Coffee fans enjoy the time-saving convenience that a Keurig coffee maker provides for hectic mornings and afternoon coffee breaks. Similar to any small appliance, there are ways to minimize wear and tear on the coffee maker. Have you wondered if leaving your Keurig plugged in is the best option? Or is leaving it unplugged when it is not in use advisable? We've researched these questions and have ample results to share with you.
Yes, it is best to unplug the Keurig if you are not planning to use it for an extended period of time. Unplugging the appliance will reduce energy usage and reduce the risk of an electrical fire occurring in your kitchen. Most models do have an auto-off switch that turns it off after a short period of inactivity. However, if the machine is plugged in, it will continually have an electrical current flowing through the cord to supply the clock with energy.Â
Are you interested in lowering your energy usages in your home or office? Ever wondered if there are ways to clean/maintain the Keurig to keep it in optimal condition? Please continue reading to learn more about Keurig coffee makers!
When to unplug the Keurig coffee maker
If you are going on vacation, it is advisable to unplug your coffee maker. Doing so will reduce energy usage in your home and help reduce wear on the coffee machine. Also, you could unplug it after your daily use to further reduce electric use. Leaving it plugged in will require energy to operate the built-in clock or other electrical components. A plugged-in Keurig uses the same amount of energy as a 60 watt light bulb.
Safety considerations
According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, unplugging small kitchen appliances when not in use is advised to avoid accidental electric fires. Although, it does require a few extra minutes each day to unplug the coffee maker, toaster, etc., doing so could save your home from an electric fire.
To save valuable time, consider purchasing a power cord strip for small kitchen appliances. Flip the off button on the power strip before leaving your home for the day. This method saves the time and trouble of individually unplugging and replugging appliances back into the power outlets.
Click here to view this power strip on Amazon.
How much electricity does a Keurig use if left on?
According to Keurig, the initial start-up is when the coffee maker uses the most energy. Generally, after a period of being shut off for several hours, the water must heat from room temperature to very hot. 1,500 watts of electricity are used in this process. When the power is left on/plugged in, the internal tank keeps the water relatively hot and only requires 200-400 watts of power to make a cup of coffee. When the Keurig is idle, it uses about the same amount of energy as a 60 watt light bulb.
Does a Keurig have to warm up?
Yes, the Keurig does have to warm up. After you press the power button, a green light will appear. Automatically, the Keurig will start heating the water, which requires three minutes to heat the water fully. You may notice the Keurig has a sound similar to a kettle boiling water during this process. When that sound stops, the water is ready.
How do I get my Keurig to stay on all the time?
Keurigs will automatically shut off five minutes after the last cup is brewed as a safety precaution. Suppose you would like your coffee maker to remain on. Firstly, you must determine if the Auto-off feature is enabled. To do so, turn the coffee maker on and look at the screen to see if the moon symbol is lighted. If so, the Auto-off feature is enabled.
To disable this function, go to settings and press the moon icon. Word of caution: Keurig does not recommend leaving the coffee maker on continuously, and they state to turn it off after each use for safety purposes and to reduce energy usage.
Which Keurig models have auto-brew?
Currently, Keurig has 50 unique coffee makers on the market for coffee enthusiasts to use at home and at work. Choosing the model that best suits your unique needs does take a bit of research before shopping for the perfect model. Create a shortlist of features that you desire in your ideal coffee maker. Do note the auto-brew is not available for every model.
Food for thought. Models that have the auto-brew feature require that one must fill the coffee maker with water and place the Keurig cup inside, then set the auto-brew to start brewing at a specific time. Do not put milk into the machine when using this feature, because it could easily sour when the brewer is sitting between uses. Click here to read our article about using milk in Keurig coffee makers.Â
The Keurig coffee maker models that have aut0-brew are the following: K-Duo Essentials Single Serve and Carafe Coffee Maker.
Click here to view this model at Amazon.
Click here to view the coffee maker at Amazon.Â
Does Keurig have auto shut-off?
Yes, all Keurig models are equipped with an auto shut-off feature that will shut the coffee maker off two hours after the last use. Keurig implemented this feature to reduce energy usage and prevent the internal components of the coffee maker from continual exposure to heat. And, the Auto-off helps reduce the risk of electrical fires and reduces energy usage.
How do I stop my Keurig duo from turning off?
If the Keurig duo is shutting itself off, the most likely scenario is that the Auto-off is enabled. To disable this feature, go to settings, and locate the moon-shaped icon. Scroll down to turn it off. If the coffee maker continues to shut off either mid-brew or refuses to turn back on. There is something wrong with the Keurig. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Keurig Customer Service at 1-866-901-BREW (2739).
Additional thoughts
Maintaining a clean coffee maker is one of the most vital aspects to keeping your Keurig in the best condition possible, which will, in turn, extend its life. A well-maintained and clean coffee maker will yield better-tasting coffee drinks.
Descaling the Keurig should be performed every three to six months, depending on the frequency of use. Descaling will remove any calcium deposits that have formed inside the coffee maker from the water reservoir. Although these deposits are deemed non-toxic, they could hamper the function of your appliance.
Each model of Keurig has slightly different directions for descaling--be sure to follow the detailed instructions for your model. Consider adding a descaling reminder to your Google calendar to avoid missing a cleaning.
Click here to view the Keurig descaling solution at Amazon.
Suppose you are concerned about reducing your carbon footprint and enjoy the convenience Keurig offers to coffee fans. Consider purchasing a reusable, refillable coffee filter for everyday use. The coffee filters are easy to use. Simply fill the cup with your favorite ground coffee from any retailer, and place it in the Keurig coffee maker the same as a disposable filter.
To save time, fill several of these filters ahead of time and store them in an air-tight container to reduce the risk of the coffee filters' exposure to air.
Click here to see a reusable, refillable coffee filter at Amazon.Â
In closing
Having a better understanding of the inner working of your Keurig will help ensure that you will always be able to enjoy that coffeehouse taste at home! We hope you have found this post to be helpful for improving your Keurig maintenance and usage. Please visit Kitchenseer.com soon for new informative content!
