It's Probably Time to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Pot!

United States
February 22, 2017 8:36am CST
The Keurig coffee pot needs to be freshened up every so often but it's a bit of a pain. There is a well of water underneath that cannot be emptied so must be flushed through which is time consuming. Bacteria can build up, even though you wouldn't think so when you add fresh clean water to fresh clean water, but there you are. I take it apart and clean each removable piece using Dawn dish washing detergent. Fill the clean water reservoir half way with white distilled vinegar. Run it though the machine as though you are making coffee but do not put a kcup in the holder. When the level drops and it asks for more water, empty the rest of the vinegar out and fill it with clean fresh water. I always use filtered water. I make all my coffee with filtered water. The well at the bottom still has pure vinegar in it so you will need to flush that through and it will take two full containers of water to flush it out. This means you will be standing there making cup after cup of hot water until you cannot smell or taste vinegar. At the end though, your Keurig is like brand new. As long as you are using it regularly, cleaning it once a month is fine. I also recommend it when returning home from any trip lasting a week or more because the water has been in sitting in the well of the Keurig for all that time without being flushed through. Is it time to clean your keurig?
15 people like this
13 responses
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 17
We just bought a brand new one, but always clean the one here and immediately upon our return to Connecticut.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
22 Feb 17
@Jeanniemaries We brought our older one down here four years ago. It finally kicked the bucket.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Feb 17
Yes, that's quite a long time for water to set. I would like a new one with more features, but mine still works fine. Rats!
2 people like this
• United States
23 Feb 17
@DianneN I think mine is three years old. In my house in Ohio, my son left a new one for me. I haven't seen it yet.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
22 Feb 17
What does 'Keurig' mean, please?
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 17
Oh, it's a kind of coffee pot. It's popular here but I should have realized it isn't everywhere! Thanks for asking!
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
23 Feb 17
@MarshaMusselman Thank you.
2 people like this
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
It's basically a brand name, Maluse. It's quite expensive, but all the rage. Here's a link.
Experience the difference with Keurig®. Single cup coffee makers for all your hot beverage needs – available in different styles and colors just right for you!
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
24 Feb 17
Our new airpot too is to be cleaned once every month as the sales clerk have instructed me. I am the only one that does it, because I like to be sure that it will be safe to handle when washing it, with just water- no soap.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
27 Feb 17
@Jeanniemaries No. They should always be reheated after about an hour. Besides, it's only for hot water.
• United States
24 Feb 17
I don't put any soap through the machine, just wash parts with it. Are the airpots the ones that you can put a whole pot of coffee in and it keeps hot all day without reheating? They always taste fresh to me.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
22 Feb 17
I do not have one.and do not want one.I love my coffee pot.LOL
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
22 Feb 17
@Jeanniemaries I see.Many people have this.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 17
@amadeo What kind of coffee pot do you have?
• United States
22 Feb 17
I tend to drink too much coffee when I have a coffee pot. I love the individual serving, but not the cost.
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
24 Feb 17
I don't have one, but hope to one day.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 17
I really drink less coffee now that I don't feel compelled to finish the pot.
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
I don't have a keurig, but I do have a Mr. Coffee or hamilton beach one. Mine did quit working correctly though. I began using the vinegar solution this last summer on it and it worked well for a bit. Then this winter I cleaned it again but the problem lies in the nozzle on the top and that I can't get to. A customer at work told me to stick a paper clip into it to release any particles that may be blocking the flow of water. Mine doesn't have the whole on the bottom of the post but on the side up a bit and my clip won't bend into it. I was going to look for a small pipe cleaner to see if that might fit but forgot to look at work. When I make coffee if I don't have a pod in the pot it brews fine, but once I put a pod into it, it sprays water everywhere. I'd just bought new pods too, which I need to remember to put into the freezer downstairs.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
24 Feb 17
@Jeanniemaries I'm guessing the latter, but it's only three years old, it shouldn't give out on me already. Maybe I need to soak it in vinegar but I'd need to put it upside down and I'm not sure that would help anyway. I should probably look it up online to see what it says there before buying a new one. I did realize while writing on your post that I can at least use it for coffee scooped into a filter. Since water comes out normal, it should be fine if I'm not using pods, I'd think.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 17
@MarshaMusselman The vinegar will dissolve any clogs. Clogs are usually lime.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 17
Yes, there is a clog and usually a paperclip works fine. I have to clean out a clog every so often. It's too bad yours is so inaccessible, a design flaw or planned obsolescence? .
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
22 Feb 17
I have cleaned my coffee pot this way but have not used my Keurig yet that my parents got for me. My father uses his often but I am guessing like any man he wouldn't take the time to clean it like you have written here which is excellent advice!
• United States
22 Feb 17
Men are tough as nails!
@snowy22315 (168432)
• United States
22 Feb 17
I got rid of my Keurig we broke up...it wasn't working between me and the Keurig..
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 17
I didn't like mine at first, but came to love it. I get a freshly brewed cup of coffee each time and drink less coffee too because I don't feel compelled to drink the whole amount brewed in a regular pot. I hate to waste coffee.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
23 Feb 17
I have had mine for over 10 years and I have never done this, I guess what doesn't kill us makes us stronger lol
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 17
That's the truth!!
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
22 Feb 17
I think I would find an alternative coffee machine.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 17
They all need cleaning. This is a fairly simple job. The nicest things about the Keurig is your coffee isn't affected by the old coffee oils like a percolator used to accumulate. I wonder if people still use percolators?
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
22 Feb 17
I am glad that I don't have a Keurig, that way I don't have to clean it.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 17
Do you drink coffee?
@JudyEv (323678)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Feb 17
This is a good idea. We don't have a coffee pot so it doesn't concern us but I'm sure a thorough clean is good.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 17
You never know with water.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35511)
• Canada
22 Feb 17
We clean it when we think of it
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 17
Yes, the time doesn't have to be written in stone.
1 person likes this