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Common questions
Common Questions
19 totalHow do I set up my Keurig K-Duo Essentials for the first time?
First, remove packing tape and plug the brewer into an outlet. Fill the water reservoir to the MAX fill line and replace it, ensuring the lock tabs engage. Run a cleansing brew on the single cup side by pressing the OZ button, then the 8 button. For the carafe side, press the CUPS button and run a cleansing brew with the 8 button. Once complete, your brewer is ready to brew. (Page 2)
What's the correct way to brew a single cup with the K-Duo Essentials?
Place a mug (12oz minimum) on the drip tray, insert a K-Cup pod into the pod holder, and lower the handle completely to close the lid. Press the OZ button, then select your brew size (8, 10, or 12 oz). The brew will complete in about 1 minute, and you can lift the handle and dispose of the used pod when finished. (Page 3)
What should I do if my K-Duo Essentials won't brew or brews only a partial cup?
First, ensure the handle is pushed down securely after inserting the K-Cup pod, and check that the water reservoir is filled to the MAX fill line and seated properly. If the brewer still won't brew, clean the exit needle with a straightened paper clip, as it may be clogged. If brewing only partial cups, the exit needle may be clogged, the water reservoir may have been removed during brewing, or the brewer may need descaling. (Page 6)
How do I clean and maintain the K-Cup pod holder and needles?
To clean the exit needle, remove the pod holder and funnel, then insert a straightened paper clip into the exit needle to loosen any coffee grounds. To clean the entrance needle, lift the brewer handle and carefully insert a straightened paper clip into all three holes of the needle, then run two water-only brew cycles. Avoid putting your fingers in the pod holder due to sharp needles. (Page 5)
What parts of the K-Duo Essentials can I clean and how should I clean them?
The drip tray, water reservoir and lid, carafe and lid, and filter basket can be hand-washed with warm soapy water—do not put them in the dishwasher. The brewer exterior and heating plate should be wiped with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth. Never immerse the brewer in water, and do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth as lint may remain. (Page 4)
What should I do if grounds appear in my brewed coffee?
Grounds may have gathered in the exit or entrance needles. Clean the exit needle of the K-Cup pod holder and the brewer entrance needle using a straightened paper clip. For carafe brewing, also ensure you're not exceeding the maximum capacity of 15 tablespoons of regular ground coffee or 12 tablespoons of decaf, as exceeding this amount may cause overflow. (Page 6)
Show 13 more questions
What is covered by the K-Duo Essentials limited warranty and how do I get warranty service?
How should I store and prepare my K-Duo Essentials if I won't use it for a while?
How do I brew a full carafe with the K-Duo Essentials?
How often should I descale my Keurig K-Duo Essentials and what's the process?
How do I set up the K-Duo Essentials for the first time?
How do I perform a cleansing rinse for both the single cup and carafe modes?
How do I descale my K-Duo Essentials?
What are some common troubleshooting tips if my K-Duo Essentials won't brew?
What should I do if I experience problems due to high altitude?
Can I use my K-Duo Essentials with Keurig Water Filters?
How do I maintain my K-Duo Essentials?
What do I need to consider if my brewer is not producing complete cups?
Where can I find support for my brewer?
Full Manual
8 pages
##### Use & Care Guide
Get the most from your new Keurig® brewer
Before You Brew
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Plug & Place Rinse & Fill
Remove packing tape from brewer and plug into an outlet.
Remove the water reservoir lid, then lift the reservoir straight up to remove it.
Single Cup - Place a large mug (12oz minimum) on the drip tray.
If you have a Keurig® Water Filter, install it now. Refer to your Water Filter Starter Kit for instructions.
Carafe - Rinse the carafe and place it on the heating plate.
Fill the reservoir with fresh water to the MAX fill line.
Replace water reservoir, making sure the lock tabs engage with the brewer.
3
Cleansing Brew - Single Cup
Press the OZ button to power on the single cup side. Do not insert a K-Cup® pod. Press the 8 button to start the cleansing brew – the OZ button will pulse green while the brewer is heating. Once heated, the OZ button will turn solid green and the cleansing brew will begin. Pour the hot water into the sink.
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NOTE: Between brew cycles, the brewer may take about a minute to reheat
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Cleansing Brew - Carafe
Press the 8 button to start a cleansing brew – the button will illuminate blue.
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4 Power On - Carafe
ADD WATER DESCALE
Fill the reservoir to the MAX fill line, and then press the CUPS button to power on the carafe side. Do not fill filter basket with coffee grounds. The CUPS button will illuminate green and the 3 brew size buttons will blink blue.
