Last Updated on October 3, 2021
Keurig coffee makers are one of the most popular ways to make a cup of joe. They’re easy to use, fast and convenient. But what happens when your coffee machine stops performing well, or even worse, it breaks? Coffee lovers can become less than pleasant when their morning caffeine fix is not available!
So, we’re going to answer the important question, how long do Keurigs last?
We’ll also show how you can keep your Keurig brewer in good working order so that you’ll have the best opportunity to make it last for at least the average life of this type of single serve coffee maker, which is 3 to 5 years, possibly longer.
Let’s dive deeper into this and help you get the most out of your Keurig coffee maker.
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Why Are Keurig Coffee Makers So Popular?
The Keurig series of coffee makers is a popular option for people who need a quick cup of coffee. All you have to do is pop in a K-Cup, push a button and you’re good to go! I’ve owned several Keurigs over the years, and my go-to for a quick cup of coffee at the moment is the ever-popular Keurig K-Select. It’s perfect for the first cup of the day, when I just want it like, right now. You’ll see an image of this coffee maker at the top of the page.
When I have a few more minutes to devote to coffee prep, I switch to a pour over. Always a clean, crisp taste that is amazing! But hands down, a Keurig will give you a fresh, hot cup of coffee in a hot minute.
Keurig coffee makers are also relatively budget friendly, with the basic single cup model costing less than $75 as of this writing.
The three main advantages Keurig brewers have over other methods are:
Speed – In just 1 minute you can have a fresh cup of coffee.
Ease of use – All you have to do is push a button and drop a K-Cup in. You don’t need to measure out beans or clean a filter. It’s as easy as pushing a button!
Convenience – Most people have time for one quick cup of coffee in the morning. Keurig coffee makers are perfect for those people because they can fill up a travel mug of coffee and take it on their way to work or school. If you don’t have time, you can always make yourself another cup later in the day!
How Long Do Keurigs Last?
Unfortunately, there is no way to give a specific answer to this question because there many factors involved. When you think about the millions of consumers who own a Keurig coffee maker and consider how each may use, clean, and otherwise handle their appliance, it’s not a black and white answer.
Everyone’s usage is different and some people take better care of their coffee machine than others. This will affect its lifespan and durability!
The warranty for Keurig coffee makers is one year, per their Brewer Warranty Information.
The average lifespan of a Keurig machine is about 3 to 5 years. The goal, of course, is to keep your Keurig coffee maker in good working order, considering normal wear and tear, so that you can enjoy using it for up to 5 years, possibly longer. That will be a good return on the investment as well as many tasty cups of coffee!
How to Make Your Keurig Coffee Maker Last Longer
There are ways to help keep your coffee machine in good working order for at least the average lifespan of a Keurig:
1| Cleaning Tips
Here are some cleaning tips for Keurig coffee makers:
- Empty the water reservoir every 2 to 3 days and rinse it out
- Wipe down the outside of your machine with a damp cloth
- Take the removable parts and hand wash them
Here is a handy cleaning tips guide from the folks at Keurig: Cleaning Tips for Your Keurig Brewer
2 | How and when to flush out the machine
What does it mean to flush out your Keurig? When should it be done?
If you enjoy drinking flavored coffee or sweetened drinks like hot chocolate, you’ll want to flush out the machine afterward to rid it of any residue from that K-cup.
Here’s how:
- Remove the used k-cup and recycle or discard if it is not a recyclable pod
- Place a coffee cup or mug under the machine
- Hit the Brew button and let plain heated water run through.
- Discard the water in your coffee mug.
It is a good idea to flush out your Keurig once a month or so, even if using only plain, unflavored coffee pods.
3 | How to descale your Keurig
Descaling your Keurig coffee maker is essential to keeping it in good working order and extending it’s life.
This video from the folks at Keurig will show you the basics. Your particular machine may be a different model than the one in the video, but the descaling process is very similar from model to model.
Note that if you use a different brand or type of descaler, follow the instructions that go with it.
4 | What to do with your Keurig when you’re away
If you’re going to be away for a few days or longer, perhaps going on vacation, it will help extend the life of your coffee maker if you prepare it as follows:
- Remove any pods that may be in the machine
- Empty the water reservoir, rinse it thoroughly and leave it on the counter to drain. This will eliminate any concern about standing water, mold, or mineral deposits that could be left behind from evaporating water.
5 | Use your coffee maker only as intended
It will help to lengthen the lifespan of your Keurig if you remember to use it only as intended.
- Run water only through the machine, and it is best to use filtered water or use the filter system that is compatible with your particular Keurig model.
- The water should be at room temperature or cold. Do not use hot water.
- And, don’t try to run any other type of liquid through the machine. Water only.
Keurig recommends using only the K-cup style of coffee pod in their machines. There are other types that will fit, such as the pods that are not encased in plastic. Will using them shorten the life of your Keurig? It’s uncertain, but is a decision you’ll have to make for yourself.
And, there are so many brands, roasts, and varieties of K-cups available! Here are some of the current best sellers:
How to Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Keurig Coffee Maker
Your Keurig coffee maker will give you some indication that it might be time for a replacement. Here are some things to watch for:
- the coffee maker does not heat the water to the proper temperature (it may indicate the heating element has failed)
- it takes longer and longer to brew
- you notice the unit is leaking water
- the taste of the brewed coffee changes and is not up to standard
- your coffee usage needs have changed and it can’t keep up with java demand
- or, it just stops working altogether
If you’re thinking that it might be time to consider a new Keurig coffee machine, here are some of the current best sellers:
How to Dispose of a Coffee Maker
A coffee maker is an appliance, and as such it should not be thrown away in the garbage.
The first thing to do is check your local garbage and recycling regulations.
Some cities and states may require that you bring the coffee maker to a special recycling center for disposal, while some municipalities allow residents to put appliances on the curb for collection as part of their pick-up schedule.
If the coffee maker is not recyclable, there are metal recycling centers that are set up to handle small appliances. Call around in your area to find the best deal for safe, responsible disposal.
You can check with local appliance repair shops or charities that accept donations of working items so they can be passed onto someone who needs them.
Bottom line? It may take a little effort, but there are solutions to disposing of an old coffee maker responsibly.
Other Coffee Brewing Methods
When you’re considering the question, how long do Keurigs last, if you’re willing to consider alternative brewing methods, you can extend the life of your Keurig as well as enjoy an awesome cup of coffee! For example, I make my first cup of coffee in the morning with my Keurig. Quick. Fresh. Hot. Tasty. Wakes me up.
Mid-morning, I switch to another brewing method, most often a pour over using a Hario V60 coffee dripper. It takes a few minutes to grind the coffee beans, prepare the dripper and filter, heat the water, then slowly pour it into the dripper.
I find it to be a relaxing and enjoyable few minutes, and the cup of joe is so crisp, clean, and tasty.
If another cup of coffee is in order that day (which it usually is!), I’ll typically switch back to the quick and easy Keurig.
Using a French press is another budget friendly alternative that results in a rich and tasty brew.
Learn more about the differences between pour over and French press brewing methods.
Conclusion: How Long Do Keurigs Last?
Keurig coffee makers are loved by many people because they’re easy to use and make a great cup of coffee in just a few minutes. By understanding how to properly maintain your Keurig coffee maker, and give it some love on a regular basis, you may find it keeps producing a great cup of joe for five years or more!
Candi Randolph is a coffee lover, blogger, and content creator who loves to share her knowledge with the coffee-drinking world. You’ll often find her tending to her coffee bar at home, deciding which method to use to brew her next cup of java. Life is full of important decisions. ☕
