Keurig nasties

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
08/17/2017 at 14:47 • Filed to: None

Many of you have used keurig coffee makers. Some of you may even own one. Surely convenient. Little polluting. Little bit of a hassle.

We have one in the office and wife has one at home. Water reservoir is shaped such that my giant hand does not fit into all the corners. It is also clear which allows sunlight through.

Due to lack of thorough cleaning and sunlight, it is growing green stuff in water reservoir.

Many places suggest vinegar for cleaning, but I believe that only gets rid of calcium build up. It does not remove the green slime.

Any ideas other than chucking the damn thing in trash and heading to a local Dunkin Donuts? (I will never go to starbucks)

Image for illustrative purposes only. Slime is not to scale.

DISCUSSION (67)

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 14:58

Never owned the one with the water tank, just the single cup non-fancy one. I have since recycled it and use an french press in the morning.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 14:59

Old toothbrush to give it a good scrubbing and get everything visible cleaned off. Then do the vinegar cleaning as recommended.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 14:59

Bleach?

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:00

Isopropyl alcohol maybe? I don’t know if it would damage the tank or lines though if they’re plastic. I use it to clean my glassware and it gets any gunk that’s built up off after a good soak for a few hours.

PartyPooper2012 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
08/17/2017 at 15:00

If I went that route, I’d probably use a new toothbrush.

However old the toothbrush, it still won’t reach that acute corner

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
08/17/2017 at 15:00

Kinja'd!!!

PartyPooper2012 > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
08/17/2017 at 15:01

Yeah... everything is plastic. Might melt a hole through it.

diplodicus > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:02

I’m not familiar with these but couldn’t you just wash it with dish soap and a dish washing brush/toilet brush you haven’t put in a toilet? Then do a few empty runs to wash out any soap that may have escaped into other parts of the thing?

PartyPooper2012 > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
08/17/2017 at 15:02

I am trying to get rid of slime, not brighten the color of slime

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:04

If not a toothbrush, because you still may not be able to get your hand in far enough to get the brush head into the lower corners, look for a bottle cleaning brush (or similar) that has hard bristles. They will usually be longer than a toothbrush and may make it easier to get down in those corners. Clean with warm water and soap, then do the vinegar cleaning and be sure to run it a few times after that.

A couple months ago I talked my wife into giving away our Keurig (with the tank) and getting a grinder/brewer. Couldn’t be happier, plus we are saving a lot of $ versus buying K-Cups.

My citroen won't start > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:04

Kinja'd!!!

PartyPooper2012 > diplodicus
08/17/2017 at 15:06

Kinja'd!!!

It’s deep and sharp. Most green stuff is in that bottom sharp corner. No regular brush will get into it.

PartyPooper2012 > My citroen won't start
08/17/2017 at 15:07

What else?

Takuro Spirit > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:07

I found a spot of white mold hanging from the cover to the water tank of ours once. Washed the EVER LOVING HECK out of it after that, and ran a few cycles of clean water through it.

We have hard polluted water where we live, and only use spring or filtered water that we buy in 1 gallon jugs in it, otherwise it clogs up pretty easily.

Fickle little thing.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:10

We had this one:

Kinja'd!!!

I’d imagine something like this would work. I had one similar and it was a little too short so I duct taped it to a screwdriver. Takes a little work to be sure to get the corners (probably a little more for yours) but it worked.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:10

It should kill the slime/help break it up. Just make sure you thoroughly rinse it afterward.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:10

I have the same issue on my espresso machine. Bleach works fine. Medium solution in room temperature water, stir, leave over night, tip out in the morning, refill with warm water and a drop of dish soap and SHAKE IT LIKE THE DICKENS.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:11

I think we have the same one at work. IIRC the reservoir is dishwasher safe if that is an option. If not, soak it in straight vinegar overnight after scrubbing out what you can with a toothbrush or similar implement. You might be able to get it better if you use a sharp stick and some paper towel on that corner too.

user314 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:12

I would think a couple vinegar cycles should do the trick. Depending on the model, the water tank could be dishwasher safe, so you could try that route.

