Do All Keurigs Have a Water Filter?
Keurig is all about its top-notch coffee brewing system and convenience. You can make a cup of coffee in under a minute, that too, without following a long list of steps.
However, the Keurig brewers promise durability only if you pay attention to their maintenance, and rightfully so. Like any other appliance, the coffee maker needs to be well-maintained to last you at least two to five years.
It is where the water filter comes into question. A water filter ensures your brewer keeps working effectively while providing great-tasting coffee, but how does it do it? You will find that out later in the article.
Firstly, do all Keurigs have a water filter? Yes! Most Keurig coffee makers come equipped with a water filter to purify the coffee-making water.
Keep reading closely to know where the water filter is on a Keurig machine, why it is an essential component, and how it works.
Do All Keurigs Have a Water Filter?
Most Keurig models have a water filter that keeps the coffee-making process clean. You can replace the water filter after a specific time, so they do their job effectively.
In contrast, Keurig K-Mini, K-Mini Plus, and K-15 coffee makers do not include water filters or the option to add them. Unlike other models, these models cannot fit a water filter because they do not have a water reservoir.
The coffee makers that don’t have a water reservoir directly brew water into coffee without getting a chance to filter it. So you must use filtered water if you own a Keurig without a water tank.
How Does a Keurig Work: A Quick Glance
Keurig coffee makers use K-cups to brew great-tasting coffee. The whole brewing process takes a few minutes and requires simple steps, which is what makes Keurig a favorite choice of coffee drinkers.
Let’s look at how Keurig coffee machines work and how water filters play their part during brewing.
Step 1
You must install the water filter into the water reservoir before refilling it for the brew. The water filter will purify the water before the coffee maker pumps water to start the brewing process.
Once you turn on your coffee machine, it starts to heat the water. When the water reaches the optimal temperature, the heating sounds turn off.
Step 2
Open the lever of the coffee machine and insert a K-cup. You can use any K-cup of your choice, as all k-cups are compatible with all Keurig models.
Then, close the machine head properly. Next, put a mug under the coffee spout.
Step 3
Choose the cup size on your Keurig and press the brew button. The entrance needle punctures the foil seal of the k-cup on the top for the water to pass through it. The exit needle pierces the k-cup from the bottom to let the coffee flow out.
Step 4
During the brewing process, the coffee maker forces hot water through the k-cup. When hot water passes through the pod, it extracts its flavors and strength, preparing a delicious cup of coffee.
Step 5
The brewer will automatically stop when it completes the brewing process. Eject the used pod and discard it.
Your Keurig coffee is ready!
Why Should You Use a Water Filter in a Keurig?
Unless you use filtered water, the tap or bottled water may contain minerals that can clog your Keurig with buildup. It can alter the taste and quality of your coffee or even damage your coffee maker due to this buildup.
It is possible to slow the residue of these minerals with water filters. A coffee filter keeps the boiler and other heating elements clean and prevents harmful pollutants from accumulating in your morning coffee.
Once the water filter removes chlorine and other harmful substances, it becomes safe to consume. A water filter guarantees that your coffee is tasty and of good quality.
Where is the Keurig Filter Located?
A Keurig coffee maker’s water filter is within its water reservoir. You can access its water filter by removing the top of your coffee machine’s water reservoir. The water filter comes enclosed in a plastic holder at the bottom of the tank.
However, the water filter placement in the tank may vary depending on the model.
Which Water Filter Fits My Keurig?
All K-Cups are compatible with all Keurig machines, so we don’t have to worry if the pod fits our model. But in the case of water filters, they are universal but come in different plastic holders.
As Keurig machines do not come with water filters, you can buy them separately. Two types of water filter starter kits are available for Keurig machines; a tall water filter and a short one.
While figuring out which water filter fits your Keurig, it all comes down to your brewer’s type of water tank. Your Keurig will either have a side or rear water reservoir.
If you have a coffee maker with a side water tank like the K-Supreme, K-Select, K-Duo Plus, K-Supreme Plus, K-425, K-Elite, and K525, you will use a Tall Water Filter Handle.
Keurig brewers like the K250, K-Latte, K-Duo, K-Compact, and K-Due Essentials have a rear water tank, so a Short Water Filter Handle fits them.
Another way to decipher the correct water filter for your Keurig is to check its serial number. If the serial number starts with 55, your brewer requires a tall handle water filter.
On the other hand, if you own a K-Classic and its serial number is 44, 45, or 48, it will need a K-Classic water filter kit.
How to Change the Water Filter in your Keurig?