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The CUPS button will illuminate red to indicate the heating plate is on when the cleansing brew is complete. Press and hold the CUPS button to turn the heating plate off, and pour the hot water into the sink.
ADD WATER DESCALE
HEATING PLATE ON
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The one-time single cup setup process is now complete and you are ready to brew!
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Brew Your First Single Cup
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Place Mug & Pod Brew & Enjoy!
ADD WATER DESCALE
Press the OZ button, then select your brew size. The OZ button and brew size button will remain illuminated while brewing – about 1 minute. Brewing is complete when the brew size button is no longer illuminated. Lift the handle and dispose of the used K-Cup® pod. The brewer will be ready to brew another cup in about a minute.
Place a mug on the drip tray. If using a travel mug, remove the drip tray and place the mug on the drip tray base. Lift the handle and place a K-Cup®pod in the K-Cup® pod holder. Lower the handle completely to close the lid.
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High Altitude Brewing: While holding the brewer handle up, push down slowly on the K-Cup® pod in the pod holder until the bottom of the K-Cup®pod is punctured by the exit needle.
We recommend using a Keurig® Rinse Pod or running a cleansing brew immediately after brewing hot cocoa or other sweetened pods to keep the needles clean. NOTE: After 60 seconds, the brew buttons will be disabled. To reactivate, press OZ or CUPS.
Brew Your First Carafe
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Place Carafe & Fill Basket Brew & Enjoy!
ADD WATER DESCALE
Press the CUPS button and select your brew size. Once the brew is complete, the heating plate will automatically turn on and remain on for 2 hours - the CUPS button will illuminate red. To turn off the heating plate, press and hold the CUPS button until the light is no longer illuminated. If you accidentally shut the heating plate off, press and hold the CUPS button until the red light illuminates to turn it back on.
Fill the water reservoir to the MAX fill line. Remove the filter basket drawer by pulling outward and insert a 12 cup paper filter into the filter basket. Add the desired amount of ground coffee (1 tablespoon of ground coffee per cup is recommended). Reinsert the filter basket drawer completely and make sure the carafe is on the heating plate. NOTE: The maximum capacity for regular ground coffee is 15 tablespoons and 12 tablespoons for decaf. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow.
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###### Brewer Features
Smart Start heats then brews in one simple process. No need to wait for the brewer to heat before selecting brew size. Power on your brewer, add coffee, then select your brew size. The brewer will heat, then automatically begin brewing.
Brewer Auto Off automatically turns your brewer off 2 hours after the last brew for energy savings.
Heating Plate Auto Off automatically turns your heating plate off 2 hours after the last brew for energy savings.
Pause & Pour a cup mid-brew while brewing a carafe using the 20 second automatic pause feature.
NOTE: Removing the carafe for more than 20 seconds may cause the filter basket to overflow.
Brew & Pause a carafe brew by pressing the CUPS button during a brew. Press the CUPS button to resume the carafe brew.
Caring For Your Brewer
Regular cleaning keeps your brewer running smoothly. Always be sure to unplug your brewer and allow it to cool before cleaning. For detailed brewer cleaning and descale instructions, videos, and the full Use & Care Guide visit Support.Keurig.com.
If the brewer has been in storage, or hasn’t been used in days, run a cleansing brew before brewing your beverage. Periodically hand-wash the water reservoir and lid, carafe and lid, filter basket drawer, and filter basket with warm soapy water and rinse clean. CAUTION: Parts are not dishwasher safe. NOTE: Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth as lint may remain.
######## Brewer Exterior
Keep your Keurig® brewer looking its best by cleaning the exterior from time to time. Just clean with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth. Never immerse the brewer in water or other liquids.
######## Drip Tray
The drip tray can hold up to 8 ounces of overflow and should be emptied and cleaned occasionally. To remove, slide it toward you, keeping it level to avoid spilling. Clean with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth.
######## Water Reservoir & Reservoir Lid
The water reservoir lid and water reservoir should be cleaned periodically with a damp, soapy, non-abrasive cloth. Rinse the reservoir thoroughly after cleaning. This will ensure that no cleaning solutions remain in the area as they may contaminate the water supply. After rinsing, fill the reservoir with clean water and return it to the brewer. Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth as lint may remain. The water reservoir lid and water reservoir should not be put into the dishwasher. NOTE: If you are using a water filter inside the water reservoir, remove it before cleaning. The filter cartridge should be replaced regularly as needed per filter instructions.
######## Carafe & Carafe Lid
The carafe and carafe lid should be cleaned after each brew. Rinse and clean with a damp, soapy, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth.