PartyPooper2012 > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
08/17/2017 at 15:13

im a bit hesitant of adding bleach to coffee maker at work. I don’t want to end up on gbay eating cockmeat sammich after offing my coworkers with poisoned coffee.

diplodicus > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:13

https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-432945-Twister-Bottle-Brush/dp/B008VT0232 It even spins the head of the brush when you push down.

You could try adding rice or salt as an abrasive + boiled water and soap.

I would just get a french press instead though. You don’t even have to wash them, just rinse it everyday.

PartyPooper2012 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/17/2017 at 15:14

I think it’s the shaking like the dickens that gets rid of things... not the bleach

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:15

Soooo... do that then

PartyPooper2012 > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
08/17/2017 at 15:15

Not saying I am lazy, but I am saying I dont want to spend a weekend cleaning this fucking thing. Not worth my time/ would rather do something more fun.

PartyPooper2012 > user314
08/17/2017 at 15:17

it’s definitely not dishwasher safe.

So far we have vinegar or bleach.

Stupid fucking design in the first place. A regular dish brush should be able to wash it. No. Let’s put sharp unreachable corners on it.

PartyPooper2012 > diplodicus
08/17/2017 at 15:19

You and I start a business. We make a french press but with something similar to K cups. Stick a k-kup in french press. Push. pull. Chuck. Pour. Enjoy. Round cylinder is easy to clean.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:19

Bottle brush

PartyPooper2012 > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/17/2017 at 15:20

Im gonna bring to home depot and put it on one of those paint shaking gizmos. It’s free and I don’t have to do anything.

PartyPooper2012 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/17/2017 at 15:20

yeah... maybe.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:21

This reminds me I should probably clean out the reservoir on my espresso machine. It’s probably reaching new levels of nasty.

sony1492 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:21

Put a bunch of salt in there with some hot water. Saturate the water with enough salt that it can’t dissolve. Shake vigorously, if you can cap the top it will be hugely beneficial but it’s still doable without a top.

The salt will scrub the walls clean, bigger the better as far as the size of the crystals

crowmolly > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:23

Qtip dipped in bleach? Just flush it after. Even then, 2 drops of bleach per qt of water is considered OK for drinking.

diplodicus > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:24

I believe that K cups are the devils diarrhea and will have no part in them.

A normal french press is basically the same, dump grounds, dump water, insert plunger, shake, wait 10 minutes, push plunger, pour, chuck grounds,rinse, allow to dry upside down.

user314 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:26

Ah, that’s unfortunate. Have you though about putting a pleco or two in the tank?

Kinja'd!!!

PartyPooper2012 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/17/2017 at 15:29

more like this

https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Soft-Tube-Bottle-Brush-Diameter/dp/B008MA3MBE/ref=pd_sim_201_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008MA3MBE&pd_rd_r=6D8QND40ZNRDQSBXVDWQ&pd_rd_w=i1aMJ&pd_rd_wg=pzONn&psc=1&refRID=6D8QND40ZNRDQSBXVDWQ

PartyPooper2012 > user314
08/17/2017 at 15:30

Hey now! That’s an idea. Coffee with fish poop! All natural

PartyPooper2012 > diplodicus
08/17/2017 at 15:31

That’s fascinating - devil’s diarrhea. I might have to use that phrase.

PartyPooper2012 > crowmolly
08/17/2017 at 15:31

qtip is too short to reach. I found something on amazon tho.

awmaster10 > diplodicus
08/17/2017 at 15:32

Thats not quiiiiite the same as inserting a cup and pressing one button.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:32

Boiling water.

PartyPooper2012 > sony1492
08/17/2017 at 15:32

I like this idea!

Thanks!

PartyPooper2012 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/17/2017 at 15:33

You don’t even want to know...

awmaster10 > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
08/17/2017 at 15:33

“Glassware” ;)

awmaster10 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:34

Waiting for the stoner to suggest iso alcohol and salt and a good shake...

crowmolly > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:34

Maybe an odd question- but is your Keurig in direct sunlight?

