Nowadays, Keurig is more and more known and favored by busy coffee lovers because of its convenience. Besides its time-saving advantage, there is a concerning issue regarding the time you store water inside the machine.
Is it safe to leave water in the Keurig for several days? How long can you leave water in a Keurig? What to do if you leave the water in Keurig for too long? Read on this article to find out all the answers and explanations!
How Long Can You Leave Water In A Keurig?
It’s safe to store the water in your Keurig within 24 to 48 hours. Leaving water in the container for too long can reduce the quality of coffee and cause mold, microorganisms that cause health problems. Please make sure to drain all the water out and clean the machine carefully once you are done with your coffee.
If you’re a busy person, leaving water in your Keurig for brief periods can save you time and effort. It is fine if you have a habit of leaving water in the tank overnight. Please make sure that you boil the water before putting it in the tank.
However, mold and bacteria often grow very strongly and quickly in a high moisture environment, especially in places that are hard to see with the naked eye and difficult to clean, like your coffee machine.
In addition, limescale might start to show up when you leave the water there for a long period. Though this flaky deposit isn’t poison, you might get kidney stones as a result of long-period consumption. Or you can sense the change in taste of the coffee, which is impacted by limescale.
Based on these risks, we highly suggest you clean Keurig’s reservoir once to twice a month even though you do not use the machine often.
If you leave the Keurig unchecked frequently, the machine’s longevity can also drop. Besides, apart from cleaning out the machine frequently, keeping your reservoir as empty as possible is a must.
But what if you forget to clean the Keurig and store the water in this machine for too long? What should you do now? How can you treat the machine properly for safe use? Continue reading to find out!
What Should You Do If You Leave Water In The Keurig For Too Long?
If the water in the Keurig has been sitting for too long, the first thing you should do is remove it and clean out the reservoir. Although removing the tank from the machine for cleaning can be cumbersome in some cases, remember that your safety is the top priority.
If there is any residue around the waterline, you must quickly descale the machine to remove the limescale. This type of residue is often difficult to remove with water. You can soak the reservoir in a vinegar solution or baking soda for a few minutes if the Keurig doesn’t have an automated descaling option.
After that, use a soft bristle to scrub the insides of the tank and the water intake. Any bacteria, limescale, or blockages will be removed.
Note: As mineral deposits can block the flow of water, the water cannot reach the optimum brewing temperature, preventing the machine from extracting the full flavor from the coffee beans. In this way, your coffee won’t be as hot and delicious as usual. Or worse, a long-term blockage can also cause the machine to stop working.
Finally, run the machine a few times with clean water to remove the smell of bleach and bacteria.
According to the manufacturer, you should properly clean your machine every three to six months, depending on how frequently you use it.
It would be best to maintain your Keurig machine by using it regularly. When not in use, turn it off and store it in a dry place to ensure that you have a hygienic and safe coffee-making machine at all times!
FAQs Of How Long Can You Leave Water In A Keurig
1. How Often Should You Change The Water In A Keurig?
As mentioned before, you should change the water about every two to three days to ensure your health safety. However, if available, to preserve the machine and get a cup of appetizing coffee every use, it is best to change the water in the tank daily!
2. How To Completely Empty The Water From A Keurig?
Firstly, to guarantee safety, turn the machine off and unplug it, then wait around 30 minutes for it to cool down. To completely drain the Keurig, you’ll need to empty both the reservoir and the machine’s inside.
Unfortunately, it’s not simple to remove all of the water from the Keurig machine. Depending on the Keurig model, thoroughly emptying the machine requires removing the particular back access panel.
3. Do Keurig Machines Go Moldy When Being Exposed To Moisture?
As mold often thrives in damp and dark environments, the Keurig machine will turn moldy if exposed to moisture for a long time. In particular, mold thrives in hidden parts such as internal water lines.
Using mineral-rich water and allowing various substances into the reservoir can lead to filters and water lines clogging or mold growth. Indeed, mold can build up in a Keurig due to improper maintenance and cleaning.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you gain more knowledge and the answer to the question: “How long can you leave water in a Keurig?”
Even though the water tank will heat up and filter away any accumulated dirt or contaminants when you brew the coffee, it would be best if you drain the old water away and clean the machine after every 2 days.
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