######## Heating Plate
Once the heating plate has cooled completely, gently wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Never use rough, abrasive materials or cleansers to clean the heating plate.
######## Filter Basket & Filter Basket Drawer
Remove the filter basket drawer from the brewer. Remove and discard the paper filter and ground coffee. The filter basket and filter basket drawer should be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly. Dry all parts after use. NOTE: Coffee grounds should be discarded and the filter basket should be rinsed clean after brewing, or in part with the daily cleaning routine
Caring For Your Brewer (continued)
######## K-Cup® Pod Holder
To remove the K-Cup® pod holder from the brewer, lift the handle and grasp the top of the K-Cup® pod holder with one hand while pushing up on the bottom of the K-Cup® pod holder from underneath with the other until it releases. After cleaning, align the K-Cup® pod holder with the opening using the two front ribs as a guide and snap into place from the top.
CAUTION: There are sharp needles that puncture the K-Cup® pod above the K-Cup® pod holder and in the bottom of the K-Cup® pod holder. To avoid risk of injury, do not put your fingers in the K-Cup® pod holder.
NOTE: Used K-Cup® pod should be removed from the K-Cup® Pod Holder after brewing, or in part with the daily cleaning routine.
######## Funnel
The funnel can be removed from the K-Cup® pod holder by pulling on it until it pops off. To replace it, orient the snaps to the indent and just snap it back onto the K-Cup® pod holder.
######## Exit Needle
Remove the pod holder assembly and detach the funnel. Locate the exit needle on the inside bottom of the K-Cup® pod holder. Insert a straightened paper clip into the exit needle to loosen any coffee grounds.
######## Entrance Needle
Lift the brewer handle and locate the entrance needle on the underside of the lid. To clean all three holes in the needle, hold the brewer handle in the upward position and with your other hand, carefully insert a straightened paper clip into all three holes. Gently move it around to loosen any coffee grounds. Lower the handle completely and run two water-only brew cycles. Do not insert a K-Cup® pod. TIP: Refer to support.keurig.com for video instructions on cleaning the entrance/exit needles.
Descaling your Brewer
As part of your preventative maintenance routine, you should descale your brewer every 3 months (or if you experience low coffee volume or slower performance). Properly follow the descaling procedure.
Depending on the mineral content of your water, calcium deposits or scale may build up in your brewer. Scale is nontoxic but if left unattended can hinder brewer performance. Regularly descaling your brewer every 3 months helps maintain the heating element, and other internal parts that come in contact with water. Calcium deposits may build up faster, making it necessary to descale more often.
######## Descaling Procedure
Before you begin, you will need a large ceramic mug, fresh water, Keurig® Descaling Solution, and access to a sink. Do not use a paper cup. Ensure that there is no beverage pod in the K-Cup® pod holder. Please allow approximately 75 minutes for the descaling procedure.
Empty the water from the water reservoir. If using a Keurig® Water Filter, remove and set aside.
STEP 1: Descaling Solution Rinse Power the brewer off. Pour the entire bottle of Keurig® Descaling Solution into an emptied water reservoir. Then, fill the empty bottle with water and pour into the water reservoir. Do not add any K-Cup® pods or ground coffee.
Place a large mug on the drip tray, then press the OZ button to turn on the single cup side. Press the 12 button to start a single cup rinse brew. Pour the hot liquid into the sink.
Make sure the carafe is on the heating plate. Press the CUPS button to turn on the carafe side, then press the 12 button to start a carafe rinse brew. When the brew is complete, pour the hot liquid into the sink. Press and hold the CUPS button to turn off the heating plate.
After 30 minutes, discard any residual solution from the water reservoir and rinse thoroughly.
Make sure the carafe is on the heating plate. Press the CUPS button to turn on the carafe side, then press the 12 button to start a carafe water brew. When the brew is complete, press and hold the CUPS button to turn off the heating plate. Pour the hot liquid into the sink.
Fill the water reservoir to the MAX fill line. Repeat the 12-cup carafe rinse 3 more times for a total of 4 brews. Refill the water reservoir and place a large mug on the drip tray. Press the OZ button to turn on the single cup side, then press the 12 button to start a single cup water brew. Repeat the 12 oz brew process three more times for a total of 4 brews. NOTE: The cleaning action of Keurig® Descaling Solution may result in a “foam” dispensed from the brewer. This is natural, as the solution is reacting with the scale inside. For a brewer that is heavily scaled, the brewer may not fill properly after the descaler is added. If this occurs, you may see only a small or no output dispensed, followed by the sound of air blowing out. If this occurs:
Troubleshooting
######## Grounds in Your Coffee
Grounds may have gathered in the exit or entrance needles and can be cleaned using a straightened paper clip or similar tool.
