topic Re: Descaling the Keurig in Kitchen

Descaling the Keurig

circles — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:50:24 GMT

My Keurig needs descaling....I went to their.com to purchase the product...and most of the reviews are bad...could someone tell me how to descale the machine and what product did you use...isn't there one that uses vinegar...white ??? Thanks for any help you can give...

Re: Descaling the Keurig

millieshops — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:54:06 GMT

The only thing I've ever done to my minis has been to run a half and half mixture of white vinegar and water through. I end up with a cup of water and tiny flakes, so I just assume that works --and I follow that with a few cups of just hot water to rid the machine of the vinegar. Not sure how the process works for the larger machines.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

spix — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:55:06 GMT

I use a few cups of white vinegar with the water, then run thru quite a few cycles (water fill ups) till I'm not getting any vinegar odor.

Mine is many years old, have lost track, I do this every few months.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

fashionqueen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:57:27 GMT

I got instructions on You Tube. They are pretty simply and straightforward. It's basically white vinegar and water. Wait some time (hours) and run water through several times.

Also of note: I also did some reading up on the cleaning/upkeep of the Keurig (since I'm on my 3rd one). It says to always use filtered water in addition to the stand filter in the water receptacle and room temp water. Have no idea how the temp of the water makes any difference, but it has worked well for us. Give this a try. Anytime I've descaled my machine, it's always gone south from there. Hope you meet with better luck.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

circles — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:13:52 GMT

Thank you all very much....off to get some white distilled vinegar...

Re: Descaling the Keurig

ValuSkr — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:33:04 GMT

@fashion queen wrote:

I also did some reading up on the cleaning/upkeep of the Keurig (since I'm on my 3rd one). It says to always use filtered water in addition to the stand filter in the water receptacle and room temp water.

So does this mean to use filtered water for coffee and anything else made in the Keurig? That could be expensive.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

fashionqueen — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:39:10 GMT

@ValuSkr ... yes. I have one of those Brita pitchers with the filter. I just refill the pitcher, let the water filter, and then refill the Keurig. The filters last a while, so it's not costly. We used to use the water from our refrigerator (it has an ice/water feature), but that's "cold" water which somehow the Keurig is fussy about.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

ValuSkr — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:45:59 GMT

I see, thank you @fashionqueen. I have a Brita pitcher too. I was thinking you had to buy filtered water. Didn't even occur to me that Brita water would work! I don't change the filter nearly as often as they recommend.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

shoesnbags — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 21:19:51 GMT

@fashion queen wrote:
I got instructions on You Tube. They are pretty simply and straightforward. It's basically white vinegar and water. Wait some time (hours) and run water through several times.

Also of note: I also did some reading up on the cleaning/upkeep of the Keurig (since I'm on my 3rd one). It says to always use filtered water in addition to the stand filter in the water receptacle and room temp water. Have no idea how the temp of the water makes any difference, but it has worked well for us. Give this a try. Anytime I've descaled my machine, it's always gone south from there. Hope you meet with better luck.

My Keurig mini is a few years old, still running fine, and I've never descaled it. At this point, I'm actually afraid to do it - kinda like "if it ain't broke,don't fix it." I'm afraid that descaling might dislodge some pieces that would clog the machine. Your post has just confirmed my fears. I'm letting well enough alone.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

Shoppinggirl — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 22:14:42 GMT

I have read that since the machine always holds some water in it, that mold is a big problem with them. I considered buying one until I read that.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

ID2 — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 10:05:07 GMT

I never wanted a Keurig mainly because it holds standing water! Upon investigating The Keurig brand I discovered the mini which is fill as you go. Love it! Never thought I'd be a Keurig lover but I am! I've only had mine about 1 1/2 months and have descaled it twice already. I have well water. Eww how disgusting to NEVER have cleaned a "seasoned" Keurig machine! I can't even imagine drinking the water in that machine. JMO Oh I use whitel vinegar to clean mine.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

terrier3 — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:24:02 GMT

@Shoppinggirl wrote:
I have read that since the machine always holds some water in it, that mold is a big problem with them. I considered buying one until I read that.

That's an old wives' tale.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

DiAnne — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 19:34:49 GMT

I have an old Keurig without all the bells and whistles of the new ones. Although is sounds like 747 taking off it still works fine. Whenever I think about it (that means not very often) I fill the water container with straight white vinegar and run a couple of cups to pull it inside the machine and let it sit for a few hours. Then I fill the container a couple of times with water run though to get the vinegar taste out. When if finally dies I think I am going to get a Bunn.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

momtochloe — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 19:52:53 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
I have an old Keurig without all the bells and whistles of the new ones. Although is sounds like 747 taking off it still works fine. Whenever I think about it (that means not very often) I fill the water container with straight white vinegar and run a couple of cups to pull it inside the machine and let it sit for a few hours. Then I fill the container a couple of times with water run though to get the vinegar taste out. When if finally dies I think I am going to get a Bunn.

This made me laugh out loud as that is exactly how I describe my Keurig (I have one of the original ones too).

I do the same thing in terms of descaling and probably the same timeframe as you and it's worked like a charm for years but once it stops working I will not be purchasing another one based on the rather poor reviews of newer models.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

CLEM — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 20:20:06 GMT

In addition to descaling my mini, I also drain the machine periodically of any water that might be left after brewing coffee.

With the power OFF, press the BREW button until all water is drained out.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

Logica — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 22:08:18 GMT

Equal parts white vinegar and water. Let it sit 4 hours. Rinse 32 ounces. Done

Re: Descaling the Keurig

Bigbear52 — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:17:10 GMT

Yup! That's what I do too, white vinegar, maybe every 2-3 months. It's only myself using it, so oit dpoesn't get heavy usage. I did with my mini Keurig and now with the K55. I 've seen that Keurig cleaning solution on Amzon, been tempted, but never did. The vinegar is the easiest, cheapest way.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

Bigbear52 — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:17:46 GMT

@spix wrote:
I use a few cups of white vinegar with the water, then run thru quite a few cycles (water fill ups) till I'm not getting any vinegar odor.
Mine is many years old, have lost track, I do this every few months.

Re: Descaling the Keurig

Bigbear52 — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:23:26 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
@fashion queen wrote:

I also did some reading up on the cleaning/upkeep of the Keurig (since I'm on my 3rd one). It says to always use filtered water in addition to the stand filter in the water receptacle and room temp water.
So does this mean to use filtered water for coffee and anything else made in the Keurig? That could be expensive.

I spoke to a customer service rep one day, I told I use an on tap filter, she said that was all I needed, didn't need the filter kist. I have the larger K 55 b rewer, I have the mini also, but my neighbor uses it now. I bought mine at Kohl's, it didn't come with a filtration kit. I've had no problems with it. I was at my isters last week, one of her kids got her the 2.0 brewer. Mow I want one