Is it OK to Slap and Burp a Keurig? (Ninja Scaling Tip)
Nothing is more aggravating than a Keurig coffee maker that won’t brew or won’t turn off the descale light. Many Keurig owners then start looking for answers, and one of the most common questions is, “can I slap and burp a Keurig?”
I was having the same problems and decided to look into it. Here’s what I found:
Although Keurig has not officially sanctioned the slap and burp approach, it has been successfully utilized by countless people to dislodge built-up scale or other items obstructing Keurig’s water pipes. Strike the bottom of the device gently with an open palm while the machine is unplugged, and the water tank is removed.
But there’s a lot more to know about slapping, burping, or otherwise dislodging scale deposits on the inside of a Keurig.
So let’s dig deeper into this issue and its remedies!
- One of the greatest inventions of all time is the Keurig coffee brewer. What could be better than a freshly brewed cup of coffee, ready in seconds when the urge strikes?
- Even though these pieces of machinery are fantastic, they are subject to normal wear and tear. They must be cleaned regularly. This aids in the removal of calcium deposits and ensures that water flows freely through the pipes.
- Cleaning the pipes isn’t always enough to get your Keurig brewer back up and running.
- Many individuals have trusted the slap and burp method, despite its strangeness. Many of them state that it is one of the most effective techniques to get your machine up and running again.
What is the Keurig Slap and Burp Method, and how does it work?
The Keurig slap and burp method is an unapproved manner of dislodging any scale residue that may be obstructing a regular brewing cycle inside the machine. It entails striking the Keurig’s underside after it has been unplugged and the water reservoir has been removed.
Your Keurig brewer will require cleaning over time as a result of regular use. You can run into a few common problems that need to be addressed.
- Inside the machine, there’s some accumulation of calcium and other mineral deposits.
- Coffee grinds obstructed the exit puncture needle.
- There’s a lot of air in the waterline.
- A magnet for reservoir tank offset (which prevents the machine from registering the attachment of the reservoir)
- All of these factors could cause your Keurig to malfunction. This can sometimes result in a cup of coffee with less caffeine than it should have.
It’s aggravating, especially when you’re in desperate need of a cup of coffee to get your day started.
You’ve used vinegar and water or a descaling solution to clean the lines. You’ve also tried using a paperclip to wipe out the needle tip. But what if it still doesn’t work? To clean out any water, air, or coffee that may be obstructing the lines, use the slap and burp approach.
Your Keurig coffee may brew but it will not taste nice.
If this sounds similar, there are various reasons why your Keurig coffee tastes awful. Fortunately, I will walk you through each alternative and the answers in a recent essay.
The slap and burp method of cleaning out your Keurig brewer – sometimes known as spanking – isn’t the most graceful or delicate way of doing so, but it works for many people. It’s preferable to try this procedure after you’ve already descaled your computer.
The easiest way to learn how to clean a Keurig maker is to slap and burp it:
- Remove the Keurig coffee machine from the outlet.
- Remove any coffee pods that have been used or are empty.
- Remove the water storage tank and drain it.
- Remove the drip tray, as well as any other loose parts that could easily slide out.
- If coffee grounds are obstructing the exit needle, make sure it is wiped out.
- If the sink isn’t big enough, take the brewer to a tub.
- Make sure that you have a solid grasp of the machine by turning it upside down.
- Slap or spank the bottom of the brewer with an open palm.
- Your palm should land directly in the middle of the machine’s bottom.
- To remove any obstinate residue, each strike should be solid but controlled.
There is no exact amount of times that you should slap your machine; however, if your machine is older or if water and coffee grounds continue to come out as you smack it, it may take up to 10 or 15 slaps.
Replace the water reservoir once you’ve slapped your machine enough times, and try to run a regular cycle while making yourself a cup of coffee. You’re OK to go if the amount of coffee prepared corresponds to the setting you choose. If that doesn’t work, repeat the process.
Is the slap and burp method effective?
The short and quick answer is that it’s possible.
You might be shocked by the number of folks who claim that the slap and burp method worked for them when their Keurig brewers weren’t producing enough coffee.
Burping your Keurig may not provide any physical results or enjoyment for some people, especially those with newer machines (even though it very well may still be working). Only a minor bubbling of air and water from the clogged conduits may be heard.
Others with older machines may note that they obtain a significant volume of water and even some coffee grounds due to the trapped air.
But you’re striking it to try to remove scale and other deposits that have built up through time. As a result, there is no guarantee that it will work.
However, don’t expect adding boiling water to your Keurig to improve the brew quality or to make your coffee hotter.
Using hot water, on the other hand, can harm your Keurig. In my latest essay, you can learn more about this, as well as what you can do to maximize how hot your coffee is.
Is my warranty void if I use the slap and burp method?
Keurig offers a one-year warranty on their machines for typical household use following purchase and registration.
They will repair or replace your Keurig at no cost to you if it breaks down during that term. However, this warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse or misuse.
The slap and burp method of cleaning your Keurig coffee brewer, on the other hand, should not void your warranty. That is, as long as the equipment does not suffer any physical harm. And a good slapping shouldn’t be problematic.
However, if you don’t grip and slap your Keurig carefully, you risk knocking it out of your hand, dropping it on the floor or in the sink, and destroying it.
Make sure you’re slapping the machine with an open palm only. So that you don’t apply any uneven pressure on sensitive areas, hit it directly on the bottom in the center. It would help if you also kept your hits under control so that you know precisely how hard you’re hitting them.
Before you try the slap and burp method, make sure your machine is unplugged.
After all, you don’t want to end up hurting yourself or causing damage to your machine that isn’t covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Is it true that slapping and burping turn the descale light off?
Using the slap and burp approach to descale your Keurig brewer may turn off the descale light on your machine, depending on what you’ve done so far to try to descale it.
However, it is not a foregone conclusion that it will occur.
Start with the standard descaling procedure for the best results. You are using a citric acid-based descaler or making your own with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Then, to break up stubborn residue, run a cycle through the machine.
Cleaning the piercing needle using a paperclip or other small object that will fit within is another option. Coffee grounds may have gotten lodged in there and are blocking the water from flowing freely.
After that, you can remove the water reservoir and ensure that the machine isn’t overflowing with water. Then try slapping and burping. It’s pretty likely that your descale light will turn off now if you’ve already run the usual descale technique.
Before attempting to descale your equipment, read the owner’s handbook thoroughly.
Most Keurig brewers follow the same procedure. However, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid voiding your warranty.
Is there anything else you wanted to know about using the slap and burp method on a Keurig?
When you expect your appliances to operate well when you need them, it can be frustrating, mainly if you rely on your cherished Keurig machine for your morning pick-me-up.
If the water isn’t flowing correctly, you can always try running it through a descaling cycle. Turning it over and spanking it a few times may help clean out some of the built-up cruds and force air bubbles out if that doesn’t work.