Last updated on May 20th, 2024 at 11:59
Learning how to use Keurig coffee maker, descale it, clean it and unclog your exit and entry needles will help you get greater fulfillment and enjoyment from your coffee maker.
This article is focused on detailed step-by-step processes for you to follow. I advise what I call preventative maintenance which will help you to keep your machine in perfect condition and prolong the life of your Keurig coffee maker.
Keep reading for a detailed tutorial on how to use Keurig, descale it and unclog the needles.
How To Use Keurig
Table Of Contents
Using a Keurig to make great coffee is as easy as following the Step-By-Step instructions below:
- Open the lid of your Keurig coffee maker and insert a K cup pod of your choice and put it in the K Cup holder.
- Fill the water reservoir of your coffee machine with water before you start brewing.
- Close the lid and put a coffee cup on the drip tray, select a cup size then press the brew button to start brewing coffee.
- Enjoy your perfectly brewed cup of hot coffee.
Read: How to descale a Keurig 2.0
How To Use A Keurig To Brew A Cup Of Coffee With A K-Cup Coffee Pod
The following step-by-step instruction explains how to use a Keurig single cup coffee maker in more detail.
Step 1: Put Your Coffee Cup On The Drip Trap
Before you start brewing your coffee, put a mug on the drip tray. Select a cup size. The cup size ranges from 4 ounces (120 ml) to 12 ounces (360 ml) in 2 ounces (60 ml) increments.
Some Keurig coffee makers only have 3 drinks sizes, others have all 5.
Step 2: Lift The Handle And Put A K-Cup Coffee Pod Into The K cup holder
With your favorite coffee pod carefully place it in your coffee machine while paying attention to inserting it correctly with the top of the pod and bottom positioned correctly. Almost all Keurig machines you must have the foil lid facing upwards.
This is important; if you insert your coffee pod incorrectly, the correct needle will not pierce the correct part and your machine will not brew a cup of coffee.
Step 3: Push The Handle And Close The Lid
Push the handle of your machine to close the lid. When the lid is correctly closed, you might see a “ready to brew” message, depending on the model. Make sure you have enough water in the water reservoir.
Step 4: Select Your Brew Size
Select the size of coffee that you want to enjoy. You will have 3 to 5 drink size options which are:
- 4 Oz (120 ml).
- 6 Oz (180 ml).
- 8 Oz (240 ml).
- 10 Oz (300 ml).
- 12 Oz (360 ml).
The coffee makers that have only 3 drink size options are missing the smallest and largest drink sizes.
Consider these as strength of flavor options with the smaller size having a stronger tasting cup of coffee and the larger cup size producing a weaker cup of coffee.
Note: The strength of flavor will change, but the caffeine content will remain the same for all drink sizes.
How To Use Keurig – Maintaining And Cleaning Your Keurig Coffee Maker
Follow these simple step by step instructions to clean and maintain your Keurig coffee maker.
Step 1: Descale Your Keurig Coffee Maker With Distilled White Vinegar
Keurig recommends that you descale your Keurig machine every 3 to 6 months. Personally, I descale my machine every other week to make sure I get amazing clean and perfectly tasting coffee and prevent the build up of mineral deposits. At Latte Love Brew, we aim to help you to get the best tasting coffee every day.
Simply fill your water tank with distilled white vinegar to the half full mark. Fill to the max fill line with water.
You can also use Keurig descaling solution or bicarbonate of soda. If you are using descaling solution, empty the contents of the bottle into your water tank and fill with water to the max fill line.
With bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) fill to the quarter ful mark and fill the rest with water.
Step 2: Run Brewing cycles
With a large mug or carafe below the coffee spout, run several brew cycles as if you were brewing a cup of coffee. Keep running the brew cycles until your water tank is empty.
Step 3: Flush It
Fill your water tank with clean, fresh water and run several rinse cycles to flush out the scent and taste of vinegar, baking soda or the Keurig descaling solution.
Repeat this cycle 3 to 5 times to clean your machine of all traces of the cleaning solution used.
Step 4: Remove And Clean All The Removable Parts
Remove the drip tray, water reservoir and clean them well with soapy water and rinse with an abundance of water.
Step 5: Wipe And Clean All Exterior Surfaces
Wipe the exterior surfaces with a dam cloth to give it a good clean. Be careful of any water getting into electrical parts of your machine which may break your coffee maker.
Ensure that the cloth that you are using is lightly damp.
How To Clean And UnBlock The Needle On Your Keurig
The easiest way of unblocking and unclogging the needles in your Keurig coffee maker is to not let them get blocked in the first place.
If they do get blocked your first step is to fill your needle maintenance tool that came with your coffee machine with warm water and put it in where you put a Keurig K Cup.
Then close and open the lid of your Keurig 5 to 7 times. This has a pump effect on the needle cleaning tool and forces the warm water through the needles.
If your needles are still clogged, use an unfolded paper clip or a fine needle and poke around inside the exit and entry needle. Repeat the use of your needle cleaning tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Use Keurig
What Button Do You Press On Keurig?
The button on your Keurig machine to press to get it to brew your coffee is first the on button to make sure that it is switched on, make sure your coffee cup is on the drip tray, and a coffee pod is in place and press the brew button to start brewing a cup of coffee.
What Are The Two Buttons On Keurig?
There are three buttons on your Keurig machine that allow you to save some personalized settings for the different drinks that you will make. You can set the #1 button for regular coffee, #2 for iced coffee, #3 for hot cocoa for example.
How Much Water Do You Use For A Single K-Cup?
There are 5 size settings on a Keurig coffee maker, depending on the model. These sizes are:
- 4 Oz (120 ml).
- 6 Oz (180 ml).
- 8 Oz (240 ml).
- 10 Oz (300 ml).
- 12 Oz (360 ml).
The Keurig coffee makers that have only 3 sizes are missing the smallest and the largest sizes on the list above.
How Does A Simple Keurig Work?
Your Keurig coffee maker starts by puncturing a hole in the foil cap with the entry needle. A jet of hot water is then sent through your ground coffee and then the brewed coffee is pushed through a mini paper filter at the bottom of the K cup.
A second hole is punctured at the bottom of the coffee pod by the exit needle. The coffee then flows through your coffee maker to the coffee spout and into your cup below.
Are Keurigs Easy To Use?
Yes, there is nothing difficult to operate and maintain a Keurig coffee maker. You just need to fill the water reservoir with water, put a coffee pod in place and press a button!
Descaling and maintaining is easy. Simply fill the water tank half full of distilled white vinegar fill with water to the max fill line and press the brew button a few times until the water tank is empty. Then run 3 to 5 rinsing cycles with fresh clean water by filling the water reservoir with clean water and repeating the process.
How Long Does A Keurig Take To Heat Up?
A Keurig takes approximately 3 minutes to heat up. When you press the power button, the brewer will start heating the water.
Final Thoughts – How To Use Keurig
Knowing how to use Keurig single serve coffee maker in the proper way and, of course, looking after it properly by running regular descaling cycles and unclogging of the needles will help you to keep your coffee maker in prime condition for making you a perfect cup of coffee every single time for many 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
