FOOD NEWS
Here's The Proper Way To Clean Your Keurig For The Best Coffee
BY Luna Christina Lupus
While you might expect your Keurig machine to have a long lifespan, regular maintenance is required to ensure it does. It will also provide the best flavor for your coffee.
Begin by unplugging your Keurig and wait for it to cool down if it has been used recently. The daily maintenance starts by removing used coffee pods after each use.
Give the machine a quick wipe. Rinse the drip tray and water reservoir daily; clean the carafe and the coffee grounds basket if you own a Keurig with the drip-coffee setup.
You should rinse any single-serve Keurig after each brew when using flavored pods. One way to rinse is by running a "cleansing brew," a regular brew without the pod.
The often-neglected pod holder is something you should clean weekly by taking it out of the machine and disassembling it by pulling it apart until it's two separate parts.
These are the top part that holds the pod and the funnel on the bottom. Wash both of the two parts by hand with water and dish soap.
The Keurig also has two needles that need weekly cleaning. The first is attached to the pod holder and becomes visible once you remove the funnel from the bottom.
The second needle is attached to the head of the coffee machine. Use a paper clip or another thin wire to clean the needles — remember they are sharp, so use caution.
Your machine will also need descaling every three months. The most effective way to descale the Keurig is using citric acid, white vinegar, or Keurig's descaling solutions.
Finally, if your coffee maker has a water filter, you'll want to change it every few months. Keurig sells a quarterly maintenance kit to help you stay on top of cleaning.