How to descale a Keurig (all models!) | MisterRoasty.com (2023)

Every owner should learn how to decalcify a Keurig coffee maker, this ensures itsthe coffee tastes greatand the brewery does well for years to come!

When descaling your Keurig, it's essential to identify what type of coffee maker you have, as the procedures differ slightly. Simply put, you run a Keurig cleaning solution (or alternative) through your brewery, then rinse it with clean water.

Let's dive in to learn:

• Keurig Descaling Instructions
• What you can use instead of Keurig descaling solution
• How often should you descale your Keurig?
• How to Clean the Keurig Needle

How to clean your Keurig

In addition to descaling your Keurig, be sure to perform daily routine maintenance to remove dried coffee, loose grounds, and other dirt from your coffeemaker.

Here's how to use Keurig descaling solution, depending on your brewery model. (1)

Descaling K-Cafe, K-Classic, K-Latte, K-Compact, K-Elite and K-Select models

Each of these models can be cleaned in the same way. Keurig supplies bottles of descaling solution, as well as a bag of descaling powder. Both work great!

Descaling Solution Bottle Method

1. Add Keurig descaling solution to your water tank
2. Fill the empty bottle with water and add it to the descaling solution
3. Place a large mug on the drip tray. Confirm that there is nothing in the cup holder K
4. Raise and lower the handle and select the largest brew size
5. Repeat the above process until your coffee maker prompts you to add water.
6. Let your coffee maker stand for 30 minutes
7. Rinse the reservoir well and fill to the MAX line.
8. Make 12 rinse infusions with the largest infusion size

Observation:You can use this process toDescale a Keurig 2.0. However, you may need to hold the button down until the mixture is fully dispensed or insert an empty, reusable K-cup if it's a K200.

For K300, K400 and K500 models, continue when the DISPENSE WATER notification appears.

You can also choose to brew in a pitcher to minimize the hassle of removing and replacing the mug each time.

Descaling Bag Method

This method follows almost the same procedure, except that you must first dissolve the powder in the water reservoir:

1. Pour the entire bag of descaling solution into the water tank.
2. Add 24 ounces (3 cups) of water.
3. Steps 3-9: Follow the "Descaling Solution Bottle Method" above

The remaining steps are similar to using the bottle, except the Keurig instructions only "require" six rinse brews in the final step.

Descaling of K-Duo Series coffee makers

As with other models, you can use the descaling solution or the dust bag.

Descaling Solution Bottle Method

1. Pour the descaling solution into your water tank
2. Fill the empty bottle with water and add it to the solution.
3. Place a large cup on the drip tray and confirm that the teabag holder is empty
4. Press the OZ/POD button. Select the 12 cup button and press Brew
5. Place carafe on warming plate. Click the CUPS/CARGON button, select the 12-cup button, and press Prepare to perform a clean
6. Empty the carafe and turn off the coffee maker/hot plate
7. Let the brewery stand for half an hour to cool down and allow the solution to work.
8. Rinse the reservoir and fill it with clean water.
9. Place the empty jug on the hob, click the CUP/JUG button, select the 12 button and prepare for cleaning
10. Press and hold the red CUPS/CARAFE button until the red light disappears to turn off the warming plate
11. Fill the water tank andrepeat to Step 93X
12. Refill the water reservoir and place a large cup on the drip tray.
13. Click the OZ/POD button, select the 12 cup button and press
14. Repeat to Step 133X

Observation:You can decalcify a Keurig 2.0 with the above procedure, except you must insert an empty K-cup into the pod holder.

Descaling Bag Method

Same with other models, using the dust bag only changes the first few steps:

1. Pour the bag into your empty water tank.
2. Fill your water tank
3. Place a large cup on the drip tray and confirm that the cup holder k is empty
4. Click the OZ/POD button, select the 12 cup button and press Brew
5. Place carafe on warming plate, press CUPS/CARAFE button, select 10 cups button and press Brew
6. Steps 6-14, see below:

The remaining steps are similar to steps 6 to 14 when using the descaling solution.

