A Keurig is a pod-brewing coffee machine made for those who value convenience over all else. If you need your first cup of coffee before you can face any measuring, grinding, or scooping, a Keurig coffee maker may be right up your alley.
In the spirit of convenience, you might hope to fill your reservoir and leave the same water in the tank until it runs out. If you use the water up within about 3-4 days, that’s fine. After that, you’ll want to replace it with fresh water.
Let’s take a closer look at how long you can leave water in a Keurig for the best taste results, hygiene, and cleanliness of your brewer.
Overnight or even for a couple of days is fine, but you definitely don’t want to leave water in your Keurig for a week or longer (via Roasty Coffee). Keeping water in your Keurig for too long can allow for the growth of mold and bacteria, as well as limescale.
Run a Cleansing Cycle
If the process of opening a Keurig is a hassle for you, don’t worry. You can force out older water that might be hanging out in the tubes or internal tank.
You just need to run the machine without adding a K- Cup. You can do this a couple of times to ensure that the water in the machine’s inner workings is fresh.
If it’s been a few days since you last used your Keurig, the Keurig company recommends running a few cleansing brews before making your coffee.
Washing the Water Reservoir
It’s also very important that you clean the external water tank on a regular basis.
Remove the tank and wash it thoroughly with a lot of hot water and soap. In addition, you can also wash it with vinegar.
Fill the tank with the cleaning solution and let it stand for several minutes. Then, use a soft brush to gently scrub the inside of the tank and the water intake as you rinse with clean tap water.
For the models that come with a dishwater-friendly external tank, you only need to place it in your dishwater and run a cycle with your favorite commercial cleaning product.
You should also avoid touching the inside of your tank with your hands while refilling it, as this can transfer bacteria to the tank.
3 Mistakes You Should Never Do To A Keurig Coffee Maker
FAQ
How often do you change the water in a Keurig?
How long can water stay in a coffee maker?
Can I leave water in Keurig?
Is it OK to leave your Keurig on all the time?
How long can you leave water in a Keurig?
Don’t leave water in your Keurig for more than 2-3 days to prevent bacterial and mold growth. Empty and clean the water reservoir at least once a week. Leaving water in your coffee maker overnight is okay, even if it’s not recommended. The more you use your machine, the less often you need to empty it, as the heat kills bacteria and mold.
Can you leave water in a Keurig coffee machine overnight?
Leaving water in your coffee maker overnight is okay, even if it’s not recommended. The more you use your machine, the less often you need to empty it, as the heat kills bacteria and mold. Ensure regular descaling and cleaning of your Keurig machine for optimal function and taste. How Long Can You Leave Water In Your Keurig Coffee Machine?
Should you empty a Keurig water reservoir?
Empty When Not In Use: If you’re not going to use the Keurig for a few days, it’s best to empty the water reservoir to avoid stagnant water. Use Filtered Water: To prevent mineral buildup, it’s recommended to use filtered or bottled water in the reservoir.
How long can a Keurig brew coffee?
Additionally, it comes with a water tank that stores enough water to brew coffee for 3 to 4 days, if all you need is one or two cups of coffee each day. However, make sure you leave water standing in your Keurig for less than 12 hours. Leaving water in your coffee pot over that time is not advisable.