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How Long Do Keurigs Last? 6 Ways To Make Keurig Last Longer

Keurig coffee makers

If you are considering buying a new Keurig coffee maker, you may be trying to figure out how long do Keurigs last? They are not cheap machines, so you want to make sure it is a good investment. Keep reading to find out. Then, see my recommendations for what you can do to take care of your Keurig to help it last longer.

How Long Do Keurigs Last?

Most Keurigs will come with a standard one year warranty. You should register your machine as soon you get it so that you don’t forget; you just need your serial number and purchase information. Be sure to avoid any actions that can void your warranty. That includes putting milk in your Keurig and disassembling it to view internal components. Just follow the basic instructions on how to use your brewer. If you do have encounter any issues in your first year that you cannot fix on your own, just contact Keurig support. They can walk you through the solution or, in some cases, they may just replace your machine.

Even though the warranty is only for a year, you can expect Keurig machines to last longer than that. If you use your Keurig daily to make between one and four cups of coffee, you can expect it to last for an average lifespan of three to five years. That’s a pretty long time compared to other coffee makers. If you use your machine a lot more than that, which can be common in an office setting, it won’t last as long. In that case, you might need to replace it in a couple of years.

6 Ways To Make Keurigs Last Longer

No matter how often you use your Keurig, taking good care of it and keep it clean will help it last longer. If you don’t follow these regular cleaning steps to maintain your Keurig, you should not expect it to last very long. It may seem like a long list, but once you get your machine you will find that it really doesn’t take up too much of your time.

#1: Eject K-Cups and Refill Water Daily

Always eject used K-cups right after brewing. Never leave them in the holder. If you do, coffee grinds can get stuck there leading to a burnt or bitter taste in your next cup. Then, when you are done using the machine for the day, run the machine through a fresh water only brew cycle with no K-cup in the unit to rinse out any grinds that may have been left behind.

Rinse and fill the water reservoir using fresh, plain water. Also, empty the drip tray to prevent overflowing and bacteria buildup. Wash that and other removable parts with warm soapy water by hand. Let them air dry.

If you have a K-Latte or another Keurig with a milk frother or steamer component, you will want to wash those pieces thoroughly.

#2: Use Rinse Pods Regularly

help keurigs last longer with rinse pods

Use a Keurig rinse pod to remove any coffee residue or oils from inside the machine every week. If not, residue and oil can build up in your brewer over time. A Keurig rinse pod is the easiest way to clean your K-cup pod holder. These pods contain a special formula that can rinse away the leftover coffee residue and oils. It’s also a good idea to use one after you make hot chocolate, if you use your brewer for that.

After the rinse cycle, take a cloth that is damp with warm water or a mild cleaner to wipe down the outside of the machine. Wipe under the coffee outlet too. Never use any strong cleaning agent.

If you have a Keurig 2.0, you should also wipe down the touch screen every week. Wipe along the edges. This will prevent dust and other debris from building up that could make the touch screen stop working.

#3: Clean The Needles

When you brew a K-cup, there are needles inside your coffee maker that make two holes in the pod so water can pass through. The grounds can get stuck around the needle and become dry and hard. This is even more likely to happen if you don’t remove your coffee pods soon after brewing.

Every month, you will want to take the time to clean the entrance and exit needles. My related post on this topic will walk you through the needle maintenance steps, using either a paperclip or, if you have a Keurig 2.0, the orange accessory that came with your brewer.

When you finished with the needles, you can clear the rest of the pod holder. Take a small, soft brush (like a spare toothbrush), add water to it, and gently scrub away at any grinds you see on the top and bottom of the chamber. Be careful around those sharp needles!

monthly needle cleaning will helps keurigs last longer
monthly needle cleaning will helps keurigs last longer

#4: Use & Replace Water Filters

Most Keurigs have a charcoal water filter. The filter helps remove mineral deposits and other impurities from the water used to brew your K-cups. The water filters last about 2 months or 60 full water tanks. After that, you should replace it. Try to keep track of how many times the reservoir is empty. Learn how to replace a Keurig water filter.

help keurigs last longer with fresh water filters

Since the it helps remove impurities, changing the filter at the suggested time or more often is the best thing you can do to extend how long Keurigs will last. Your machine will still brew coffee without one. However, over time the lack of one can lead to the buildup of minerals in your machine. As a result, you’ll need to descale your machine more often than owners who do use filtered water.

#5: Descale Regularly

You should descale Keurigs every 3 to 6 months to extend the life of your brewer. This is true whether you are using tap or filtered water (side note: distilled water is not great for your Keurig). If you have hard water, meaning it has a higher level of minerals, you should do this more often. This deep clean will remove limescale buildup inside your machine. If not done regularly, this can cause problems over time with water flow, water pressure and temperature. Learn how to descale a Keurig coffee maker, with steps for each model. You’ll need to buy a descaling solution. Using white vinegar may damage your Keurig.

keurig descaling solution
Keurig Descaling Solution

This safe descaling formula made by Keurig has no odor and acts fast to remove mineral build up with gentle citric acid. Using this solution won’t cause any harm to your brewer. You can buy the solution alone or as part of a bundle with rinse pods and filters that will also help you keep your machine clean. If you have the K-Duo model, be sure to check out this K-Duo bundle.

If you are an Amazon prime member, these items are eligible for fast, free shipping. However, you can also find the official Keurig solution in stores. Target sells it in store and online. You can also find the solution at Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond.

#6: Empty The Machine For Extended Periods of Non Use

If you are going away on vacation or perhaps leaving a seasonal home where you have a Keurig coffee maker, it is important that you empty the water in the machine’s internal water tank. This will prevent it from freezing or from contributing to limescale buildup inside the unit that can stop it from working when you go to try to use it again. See my related post on how to empty a Keurig internal water tank.

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