Since Keurigs are usually more expensive than other coffee machines, some people might hesitate to buy one. One of the most important things to consider when deciding if a Keurig is the best choice for you is how long a Keurig lasts.
Keurigs are sturdy and will last for a few years, but before you spend your hard-earned money on one, there are a few things you should think about.
Average Keurig Lifespan
How long a Keurig will last depends on several things, but the most important is how often it is used. Using your Keurig to make between one and four cups of coffee daily should last between three and five years.
The likelihood that you will live a shorter life increases with the amount of coffee you drink each day. As long as you stay within a reasonable range, however, machine variability may have a greater impact than complete utilization.
Extremely heavy use, like you, might find in an office break room, can shorten the life of a Keurig so much that it needs to be replaced within 2 years.
In general, the more frequently you use your Keurig, the more upkeep you’ll need to keep it in good working order for as long as possible.
Brush any leftover grounds out of the brew chamber, wipe down the needle, and rinse and drain the water reservoir after each use to maintain the cleanliness of your Keurig.
Regular deep cleanings are recommended, with a full descaling every two to three months.
How Long Does Each Keurig Last?
The average lifespan of most Keurig models is about the same, but some have a slight edge. The key to finding the perfect coffee maker is settling on a device with the superior build quality, low maintenance requirements, and few weak spots.
The K-Elite and the other shoes in this line are very strong and long-lasting. If you take the time to keep them all clean and well-maintained, you can expect them to survive for years to come.
Many of the tiniest Keurig coffee makers don’t have detachable water tanks, which makes cleanup a pain. Consider the K-Supreme, a smaller alternative to the normal Keurig models with a replaceable reservoir and a proven track record of dependability.
Keurigs- Why Do They Stop Working?
Normal wear and tear, flaws, improper care, and misuse are the four most common causes of coffee maker breakdowns.
User Error and Damage
Although the Keurig water reservoir was designed specifically for water, some have experimented with using other liquids, such as milk. This is awful for drip coffee makers, but since Keurigs operate differently, it is even worse.
The water is pressurized within the machine, and since most liquids do not get along with pressure, residue might build up, or pipes can burst.
Manufacturing Defects
The majority of automatic coffee makers have a significant problem with manufacturing flaws. After only a few weeks of use, nothing is more annoying than a coffee maker that leaks or won’t turn on.
All Keurig brewers come with a one-year limited warranty, which is good news. They appear decent at upholding the guarantee as long as you don’t do weird things like putting milk in the water reservoir.
They may do this by mailing you replacement parts sometimes, or they may replace your entire Keurig coffee maker.
Poor Maintenance
You must take care of your Keurig. Don’t let water or dirty pods sit in it for long.
Normal Wear and Tear
Even if you take good care of your Keurig machine and don’t bump it around, it will still die at some point.
Nothing ever stays the same. Wires get frayed, plastic breaks down, and sometimes electronics stop working.
If you’re lucky, your Keurig will work like this. All machines eventually give in to the power of entropy, whether it takes them ten years or more than twenty.
Also Read: How to Prime a Keurig [3 Easy Steps]
What Can You Do to Make Your Keurig Last Longer?
You can do several things to help your Keurig last for more than five years.
Keep Up with The Maintenance
First and foremost, you should stick to the schedule for maintenance. Keurigs are not the same as regular coffee makers. Calcite deposits and other debris can block the internal mechanisms considerably more quickly than in a coffee maker.
Descaling As Needed
Descaling is a must to ensure that your coffee has the best flavor possible and that your machine runs at its best. Also, descaling makes mold less likely to grow inside the machine.
Mold can be very dangerous in small or large amounts, so Keurigs need to be descaled and cleaned regularly.
Only Use K-Cups
Keurig strongly recommends that you only use k-pods or products made by Keurig. Many non-Keurig products claim to work with these models, but they have caused the coffee makers to stop working or get damaged.
Also, if you use an off-brand product in your coffee maker and it breaks, the warranty may not cover the repairs.
Empty The Water Reservoir
Let’s say you’re going on vacation or don’t plan to use your Keurig for a few days. Fill the water tank back up. This will keep the water from sitting still and reduce the chance that mold will grow.
Use Filtered Water
Suppose you live in an area where the water is hard because it has a lot of minerals, especially calcium, in it. Use filtered water in your Keurig to help keep it from getting clogged up.
Use The Auto-Off Feature
Keurig recommends leaving the Auto-off feature turned on to lower the risk of an electrical fire.
How To Properly Recycle a Keurig
Your Keurig is no longer working, and you want to know how to recycle it. Please remember that you can’t put the coffee machine in the trash can or recycling bin. Goodwill takes small appliances, and the parts will be recycled.
Check to see if this service is available at your local Goodwill. If you don’t want to do that, you could call the waste management company in your area and ask where you can recycle small appliances.
How To Recycle K-Cups
The right way to recycle k-cups is as follows:
- At the puncture hole, peel the k-lid cups off.
- Put the rest of the coffee grounds in the compost bin or the garage.
- Rinse and put in the bin for recycling.
Also Read: How to Use Reusable K Cup Step by Step & Tips
When Should You Replace Your Keurig Coffee Maker?
As was already said, a coffee maker’s lifespan is very different. A coffee maker may last its owner ten years, whereas another may only use it for three.
In addition to how often it is used, the quality of the coffee maker and how well it is maintained all play a role in how long do Keurigs last.
When it Stops Brewing Coffee
The moment has come to buy a new coffee maker if your old one has stopped producing coffee. This probably seems like a no-brainer, but I put it first because most people fix it quickly. Problems, such as the pump failing or the tank cranking, are possible for several reasons.
