Can You Put Milk in a Keurig?
One of the best things about a Keurig machine is that you can quickly and easily brew up a cup of coffee, tea, and other hot beverages. However, if you want to make your own latte or hot cocoa you may be wondering if you can put milk in a Keurig machine to quickly and efficiently do so.
The short answer is no, you should not put milk a Keurig coffee maker. If you put milk in the water reservoir it will spoil and ruin your coffee machine. Already put milk inside of it? Don’t worry, this article will give you all of the information you need regarding using milk with your Keurig machine. So, let’s get right down to it.
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Can you put milk in a Keurig water reservoir?
While Keurig coffee makers are a convenient way to make a wide variety of beverages, you cannot put milk directly into the water reservoir without ruining the machine.
The short answer to this question is no, do not put milk directly into the water reservoir. It is not designed to be used this way and will cause you major headaches if you do it.
However, if you or your kid have already done so you do not need to throw the machine away. There is a way to clean it out, so that you can continue using your Keurig machine in the proper way.
What happens if you put milk in a Keurig machine?
If you put milk in a Keurig coffee maker, there are several issues that you will have to deal with. These include:
Spoiled Milk:
While it is okay to leave water in the reservoir for several hours before using without any problem. The same cannot be said for milk. If it is left inside the water reservoir, it will quickly start to spoil and start to smell. This is not only gross. It is also hard to remove afterwards.
Burnt Milk:
The Keurig machine is designed to quickly heat up water to boiling, so that you can enjoy your hot cup of coffee in less than a minute. This rapid heating process will scorch the milk you are trying to use.
The last thing you want is to make a drink that has a burnt, bitter taste to it. Not only will it taste gross. It will also have a bad smell that can linger in your kitchen for several hours. Not the ideal situation you want, I’m sure.
Scorched Metal:
This is the biggest problem that you may face when you put milk into the water reservoir. The high temperature will cause the milk to curdle and stick to the heating element inside the machine. Not only will this cause build up to form, it may also scorch the metal parts inside the coffee maker.
All of this will prevent the machine from functioning properly in the future. This build up is hard to clean and remove. You will need to use a scraper tool to clear it off, which may scratch or damage the machine if you are not careful.
How to Clean Your Keurig Machine After Adding Milk
While it is best to not use milk in your Keurig machine, if you have already done so and need a way to fix the aftermath, I got you covered. The cleaning process will take some effort on your part.
However, it should help you to clean and fix the Keurig machine so that you can continue to use it for your favorite hot beverages. Here are the step-by-step directions you need to follow to get your Keurig coffee maker clean and functioning properly.
1. Turn off your Keurig machine before you begin cleaning it.
2. Follow the steps in the manual to dismantle the coffee maker, so you can clean the inside parts.
3. Use a scraper tool to gently scrape off any crust and build up that may have formed by the milk residue.
4. Add half a cup of white vinegar and some baking soda to hot water and pour it into the water reservoir.
5. Let the solution sit in the water reservoir for a while so that it can clean any residue and build up that may have formed inside of it. You can also use the scrubber tool on any stubborn spots to help remove it.
6. Pour some of the solution into the internal hose and drain it into the sink. This will help remove and clean any milk build up that has formed in the waterline.
7. Put the machine back together and turn it back on and run several cycles.
8. Pour a fresh batch of the vinegar, baking soda solution into the water reservoir and run several cycles through the machine.
9. Clean out the water reservoir and run several cycles of just plain water. This will help to clean out any leftover build up as well as any leftover vinegar and baking soda that may remain in the machine.
10. You want to continue the cycles until the water runs clear and any smells are gone. You don’t want your next cup of coffee to taste like vinegar.
If you follow these directions, it should do a good job of cleaning out your Keurig machine. However, if for any reason your Keurig machine is functioning right then be sure and reach out to customer service so that they can help you. You don’t want to use a machine that isn’t working properly.
How You Can Use Milk with Your Keurig Machine
While you can’t put milk in a Keurig water reservoir, there are a couple of ways that you can use milk with your machine. These include:
Milk Pods
The first way is to buy and use milk pods that are designed to be used in the machine. This gives you a simple, efficient way to add milk to the beverage of your choice. The milk pods are simple and can be used with any Keurig machine. However, they are quite pricey.
Buy a Keurig Machine that Features a Milk Reservoir
The second way is to invest in a Keurig machine that features a milk reservoir, such as the K-Café Coffee Maker. This allows you to pour milk into the tank that is designed specifically for it.
The milk reservoir is a more affordable option than the milk pods. However, you need to own the specific coffee makers that feature it.
Final Thoughts
Keurig machines give you a quick and simple way to enjoy your morning cup of coffee each day. However, you cannot add just any liquid to the reservoir. It is designed to be used specifically with water. If you want to use milk, then I suggest you follow my advice above to do it properly so that you don’t ruin your machine.
To recap, you should definitely not pour milk into the water reservoir. You should either buy milk pods to use or buy a Keurig machine, such as the K-Café Coffee Maker that features a milk tank for you to use. Either of these options will give you a simple way to use milk with your Keurig machine without ruining it.
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