. Turn off the brewer and fill the silicone bulb with fresh water – when you have done this you need to make sure that you place the accessory in the K cup holder.
  2. Raise and lower the handle five times – this will loosen any coffee grounds in the entrance needle.
  3. Remove the accessory and then turn the brewer on – once you have done this you should run one cleansing brew. It is important to note that this only cleans the top exit needle. 

Let’s just take a moment to talk about the Keurig rinse pods real quick. If you are using your Keurig to brew a lot of different types of beverages – such as tea or such as hot chocolate – then you can actually use the Keurig rinse pods between the brews.

Keurig actually recommends that you should use rinse pods once a week, or after you make flavored teas or hot chocolate. 

It is especially important to note that using rinse pods will not be a substitute for thorough cleaning, as they can’t remove clogs, or coffee grounds, or they can’t clean the unit inside. Their purpose is just to improve the taste of the coffee. 

In Conclusion

Overall, it is pretty clear that getting that delicious tasting coffee begins with a clean coffee maker. It is really important to remember that your machine will work the best when it is shiny and when it is oil-free.

This will help you to brew the very best Keurig coffee in your home, and when you have a clean machine your life will be made significantly easier. Don’t forget to clean your machine to get coffee that tastes delicious.


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