Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Timothy Byron Smith
Keurig is a well-known and established brand of pod coffee makers. It is admired by coffee enthusiasts for the quality of caffeinated drinks it produces.
The company had been providing updated features and reliable customer support to their customers since day one. That is why a Keurig sits proudly in many kitchens, serving a number of coffee lovers every day.
Clearly, one can’t imagine starting a day without a hot cup of coffee if your Keurig does not work. Aren’t coffee makers built to last? Yes, most branded coffee makers are built to serve for years to come. Yet like any appliance, it can show issues if not maintained properly.
But, how long does a Keurig last? And what is its expected lifespan? Get ready to get all the answers!
Relevant:
How Long Does a Keurig Last?
According to Statista, in the US, the lifespan of a quality coffee maker is typically about 10 years. While Keurig manufacturers offer a 1-year guarantee, the average lifespan of a Keurig is between 3 to 5 years, at least. That said, you can make your Keurig last well beyond the 5-year limit!
In all honesty, a Keurig’s lifespan completely depends on the nature of its usage. This does not mean using it less, no. The better you care for it, the more careful you are with its parts. The more often you thoroughly clean and descale it, the longer it will last to serve you great coffee!
So, it is only fair to say that the life of your Keurig is in your hands.
Average Lifespan We Can Expect From Keurigs?
Do Keurigs have a lifetime warranty? Not really. But you can extend its life. The life span of any Keurig coffee machine is dependent on several factors. Yet, usage is the most important factor. Brewing up to 4 or 5 cups a day in the coffee maker is fine. The machine can last up to 5 years this way.
However, with extensive use, you can anticipate a shorter life span. For instance, the Keurig is in an office lobby where coffee is constantly being brewed and served. In such a setting with high usage, the life span of the machine can be reduced by about 2 years.
The reason this happens is that extensive use of Keurig machines means more maintenance is needed to ensure they continue to function smoothly. More dirt will collect, the machine might heat up, the parts might wear out, etc. So, it’s important to be on your toes when it comes to keeping the machine clean and cool.
Signs That Your Keurig is Dying
You will eventually need to replace the coffee machine, one day or another. When the coffee machine has run its course and brewed as many delicious coffees as it could, it won’t simply black out and die. Your Keurig coffee machine will start showing you signs when it starts to die.
Here are the signs you must look for. When you start seeing them, you know it’s time to start saving up and consider investing in a new coffee machine.
1. Keurig Stops Brewing Coffee
What happens when a Keurig stops working? Naturally, you think about diagnosing the problem and taking it for repairs. When it comes to a coffee machine, it is best to replace it save for certain exceptions.
If the machine has stopped working, several things could be wrong with it. Maybe the pump is broken or the tank has cracked, causing a leak. Now, unless your machine is under warranty or is extremely expensive, think about replacing it, not repairing it.
You might think that with a few bucks, the machine will be working perfectly again, but that’s not true. In most cases, you’ll end up spending way more on repairs. Not to mention, the fix will always be temporary till another problem (or the same) creeps up.
2. A Difference in Taste
When you make espresso with Keurig, you expect quality and perfection. What if the coffee is suddenly tasting weird? It’s not the same as before? This is another sign that you must start searching for new coffee machines.
In fact, the coffee machine’s dying life span is not the only reason to upgrade it. For those particular coffee lovers who put great emphasis on the flavor, taste alone can be a motivation to change and upgrade the coffee machine.
Specialty coffee is the next step. The upgraded step and it’s much more expensive compared to regular coffee. So, if you fancy these special coffee drinks, it’s best to commit to a one-time investment and get an upgraded coffee machine right at home.
3. Poor Heating of Water
The optimal temperature for brewing coffee is 90.6 to 96.1 degrees Celsius. However, often older coffee machine versions are unable to reach this temperature, resulting in weak coffees. Additionally, often the heating element wears out too.
Again, many would think replacing the heating element is best. However, replacing a single part simply means indulging in a loop of broken or poorly working parts and throwing money for repairs.
If your coffee has begun to taste sour, the heating element is acting up. Don’t look for temporary solutions. It’s smart to invest in a more advanced coffee machine instead.
