Keurigs are known for being easy to use but sometimes you’ll find a setting or button that can confuse you, especially if it’s your first time using a Keurig.
In this article, I’ll be talking about what the Descale button on your Keurig does and I’ll be guiding you through the process of descaling a Keurig.
In this article:
- What The Descaling Button Does
- What is Descaling and Why Do You Need to Descale a Keurig?
- The Descaling Process
- Advantages of Descaling Your Keurig
What The Descaling Button Does
Some Keurig models have more buttons than others and you might find a “descale” button on yours. This button is not related to the process of brewing your coffee on a Keurig but it does have its importance.
It actually is very important that you don’t want to ignore it if you see it light up.
What a descaling button does, when illuminated, is it lets you know that it is time to descale your machine. It is pretty straightforward but if you are new to a Keurig, it might be confusing to see it light up.
When you press the descale button on a Keurig, it begins the descaling process which helps maintain and clean your machine. But, descaling a Keurig is not just pressing the descale button. There are certain steps you have to follow so you can descale a Keurig properly.
What is Descaling and Why Do You Need to Descale a Keurig?
Before we go into detail about a Keurig brewer’s descaling process, let’s talk about why you need to descale a Keurig in the first place.
As I talked about earlier, descaling a Keurig helps maintain and clean your machine.
Keurigs are used all the time, some even multiple times a day. They really take a beating and Keurigs, like any other appliance you have in your home, need to be cleaned and maintained.
Calcium deposits, mineral buildups, and coffee oils build up over time inside a Keurig and this can cause many problems to your machine. These deposits can thicken and make it harder for the water to run through the passageways on your Keurig.
This will disrupt water flow and will take a longer time to brew your coffee which can affect the taste, quality, and temperature of your coffee. Not descaling your Keurig can also produce a louder noise than it actually has.
It is important to descale your Keurig once every 3 to 6 months to remove any calcium deposits, coffee oils, or mineral buildups in your machine. Not only that, descaling will help keep your machine in top shape so it can last you a long time.
The Descaling Process
So, how do you descale a Keurig? It’s a simple process that should take about 45 minutes.
Just a disclaimer that not all Keurigs have a descale button and if yours does not have one, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to descale your Keurig. You still need to descale it once every 3 to 6 months for better performance.
The descaling process can differ depending on what model of Keurig you have. Some models may have a descale button while other models just have a descale light indicator.
Some Keurigs also have a descale mode that you need to activate before you start the descaling process.
To descale a Keurig with a descale button:
To descale a Keurig, you need a descaling solution. If you don’t have one and you need to descale your Keurig already, you can use equal parts water and white vinegar.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to descale a Keurig:
Prepare Your Keurig
- Turn the Keurig off and unplug it from the outlet.
- Remove any detachable parts and clean them with warm soapy water.
- Wipe the exterior of the Keurig with a clean, damp non-abrasive cloth. Make sure to avoid getting the electrical parts wet.
- Dry the removable parts and exterior of the Keurig with a clean, dry non-abrasive cloth and assemble the parts back to the brewer.
- Fill the reservoir with a whole bottle of descaling solution. Check the manufacturer’s instructions as some descaling solutions may require you to mix it with water. If you will be using a water and vinegar solution, fill the reservoir with equal parts of both liquids until the MAX line.
- Place a large mug on the drip tray.
- Plug the Keurig back into a power source but make sure the power is off.
Activate the Descale Mode and Descale Your Keurig
- Activate the descale mode by pressing the 8 oz and 12 oz buttons together for 3 seconds until the descale button or indicator lights up.
- Once the descale button or indicator lights up, press the descale button to start the descaling cycle process. If your Keurig has no descale button or only has a descale indicator, press the brew button to begin the cycle.
- After the brewing cycle is done and the solution has been dispensed to the mug, pour the contents into the sink and place the mug back on the tray.
- Repeat the descaling process (steps 1 to 3) until you see the “add water” button or indicator light up.
Run a Water-Only Brewing Cycle
- Rinse the reservoir to prepare for the water-only cycle.
- Run a water-only cycle by filling the reservoir with fresh water up to the MAX line.
- When the brew button is flashing, press it to begin the brewing cycle.
- Pour the dispensed water into the sink and place the mug back on the tray.
- Repeat the water-only brewing cycle until the descale button or indicator no longer lights up.
- Once the descale light is not illuminated anymore, you can use your Keurig again.
Related: Keurig Light Won’t Turn Off After Descaling – Quick Fix
Advantages of Descaling Your Keurig
Descaling your Keurig will remove any mineral deposits and other build-ups blocking the internal components of the machine. This will ensure that your Keurig has a consistent water flow which in turn, results in a better brewing performance.
Your coffee will also be at the right temperature and you will have a fresh, hot cup of coffee every time you use your Keurig. You can also extend the lifespan of your Keurig if you maintain and clean it regularly.
Final Thoughts
As with any other coffee maker, descaling keeps your Keurig well-maintained and clean, and the descale button lets you know when it's time to descale your brewer. Every button and indicator on a Keurig has its function and the descale button is one of the important ones.
So, make sure to look at the descale button or indicator every so often and see if it lights up!
