Keurig K Supreme Plus is a powerful machine that can give you a tasty cup of coffee within a few minutes. However, over time, you may notice a strange flavor in your java. It’s because of the scale accumulated in the machine.
This problem is common. The Keurig will light its descale signal to inform you of performing a maintenance step.
How to reset descale on Keurig K Supreme Plus? This article will give you step-by-step instructions. Follow it, and your coffee maker can recover!
What Scale Is In The Keurig K-Supreme?
In a coffee maker, scale refers to the accumulation of hard water residues. Your Keurig collects calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from the water, which can block the device and affect your coffee’s taste.
Hard water looks milky when first coming out from the faucet. So when the water in shower heads or faucets in your household has a chalky appearance, you can tell that hard water is running through the pipes.
However, since mineral deposits are present to some degree in all water, you can’t avoid descaling completely.
Hard water may also be there if you use filtered water to make coffee using the Keurig K-Supreme Plus. Its buildup will give you a headache.
What Does Resetting Descale Mean?
Descaling your Keurig machine means using a descaling solution to clean calcium buildup from the coffee maker’s pipes.
The descale light will warn when something prevents the water from flowing correctly. Although the light primarily informs you of the calcium buildup, it isn’t the only problem.
Some people use refillable K-cups because they don’t want to toss plastic cups every time they make coffee using the machine. However, some manufacturers of refilled cups offer greater flow space than others.
Another possibility is when you pack the cup too firmly, which can stop the water from pouring. These two factors may cause the descale light to turn on.
When we mention “resetting descale” in the Keurig K Supreme Plus, we mean clearing the scale in the machine so the descale light will turn off.
Difference Between Cleaning And Descaling A Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Descaling the Keurig is about clearing the hard water deposits. Hence, some people confuse it with cleaning the machine. Yet, they are two different tasks.
Let’s talk about cleaning first. It’s a regular maintenance practice to eliminate visible residue, stains, and spills that may build up over time in the machine.
To clean your Keurig K-Supreme Plus, you need a damp towel. Then, run the water through the machine without a K-cup.
Meanwhile, descaling is about removing mineral accumulation, such as calcium and lime. These kinds of waste will affect the performance of the machine and your coffee flavor.
You don’t have to descale the coffee maker regularly. A treatment every three to six months is enough, depending on the water’s hardness and frequency of usage.
To descale the Keurig K-Supreme Plus, you need a special descaling solution and water. White vinegar can also do the trick.
Each coffee maker comes with detailed instructions on cleaning and descaling. These maintenance methods can help the machine function properly and produce high-quality coffee.
How To Reset Descale On Keurig K Supreme Plus?
There are five steps to reset descale on your coffee maker. We will also share extra tips while explaining each step.
Step 1: Prepare the machine
If you have just used your Keurig within the past hour, wait for it to cool down first. Remove the pods from your machine, too.
You must also remove any charcoal water filters that may be in the reservoir. You may need to twist a little bit to detach the filter.
Step 2: Add the cleaning detergent
Add the descaling solution. Keurig offers a special descaling solution for its products. If you bought it, follow the instructions on the package to get your job done.
If you don’t have the specialized solution at hand, make a homemade alternative. Mix equal water and white vinegar, and fill the reservoir with the solution.
Step 3: Collect the waste
Place a cup in your Keurig beneath the pod chamber, like what you often do to brew your coffee. Use a big cup for this step because it will catch all the waste in the reservoir.
Step 4: Set the descale cycle
Plug in your Keurig but do not turn it on. Now, find two icons on the machine for the eight-ounce and 12-ounce cups of coffee. Then, press the buttons down at the same time.
You need to press and hold those buttons for about three seconds until you see the K-light blinks. After that, the light will say “descaling.”
The descaling solution will work to dissolve the calcium buildup. Remember to empty the cup several times before the liquid runs out.
Step 5: Rinse the machine
When there is no solution left in the machine, the light on the top will flash to remind you to add water to its reservoir.
You need to rinse the reservoir carefully multiple times. Ensure to get all the residue out.
After that, fill the reservoir with fresh water. Your job hasn’t finished yet, so it’s not the right time to replace the filter.
The K-light turns on again. You must press it and fill the cup up. Then, repeat the steps above a few times until you can empty the reservoir. The final rinse is to eliminate the odor of the descaling solution.
Finally, turn on the Keurig. Now, you can see neon lights that read “temperature” and “strength.” It’s the best time to replace the filter.
The steps above will reset your Keurig’s descale light. Contact customer support to discuss your situation further if you can’t solve your problem.
How Often Should You Descale A Keurig K-Supreme Plus?
As a rule of thumb, you should reset descale in your Keurig K-Supreme Plus every three to six months. However, it would be best to do it every time you notice a drop in your coffee quality.
Several factors will determine the frequency at which you should descale your coffee maker, and they are:
Water hardness
Hard water has a high mineral content, especially calcium, and magnesium.
These particles can accumulate over time in the Keurig and affect the taste of your java. Hence descale it more regularly if your water gets hard.
Usage frequency
If you use the machine every day, you might need to descale it more regularly than someone who runs it only once a week.
Quality of coffee
It could be time to descale the equipment if you experience a decline in the flavor of your espresso. The waste buildup is to blame.
How To Clean a Keurig Coffee Machine?
Cleaning the Keurig K-Supreme Plus is simpler. Please follow these steps to maintain your coffee maker properly:
- Unplug the Keurig.
- Remove the lid, reservoir, mug stand, and K-cup. Then, wash them in soapy, warm water.
- Use a clean, dry towel to wipe the machine’s surface. Pay more attention to the cup holder where coffee granules may gather.
- Assemble the removed components.
- Plug in your machine.
- Fill the reservoir with vinegar and water.
- Let the machine perform the brew cycle without the K-cup until the reservoir is empty. Remember to discard the cup contents after every brewing cycle. This process will remove scale buildup in the machine.
- Rinse the machine the last time, but only use water to remove the vinegar taste.
- Now, your Keurig coffee maker is ready to use.
You can learn more tips for cleaning your Keurig coffee machine from this video:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use vinegar to descale Keurig Supreme?
Yes, you can descale your coffee maker with vinegar. Mix it with water, then run the solution through the machine a few times to empty the tank.
After clearing the waste buildup, remember to rinse your Keurig with fresh water one more time to remove the residual vinegar taste.
What solution can I use to descale my Keurig?
You can descale your Keurig K-Supreme Plus using various methods, including water with vinegar, descaling products made especially for coffee machines, and citric acid.
When using vinegar or citric acid, you need to dilute it with water and run it through your coffee maker several times. For the descaling solution, follow the instructions on the box for use.
Why does my Keurig K Supreme keep saying descale?
When the machine detects mineral accumulation inside it, like calcium and lime, it flashes a “descale” warning. Descaling is necessary to get rid of this accumulation.
Conclusion
Scale buildup in the Keurig K Supreme Plus is unavoidable. Hence, you should learn how to solve this problem by following our shared guides.
Descaling is a maintenance process that ensures your coffee maker can function properly and give you a flavorful cup of coffee. Remember to clean the machine often to improve its performance, too.
Hopefully, you will find this guide helpful. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Thank you for reading!
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