Brewing A Beverage Using A K
What Should You Do To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Keurig Coffee Maker
A brand new coffee maker is squeaky clean. And to keep it that way is the best way to ensure it stays in working order for years and years. But that also means that you dont get to enjoy a nice cup of coffee from it. A coffee machine that is used will become dirty. That is a fact.
It is also a fact that if you never clean your coffee maker, it will eventually break down. The build-up of coffee residue and limescale due to the water running through the machine are the leading causes of gunk related breakdowns.;
So, the key to keeping your Keurig coffee maker in working order is to clean it periodically.;
Time for some Keurig coffee maker maintenance tips.
Keurig K40 Elite Series Overview
The K40 Elite Series is one of Keurig’s flagship brewers and was introduced as an upgrade to the B40, though the two models have the exact same specs. Currently discontinued, the K40 has been replaced by the K-Classic, which offers many of the same features:
- 48 oz reservoir
- No Strength Control or Temp Control
- Auto-On/Off functionality and removable drip tray
- No pod-scanning system so it’s compatible with all types of K-Cups
The only differences between the K40 Series and K-Classic are the K-Classic’s slightly expanded brew sizes and upgraded brewing system that ensures you’re brewing with Keurig’s latest and greatest technology for hotter, stronger cups.
Below, you’ll see 4 model numbers with brewers that look identical:
- K40 and K45
- K50 and K55
What’s the difference?
The K40 and K45 were originally released as Keurig’s K-Elite brewers. Both came with the K-Cup variety pack, but the K45 also came with the water filter starter kit. Then, in 2015, Keurig rebranded the K40 and K45 K-Elite brewers as the K50 and K55 K-Classic brewers.
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Complete List Of Keurig K200 Series Brewers
Keurig K200
- Comes with water filter kit and K-Cup/K-Carafe variety pack
Cons
- Discontinued model
- Part of the Keurig 2.0 series, which has pod-scanning system to lock out unlicensed K-Cup pods
- Compatible with K-Mug and K-Carafe pods, which Keurig no longer produces, so why get a pod-based carafe brewer when you can only use K-Cup pods?
- Relatively small 40 oz water reservoir
- Doesn’t come with carafe or reusable Keurig 2.0 My K-Cup
Keurig Coffee Maker Settings 101
Depending on your brewer, youll see various settings on a Keurig machine. These include:
- Brew size. All of Keurigs brewers let you choose your cup size. On many Keurig models, these will be individual buttons showing different cup sizes along the top or front . On other models, theyre available through the touchscreen interface.
- Brew strength. If a brew strength adjustment is available, it may have a dedicated button on the control panel. If so, press the Strength button before you hit brew to get a bolder cup. Models with touchscreens will have this option there.
- Brew temperature. While not available on all Keurig coffee makers, this is another option for controlling the brew strength. Hotter water will give you a bolder cup. Most brewers with temperature control use a touchpad display for the settings.
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Keurig K150 Commercial Coffee Maker
BEST KEURIG MACHINE FOR OFFICES
For offices with more than 10-15 people, a standard home Keurig machine wont do. Thats when you need to upgrade to one of Keurigs commercial coffee makers. For small- to medium-sized businesses, we recommend the Keurig K150. This coffee maker is NSF certified for food service use. It holds 90 oz of water in its reservoir, has an easy-to-use touchscreen and can brew coffee in a variety of sizes. If youre a business owner or office manager searching for the best Keurig coffee makers for your company, this is a dependable option thats perfect for mid-size businesses.
The Usage Of Your Machine
The office use machines are designed for quick coffee and heavy-duty use. However, the domestic machines are mostly simple; single-serve machines.
The use of the machine will also decide the kind of functions you should be looking for. If you simply want a quick cup of coffee, go for the most basic models.
If you like more strength control, a model like K575 will be a better option for you.
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How Many Times Can You Use A Keurig K
K-Cups are designed to be used once and then thrown away. There are two reasons you shouldnt re-use K-Cups. First, the amount of coffee inside is dosed for a single cup. A second brew will be extremely weak and will taste very bitter and flat.
Secondly, the brewing process puts holes in both the top and the bottom of the K-Cup. That means leaks and loss of pressure during brewing, which arent just bad for the coffee but could damage your machine.
You can find reusable K-Cup filters that you fill with your own ground coffee. If youre concerned about waste from single-use K-Cups, this is a better option.
Keurig K150p Commercial Brewing System
This machine comes with state of the art brewing technology along with unique K-cup packets to provide a pleased and an excellent cup of coffee.
Do you know the best part of the machine? Which did I like the most? The direct water line plumbing system. This feature has eliminated the need for refilling the water to the machine.
