What is a Keurig And How to use a Keurig Coffee Maker? A detailed guide!
All Tou Wanna Know About Keurigs
Keurig Coffee makers
Keurig is basically a beverage brewing system designed to brew not only coffee but also tea, hot chocolate, and iced coffee.
Keurig also manufactures k-cup pods, which are single-serve containers for coffee and pods for other beverages.
One of the best things about Keurig coffee makers is that they are so simple to use and brew coffee in a matter of seconds.
When was the Keurig invented and Who Owns It
Keurig was founded in 1992 by two college roommates, John Sylvan and Peter Dragone, in Massachusetts.
Originally, this brand was developed to deal with the issue of brewing coffee in offices, where the coffee was usually brewed in a pot which became bitter and stale over time.
The opportunity caught John Sylvan’s attention, and he decided to solve this problem by inventing the single-serving machine that quickly brews coffee. He conducted several experiments to come up with the prototype, and he ultimately succeeded.
Afterward, John Sylvan brought Peter Dragone on to help market and develop a business plan for this machine, and they founded a company called Keurig.
Initially, Keurig only targeted the office market and manufactured coffee makers to satisfy the needs of offices. Later in 2004, after gaining massive popularity, Keurig also started targeting home consumers.
In 2006, green mountain coffee roasters, a company that invested heavily in the Keurig brewing system at the starting phase, acquired it completely. And started doing innovations in the design and technology of Keurig machines.
In 2012, Keurig’s main patent for K-cup Pods got expired. So, many small brands started manufacturing K-cup pods for Keurig brewing machines. To overcome this problem, Keurig introduced Keurig 2.0 brewing system, which only works with new and unique 2.0 k-cups (that plan eventually failed). Keurig launched 200 different flavors and varieties in these new pods.
How to use Keurig machines
Keurig coffee makers are compact, and lightweight single-serve coffee makers and are very simple to use and operate. Keurig coffee makers are best to use in offices and homes as everyone can brew a delicious cup of coffee with minimal effort.
So, here is a step-by-step guide on how to brew a tasty cup of coffee using the Keurig brewing system.
1. set up the keurig machine
Insert the machine’s switch into the power plug and press the power button to start the operation.
The machine will start heating the water to 192 degrees.
2. Fill the water reservoir
Some Keurig coffee makers have large water reservoirs that can store 3 to 6 cups of water, while some can only store the water for one serving.
If your machine is new, it is recommended to run the cleansing cycle before brewing coffee.
To run the cleansing cycle, just select the largest mug size without inserting the K-cup pod. The hot water will start getting out of the machine. Discard this water, and the cleaning cycle is completed.
For best cup of coffee always use filtered water in Keurig
3. Choose your favorite coffee
One of the best things about Keurig is that you can brew a variety of beverages using this machine. K-cups also come in various coffee flavors that differ based on their intensities and flavors.
So, choose the k-cup that suits your taste the best.
Lift the top lid of the Keurig machine and place your favorite k-cup in the round slot present there and then close the lid.
After putting the k-cup into the machine, your machine will start displaying “ready to brew”. If your machine lacks a display, the button to choose the cup size will begin lighting up.
If you want to use your own coffee grounds in Keurig then you can buy a universal My K cup filter.
4. Place the mug
Now place your favorite mug on the drip tray of the machine under the dispenser. If your mug is large and doesn’t fit in the machine, try removing the drip tray, but that will only work if your machine has this option. Otherwise, use a smaller mug.
5. Choose the size of coffee
You can also adjust the size of your coffee with Keurig coffee makers. Most Keurig coffee makers have the option of three different cup sizes 6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz. But some also have an option for 12 oz and a full carafe.
So, choose the size of the cup according to your taste. If you are new to Keurig, I recommend you to try all different sizes and select the one that suits your taste the best.
Tip: For a stronger Keurig coffee choose the smallest brew size or press the strong button (if your model have it).
6. Enjoy your coffee
After selecting the brew size, it will take almost 30 to 40 seconds until the coffee is prepared.
So, now that your coffee is prepared, you can enjoy it by taking small sips as it will be very hot.
Remember to discard the used k-cup pod after completing the brewing process and clean the pod holder properly. Otherwise, the Keurig coffee will taste burnt or bitter the next time you brew.
What Makes Keurig so special?
