How To Use A Keurig Coffee Maker – From Unboxing To First Brew!

Learning how to use a Keurig coffee maker, unboxing it and brewing your first cup of coffee is important as every subsequent cup of coffee will be perfect with the only task needed for you is general maintenance, keeping it clean and descaling it regularly.

Keep reading and learn how to use a Keurig coffee maker perfectly.

How To Use A Keurig Coffee Maker

Using a Keurig coffee maker is easy, there is nothing difficult at all to it no matter which model you have be it a:

• Keurig K Duo.
• Keurig K Duo Plus.
• Keurig K Elite.
• Keurig K Mini.
• Keurig Mini Plus.
• Keurig K Select.
• Keurig K Supreme.

or any other model. The most important part is unboxing your machine and setting it up properly before you insert your first K Cup coffee pod into your brand-new coffee brewer.

Let’s get to the core of how to use a Keurig coffee maker for the first time and ensure that it brews the perfect coffee for you.

Read: How to use Keurig descaling solution

How To Use A Keurig Coffee Maker For The First Time

A Keurig coffee machine is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. There are only 5 processes:

• Your initial setting up of your Keurig machine and running a cleansing brew.
• Brewing coffee, tea, soup, juice and hot water and general daily use.
• Auto Brew and Auto On mode. This is a feature on only some Keurig machines.
• Regular maintenance of your machine.
• Draining of your internal water reservoir.

Most Keurig brewers use the same process with slight variations depending on which model you have.

Unbox Your Keurig Coffee Maker And Plug It In

Start by unboxing your Keurig brewer and remove the tape that may be holding some parts together.

Plug your coffee maker in. Keep your user manual in a safe place.

Save the box in the event that there is something wrong with your machine, and you need to send it back for repair.

How To Use A Keurig Coffee Maker – Setting Your Brewer Up For The First Time And The VIP Cleansing Brew

Prior to your first time brewing a cup of coffee, it is important that you set it up properly and run a cleaning cycle. Your machine, while being manufactured, can collect a lot of dust, dirt and grime from the factory.

Raise The Handle And Open The Brew Head

Start by raising the handle and opening the brew head. You see a shipping disc in place where the pod holder is.

Most, but not all, Keurigs have a temporary disc in the pod hold, so don’t worry if your particular model doesn’t have one.

It is worth keeping this disc as, at some point, you may wish to put your machine into storage.

It may also come in handy if and when you need to send your machine for repair.

Read: How to use a Keurig Mini

Remove Your Water Reservoir And Clean It

This step is simple and easy. It’s self-explanatory. Remove your water tank and clean it with a sponge and soapy hot water and rinse well.

Clean all parts of your water reservoir, including the valve.

Note that not all Keurig coffee makers have a removable water tank.

Prime And Prepare Your Water Filter

Not all Keurig coffee makers come with a water filter, but most do.

The water filters are not designed to be immediately placed in the filter holder. You must prepare it first.

Start by rinsing it well with an abundance of fresh, clean water. Let it soak and absorb as much water as it can.

Massage and shake the filter and repeat this step as many times as necessary as some speckles of charcoal may fall off. It is best that these are shaken off and don’t make their way into your cup of coffee.

Insert Your Water Filter

Once your water filter has been prepared and rinsed. It is necessary that you put it in its place correctly.

It should fit snugly in place.

Fill Your Water Reservoir

At this point your water reservoir is ready to be filled with water. I’m a stickler for using filtered water and filling a water filter jug and emptying the contents into the water reservoir.

It’s a belt and braces approach ensuring that my water is double filtered, which helps the built-in removable water filter to last a little longer and helps to prevent the build up of minerals, calcium and limescale inside my machine.

Read: How to use Keurig

Push The Power Button On Your Keurig Brewer

Locate the power button on your coffee maker and power it up. Wait for your water to heat up.

It may take from 1 minute to 4 minutes depending on which machine you have.

Place A Coffee Mug On Your Drip Tray

Put a coffee cup on your drip tray below the coffee spout to catch the liquid that comes out.

Some Keurig machines have a sensor that will not brew a cup of coffee or tea if there is no cup in place.

Raise And Lower The Handle Of Your Keurig Coffee Machine

Raise and then lower the handle of your Keurig coffee maker to open and close the brew head. There is no need at all to put a Keurig coffee pod in place.

The purpose here is to rinse your machine, not to brew coffee.

Select The Largest Cup Size Option And Press The Brew Button

Ensure that the mug or coffee cup on your drip tray is large enough to hold all the water that comes out of the coffee spout.

Simply press the largest cup size followed by brew and wait until the water flows through your machine and into your coffee cup below.

Repeat this process until your water reservoir is empty.

Refill your water reservoir to the max fill line. Your machine is fully rinsed and ready to brew your first cup of coffee.

Brewing your first cup of coffee is just as easy. Just open the brew head, insert the K Cup coffee pod of your choice. Lower the brew head and select the cup size and press brew.

It’s that easy.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Use A Keurig Coffee Maker

How Do You Use A Keurig Step By Step?

When your Keurig coffee maker is properly set up and ready for regular brewing there are only 7 steps to take, which are:

• 1. Select a Keurig K Cup coffee pod of your choice.
• 2. Lift the handle and insert your K Cup coffee pod in the pod holder.
• 3. Lower the handle.
• 4. Put your coffee mug below the coffee spout.
• 5. Select the setting that you want for your cup of coffee: Brew size, strong, iced etc.
• 6. Press brew.
• 7. Enjoy your coffee once it has poured.

How Long Does A Keurig Take To Brew?

It can take your Keurig coffee maker 1 to 4 minutes to brew your coffee. The variance is due to how long it can take your hot water to brew. Your Keurig machine has a keep warm facility which keeps your water warm. If this facility is used, it can take only a minute to brew.

Do All Coffee Pods Work In A Keurig?

No, only coffee pods that are designed and made to be used in a Keurig coffee machine can be used in a Keurig coffee maker. Nespresso capsules or pods will not work; they are incompatible.

Is Keurig Just For Coffee?

No, your Keurig coffee machine can be used for much more than just coffee. There are juice pods, tea pods and even have some great soups. You can use it to cook your ramen noodles too!

What Not To Do With A Keurig?

There are only a couple of hard and fast rules for what not to do with your Keurig machine. One, never immerse your Keurig machine in water. Your reservoir lid is not safe to wash in your dishwasher. You must wash it by hand.

Never let limescale and mineral deposits build up in your machine; descale regularly. Never use distilled vinegar in your machine; always dilute in with an equal amount of water.

Are Keurigs Easy To Use?

Yes, a Keurig coffee maker is easy to use no matter which model you have be it a Keurig mini or any other model like a Keurig K Duo. Insert a coffee pod and press the brew button.

Why is Nespresso Better Than Keurig?

Opinions vary; for some coffee lovers a Nespresso is better. It all depends on what type of coffee you prefer. If you enjoy espresso style coffee beverages, you will find a Nespresso to be much better for you as Keurig cannot make espresso beverages.

How Do You Know When A Keurig Is Ready?

Depending on which model of Keurig coffee machine you have, you’ll see a “Ready To Brew” message on the LCD display panel. Make sure you have fresh water in your water reservoir and press brew button. Your machine will then start brewing your cup of coffee.

Final Thoughts – How To Use A Keurig Coffee Maker

Now that you know how to use a Keurig coffee maker, all you need to do is to maintain your Keurig brewer in optimal condition, and you will enjoy perfect coffee for years to come.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location