Keurig Rinse Pods vs Descaling Solution: How Do They Differ?
If you are reading up on how to clean your Keurig coffee maker, you may be wondering what the difference is between Keurig rinse pods vs descaling solution. Both rinse pods and descaling solution contain citric acid, but they have different uses. You need to use both, but at different times. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is A Keurig Rinse Pod?
Over time, residue and oil from coffee grinds can build up in your coffee maker. The photo above is from my brother’s Keurig machine. He doesn’t use rinse pods and you can see how the old coffee grinds have built up around his needle. This can negatively affect the taste of the coffee he brews as the hot water touches the old grinds.
A Keurig rinse pod is the quickest and easiest way to clean your K-cup pod holder, brewer funnel and exit needle. These Keurig cleaning pods contain a special formula that can rinse away the leftover coffee residue and oils. They can help clear out any leftover coffee grinds from old pods too.
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What Is A Descaling Solution?
The water used to brew your K-cups has minerals that cause limescale to build up inside your coffee maker. These are not toxic, but they can affect your Keurig’s water flow as well as the taste and temperature of your coffee. Descaling solutions are safe formulas that have no odor and act fast to remove mineral build up with gentle cleansing acid.
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When To Use Keurig Rinse Pods vs Descaling Solution
Keurig says to use a rinse pod once a week. However, if you often use your brewer to make hot chocolate, tea or flavored coffees, you may want to use them more often. Using in between brewing different flavored coffee K-cups will prevent any mixing of the flavors. That way you can enjoy your coffee pod as the maker of it intended.
Use the descaling solution when prompted by your Keurig to descale or every three months, whichever comes first. Some models, like the Keurig K-Slim, have a descale light that will glow when it is time to descale your machine. If your machine is not pumping water well, it is a sign that you need to descale. Do you live in an area that has hard water? If so, you may need to descale more often.
If I use Keurig Rinse Pods, Do I Still Have To Descale?
Yes! Both Keurig rinse pods and descaling solution contain citric acid, but they have different uses. A rinse pod goes in the K-cup holder and only cleans that area. A descaler goes into your water tank and travels all the way through the brewer. This enables the solution to remove limescale from all of the areas where water flows through.
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