Ultimate Guide: How to Clean Your Keurig® Brewer Needle

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on April 1st, 2023

Keurig coffee machines have found homes in many households because of their top-notch quality and great-tasting coffee. But, they are not the cheapest machines on the market. So, while they are worth it, it does not hurt to put in a little effort to ensure they last long. One great way to do so is to maintain the machine properly!


But did you know it’s just as important to clean that little Keurig needle? Yes, you heard that right! If you want to learn how to clean the part, stick with us easily!

keurig machine

The needle

What exactly is the needle? This is the needle on top of the brewer pierces through the coffee pod’s foil. The holes it creates allow hot water to flow through the coffee grounds for extraction.

Because of the buildup of coffee grounds, a needle is a thriving place for dirt! Once the needles clog, water will have trouble getting through and may lead to premature wear and tear.

Once you see coffee grounds spitting out of your Keurig, clean the needle ASAP! This could be due to coffee grounds or grime clogging the exit needle. This is quite common, so there is no need to be concerned. A thorough cleaning of the exit needle is usually sufficient to resolve this issue.

How often should you clean your Keurig needle?

Cleaning out the Keurig once a month or so is a good idea. Cleaning your Keurig is an excellent way to ensure that the flavor integrity is maintained. A machine that hasn’t been properly cleaned can affect the flavors of your beverages and even contain bacteria and other nasty things at worst.

Things you need

Fortunately, Keurig 2.0 models have a brewer maintenance accessory tool to help you clean the needle. If your model is older, you can easily purchase one, which shouldn’t cost much. If you want, you may get Keurig’s brewer maintenance kit which works well with Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 models.

If you don’t have Keurig’s brewer maintenance kit:

  • Sponge
  • Cloth
  • Paperclip

How to use the Keurig maintenance accessory

Keurig’s brewer maintenance kit

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https://youtu.be/DkixULmvKRk

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Before you start: Be aware of the needle 🙂

When changing a Keurig needle, remember that the needles are extremely sharp and capable of piercing skin, as the needle’s job is to pierce through pods. So, when cleaning the Keurig needles, be cautious because they can be painful. Also, when cleaning the Keurig needles, ensure the machine is completely unplugged from all power sources, as we don’t want anyone hurt.

How to clean your Keurig brewer in 10 Steps

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning a Keurig needle using Keurig’s brewer maintenance accessory tool:

  1. Turn the Keurig off

For safety purposes, turn the machine off and unplug it.

  1. Remove the pod holder.

To do so, lift the handle of the Keurig the same way you do when you want to put a K-Cup in. Then, hold the top of the pod holder with one hand while pushing the pod holder up from below with the other.

  1. Take the funnel out of the pod holder.

Grab the top of the pod holder and the funnel with each hand and pull them apart. The funnel is the piece found at the bottom of the pod holder. If you’re having trouble pulling them apart, put them under hot running water to loosen them up.

  1. Put a paperclip into the tube at the pod holder’s bottom area

Flip the pod holder upside down and insert a straightened paper clip into the small tube at the bottom. Shake it for 20-30 seconds to loosen up clogs. Take note that it’s difficult to poke all the way through, so it’s best not to press hard should you encounter resistance.

  1. Rinse the pod holder and funnel

Using a cloth or a sponge, remove any dirt and grimes to help clean the exit needle. Be careful as the needle can be sharp. If you prefer to clean the parts in the dishwasher, you may do so! Just make sure to put them on the top rack. Dry the parts completely after.

  1. Look for the entrance needle under the head of the brewer

Lift the brewer handle again and look for the entrance needle beneath the top part. Be careful as the entrance needle can be very sharp as well.

  1. Take away unwanted particles from the entrance needle using a paperclip.

Insert the same straightened paper clip into the openings on both ends of the entrance needle. Likewise, move it around to loosen up any clogs.

  1. Place the funnel and the pot holder back together.

Once completely dry, align the side slots and push both parts together until you hear a click.

  1. Put the pod holder back into the Keurig.

Align the slots on the pod holder and the recipient opening on the machine. Position the pod holder so that the side with 1 tab is on top while the side with 2 tabs is at the bottom. The white arrow found on the rim of the holder should be on top and at the center. Once aligned, push down until you hear a click.

  1. Run 2 brew cycles with water

Once the machine is closed, put a large mug on the tray and fill the tank with water. Choose the largest cup size and start the brew. Two cycles should be enough!

If you do not have the tool, you can still clean the needle with the same method.

How to clean the needles in your Keurig Brewer video

Even I am struggling with written descriptions of how to clean something and prefer to see it visually. So here’s a detailed video on how to clean a Keurig needle.

Final say

Now that you know how simple it is to clean your Keurig needle, make sure never to skip it! To keep your machine in its prime condition, clean, drain, and prime as needed!

crazy

Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.