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If your Keurig coffee tastes strange, it’s probably time to descale and sanitize the machine.
Brian Bennett Former Senior writer
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
Be honest: when was the last time you actually cleaned your Keurig? If you have to think about it, I’ve got some bad news about that coffee you’re drinking every morning. That convenient little machine is a warm, damp paradise for gunk, bacteria, and yes, mold.
Before you pop in another pod, maybe ask yourself if you really want to drink something brewed through a funky science experiment. The fix is ridiculously simple, yet most people never do it. A proper cleaning—descaling the inside, washing the removable parts—will not only save your machine from an early grave but also make your coffee not taste like a swamp.
Seriously, it takes a few minutes. Your morning coffee deserves better.
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Clean it regularly — and properly — and your coffee will taste better, the Keurig machine will last longer and you won’t have to deal with as many mid-morning spills and disasters. Ready to give your coffee maker some much-needed love? Here’s how to deep clean a Keurig from top to bottom.
If you’re looking for a new coffee maker, you can also check out the best Keurig deals available now. Plus, take a look at our picks for the best coffee makers, best cold-brew coffee makers and best coffee accessories.
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Wipe down the outside of your Keurig brewer with a damp cloth.
Brian Bennett/CNET1. Clean the outside of the Keurig
Start by wiping down the brewer’s exterior. Keurig recommends you do this daily. First, make sure the coffee maker is powered off and unplugged. Next use a damp cloth to wipe away dust and other debris from the outside of the machine.
Pay close attention to the area on the front, right below the coffee dispenser. This section typically attracts plenty of splashes and drips.
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If your Keurig brewer’s drip tray looks like this then it’s time to clean it.
Brian Bennett/CNET2. Wash the drip tray
Another coffee machine part that’s prone to grime is the drip tray. Liquid from spills often sits inside it unnoticed. Coffee drips can evaporate here too, leaving stains behind. A quick hand wash in the kitchen sink will clear up this mess in a jiffy. Warm water and dish soap does the trick nicely. Perform this cleaning task daily.
After a quick hand wash in the sink, the drip tray looks great.
Brian Bennett/CNETSave yourself the hassle and just buy a Keurig maintenance kit. This one comes with a 3-month supply of everything you need.
3. Clean out the water tank
Another daily cleaning task is to give the same hand wash treatment to the water tank. Be sure to remove the water filter first if your machine has one. Depending on your brewer, your tank may be safe to throw in the dishwasher.
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The pod holder was the dirtiest area on my test K-cup brewer.
Brian Bennett/CNET4. Check the pod holder
The dirtiest section of my test Keurig K-Classic brewer was its pod holder. Grounds, dirt and dried coffee had formed a noticeable amount of crud here. To fix this, I removed the pod holder, and separated it into its two main parts. Then I gave them a water rinse and a good scrub with a damp cloth.
You may also want to use a paper clip to clear any debris from inside the brewer exit needle. The exit needle sits inside the pod holder. Take care though, because that needle is sharp. Be advised that Keurig recommends you clean the pod holder every week.
Run a water-only brew cycle to flush out your Keurig coffee machine’s brewing system.
Brian Bennett/CNET5. Flush out the whole system
Keeping your Keurig machine’s brewing system clean is critical. Dirty hardware can lead to unwanted flavors carrying over from the last brew. Tasting pumpkin spice latte in your Sumatra single origin is not ideal. Bits of grounds or other debris could cause clogs, even a malfunction.
To clear everything out, run a daily water-only brew cycle through the machine. Make sure there’s enough water in the reservoir and that the pod chamber is empty. You can run any cup size cycle you like, as long as the mug you’re brewing into is large enough to accept the liquid.
And if you’ve never descaled your brewer, or it’s been three months since you have, consider doing so. According to Keurig, you should perform the procedure quarterly. You can use either vinegar or the company’s special descaling product. Keep in mind that it is a lengthy process requiring at least 45 minutes (4 hours with vinegar).
Still, descaling will remove any mineral deposits (often found in tap water) that may be clinging to your brewer’s internal components. This in turn ensures your coffee maker brews at its optimally designed temperature.
Once you’ve completed all these steps, wipe down the brewer again to remove any excess moisture. It should now be ready to brew in tip-top shape.
For more household cleaning tips, check out how to clean a cast-iron skillet, how to clean your grill and how to clean a mattress.
Watch this: How to clean your Keurig with distilled vinegar
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