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The water used to brew your K-Cups contains minerals that cause limescale to build up in your coffee maker. They are not toxic, but they can affect your Keurig's water flow and the taste and temperature of your coffee. Knowing how to properly descale Keurig coffee makers can help keep your coffee maker in pristine condition.
Many Keurig models have a light that lets you know when it's time to descale. The only way to turn this descaling indicator off is to complete a descaling cycle. If you ignore this light for too long, your brewery may be beyond repair. For best results, you should use a special solution with a safe and effective formula. This works better than vinegar. Read on to learn how to descale Keurig coffee makers and get answers to other common descaling questions.
How often should Keurig machines be descaled?
You should descale your Keurig every 3 months, even if you use awater filter. Filters cannot remove all of the calcium and magnesium from the water. These two minerals cause limescale deposits that can only be removed by descaling.unfiltered water“, i.e. a high mineral content, so you should descale your brewery more often. If you're not sure if you have hard water, you can get a cheap one.Test kit.
Many Keurig models have adescaling light. Older Keurig 2.0 models will alert you that it's time to descale by showing a message on the display saying you need to descale. Sometimes you may want to descale even if the brewer doesn't say so. For example, descaling can help resolve these common issues:
- very neatdoes not pump water
- The Keurig isWasserleck
- Your favorite K-Cup also startsit tastes bad
- Does it take longer to brew a K cup or is there only oneslow dripfrom the socket
- The Keurig isdon't make a cup fullof coffee
You'll also want to descale your Keurig if you've stored it or left it unused for a long time.Empty the internal water tankFirst. Since water was left in the machine, limescale probably built up inside while the machine was not in use.
Can you descale Keurig machines with vinegar?

Keurig cautions against descaling with vinegar or lemon juice. White vinegar has 5-8% acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice have 5-6%. This can wear down the metal and cause leaks.
Using a homemade solution containing vinegar or baking soda may void your warranty. You also don't want a vinegar taste or smell in your cup of coffee. it's better to use oneSolutionwhich contains safer types of acids that won't harm or change the taste of your coffee.
Soluções de descalcificação Keurig
Keurig manufactures its own descaling solution that works with all models. However, there are other popular descaling solutions sold online that you can use.
Keurig
The safe formula is odorless and works quickly to remove mineral buildup with mild citric acid. ThereforeSolutionit will not harm your brewery.
You canBuy the solution yourselfor as part of apackcomrinse capsulesand filters that also help you take care of your machinesauber. If you own the K-Duo model, be sure to check it outthis K-Duo pack.
Business
Oprinted descaleris the best selling descaler. It uses citric acid and sulfamic acid. Both are smooth on metal and aluminum. One package contains two vials, each sufficient for two applications.
Core Values
Core ValuesIt has a citric acid solution that is odorless and powerful. Each bottle is good for two uses. A pack of two provides four servings. That's a year's supply if you descale your machine every three months.
Where to buy Keurig Descaling Solution
if you are aamazonasPrime member, these items are eligible for free fast shipping. However, you can also find the official Keurig solution in stores.Metasells in store and online. You can also find the solution belowWalmartEbed, bath and beyond.
How to Descale Keurig Coffee Machines: Guide by Model
Traditional group of breweries (Elite, K-Classic, K-Café, K-Latte, K-Compact, K-Select)
- Empty the water tank and the K-Cup capsule holder. Make sure there are no coffee pods in the coffee maker.
- put theSolutionin the empty tank
- Fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the tank.
- Place a mug or large bowl on the drip tray
- Empty the machine by lifting and lowering the handle, then choose the option with the highest brew volume.
- Repeat rinse step #5 until the ADD WATER indicator light on your machine comes on.
- Leave the coffee maker unused for 30 minutes. Allow it and all washed parts to air dry.
- Rinse the tank. Fill the water reservoir with fresh water up to the MAX line and run 12 more rinses (Step 5).
Keurig 2.0
Series K-Duo (K-Duo, K-Duo Plus, K-Duo Essentials)
- Empty the water tank and the K-Cup capsule holder. Make sure there are no coffee pods inside.
- put theSolutionin the empty tank
- Fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the container.
- Place a large mug on the drip tray
- Turn on the device and press the POD button. Then select button 12 and press brew for a cleansing drink.
