Home coffee makers have really taken the world by storm in the last 20 to 30 years, haven’t they? Gone are the days when we would have to try and blindly make a decent cup of coffee in the morning, still half asleep, and needing to get ready for school or work.
Now, these amazing little machines do it for us!
And among the many products and coffee makers that have been released over the last few years, we have a particular soft spot for the Keurig coffee maker, both for the easy-to-buy pods, and how easy they are to use.
However, as with many products that are built these days, we’re often worried about how long these luxury appliances have before they break or deteriorate on us. Whether it’s a vacuum, fridge, or, in our case, this favorite coffee machine of ours!
Thai guide will help answer some of those unresolved questions, including the best ways to clean and maintain a Keurig coffee machine. And, of course, how long you can expect them to last.
The answer, as it turns out, is surprisingly long!
Expected Lifespan Of A Keurig Coffee Machine
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So, let’s get the main question of this guide out of the way first: Just how long can you expect your Keurig coffee machine to last before it breaks?
Well, annoyingly, that depends.
Keurig sells new models of their most popular model with a one-year warranty, but almost all their coffee makers last longer than that, outside of freak accidents.
It seems to depend on how well cared for the coffee machine is when it is being used. There are some reports of well-maintained products lasting well over 10 years. Others, meanwhile, that have been allowed to deteriorate due to limescale buildup and not being cleaned, will break in less than three.
So, it’s clear to see that, in order for your coffee machine to last as long as possible, regular maintenance and cleaning is essential.
What Damages Them?
There may be some people wondering what exactly could be damaging the Keurig in such a way that causes it to break in potentially as little as three years.
Well, it all comes down to a general amount of care that the machinery needs. As hot water and other ingredients are constantly flushed through the system, the piping and inner working of a Keurig are often the perfect place for bacteria to thrive.
Mold has been known to grow in the k-cup slots of badly maintained Keurig, making them a health and safety hazards.
Aside from the general bacteria that can build up in a Keurig, there are also the mineral depicts that you need to keep in check. Limescale can easily build up in the many corners and crevices of the coffee machine’s waterways, which in turn lead to overall worse performance over time.
This buildup can eventually lead to rust, as the limescale make more contact with the metal surfaces inside the Keurig. Not only can the rust further damage and break the machine, but you obviously don’t want to be drinking from a coffee machine that has rust inside, do you?
Signs Your Keurig Is Close To Breaking/ Needs To Be Replaced
So, what are some of the signs that you should be looking out for that your Keurig is close to its breaking point?
Coffee Taking Longer To Make
If you’ve noticed that it is taking significantly longer to prepare your coffees while using a Keurig, that might not just be your imagination pulling tricks on you.
The increased deposits of limescale and calcium buildup can cause the overall heating components of your coffee maker to take longer to get your coffee up to a satisfactory heat. Once you notice it, it’s next to impossible not to ignore it, especially as the machine continues to deteriorate.
Coffee Not As Warm
In the same way that limescale buildup causes the machine components to take longer to heat, they also cause the water to heat to a lower temperature, especially as the limescale buildup gets worse.
If your coffees are coming out lukewarm instead of piping hot, then this might be why.
Foul-Tasting Coffee
Have the last few coffees tasted… strange? Like something is off?
Well, that also might not be your imagination. That buildup of bacteria in a Keurig can and will lead to buildup of mold colonies, if left unchecked.
So, that strange-tasting cup of coffee that you forced yourself to enjoy may have had mold in it.
Definitely something that most people will want to avoid!
How To Maintain A Keurig Coffee Machine
So, how exactly can you make sure that your Keurig lasts as long as possible?
Well, once your Keurig is around 2 and a half to 3 years old, due a thorough inspection of the machine, to see whether or not it’s suffering from any of these issues.
If the answer is yes, then you’ll want to use some of Keurig’s own cleaning pods first. This will help clear out any potential mold or bacteria that may have built up in the device, and keep it safe and clean to drink from.
In terms of the calcium and limescale buildup, Keurig also sells it’s own descaling agent, that can help remove and reduce these buildups. Simply pour into the water tank/reservoir, add a little water, turn on a cycle or two, and your Keurig should be fine.
How Often?
You should try and remember to clean and descale your Keurig coffee machines once every 3 to 6 months, if you’re looking to resolve these issues before they become noticeable to you.
Final Notes
So, as you can see, the overall lifespan of that new Keurig that you bought will largely come down to how well you keep and maintain it.
Ideally, a responsible Keurig owner won’t let these problems escalate to these levels,a dn will keep a close eye on the condition of their coffee making machine.
