Keurig Needle Maintenance: How To Clean Keurig Needle

Keurigs make the world go around. We all have either been in a home with a Keurig or have one sitting in our very own kitchen as we speak. However, what happens when your Keurig needs a bit of maintenance? There are a few different ways that a Keurig could need some maintenance. Some are more difficult to fix than others. 

Today, we are going to talk about what to do when your Keurig needs needle maintenance. First, we will explain what a Keurig needle is, what the signs are that this needs fixing, and finally how to complete this task. Let’s jump in, as we’ve got lots of ground to cover! 

What is a Keurig Needle? 

First and foremost, let’s establish what a Keuirg needle is so we know what to look at when deciding if it needs maintenance. Ever pulled out your Kcup and realized there is a puncture in the top? That is the needle’s doing. This puncture is what allows the Keurig access to the coffee grounds hidden inside the Kcup. 

However, since it does puncture straight to the grounds, it can easily build up leftover grounds on the needle over time. How do you notice this issue? Most of the debris can be hard to see unless you are checking the needle regularly. This is why there should be regular cleaning of the needle incorporated into the daily routine on top of your other cleaning steps to keep your machine up and running. After all, if you’re going to take the time to check if it’s clean, you might as well clean it in the meantime. 

How to Clean a Keurig Needle

The first thing to pay attention to when cleaning the Keurig needle is that it is, in fact, a needle, so be mindful of this to prevent yourself from getting punctured in the process. The clumsy bunch of us need to pay extra attention to this fact. We do not need any injuries while conducting Keurig needle maintenance. 

As far as tools go, the Keurig typically supplies you with the one main tool you will need: a Keurig maintenance accessory tool. If you did not receive this with your Keurig because it is an older model, or you lost it not realizing you would need it for this exact scenario, don’t worry. These are only a few dollars to grab at the store. You can also grab a maintenance kit which includes a bit more to help keep your Keurig in tip top shape. 

Here is a quick step by step process of the cleaning process for a Keurig needle:

1. Turn the Keurig Off

This should always be the first step when working on a Keurig for a few reasons. First, we don’t want anyone getting electrocuted on our watch. Second, we don’t want the Keurig to start spouting on remnants of last cycle’s coffee and cover you in gunk and grime while cleaning. Lastly, it’s just a safer practice to start incorporating when working with any electronics. 

2. Grab the Maintenance Pod and Water

Fill up the maintenance pod with water. There is a hole in the middle to fill with water. This will go into the pod insert, and be the main cleaning component for the area. Place the tool inside the cupholder. Make sure to match the arrows with the Keurig to get a proper cleaning job. It should be a snug fit when done correctly, so you will know if you have done it well. 

3. Open and Close… 5 Times

It might seem a bit excessive, but opening and closing the machine 5 times is part of the process. Embrace a bit of patience and complete each open and close. After you’ve finished, you can take the maintenance tool out. 

4. Run Water Cycle… 3 Times

Now, run a water cycle of the machine 3 times to remove any built up gunk from the needle. Don’t insert anything into the Kcup holder. This will flush out any possible leftover grounds or debris. And voila! Your Keurig is clean and ready to go. 

When done correctly, this process is short, but extremely helpful. We recommend completing this every 2 or 3 weeks depending on how often you use your machine to keep your machine in tip top shape!