How to decalcify K-Slim, K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus

As before, both the descaling solution and the powder packs work on these models:

Using Keurig Descaling Solution

1. Add descaling solution to your empty tank
2. Fill the empty bottle and add water to the solution.
3. Place a large cup on the drip tray and confirm that the cup holder k is empty
4. Turn off the coffeemaker and press and hold the 12 oz and 8 oz buttons simultaneously for three seconds to activate descaling mode
5. Press Brew when flashing to start the descaling process
6. Repeat the previous step until you need to add water.
7. Rinse the reservoir well and fill with clean water, then press Brew to rinse the machine.
8. Continue rinsing until the DECALCIFY notification turns off or you receive an ADD WATER notification

Use of the descaling powder bag

The bag only changes the first steps:

1. Pour the bag into your empty water tank.
2. Add 24 ounces (three cups) of water to the reservoir
3. Steps 3-8, see below:

Continue with step 3 of the bottle method above.

Descaling the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus coffee makers

As before, both the descaling solution and the dust bags work in these machines:

Descaling Solution Bottle Method

1. Confirm that the teabag holder is empty and place a large cup on the drip tray.
2. Pour one third (4.6 oz) of descaling solution into the water tank
3. Add water to your reservoir up to the 10 oz mark
4. Raise and lower the handle and press the prime button for a clean
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4, but as soon as the solution starts to come out, turn off the coffee maker.
6. Let the coffee maker stand for half an hour.
7. Press the brew button and hold it down until the solution is finished dispensing
8. Add water to your reservoir up to the 12 oz mark and click the Brew button.
9. Repeat step 8 three times

Descaling Bag Method

Using the bag on the K-mini and K-mini Plus only changes the first few steps:

1. Confirm there is nothing in the teabag holder and place a large cup on the drip tray.
2. Pour the entire bag into your water reservoir.
3. Add clean water up to the 12 oz mark.

Proceed to step four, similar to using the descaling solution bottle.

What can I use besides Keurig descaling solution?

White vinegar is a good and affordable alternative to use in place of the Keurig descaling solution. (2)

However, you need to make sure you use the correct ratio of water and vinegar to avoid shortening the life of your brewery components. (3)

How to Clean Keurig With Vinegar

White vinegar can help you not only with descaling your Keurig, but also with cleaning the needle and routine maintenance of the coffee maker.

Here is a simple way toDescale your Keurig with vinegar:

1. Add water and vinegar to your reservoir with a 1:1 ratio
2. Make sure the pod holder is secure and place a cup on the drip tray.
3. Choose an appropriate priming cycle and continue the clean prime until the Keurig needs a water refill.
4. Let the coffeemaker sit for about half an hour, then refill the reservoir.
5. Perform repeated rinse infusions until it is necessary to refill the reservoir

How to Clean the Keurig Needle

The Keurig needle is the sharp tap that pierces the top of your K-cup and directs the water inside.

Coffee grounds and possibly bits of aluminum can get stuck inside, so it's a good idea to clean/check every time you descale your Keurig. Here are the steps!

1. Untangle the free end of a large paper clip and push it into the needle holes.
2. Twist it to loosen any dirt deposits and pull it out slowly.
3. Take a brush dipped in a vinegar and water solution and gently brush around the needle assembly to remove any coffee grounds deposits.
4. Lift the needle with clean water to make sure no vinegar solution remains!

How often should a Keurig be descaled?

Keurig recommends that you descale your Keurig every three to six months. (5)

While this is the Keurig recommended period, it is best to descale your Keurig every month. In this way, you minimize the accumulation of dirt in your coffee maker that can cloud the flavor of the coffee and prolong the preparation time. (6)

to the last drop

Descaling your Keurig coffee maker is pretty straightforward. You just need to identify which procedure is suitable for your coffee machine. Given the benefits that descaling your Keurig provides, it is essential to not only descale your Keurig, but also to clean the machine on a daily basis.