To replace the charcoal filter with a new one in your Keurig water filter, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the Filter Housing
Remove the top of the water tank to access the water filter. Hold the filter handle firmly, then pull it out of the reservoir. You may need to tug or twist it a little until it pops out of the plastic grooves on the reservoir’s bottom.
Step 2: Remove the Filter Cartridge
The filter housing has three parts; the upper filter holder, a cartridge, and the lower filter holder. Using your index finger and thumb, press on the sides of the holder to separate it from its base. Then take out the used charcoal filter.
Step 3: Wash the Filter Holder
Throw the used filter away and wash the holder thoroughly under running water. Wash the mesh of the bottom part of the filter housing with soapy water. Make sure the filter holder doesn’t have any residue or buildup.
Step 4: Prepare the New Filter
Take a bowl full of fresh water and immerse the new cartridge for at least 5 to 10 minutes before installing it. It will be even better if you rinse the filter thoroughly with tap water for up to a minute after soaking.
Step 5: Install the Filter
Place a fresh filter in the holder. Make sure its round side faces upwards, with its flat side covering the mesh at the bottom of the filter. Attach the filter holder by snapping its two sides together around the filter cartridge.
Step 6: Insert the Filter Unit back into the Water Tank
Insert the filter into place by aligning the grooves at the bottom of the filter housing with the raised plastic at the bottom of the water tank.
How Often Should You Change the Keurig Water Filter?
Keurig coffee makers require regular cleaning and maintenance, which includes periodic filter replacements. It makes your coffee delicious and safe to consume. According to Keurig, you must replace the filter after two months.
However, the time frame may vary depending on how much you use your coffee maker. To simplify, you must change the water filter after 60 tank refills. If you share your Keurig with family or brew several cups daily, it might need a new filter sooner than two months.
How to Clean a Water Filter?
You can not clean water filters but replace them. Charcoal filters purify the water by absorbing all its impurities. As they absorb enormous pollutants during months of use, it’s impossible to wash them thoroughly.
Several weeks into using the filters, they become contaminated with pollutants and no longer effectively purify water.
Also, replacing the charcoal filter is simple and affordable. You will have to buy a water filter starter kit for your brewer only once, and then you can keep repurchasing the charcoal filters as required.
Can You Use Tap Water In Keurig?
Yes! You can use tap water for your Keurig. You must ensure that it tastes good because it will affect the overall quality of your coffee. However, using tap water makes it necessary to descale your brewer regularly.
Tap water contains a high mineral count that can speed up the chances of buildup and limescale accumulating in the machine. To be on the safer side and increase the longevity of the brewer, we recommend using filtered water.
Can you Use Keurig Without a Water Filter?
Yes! You can use your Keurig without a water filter; it will work just as fine. However, the filter is an essential part of the appliance to prevent the inside of the brewer from becoming damaged.
A buildup of minerals accumulating in its internal parts can wear down the machine. For a better cup of coffee, it is better that you use a water filter to remove all impurities and unpleasant tastes from the water.
What Kind of Water Should I Use in my Keurig?
You must use bottled or filtered water in your Keurig coffee maker. Quality water is necessary for a flavorful cup of coffee, tea, or iced beverage because they contain over 98% water.
To have the best taste profile, you must use filtered or bottled water for your coffee. Using quality water is also essential for the longevity of your Keurig brewer.
Conclusion
Filtering water is essential for ensuring high coffee quality and for your Keurig brewer to last a lifetime. Using water filters is an easy way to keep hazardous substances in water, like chlorine and sulfur, away from your coffee machine.
You must change the water filter every two months or after 60 tank refills to ensure its effectiveness.
If you are still considering installing a water filter in your Keurig, now is the time. Get a water filter according to the model of your coffee machine and experience better-tasting coffee, which is also safer to consume.
FAQs
Does my Keurig 2.0 have a water filter?
Yes! Keurig 2.0 comes with a water filter. You can also set a timer on it to know when it’s time to install a new filter cartridge.
How long can I leave water in a Keurig reservoir?
You can let the water sit in the tank for a day or two but not more. There is a chance that the water will get contaminated. It will affect your coffee quality and harm the brewer’s internal parts.
Is it OK to use distilled water in a Keurig?
Keurig 2.0 or newer models can not work with distilled water. Distilled water is too pure, meaning the brewer’s sensory system will not accept it and hence show an error code, asking you to refill the tank.
Why does my Keurig keep saying add water when it has water?
If your Keurig has enough water to brew coffee but is still asking you to add more water, there can be two common reasons behind it. You can remove the water tank and place it again to resolve the error. You must ensure the magnet on your water tank and the brewer aligns perfectly.
The second reason can be that your Keurig is dirty and needs descaling when there is limescale and buildup in the brewer. There is a high chance of it showing an error code.