Keurig coffee makers offer unmatched convenience; the only way easier to have coffee than Keurig coffee machines is to go to some café and order a cup of coffee. And this convenience is the actual reason behind the success of Keurig brewing systems.
1. Convenient and easy to use
The design of Keurig machines is compact and exquisite. They can easily fit anywhere in the kitchen or office and looks beautiful.
Keurig machines have a very simple interface anyone with minimal brewing expertise can brew a great cup of coffee using this machine. There’s no need to measure coffee grounds; there’s no need to worry about water temperature.
One just has to put the k-cup pods in the machine and select the brew size, and the coffee will be ready within one minute.
So, the best thing about Keurig brewing systems is their convenience, and they are undoubtedly the quickest way to have a cup of coffee.
2. Variety of flavors
Every person has different taste preferences, and some people get fed up with drinking the same coffee every day. So, to overcome this problem, Keurig offers a variety of k-cup pods that differ in flavors and intensities.
There are over 200 types of k-cup pods available that are compatible with Keurig machines. And these pods are not just limited to coffee; they are also available for other beverages like hot chocolate and tea.
The best thing about K cups is their specialized packaging so they don’t expire or stale quickly as coffee grounds.
3.Easy cleaning
One of the best things about Keurig machines is that they are very easy to clean.
To have a great cup of coffee, the water should be filtered and fresh. So, it is recommended to clean and rinse the water tank daily.
It is a great practice to clean your Keurig machine thoroughly every week. Just remove any removable parts like the drip tray and k-cup holder and clean them with the help of some detergent.
Cons of Keurig coffee makers
Despite being much more convenient, Keurig coffee machines also have some cons. So, let’s discuss the disadvantages of Keurig machines.
1. Cost
The only thing which differentiates Keurig machines from regular drip coffee makers is convenience. There’s not much difference in the taste of coffee you get with Keurig and other drip coffee makers. Keurig machines offer this convenience at the cost of some additional bucks.
The Cheapest Keurig machine will cost you around 100 dollars, and some machines may go over 200 dollars. At the same time, you can get comparable drip coffee makers from other brands in the range of 40 to 70 dollars.
K-cup pods are also more expensive the regular coffee grounds.
So, Keurig coffee makers are only a good investment if you value their convenience.
Read a detailed guide on whether Keurig machines are worth it or not
2. Plastic waste
One of the significant concerns about Keurig brewing systems and k-cup pods is that they are generating tons of waste plastic per year. K-cup pods are made of plastic, and they simply go to waste after they are used once.
Although Keurig says that they recycle the k-cup pods, but there is still a lot of carbon emission involved in the recycling process.
3. Weak Taste
Keurig may not appeal to coffee aficionados who can’t compromise on the strength and robustness of their drinks.
Yes, Keurig prepares relatively weaker coffee but so is the case with all Pod based coffee makers.
You will surely love Keurig if you already know and use pod based coffee machine and like its taste.
Keurig Buying guide
Keurig Duo Plus
Carafe machine
Keurig duo plus is a highly versatile streamlined pod coffee maker that can brew both single-serve k-cup and up to 12 cups of the carafe and has a convenient multi-position water reservoir.
Keurig Mini Plus
Compact machine
Keurig mini plus serve its purpose well for anyone who has limited space and wants to enjoy a good coffee experience in a quick time without going through a complicated brewing process.
Keurig Elite
Advanced machine
Keurig k elite has greater customization features and some cutting-edge technology making it one of the best single-serve coffee makers available in the market.
Keurig K Classic Review
Best Seller
Keurig K Classic is perennial best-seller single-serve coffee maker that brews smooth and plain cup of coffee very quickly but the bad thing is it lacks many useful features present in other models
Keurig K Cafe Review
Latte and Capp Machine
Keurig K Cafe is an impressive and quick single-serve coffee maker that brews fair a cup of Latte and cappuccino, very easy to use, and comes with a fair price.
K Supreme Plus Review
Latest Model
Keurig Supreme plus is an upgraded single-serve coffee maker with advanced multi stream technology, perfect for coffee lovers who wants a good coffee experience in a quick time.
Keurig Select | Simple machine
Some keurig models are heavily loaded with features, while others sacrifice everything for compactness. Keurig select sits somewhere between these two.
