If you love coffee, then you know how important your coffee machine is. It makes a great cup of coffee possible every morning (and afternoon and evening), so it’s important to make sure you’re properly cleaning and maintaining your Keurig machine so that it can keep working great for years to come.
One of the most commonly missed steps in caring for a coffee machine is descaling, and it is one of the most important steps in the coffee machine care process. In this article, we answer the question “when should you descale your Keurig coffee machine” and discuss why it’s so important.
What is Descaling?
Descaling is the process of cleaning your coffee machine to remove mineral build up, primarily limescale, that occurs inside your machine over time. Minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water source build up on internal components of the machine, such as the boiler, pipes, and heating elements, when they are heated up during the brewing process.
If not removed, the result can include blocked water flow, reduced brewing temperature, changes to the taste of the coffee, and even damage to the machine in the long term.
So, When Should You Descale Your Coffee Machine?
We mentioned above that descaling is one of the most commonly missed steps in the coffee machine maintenance process, and one of the reasons why is that people don’t know exactly how often to do it or when to do it.
The answer is: pretty frequently, actually. The general rule of thumb is that you should descale your machine every 1 to 3 months.
The exact frequency, however, does depend on two factors:
1. The frequency you use the machine
2. The hardness of your water.
How Often You Use the Machine Matters
Frequency of Use:
- Daily use (1–3 cups a day): Every 2 to 3 months
- Heavy use (multiple cups a day / shared between people): Every month
- Occasional use (couple of times a week): Every 3–4 months
Water Hardness Also Impacts the Frequency
If you live in a hard water area then limescale will build up faster and more frequently, which means you should descale your machine more frequently (every 4–6 weeks) even if you only use it moderately.
You can test the hardness of your water with a water hardness test strip. The good news is they’re often provided with machines or descaling kits.
Why Descaling is So Important
1. It Preserves the Taste of Your Coffee
Limescale alters the flow rate and temperature of the water when it passes through the machine which can have a major impact on how the coffee extracts. The results are usually that the coffee is bitter, weak, or even inconsistent in flavour. Descaling removes the build up and helps keep your coffee tasting the way you like.
2. It Protects Your Machine
Buildup can clog water pipes, overwork the pump, and cause all kinds of damage to the machine. Descaling is one of the easiest ways to prevent long term damage and future costly repairs or replacement.
3. It Saves Energy
The mineral deposit acts as a kind of insulator making the machine work harder and use more energy in order to heat the water. A scaled-up boiler takes more electricity to heat and maintain temperatures, and costs you more in energy bills over time.
4. It Keeps Brew Time Consistent
You’ll know when you’ve waited too long to descale because it will take your machine longer to brew a cup of coffee. Limescale can narrow down pipes and affect the rate of water flow inside the machine. Descaling helps to prevent this and keep everything working at peak performance.
How to Descale Your Machine (The Easiest Way)
There are a few different ways to descale your machine, but using KPOD’s Machine Liquid Descaler is the easiest. It’s specially formulated for the process, won’t damage any of the internals of the machine, and it works on all major coffee machine brands.
Descaling Should Be a Routine
Descaling your Keurig coffee machine every 1 to 3 months (or more depending on use and hardness of your water) should be like brushing your teeth. It’s a small step you take that adds up to a big difference over the course of the coffee machine’s lifetime.
It works for all types of machines (Keurig machines, capsule machine, bean to cup, espresso maker) and will make sure it works like new for years to come. And KPOD Machine Liquid Descaler works with all the major brands, including Keurig, Nespresso, and Dolce Gusto machines, so it’s a great investment for all coffee lovers.
Final Thoughts
The question “when should you descale your Keurig coffee machine” really has two answers. The first is every 1 to 3 months is a solid rule of thumb, but if you have harder water or use your machine more frequently, then you should descale more often.
Descaling is one of the easiest parts of the machine maintenance process. You can do it in a few minutes, and it will save you money in the long term, keep your coffee tasting great, and help your machine keep working better for longer.
Make sure to make descaling part of your regular routine using KPOD Machine Liquid Descaler and enjoy great coffee every time.