However, the only downside of the machine is the cup holder tray is very far away from the coffee dispenser. This result in a lot of splashing, which makes it difficult to clean.
Apart from the downside and if you find convenience in the plumbing part, then this machine could be the best choice for you.
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Keurig Commercial Coffee Makers
The convenience, speed, and clean-up ease of K-Cup brewers is especially appealing in a commercial context. It lets retailers and offices offer hassle-free refreshments to their customers. These days, youll see Keurig machines everywhere, from hotel lobbies to the waiting area in your mechanics garage.
Keurigs commercial offerings range from compact in-room machines for hotels and motels to massive multi-drink bean-to-cup models that can be used in restaurants and convenience stores. Whatever kind of business you operate, one of Keurigs many commercial brewers is sure to fit your needs.
How Many Times Can You Use A Reusable K
Keurig sells a universal reusable filter. Made from durable hard plastic, these filters are built to last as long as a Keurig coffee maker.
You can find other reusable K-Cup filters that are made of a thinner plastic with a metal mesh filter. This style of reusable filter wears out more quickly than the more robust Keurig version. With the right care, they can last 5-7 years, so theyre still a cost-saving alternative to disposable K-Cups.
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Tip : Rinse Removable Parts Regularly
To avoid build-up of residue on the removable parts of your Keurig coffee maker , its a good idea to rinse these with warm water regularly. For me, emptying the drip tray and cleaning it is part of my daily kitchen cleanup routine, but I am a bit OCD about these things. Rinsing all removable parts with hot water once a week will go a long way.;
The Machine Isnt Brewing
If the machine isnt brewing properly, you must first think about cleaning it properly. A machine that hasnt been cleaned properly for a while will usually stop working properly. So, clean the machine and descale it before you use it again. This should solve your brewing problems with ease.
You should descale the machine every six months. However, if the water in your area is harder, you should do this exercise every three months. If the machine is still not working, clean the filter of the machine once again and then switch it on. Your machine should work like before.
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Bad For The Environment
Keurigs reliance on single-use plastic coffee pods produces enormous amounts of waste, though as of the end of 2020, all Keurig pods are recyclable. To do so, you first have to peel off the aluminum lid , then dump the grounds and recycle the cup with other plastics. For office use, Keurig has its K-cycle mail-back program. You fill a bin with used pods and mail them back to Keurig using a prepaid shipping label, where Keurig will recycle them.
The process itself is easy enough, and recycling pods is an improvement over them ending up in a landfill. But, plastic is much more expensive to recycle than other materials and, frustratingly, putting the K-cups into the recycling is no guarantee theyll actually be recycled. A recent NPR and PBS Frontline investigation found that less than 10% of plastic in the US recycling pipeline has been recycled. So, even though recyclable pods are better than non-recyclable pods, theyre still not great for the environment.
There are more environmentally-friendly options for single-serve, convenient brewing that dont require plastics at all, like Nespresso with all-aluminum pods, pour overs with recyclable paper filters, and French presses with no disposable byproducts .
Additional Products And Developments
The company introduced the Keurig Vue brewer, paired with new Vue pods, in February 2012, seven months before the key patent on the K-Cup expired in September 2012. The Vue system was announced as having customizable features so consumers had control over the strength, size, and temperature of their beverages, and the Vue pod is made of recyclable #5 plastic. The Vue brewer was discontinued in 2014, although Keurig still sells the Vue pods.
In November 2012, GMCR released its espresso, cappuccino, and latte brewer, the Rivo, co-developed with the Italian coffee company Lavazza; it was discontinued in December 2016. In the fall of 2013, the company released a full-pot brewer, the Keurig Bolt, for use mainly in offices; it was discontinued in December 2016.
In November 2013 Keurig opened a retail store inside the Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts. The store features the full line of Keurig machines and accessories, and nearly 200 varieties of K-Cups for creating individualized 3-, 6-, or 12-pod boxes.
Keurig Green Mountain
In early March 2014, shareholders of Keurig’s parent company, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, voted to change its name to Keurig Green Mountain to reflect its business of selling Keurig coffee makers. Keurig Green Mountain’s stock-market symbol remained “GMCR”.
Keurig Dr Pepper
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Keurig Coffee Maker Overview
Keurig is the original coffee pod maker and an excellent single-serve coffee-making machine. The coffee maker became widely known when it got to the market. The move triggered coffee beans companies to bid for deals that enabled them to turn their coffee into K-cup pods.
Even though the market is full of many single-serve makers, Keurig still stands out as an exceptional and irreplaceable brand.
