Needle Maintenance Keurig 2.0 Without Tool – It’s So Easy!

Needle maintenance Keurig 2.0 without tool may sound like a complicated and complex thing to do. Trust me, there is no magic trick, no special tool except a humble paperclip!

That is all you need when you have lost that orange cleaning tool.

Keep reading for the details on how to use that cool and easily available tool for getting your needles clean!

Needle Maintenance Keurig 2.0 Without Tool

The Keurig needle maintenance tool is essential for getting a perfect deep clean of both of your Keurig needles, both the exit needle and the entrance needle.

If you have a clogged needle and have lost your orange Keurig needle cleaning tool, don’t worry because they are easily replaced, and there is a temporary workaround.

You can buy a replacement cleaning tool on Amazon, eBay and the Keurig website. When it arrives, keep the plastic bag it comes in and tape it to the back of your coffee maker, and you’ll never lose it again!

Read: Keurig 2.0 needle maintenance

How To Clean Keurig Needle With Paper Clip

This is your secret “weapon” that you are going to use to free your needles from dirt, grime and all kinds of gunk is an unfolded paper clip, a fine needle or a toothpick.

Start by unplugging your Keurig machine and opening the brew head.

Once your brew head is open, carefully remove the pod holder.

Once the pod holder has been removed, you should be able to see the exit needle at the bottom and the puncture needle at the top of your brew head.

With an unfolded paper clip carefully poke around inside the entrance needle, also known as the puncture needle, for one minute. Be careful not to poke around too much to not lose your paper clip or damage your coffee maker.

Above all, be careful as you are poking around inside a sharp needle!

Repeat the process with your exit needle.

How To Clean Keurig Exit Needle

Cleaning the Keurig exit needle without the needle maintenance tool is exactly the same process as cleaning the entrance needle.

Take an unfolded paper clip and carefully poke around inside of it to remove any gunk that is stuck inside it.

Your exit needle is just as sharp as the entrance needle; be careful not to cut or injure yourself.

Read: How to clean Keurig needle

Run A Full Descale Cycle

At this point you cleaned both of your needles and to a degree the injection lines. Your coffee maker is not yet fully clean as some dirt particles are still there.

Since you don’t have a needle maintenance tool, it is best that you run a full descale, deep clean of your Keurig coffee maker.

Using cleaning vinegar, which is stronger than regular vinegar, fill your water reservoir to the half full mark with cleaning vinegar and then to the max fill line with fresh clean water.

With a large mug or carafe below the coffee spout, run a full brew cycle until your water reservoir is empty.

Repeat this step for a proper and high quality deep clean.

Fill your water reservoir with fresh clean water to flush your coffee maker of all traces of vinegar. You will need to repeat this step 5 to 7 times.

Keurig 2.0 Needle Cleaning Tool

The Keurig 2.0 needle cleaning tool is an essential item for cleaning your needles properly.

Even when you have this cool and easy to use tool I strongly advise using the paperclip technique to clear any hardened dirt and grime.

If you have truly lost it, look for one on Amazon, eBay or Keurig own website.

Frequently Asked Questions About Needle Maintenance Keurig 2.0 Without Tool

Why Does My Keurig Needle Keep Getting Clogged?

Your Keurig needle gets clogged for two main reasons, which are:

• Coffee grounds build up and clog your needle.
• A build of calcium and other minerals inside your coffee machine.

How Do I Clean My Second Hand Keurig?

Cleaning a second hand or new Keurig is done in the same way.

Remove all the removable parts like your drip tray, water reservoir, K Cup holder and clean them with warm soapy water or use your dishwasher.

Let them dry naturally and put them back in place. Fill the Keurig needle maintenance cleaning tool with hot water and put it where you would normally put a K cup coffee pod.

Open and close your brew head 5 to 7 times. This will get your needles basically clean but not completely. Poke around inside the needles with a fine needle or paper clip and then clean again with the needle cleaning tool, this time using a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water and open and close the brew head 5 to 7 times.

Your needles should be perfectly clean.

Now put the removable parts back in place and fill your water reservoir with a 50% white vinegar and 50% water to the max fill line and run a full descale cycle.

Make sure you have a large cup or container to catch the solution that falls and repeat the process for a second time.

This should get all your internal tubes and pipes clean of coffee oil, grounds and mineral build up.

Rise your machine with an abundance of clean water by filling your water reservoir with fresh water. You may need to flush your machine 5 to 7 times.

Read: Keurig needle maintenance

Why Is My Keurig 2.0 Not Poking The Hole In The Bottom?

There are two main reasons why your Keurig 2.0 may not be poking a hole in the bottom of your Keurig K cup coffee pod which are:

• Your needle is dirty and clogged.
• Your needle is no longer sharpe.

Start by getting your Keurig needle maintenance tool out and using it to clean your needles. If that does not get the job done, poke around inside both of them with a paperclip or fine needle and use the needle cleaning tool again.

If this does not fix the problem, replace your needle.

Why Does My Keurig Sound Like It’s Struggling?

If your Keurig coffee maker sounds like it is struggling, it may be due to air that is trapped in your machine or your water pump needs to be repaired or replaced.

How Often Do You Clean The Needle On A Keurig?

I suggest that you clean your whole Keurig coffee maker and the needles at least every other week to keep them in optimal condition for brewing coffee, which will ensure that the coffee you brew is perfect every single time.

How Do You Clean A Keurig That Has Not Been Used In A Year?

Since you have not used your coffee maker in a very long time, I advise that you run a full descale cycle with vinegar and clean the needles and pay attention to giving your machine a good rinse.

Run at least two descaling cycles to ensure that your machine is very clean and clear of any build up of minerals and rancid coffee oils.

Can You Take Apart A Keurig To Clean It?

Yes, there are some removable parts that you need to disassemble in order to properly clean your Keurig coffee maker.

These include your water reservoir, the Pod holder, and the drip tray.

Does Running Hot Water Through Keurig Clean It?

No, running hot water through your Keurig will not get it clean. The rancid coffee oils and grinds will not be removed.

Hot water will get nothing clean on its own.

Final Thoughts – Needle Maintenance Keurig 2.0 Without Tool

As you have seen needle maintenance Keurig 2.0 without tool is as easy as using a simple paper clip, a long thin needle, or a toothpick and poking around.

Be sure to run a full descale after you have cleaned your needles to get a proper full, deep clean of your coffee makers whole system.

Do you have your own “secret” method of cleaning your needles without the cleaning tool? Share it with your fellow coffee lovers!

Join our fun and friendly coffee community and share your coffee machine cleaning secrets! Find us on Facebook/Meta.

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