If you’re lucky enough to own a Keurig to make coffee at home, you’ll probably be aware that ongoing maintenance and cleaning are all part of the process.
Your machine may start to act up or show obvious signs like sputtering or only making half-full cups of coffee, and there’s a good chance it’s because of the needles in the device.
How do you clean a Keurig needle and get the machine working again?
When these issues arise, it’s usually because the needles have become clogged and you’ll need to unclog them. The whole process will only take five minutes and can be done at home, so it’s a good place to start if you’re trying to troubleshoot a malfunctioning Keurig coffee machine.
Once the needles have been cleaned, your Keurig will be brand new, and you’ll probably notice an improvement in the taste of your coffee as well.
This one simple trick is something all K-Cup drinkers should know and have ready to use at all times.
What is the Purpose of the Keurig Needle?
The brewer’s entrance top needle of your machine is the part that pierces the foil on top of the coffee pod.
This allows the hot water to flow through into the coffee grounds which then creates the liquid that will become your favorite morning drink.
Occasionally, these needles become clogged, usually with small particles of coffee or other debris.
The result is poor water flow getting through or an inability to pierce through the top of the capsule completely.
Therefore, you’ll need to keep the needles clear to allow this process to continue.
Simple Steps for How to Clean Keurig Needle
Thankfully, cleaning the Keurig needle is easy to do, and will only take a couple of minutes.
Follow these steps if you suspect your needles have become clogged and see the difference it makes.
- Turn off your Keurig machine at the electrical outlet to ensure no power is running through it.
- Remove the pod from the machine. This is the place where you usually insert the K-Cups. Lift the handle on top just as you would when you make a coffee, and then pull the top of the pod holder out with one hand as you push it up from the bottom with your other.
- Look at the bottom of the pod holder and locate the funnel, the remove this part completely. If it’s not coming apart easily, place it under hot running water for a few seconds and then try again.
- Turn the pod holder upside down and use a straightened paper clip into the small tube and gently wriggle it around for 30 seconds to remove clogs. Rinse all parts out with hot water for 30 seconds to remove any debris left behind.
- Find the entrance needle under the brewer’s head and use your paper clip to clean out the openings on either side of it just as you did with the pod holder needle.
- Once all parts are cleaned and dried, put the Keurig machine back together, making sure to align all parts correctly. Run a test coffee through it to see if the issue has been resolved.
Related Questions
Owning a Keurig coffee maker means being responsible for its cleaning and maintenance to continue drinking high-quality tasting coffee.
We’ve answered some frequently asked questions about these machines to make that care a little easier for you, and keep your machine running its best.
How Do I Use the Descale Button on My Keurig?
To descale the machine, pour the designated Descaling Solution into the water reservoir as well as an additional bottle of tap water.
Turn the machine back on and make a large size cleansing brew into a large mug to clean it.
How Often Do I Change My Keurig Filter?
The filter of your Keurig is designed to last a specific number of brews, so it depends on how often you use it.
As a standard, Keurig recommends that their filters are changed every two months to keep them running well and coffee tasting its best.