You can find the Keurig coffee machine and k-cups almost everywhere. Their prices vary depending on the models; some are inexpensive, while others are pricier because of the added features.
Keurig B Series Commercial Overview
Keurig’s B commercial brewers come in 4 different series:
- B130: Hospitality brewer designed to be compact and easy-to-use for hotel and vacation rental guests
- B140: OfficePRO brewers designed for heavy daily use in office environments
- B150: Customer-facing brewers designed for medium-traffic settings
- B3000SE: Customer-facing brewer that requires direct water hookup and compatible with a coin charger
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Keurig K50 The All Purposed Coffee Maker
The Keurig K50 is an older model, and that has both its pros and cons. The advantage of this is you can often find it for a better price than some of the newer coffee makers in Keurigs line-up. Its still built with Keurigs reliable components, so it will last you just as long as the latest edition.
Youll get a fast, flavorful brew with the Keurig K50. It has handy convenience features like a programmable auto-shutoff and a removable drip tray, with a large 48-ounce reservoir that lasts for 4 or more brews, depending on your cup size. Helpful indicator lights guide you through the process and show you exactly what size youre making.
Features:
- Wide profile has bigger counter space footprint
What Is The Most Reliable Keurig Model
Keurig coffee makershave a reputation for durability. The average Keurig lasts about 10 years, and they can last far longer if theyre maintained correctly.
Even more durable than Keurigs home coffee makers are their commercial machines designed for office use. The Keurig K150 is a workhorse of a brewer that doesnt need much maintenance to keep it in top form.
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Complete List Of Keurig K300 Series Brewers
Keurig K300
- Comes with carafe, K-Cup/K-Carafe variety pack, and water filter kit
Cons
- Discontinued model
- Part of the Keurig 2.0 series, which has pod-scanning system to lock out unlicensed K-Cup pods
- Compatible with K-Mug and K-Carafe pods, which Keurig no longer produces, so why get a pod-based carafe brewer when you can only use K-Cup pods?
- Doesn’t come with reusable Keurig 2.0 My K-Cup
K130 Hospitality Coffee Maker
Not all commercial coffee makers are designed for larger spaces. Keurig also has options for hotels and motels that want to offer in-room coffee to guests. The K130 is designed to meet these needs. We love the mug sensor, which stops the brew if no cup is detected. It also has an automatic shut-off so it wont stay on draining energy if the guest forgets to turn it off.
The simple one-button operation on the K130 means anyone can use it. If your guests do have any questions, there are directions printed down the side of the unitin pictures rather than words, so international guests can understand them. The compact size lets it fit easily in even the smallest hotel room, too.
Features:
- No cup size or strength adjustment options
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Tip : If You Brew Something Sticky Rinse Afterward
The Keurig coffee maker can be used for more than just coffee. If you decide to brew hot chocolate or any other sugary drink with it, it is a good idea to rinse the machine. You can do this easily by running another brew through the machine after brewing your hot chocolate. This time without a K-cup. This rinses out the K-cup holder and the funnel, keeping it nice and clean.
Amount Of Coffee Per Serving
Each machine on the list, the K350, K450, and K550, can brew anything from a 4-ounce cup all the way up to a full carafe. So if cup serving size is your main concern, you can pretty much go with any and youll be happy!;
The sizes available are 4oz, 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz when using standard K-Cups, and anywhere from 2 to 4 cups when using the K-Carafe pods.;;;
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Keurig B60 Special Edition Buyer’s Guide
The Keurig B60 truly was a Special Edition brewer when it was first released in 2013.
Well, it isn’t 2013 anymore. While you can still find B60 brewers on Amazon, eBay, or other online marketplaces, we recommend you go with Keurig’s new-and-improved K-Classic.
How does the K-Classic compare?
- Same 6, 8, and 10 oz brew sizes
- Same 48 oz water reservoir
- Same features
- No LCD messaging center, using LED indicator lights instead
- Slightly narrower 9.8″ width vs the B60’s 10.1″
If it’s basically the same thing, what makes the K-Classic new-and-improved?
Feature-wise, nothing. But it’s built using brewing technology and parts that are 7 years younger. That means better performance, better reliability, and better coffee.
Tip : Descale Your Keurig Once A Month
The avoid the build-up of limescale/calcium deposits in the machine, it is good practice to descale your machine once a month. Especially when you live in an area with hard, mineral-rich water. If you live in an area with particularly soft water, you can descale once every two months. Descale regularly keeps your machine in top shape.
As said, descaling can be done with pure white vinegar. Specialized descaling solutions are widely available, but these can be quite expensive. The best value descaling solution is undiluted white vinegar. It works great and is dirt cheap.
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