PartyPooper2012 > crowmolly
08/17/2017 at 15:37

It’s an odd question. I don’t like to go in the basement for coffee. I keep my coffee makers in the kitchen where there is plenty of sunlight.

I am just trying to be funny, but sounding like a jerk. Sorry.

Yes. Maybe not direct sunlight, but there is sunlight.

Bottom line, the shape is as poor of a design as a see through reservoir. Everyone knows see through reservoir will allow bacteria growth.

They should have designed it to be dishwasher safe, without sharp corners and not see through.

diplodicus > awmaster10
08/17/2017 at 15:40

It’s practically the same.

crowmolly > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:40

LOL. No worries.

Just asking because I seem to remember the green stuff being algae growth. Had that happen at work.

user314 > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:43

Hey, people pay up to $700 a kilo for civet poop coffee . This could be the Next Big Thing™!

Wacko > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:46

I personally would go with the Bleach option. It kills the Green stuff. just do a few rinses with water after

diplodicus > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
08/17/2017 at 15:47

How bad ass is having an espresso machine?

Svend > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:47

I use one of these

With an anti bacterial dish soap.

I let it soak after taking apart the floater pieces (the disc that lets the machine know there’s water in), then fill it with a dish wash mixture and leave while I’m cleaning out the nozzle etc, then I use the scourer wand to get right into the corners and nooks and crannies. Thoroughly rinse and invert to let dry.

You can descale the machine beforehand if the machine says it’s time or you think it needs a clean through.

Kinja'd!!!

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > awmaster10
08/17/2017 at 15:55

Yeah, I know. I live in a rec-legal state, but I hate the whole stoner vibe so I never outright talk about it.

PartyPooper2012 > user314
08/17/2017 at 15:56

well, that’s true. However, I know some heavy duty coffee connoisseurs and none of them have had the poop coffee. That’s just going too far.

Rico > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 15:58

After you clean it. Don’t let water sit in it overnight. It’s just like a fish tank and smells like one of you let the water sit in it for too long.

PartyPooper2012 > Rico
08/17/2017 at 15:58

yeah... but I need coffee.

awmaster10 > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
08/17/2017 at 16:00

Agreed, very obnoxious.

Rico > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 16:09

Lol so drink the slop water

PartyPooper2012 > Rico
08/17/2017 at 16:10

yeah... but coffee tastes bad.

Future next gen S2000 owner > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 16:15

Run some bleach through it, then a few cups of just water. Bleach kills everything.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 16:34

If you want to go 300% overkill, a pressure washer will definitely get the slime out.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > diplodicus
08/17/2017 at 17:13

It makes my mornings perky

Textured Soy Protein > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 17:48

Keurigs brew weak-ass coffee. The total amount of time it takes to brew real coffee in a regular drip machine is not so long that using a Keurig makes any kind of sense.

Hell, every morning, whoever between me or my wife wakes up first, has the same routine of grinding beans, putting them in the drip machine, filling the drip machine with filtered water from the Brita pitcher, and waiting for the coffee to brew.

When I wake up first I start the coffee and let it brew while I feed my cats. I’m sure the cats hate me for starting the coffee before feeding them, but hey, gotta maximize the efficiency of my morning activities.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 20:21

Kinja'd!!!

not even one of these?

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > PartyPooper2012
08/17/2017 at 21:46

I use a bottle brush to clean ours, no big deal.

PartyPooper2012 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
08/18/2017 at 05:35

maybe. need more of a pointy brush to get into a very sharp corner deep in the reservoir

PartyPooper2012 > Textured Soy Protein
08/18/2017 at 05:39

I don’t always want a pot. Sometimes wife is at work by the time I wake up. I don’t want a whole pot. Just a cup to get me going. Keurig is not perfect, but it gives me that little bit of caffeine to get me started