- Place carafe on warming plate, press CUPS/CARAFE button. Then perform a clean brew by selecting button 12 and starting the brew cycle.
- Empty the carafe and turn off the warming plate by pressing and holding the CARAFE button.
- Let the coffee maker sit for 30 minutes to give it time to dry. Do not turn off or unplug your Keurig during this step.
- Rinse the tank and add fresh water. Fill it up to the MAX line.
- Place the rinsed, empty carafe on the warming plate. Press the CUPS/CARAFE button and make a purge brew by selecting button 12 and pressing the brew button.
- After filling the tank with clean water up to the MAX line, repeat step 10 three more times
- Remove water tank and fill to MAX line
- Place a large mug on the drip tray and press the POD button. Then select button 12 and press brew for a cleansing drink.
- Repeat step 13 three more times
K-Mini series (K-Mini, K-Mini Plus)
- Empty the water tank and the K-Cup capsule holder. Make sure there are no coffee pods inside.
- Pour one-third (4.6 ounces) ofSolutionnot tank.
- Add fresh water to the tank to fill up to 10 oz.
- Wash the machine by raising and lowering the handle and pressing the button to start the brew cycle.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4, but this time when the hot water solution mixture comes out, turn the machine off by pressing the on/off button.
- Let the brewery rest for 30 minutes.
- Press and hold the priming button to allow the water and solution mixture to come out. Keep the button pressed until all the solution has been dispensed.
- Fill the tank with 1.5 cups of fresh water to the 12-ounce fill line.
- Press the brew button.
- Repeat steps 8 and 9 two more times.
K-Supreme e K-Supreme Plus
- Empty the water tank and the K-Cup capsule holder. Make sure there are no coffee pods inside.
- put theSolutionno tank
- Fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the tank.
- Place a large coffee mug or bowl in the cup holder.
- Turn off the coffee maker and press the 8oz and 12oz buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
- When it starts flashing, press the brew button to start the process.
- Repeat step 6 until the ADD WATER indicator light comes on.
- Rinse the tank. Fill it with fresh water up to the MAX line and press the priming button to start the rinsing process.
- Repeat the rinsing process until the light goes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiFxqyplEI&list=PLg_N0cBrtWnqVjdrVlzb222MlelWA0lTq&index=3
K-Supreme Plus SMART
- Empty the water tank and the K-Cup capsule holder. Make sure there are no coffee pods inside.
- When you see the descaling message, press the left arrow and select Next. Choose the descaling product you have. If you don't have the descaling notification, open the settings by pressing the left and right arrow keys at the same time. Choose the descaling mode. The Supreme Plus SMART model has a screen that guides you through all the necessary steps for descaling.
- Empty the water tank. Pour the 14 ounces ofSolutionin the tank. If you're using Keurig Descaler, it's a full bottle.
- Fill the empty bottle with water (14 ounces) and pour it into the tank.
- Place a large coffee mug or bowl in the cup holder.
- The BREW button should flash. push it 12 ounces of hot water and solution should come out of the machine.
- Empty the cup or container and put it back. Select BREW again.
- Repeat step 7 until the water tank is completely empty and ADD WATER appears on the screen.
- Rinse the water reservoir. Fill with fresh water only up to the MAX line.
- Place the mug or container under the coffee spout. When the BREW button is flashing, press it to start the rinse cycle.
- Repeat the rinsing process until the display shows DESCALING COMPLETE.
K-Slim series (K-Slim)

- Empty the water tank and the K-Cup capsule holder. Make sure there are no coffee pods inside.
- put theSolutionno tank
- Fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the tank.
- Place a large coffee mug or bowl on the drip tray.
- Turn off the brewer. Then press and hold the 8oz and 12oz buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until the light is solid and does not blink.
- Right after step 5, the Brew button will start flashing. At this point, press the brew button to start the rinse.
- Repeat step 6 until the ADD WATER indicator light comes on.
- Rinse the tank well. Fill with fresh water up to the MAX line. Then press the brew button when it starts flashing.
- Repeat this process until the ADD WATER light comes back on. At this point, the brewer is ready to use.
How to Reset the Keurig Descaling Light That Stays On After Cleaning
The descaling indicator should automatically reset if you have followed the instructions completely without interruption. You shouldn't have to do anything. If the Keurig descaling light stays on, it is likely that additional scale has built up in your coffee maker. If you weren't rightcleaning your brewery, this is not surprising.