The machine starts leaking from the bottom as a result. The best choice is to get a new machine unless the old one is still covered by warranty or was very expensive.
Trying to figure out what’s wrong with the machine and fix it will cost a lot of money, and the problem might come back soon.
Change of Taste
It would help if you got a new machine to change your coffee taste. Your individual preferences are a noteworthy incentive to replace or improve your coffee maker in addition to it breaking down.
Coffee is going through a lot of changes, just like wine. The trend now is toward specialty coffee, commonly referred to as “the third wave of coffee” because of its distinct flavor profile.
Compared to regular coffee, it is quite expensive. If you’re a stickler for precision, you can upgrade your clunky old coffee maker to a sleek new model.
Trouble Heating Water
The Specialty Coffee Association of America claims that 90.6 to 96.1 degrees. Celsius is the ideal temperature range for brewing coffee (195- and 205 degrees Fahrenheit).
Most old coffee makers can’t even read the minimum temperature needed to make coffee, which is sad.
Even if your coffee maker used to get this hot, the heating element would wear out over time. If your coffee tastes slightly sour, the heating element is getting weaker.
If you observe this, you might consider changing the heating element, but buying a more recent, cutting-edge coffee maker will be your best bet.
When Pods are Scarce and Difficult to Find
The time has come to upgrade your coffee machine if you’re having trouble locating replacement pods.
Coffee machines that use pods need pods now and then. When the company that makes the pods for your machine stops producing them, you may need to consider replacing your old faithful.
In the past year, for instance, Keurig stopped manufacturing pods. The least you can do is avoid using the pod system if Keurig stops producing pods for your machine. But ultimately, you will have to buy a new coffee machine.
Increase in Coffee Consumers
If your coffee maker can’t keep up with how much coffee your family or guests want, it’s time to get a bigger one.
In most cases, a single-serve coffee maker is the best option when just one or two individuals will be drinking the coffee.
However, if your family grows or you have a lot of visitors, you might want to get a coffee machine that can prepare a few cups at once, similar to how you would do it manually.
Also Read: How to Reset Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 (Simple Steps)
What Is the Recommended Keurig Replacement Schedule?
How often a Keurig coffee maker needs to be replaced can depend on many things. The Keurig regularly loses water if the coffee is lukewarm, takes more than five minutes to create a cup, or makes odd noises. These could be signs that you need to buy a new coffee maker.
On average, consumer reports suggest waiting five years before buying a new Keurig.
There are more than 50 distinct Keurig coffee machine models available, and their technology is always evolving. Some may last longer based on your needs and how you use them.
Is there a lifetime warranty for Keurigs?
No, Keurig doesn’t offer a warranty on coffee makers that lasts forever. But Keurig gives a one-year warranty on all coffee makers registered on their website or by mail using the postcard with each box.
If you buy a used Keurig, you won’t be able to take advantage of the warranty because the guarantee covers only new coffee makers.
The warranty says that Keurig will fix a broken coffee maker or replace it with a new model with a year limited warranty. Also, the warranty doesn’t cover damages because something was broken or stolen.
The warranty on refurbished models is only good for 90 days. For new models with evidence of purchase, the one-year limitation applies.
FAQ
Can you clean a Keurig with apple cider vinegar?
You can clean a Keurig with other than white vinegar if you don’t have any. But their taste will be stronger than that of white vinegar.
If you clean your Keurig with a strong taste, like apple cider vinegar, you’ll need to run even more water cycles afterward. Your next cup of coffee won’t be delightful if this is the case.
Is Keurig Repair Worth It?
Like a lot of other companies, Keurig doesn’t sell replacement parts. Since you only have a few choices, it’s not a good idea to try to figure out how long your machine will last.
Even though these repairs are either cheap or free, it would be a good idea to do them.
Can Mold Grow in a Keurig Coffee Maker?
Even though the average Keurig has all the bells and whistles that make it easy to use, it is not resistant to mold. In other words, mold could grow in your coffee maker if you don’t take care of your Keurig.
Fortunately, there’s a simple approach to avoid such issues in the first place: emptying the water reservoir at the end of each day, regularly performing a cleaning cycle, and adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines as outlined in the manual.
How often should a Keurig be replaced?
Your Keurig coffee maker should be replaced every two to three years. Compared to other automatic coffee makers, the lifespan and price of a Keurig are superior.
Can there be mold inside a Keurig?
Mold can grow in almost any device that is used to make coffee. Most coffee makers, like the Keurig and drip coffee makers, have a reservoir where water can sit for a certain amount of time.
This moisture, plus the fact that the device is made of plastic, makes it easy for mold to grow.
Is the descaling solution better than vinegar?
Descaling can be done just as well with vinegar or a descaling solution. Some say that white vinegar has a taste that stays with you, but many others say it is the best way to eliminate limescale.
White vinegar is the only cleaning agent that certain manufacturers, including Mr. Coffee, suggest using on their equipment.
Will my Keurig break down after a while?
You can expect your Keurig automatic coffee maker to break down after some time, just like any other appliance in your kitchen. Numerous variables, including how often and carefully you use it, will determine how long your Keurig lasts.
Conclusion
This article’s guidelines will help you to determine how long do Keurigs last. Keurigs usually last longer than other automatic coffee makers, but they also cost more.
Generally, if you take care of and clean your Keurig regularly, you can expect it to last between 3-5 years.
If you want to get the most out of your money, you might want to use a manual brewer instead. You’ll save a lot of money over time, but you’ll have to work harder to make coffee every day.
Ultimately, the right machine for you will depend on whether you want to save time or money. A Keurig will eliminate the hassle and time commitment often associated with making coffee in the morning.
Still, it comes at a higher price than the usual coffee maker and will need to be replaced in about five years.