Keurig coffee machines tend to clog because of the calcification or calcium buildup in their inner tubing. It could also be due to stuck coffee grounds that find their way into the puncture needle and the water discharge tubing. Keurig brewers should be cleaned and descaled regularly to prevent clogs and bad-tasting coffee.
These coffee makers may stop brewing if there are clogs in the needle or interior tubing. This prevents the water from flowing. To prevent clogs, you should maintain the machine regularly. Do not leave used K-cups in the brew head and keep the needle clear. A regular descaling cycle is mandatory if you want to make sure that there is no clogging.
How to unclog a Keurig coffee machine?
These are the materials that you need for the task:
- liquid dish soap
- water
- sponge or dishcloth
- microfiber cloth
- Keurig descaling solution or white vinegar
- safety pin or paper clip
Here are the steps on how to unclog a Keurig:
1. Clean the detachable components of your Keurig machine.
Unplug your Keurig machine and wait for at least a few minutes for water inside it to cool or you may get burned. Allow the machine to rest for a while since you may have to tip the machine over to drain some water. Remove the water reservoir and detachable components and wash them with liquid dish soap and hot water.
Dampen a sponge or dishcloth with warm, soapy water and scrub the removable parts especially the coffee pod holder which becomes clogged because of the coffee grounds. Also, wash the lid on the reservoir tank and exterior portion of the machine.
After thoroughly washing the parts, reassemble them. But first, rinse them with warm water and dry them off with a microfiber cloth. Slide the water reservoir and drip tray back into its place and put the coffee pot holder in the slot on the upper part.
2. Remove sediment clogs and other debris manually.
Use a safety pin or paper clip as a cleaning tool and clear out the holes in the coffee pod holder. Examine the smaller end of the coffee pod holder and stick the end of the clip or safety pin in the holes at the end of the funnel to clear out any stuck coffee grounds. Push the end of the clip or safety pin in the holes and rotate it to clear stuck debris and other sediments.
Move the machine to the sink, turn it upside down and shake a few times to remove any debris loosened by the clip or safety pin. Tap the bottom end briefly to force out any sticky debris.
3. Descale your Keurig machine with vinegar.
Perform descaling on your Keurig coffee machine by first filling the water tank half-full with equal amounts of clean water and vinegar. Do not put pure vinegar on the machine, always dilute it with water. Run the machine on a hot water setting and fill up a mug. Dump the vinegar water in the sink and place the mug back in the drip tray.
Continue the process until the machine uses up all the vinegar and water solution. You may have to utilize a used K-cup in the coffee pod holder. The vinegar solution is an effective way to flush out calcium buildup. Once it is all used up, detach the reservoir tank and place clean water in it.
Place the mug again on the drip tray and run the machine until it uses up all the water. Repeat another cycle to make sure all the smell of vinegar is removed. Test the water by smelling or tasting it and if you can still smell vinegar, flush again with clean water. You may also use some baking soda to check for vinegar residue.
Some coffee enthusiasts who own a Keurig prefer the Keurig descaling solution. It is a bit pricey but it is another option that you can try if you feel that the vinegar solution is not enough to effectively descale your Keurig. Descaling should be done at least every three to six months to keep the machine in good shape.
Conclusion
If you notice that your Keurig keeps clogging, take it as a warning signal that it is high time for a thorough cleaning and descaling. Wash the detachable parts of your machine and clean out any sediment and calcium buildup with the use of a paper clip or safety pin. You should also descale at least every three to six months to ensure that your machine is in good running or more specifically, brewing condition.
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