If you know how to use an espresso machine, handling a Keurig machine would be easy for you. Before beginning, ensure that you have adequately sized Keurig K-cups ready for coffee brewing. If you wish to use an exquisite cup, use a cup holster as well. The main ingredients to a delicious cup of coffee include water, coffee beans or coffee pods, and a Keurig machine.
Apart from coffee, you can also use Keurig brewers to make a fresh cup of hot cocoa milk, tea, other hot beverages, and energy drinks (except cold drinks) as well. Tasting freshly ground coffee right from the Keurig K-cups is a delight. Read on to know all about the brewing process of Keurig machines.
Setting up the Keurig Coffee Maker
A lot of attachments need to be fitted before you can begin brewing coffee using the Keurig coffee maker –
Step 1- Run filtered or bottled water through the Keurig machine to clean the parts before brewing coffee.
Step 2- Fix the drip tray tightly under the brew chamber.
Note- Use a single cup each time, and avoid using a plastic cup or paper cup as Keurig coffee brewers do not support them.
Keurig works best when the heating chamber is fixed tightly.
Step 3- Clean the permeable paper filter and remove residues of coffee grinds immediately (no need if you K-cup pods)
Keep any plastic container away.
Step 4- Set the temperature and time on your Keurig coffee maker before beginning.
How Does a Keurig Coffee Maker Work?
Preparing freshly brewed coffee using Keurig coffee makers is possible in less than a minute. The coffee’s taste depends on the size of your K-cup pod or the number of coffee grounds you add to the Keurig brewer. The brewing process is enough to enhance coffee flavor, irrespective of the cup size. Follow these steps to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee each time!
Step 1: Detach the water reservoir from the Keurig coffee machine and fill it
The water reservoir is the most important component of Keurig brewers. Fill it up till the mark and then insert it back beside the heating chamber. Keurig machines allow you to work with up to seven ounces of water in one go. For a single K cup, you can use less amount too. Similar to coffee filters, a water filter is also provided to ensure that coffee flavor is maintained.
Let the heating chamber begin the process of preparing instant coffee. This step of heating water takes up to three minutes. You can vary the amount of water as per the cup size, and control how much coffee you want from the Keurig brewers.
Step 2: Insert coffee pods in the Keurig machine
The coffee brewer of the Keurig machine is too quick. You need to lift it to place the normal coffee pods or K-cup pods inside. The brewing chamber ensures that the consistency of Keurig works for all coffee flavors. There is no need to remove the foil lid. The needles in the coffee brewer ensure that the foil lid is pierced and you get delicious K-cups each time.
If you wish to customize the K-cups, you add your own coffee beans instead of K-cup pods. This way, it is possible to prepare fresh ground coffee using a Keurig coffee maker. Add the coffee grounds in proportion to the cup size, and your freshly brewed coffee will be ready in less than a minute.
Step 3: Choose the desired buttons on the Keurig machine top
There are different options for brewing coffee in Keurig machines. K-cups come in four sizes and the cup size can be changed using buttons on the top of the drip brewer. Keurig brewers work best when the settings are done as per the desired K-cup coffee flavor, even if you need a single cup. Do not use a wrongly sized coffee cup else the coffee maker might get dirty too soon.
Step 4: Place the cup under the Keurig brewer
The K-cup holder area under the coffee brewer is large enough to place an exquisite cup. Place an empty cup on the platform and adjust it accordingly. For a delicious cup of coffee, a fresh cup and fresh coffee grounds are enough. Use a cup holster if you are new to K-cups.
You need to place an empty cup on the K-cup holder even while you descale or check the Keurig machine. Dripping can be controlled only for a single cup. The cup size variation is 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces. These K-cups are equally suitable for hot chocolate or hot cocoa syrup.
Step 5: Brew a delicious K-cup of coffee
Ready to have your much-awaited cup of coffee from a Keurig machine? After rechecking, press the button and wait till the machine begins brewing coffee. The K-cup holder should not be touched till the coffee brewing process is complete. K-cups work best when you use a good amount of coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why should you use a Keurig machine?
Keurig machines let you brew instant coffee, in addition to many other functions like giving hot water on demand. It lets you use ground coffee as well.
Q2. How do you make iced tea in a Keurig?
Iced tea can be made using a coffee brewer by using limited functions. Fill the K-cup with ice and begin brewing coffee. Do not forget to clean the paper filter after this step.
Q3. Is the Keurig suitable for making hot chocolate?
Yes. Hot chocolate needs separate arrangements like replacing the coffee pods and replacing the permeable paper filter. A thorough cleaning of the Keurig machine is also necessary else the taste of coffee won’t go away.
Another way to prepare hot chocolate is to use only the hot water from the Keurig machine and pour it into the K-cup later on.
Q4. Is too much sound produced while you brew coffee?
No. It depends on what you brew using the coffee maker. If you use ground coffee, there will be more noise as compared to that of K-cup pods.
Q5. Is it important to attach the filter to the water tank?
No. If you use filtered or bottled water, there is no need to insert the filter.
Q6. Which is better – coffee pods or coffee grounds?
Ground coffee is better if you wish to have a strong cup of coffee. K-cup pods are reliable if you are in a hurry. The taste would be different if you grind your own coffee beans before adding them to the coffee brewer. Ground coffee might be too bitter for some coffee drinkers.
Conclusion: Savor your freshly brewed coffee in the K-cup style
These steps are the perfect recipe for freshly brewed coffee using Keurig coffee makers. The best way to ensure that your Keurig machine lasts long is to clean the brewing chamber after usage. This should be done weekly, irrespective of whether you use ground coffee or a coffee pod. A paper filter is also provided so that you can brew coffee without using a sieve. Instant coffee is easy using K-cups.
Descaling your Keurig machines is equally important if you wish to have a delicious cup of coffee each time. Vinegar is highly recommended. Overall, brewing coffee using a K-cup is easy as compared to a regular coffee maker. Simply enjoy your morning cup and do not forget to clean the Keurig machine.
Alex is a self confessed coffee addict – but he takes his love of caffeine seriously in a completely responsible way. He loves trying new coffees and testing the latest machines and is not usually fan of one button pod machines. Alex is happiest when he is tinkering with settings and milk temperatures to create the perfect cup. When not obsessing over coffee, Alex is a keen musician and plays weddings and other social events (usually fuelled by… yes, you guessed it… coffee).