######## Reinserting the Filter Basket Drawer
To reinsert the filter basket drawer, line up the tab on the filter basket drawer with the rails on the front of the brewer. Insert the tab to the rails and push in firmly until it clicks.
######## Descaling
Descale your brewer every 3 months (or if you experience low coffee volume or slower performance). For detailed descale instructions see the Use & Care Guide and instructional video on support.keurig.com
######## Brewer Will Not Brew
######## Brewing a Partial Cup or Carafe
######## Brewer Does Not Have Power or Shuts Off
######## Helpful Hints
Water quality varies greatly. If you notice an undesirable taste in your beverage (such as chlorine or mineral tastes), we recommend using bottled or filtered water. Do not use distilled water. You can also install a Keurig® Water Filter to help remove water impurities and improve beverage taste.
######## Carafe Brewing
######## Service
Beyond these recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures, this brewer is not user serviceable. For service, please refer to the Warranty section of this guide.
######## Storage
Empty the water reservoir before storing or transporting and take care to ensure that you store your brewer in a safe and frost free environment. Please be sure to store your brewer
in its upright position to avoid water leakage from the inner tank. If you store the brewer in a cold environment, you run the risk of water freezing inside the brewer and causing damage. When you prepare to use it after storage, we recommend rinsing the water reservoir with fresh water and running three rinsing brews without a K-Cup® pod, as well as running a 12 cup carafe brew with no ground coffee.
If you plan to move your brewer to a different location, turn the brewer off, unplug it, and empty the water reservoir. If your brewer has been in an environment below freezing, please be sure to let it warm to room temperature for at least 2 hours before using. CAUTION: Please ensure brewer is powered off and heating plate is cooled to room temperature before storing. NOTE: If the brewer needs to be stored for an extended period of time (a few months or more), a full descaling can be conducted before and after storage to ensure the brewer is in its best condition.
Click or Call!
######## Have Questions?
We’re here to help. Visit Support.Keurig.com for step-by-step videos on cleaning, descaling, and more.
Still Need Help? Give us a call at 1-866-901-BREW (2739)
Warranty
######### LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig) warrants that your brewer will be free of defects in materials or workmanship under normal home use for one year from the date of purchase. It is recommended that you register your brewer on keurig.com/new so that your purchase information will be stored in our system. Keurig will, at its option, repair or replace a defective brewer without charge upon its receipt of proof of the date of purchase. If a replacement brewer is necessary to service this warranty, the replacement brewer may be new or reconditioned. If a replacement brewer is sent, a new limited one year warranty will be applied to the replacement brewer.
This warranty only applies to brewers operated in the United States and Canada. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state and, in the case of Canada, from province to province.
Only the use of Keurig® K-Cup® brand pods and accessories will guarantee the proper functioning and lifetime of your Keurig® brewer. Any damage to or malfunction of your brewer resulting from the use of non-Keurig® pods and accessories may not be covered by this warranty or may result in a service fee if the damage or malfunction is determined to be caused by such use.
######### WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE LIMITED WARRANTY?
THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SUCH AS PROPERTY DAMAGE AND DOES NOT COVER INCIDENTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, EVEN IF FORESEEABLE. Some states or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitations of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you depending on the state or province of purchase.
Nor does this warranty cover damages caused by use of non-Keurig® pods or accessories, services performed by anyone other than Keurig or its authorized service providers, use of parts other than genuine Keurig® parts, or external causes such as abuse, misuse, inappropriate power supply, or acts of God.
######### OTHER LIMITATIONS
THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IS IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL. IN ADDITION, KEURIG HEREBY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO YOUR K-ELITE™ BREWER, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states or provinces do not allow disclaimers of such implied warranties or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you depending on the state or the province of purchase.
######### HOW DO YOU OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE?
Keurig® brewers are high-quality appliances and, with proper care, are intended to provide years of satisfying performance. However, should the need arise for warranty servicing, simply call Keurig Customer Service at our toll free phone number 1.866.901.BREW
(2739). Please do not return your brewer for servicing without first speaking to Keurig Customer Service to obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Keurig® brewers returned without an RMA number will be returned to the sender without servicing.
K-Duo Essentials® Coffee Maker
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For replacement parts, please visit www.Keurig.com
Coffeehouse taste in your own home.
#### FIND YOUR PERFECT POD
With over 70 brands and hundreds of varieties, find your match at
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