4. Growing Number of Coffee Consumers
If the coffee machine is unable to keep up with the large or growing number of coffee consumers, it’s definitely time to replace the machine. The only end to such a situation (if not replacement) is an overused, overheated, and broken machine.
Single-serve machines, for example, are great for serving 2 to 3 people. Either Keurig K-Slim or the K-Mini coffee maker would do perfectly. However, if the coffee consumers are more it’s better to get a Keurig that can handle the excessive use.
Look for one with a larger reservoir, more options, advanced technologies, etc.
Tips to Expand Keurig Lifespan
Carrying out proper maintenance procedures is a guaranteed way to increase your Keurig’s life span. Coffee is not a one-way relationship. If your coffee machine is working to brew delicious cups of coffee for you, you must make an effort to keep it clean and properly functioning.
If you don’t already, start following these cleaning steps TODAY.
1. Refill the Water Reservoir Daily
Make it a habit to rinse, clean, and refill the water reservoir with clean water every day. Preferable before every use. While you are at it, remove and wash the drip tray as well as any other removable parts. Rinse them thoroughly to wash away any bacteria and germs.
2. Eject Used K-cups Right after Brewing
Never forget to eject the K-cups once you’re done brewing. If needed, write it on a sticky note and stick it to the machine as a reminder. Leaving K-cups in the holder can cause coffee grinds to get stuck. This means your next cup of coffee will taste burnt and very bad.
3. Run Water Through Keurigs After Use
Once you’re done with the machine for the day run a water-only cycle through it without K-cups. This ensures any residual grounds are removed too.
4. Make Use of Water Filters and Timely Replace Them
Most Keurig coffee machines are equipped with a charcoal water filter. It purifies the water and removes all impurities from it to brew the perfect K-cup for you. The filter typically lasts for about 2 months after which it must be replaced.
Although the Keurig coffee maker can function without a filter too, the lack of one can cause a mineral buildup in the machine. This can ruin various parts of the machine and will require you to conduct extra descaling cycles.
5. Use Rinse Pods Once a Week
In order to thoroughly clean the K-cup holder and the coffee machine overall, use a rinse pod every week. It works efficiently to clean coffee residue and oils from the coffee machine. If left uncleaned, this residue buildup can increase and clog the machine as well as the damage it from the inside.
Finally, clean the outside of the machine with a warm damp cloth as the final touch!
6. Clean Keurig’s Needle after Brewing
There are two needles inside the machine that poke holes in the pods or capsules so water can pass through them. These needles can often get clogged with the coffee grounds. If left unclean for a long it can become damaged and also ruin the taste of your coffee.
So, every month take the time to wipe these needles and make them squeaky clean for the next brewing cycle!
7. Descale Keurig Every 6 Months
Coffee machines should ideally be cleaned every 6 months. Or after using every 300 capsules or pods. Get a proper descaling kit, arrange a descaling agent, and perform the descaling punctually. This can significantly increase the life of your Keurig coffee maker.
Many times the ‘fixed’ in the google search ‘Keurigs light blinking or flashing issue fixed’ is because of descaling.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, the answer to how long a Keurig last is not 3 to 5 years alone. Yes, typically, they should AT LEAST last 3 to 5 years but many people have had it for decades and continue to enjoy their Keurig’s coffee to date. You can make them last longer with careful cleaning routines.
However, the bottom line is, that there will come a time when the coffee machine is badly due for an upgrade. Most definitely, your Keurig, at that time, will show you signs such as poor-tasting coffee, the machine not working, etc. When you see these signs, we suggest you look for a replacement instead of a repair shop!
Also, read:
- How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted To Caffeine?
- How Long Do Nespresso Pods Last?
- How Long Does Espresso Lasts?
Sophie is a 25 years old home barista, who enjoys brewing and drinking coffee with her mum. She had been writing articles for various lifestyle and coffee blogs for some time. Planning and conducting the required research, Sophie is the mastermind of EspressoCoffeeTime’s write-ups. To continue writing until well after midnight, she takes a good cup of espresso and that is it.