Your Keurig coffee may taste bad after descaling since there is acidic residue after cleaning with vinegar. The pungent smell can make your coffee taste stale or sour. What you can do is run a few cycles of water after a descale to flush out the residue and smell. You may also try taking the reservoir out and running it through the dishwasher.
Here are the steps on how to remove the vinegar taste of the Keurig coffee maker after descaling:
- First, remove the pod from the Keurig.
- Place water into the reservoir until it is full and run the machine a few times until the reservoir is empty. See to it that there is no pod in the dispenser during this time.
- You may have to do this for at least three full cycles.
- If the vinegar taste is still there, add one-half teaspoon of baking soda. It neutralizes vinegar and has a bland taste that neutralizes the bitterness.
- Mix the baking soda into the water reservoir until it is fully dissolved. Then, run the machine three times and repeat the process if necessary.
What is descaling?
As mentioned, descaling is a process of removing mineral buildup from water content like calcium. Minerals like calcium build up over time within the coffee maker and it has to be removed periodically.
The items that you will need to descale your Keurig machine include the Keurig descaling solution, a coffee mug, fresh tap water from the sink, and a timer. The whole descaling process takes about a quarter of an hour with a half-hour waiting period.
These are the steps on how to descale your Keurig coffee maker:
- First, start with a descaling rinse. Remove the water reservoir from your empty machine and hand wash it in the sink. Dry the exterior and return it to the brewer.
- Place the solution into the water reservoir.
- Next, fill the empty descaling solution bottle with fresh water. Pour the water into the tank and add to the original solution so that the ratio is 50% solution and 50% water.
- Place your mug on the drip tray.
- Turn the coffee machine on, lift the handle and remove the previous K-cup. Then, lower the handle and close the lid.
- Press and hold the middle brew button. By doing so, the brewer will dispense six ounces of hot water. Dispose of this by pouring it down the drain.
- Repeat this process until the descaling solution is used up and the water tank is empty.
- Next, set the timer for 30 minutes and leave the brewer on. There will still be some remaining descaling solution in the inner water lines. The remaining solution will return to the water tank while thoroughly removing any mineral and scale build-up.
- Pour the contents from the water reservoir to the sink after half an hour. Rewash the water tank and rinse well to remove traces of the descaling solution.
- Dry the exterior and fill the reservoir with water to the maximum fill line. Place the mug back and continue the process before but this time pushing the middle 10-ounce brew button to fill the mug with hot water. Dispose of the water each time the mug is filled with water.
It takes about a minimum of 12 cups of fresh water to completely rinse out the machine.
Ways to make your Keurig coffee taste good
Here are some ways on how to make your Keurig coffee taste good:
- Always use bottled or filtered water.
- Select the right ground coffee.
- Be sure to choose smaller ounce settings.
- Use two K-cups instead of one.
- Do not forget to preheat the machine.
- Pull away the cup from the machine before the remaining few drops.
- Clean and descale your machine regularly.
Image: istockphoto.com / leekris