Keurig Slim Vs Mini
Both these machines are great entry-level single-serve coffee makers but I have found that the K-mini plus offers the best value in this price range. Read a detailed comparison of these machines.
Keurig Supreme vs supreme plus
Keurig Supreme is one of the premium series of Keurig. It has three variants Supreme, Supreme Plus, and Supreme Plus smart, you might like to learn about the features of these three machines.
Keurig Compared to other Coffee Makers
Keurig Vs French Press
French Press typically produces a strong and robust cup of coffee compared to Keurig. But French Press isn’t as convenient as Keurig and it takes time to brew. Also, Keurig is way more expensive than a French Press.
Keurig Vs Drip Machine
The main difference between Keurig and Drip coffee makers is that drip machines use coffee grounds while Keurig uses K cups. Drip machines give you control over brewing parameters, while Keurig doesn’t.
Keurig Vs Nespresso
Both Nespresso and Keurig are big names in pod based coffee makers industry. The main difference is Nespresso prepares small and dense shots of Espresso while Keurig prepare regular and plain serving of black coffee
Keurig Troubleshooting guides
Keurig Machine Leaking
Many Keurig users encounter this problem and ask for a solution. The pod holder can leak from the bottom or top, causing the machine to become dirty and even putting it at risk of electrocution.
Keurig flashing lights
Sometimes Keurig starts blinking light irregularly and the machine faces disruption in the task and doesn’t brew coffee. There could be many reasons which cause that problem.
Keurig Keeps shutting off
Some Keurig users complain that their brewer keep shutting off while working. This is obviously a very annoying situation. There could be many reasons for this problem.
Keurig not pumping water
How frustrating a situation that is when you wake up in the morning rushing towards your Kitchen in a hope of a good cup of coffee and find that your Keurig is not pumping any water.
Keurig Descale light error
Keurig’s descaling light stays on and won’t go off no matter how hard you try. This is more frustrating if the descaling light stays on even after descaling the machine.
Keurig touch screen error
Many Keurig machine owners complained about the sudden issue with Keurig 2.0 touch screen not working properly. The issue is mostly dim, black, or lines running through the machine.
Keurig not brewing fully
Many Keurig machine owners face the issue of Keurig not brewing a full cup or dripping very slowly. This problem can be caused by many different reasons, but you can solve these problems easily.
Keurig frother not working
Some of the problems you may encounter with the Keurig milk frother include: Keurig Frother keeps flashing and doesn’t work at all or Frother turns on and heats the milk but isn’t frothing.
Keurig coffee not hot
Many users encounter the issue of Keurig coffee not being hot enough. We have discussed the possible reasons behind that, and how you can you make Keurig coffee hotter.
How to Reset a Keurig
In some cases resetting the Keurig machine is helpful if you are facing any issues with the machine, and after rebooting the machine, it works perfectly again.
How to Prime a Keurig
When the Keurig shows prime message, it won’t dispense water and you have to prime it before it’ll make coffee. Usually by assembling the water tank properly and cleaning cycle the error get resolved
Keurig coffee not hot
Many users encounter the issue of Keurig coffee not being hot enough. We have discussed the possible reasons behind that, and how you can you make Keurig coffee hotter.
Keurig How to's
How to find Keurig serial number
Keurig has manufactured approximately more than 100 distinct models, differing in size and features. Some Keurig owners find it difficult to determine which model of Keurig they own.
How to use Keurig cleaning rinse pods
To facilitate its customer, Keurig includes Keurig rinse pods as parts of their maintenance kits. However, many Keurig owners how to use them properly and how often they should be used.
How to turn on and off Keurig auto off
Keurig auto off set feature helps in saving the energy consumed and reduced the risk of electrical fires, but sometimes it is quite frustrating when Keurig keeps shutting off automatically.
More on Keurig
Do All Keurigs Have Water Filters
Most of the Keurig models have a place for water filters in their Water tanks but you have to buy water filters separately. There are some models, like K mini and Rivo, that don’t have place for water filter.
Can you put milk in keurig
Adding milk to Keurig for hot chocolates seems quite a good idea but can you put milk directly into the Keurig reservoir? The simple answer is no, you should never do that
How to make latte in keurig
Most Keurig coffee machine user thinks that Keurig confines them to drinking plain, black coffee. But in reality, you can whip up some pretty cool lattes and other milk-based drinks with your Keurig.
