How to Clean a Keurig® Mini Brewer

The Keurig® K10, K15 and K31 Mini K-Cup® coffee brewers are just about the most adorable coffee maker ever (if a coffee maker can be adorable)! They are small in stature making them a perfect choice for dorm rooms, campers, boats and your night stand : ) But, don't let their small size fool you.The Keurig® mini competes easily with larger models when it comes to convenience and ease of use.The one thing that I must say is a little trickier with a small Keurig® is cleaning. It is not quite as simple as larger units but, with these step by step instructions, it is a piece of cake!

Cleaning directions for Keurig® mini coffee brewer

You will need clean water and Keurig® descaling solution or distilled white vinegar to clean and descale your Keurig® mini brewer.

1) Start by cleaning the water reservoir with a soft cloth. To do this remove the water level gauge (wash this part by hand with soap and water). Then simply wipe out the areas of the reservoir that you can reach (hopefully you have small hands!).

How to de-scale a Keurig Mini

2) Now it is time to descale your brewer.

Turn the unit on and pour 1/3 of the bottle of Keurig® descaling solution or 1 Tbsp of distilled white vinegar into the reservoir and fill the rest of the way with fresh filtered water.
Place a large mug on the drip tray.
Lift the handle and wait 5 seconds, then lower the handle (without a K-Cup® in the brew basket), push and hold the brew button until water begins to dispense (this should take about 4 seconds).

3) Repeat step 2 but do not push the brew button. Allow the water and Keurig® descaling solution or distilled white vinegar to sit in the reservoir for at least 30 minutes.

{cue jeopardy music}

4) Last but not least, it is now time to rinse.

Turn the brewer on.
Lift and lower the handle (without a K-Cup® pod in the brew basket).
Push brew.
Repeat this process at least 3 times (or until all taste and odor from the solution or vinegar is gone) using fresh filtered water.

Voila, you now have a happy, healthy mini Keurig® brewer. This process should be completed at least every 3 months or sooner if you are using tap water to brew your coffee. Cleaning and descaling is also a great troubleshooting remedy for short or slow brew cycles.