How to Fix a Keurig Descaler Bulb...
- Did you ignore the descaling light for a while?
- Has it been much longer than 3 months since the last descaling?
- Do you have very hard water?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will need to repeat the steps with the solution at least once or twice. You can also try to remove accumulated coffee groundsmachine needleon top of the machine using the tool provided or a paperclip.

If you've taken good care of your machine and the descaling light stays on after the first thorough cleaning, open and close the lid and see if the light goes out. If not, you may need to do this.Redefine Keurig tallow.
How to Reset Keurig K-Duo Descaling Notification
With the machine on, press and hold the 8 and 10 oz cup buttons at the same time for 5 seconds.
Restart K Classic
Press and hold these three buttons at the same time for a few seconds: medium cup, large cup and auto shut off.
How to Reset Other Keurig Models After Descaling
The reset process for other models is a little less straightforward. See my related post for the detailed steps you need to follow.Reset your model.
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FAQs
How do I clear the descale message on my Keurig? ›
*To turn off the descale indicator light once you have completed descaling your brewer, press and hold down the 8oz & 10oz buttons together for 3 seconds.
How do you reset the descale on a Keurig single cup? ›How to reset descale on Keurig? The first step to reset the descale of your Keurig coffee machine is to make sure that the machine is powered up. Once it is powered up, you will need to press and hold both the 8 oz and 10 oz cup buttons simultaneously for a duration of 5 seconds – this will reset the machine.
Why is my Keurig light still on after descaling? ›If the Keurig descale light stays on, just repeat the process with just water. For the Duo, remember to press 8oz and 10oz buttons at the same time, holding them for 3 to 5.
How do I reset my Keurig 2.0 after descaling? ›If you're done descaling your brewer, press and hold down the 8oz & 10oz buttons for 3 seconds to turn off the descale indicator light. If the descaling light still remains on, the machine has not been rinsed with enough water since using the descaling agent. It is advised that you flush the machine with fresh water.
Can you still use Keurig when it says descale? ›Rinse the reservoir thoroughly, fill it with fresh water, and run a cleansing brew. Repeat until the Descale notification turns off. Once the Descale notification turns off, your brewer is ready for use again.
How long should it take to descale a Keurig? ›You should descale your Keurig every three months, and it takes about one hour to properly descale the machine. Note: This is about descaling specifically. If you want to give a dirty Keurig a thorough cleaning, check out our guide on how to clean the coffee machine as well.
Can I use vinegar and water to descale my Keurig? ›If the Keurig descaling solution isn't on hand, white vinegar is the cleaning solution you can have on hand. You'll want to do equal parts water and vinegar. Fill the reservoir about halfway with white vinegar, and then add water until you reach the top.
How many times do you have to descale a Keurig? ›Calcium and scale are non-toxic, but left unattended, they can hinder your brewer's performance. Descaling should take place every 3 to 6 months or, for select brewers, when the descale light comes on.
How do you descale a Keurig with pods? ›Simply insert them into your machine (just like you would with a coffee pod), run one large cycle, then remove the pod and run another large cycle with just water. One pod will remove residue buildup, improve the taste of your coffee, and keep your Keurig clean for up to three months, according to the brand.
Which is better Keurig descaling solution or vinegar? ›Both vinegar and commercial solutions require you to run them through your coffee maker brew cycle several times before they're fully effective. However, vinegar can be tough on your coffee maker if used too often.. Commercial solutions are much gentler on your machine and won't cause any damage if used as directed.
Can I use my Keurig If it says descale? ›
Rinse the reservoir thoroughly, fill it with fresh water, and run a cleansing brew. Repeat until the Descale notification turns off. Once the Descale notification turns off, your brewer is ready for use again.
How many times should I run vinegar through my Keurig? ›For a more serious clean, use white vinegar or descaling solution to remove mineral deposits from the water reservoir. You only need to do this every three to six months.
How long do you leave vinegar in a Keurig to descale? ›You really should let it sit for an hour if you can. The longer it sits the more scale the acidic vinegar will dissolve from the machine. Don't let it sit for more than 3 hours. If you want, you can even repeat this whole process up to this point again.
What is best descaler for Keurig? ›Grab the vinegar: White distilled vinegar will help descale (remove lime and scale buildup) your coffee maker, which is key to helping it run.