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Heating water for tea or cocoa can be a hassle without a water kettle. But, is a gadget just for warming water worth the precious space on your counter or the extra expense?
Did you know your coffee maker can double as a water kettle? Keurigs are perfect for quickly heating water, whether you’re craving a warm drink or making a bowl of oatmeal. It’s a simple, convenient trick every coffee lover should try!
Discover how to easily get hot water from any Keurig machine. Plus, I’ll share a special Keurig model made just for this. It’s a simple trick every coffee lover should know!
Can You Use a Keurig for Hot Water?
Did you know your Keurig can be a water kettle too? Just fill up the tank and start a brew cycle without a K-Cup. The machine will heat the water, move it through where the pod usually goes, and pour hot water right into your cup. Perfect for tea or instant soup!
Does Keurig Boil Water?
Your Keurig doesn’t actually boil water. It heats water to 192 °F (88 °C), which is cooler than water’s boiling point of 212 °F (100 °C). Plus, when water is under pressure, it boils at an even higher temperature.
How to Get Hot Water From Keurig
No matter which Keurig model you own, getting hot water is a breeze! Some models come with a handy hot water button, while others don’t. But don’t fret! Both methods are super simple and safe, turning your Keurig into a versatile water kettle without any hassle.
Keurig has over 50 coffee makers, but only the Keurig K-Elite comes with a hot water feature. Let’s dive into how to use it for hot water.
- Fill the water reservoir. Using filtered water lessens the possibility of mineral buildup in your K-Elite. However, tap water is still an option if you don’t mind frequently descaling the machine.
- Press the power button. When turned on, K-Elite preheats water for about 3 minutes. The machine also shuts off automatically after two hours of idle brewing to save energy.
- Press the hot water button. The unique feature allows you to dispense hot water without opening or closing the lid. In other words, you do not need to trick your coffee maker into brewing coffee.
- Select the cup size. The K-Elite offers five cup sizes, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces. You may choose whichever option you want based on your needs.
- Wait. As long as the pod compartment is empty, you should have hot water in under a minute.
Keurig introduced a model that can give you hot water, but guess what? You don’t need that specific one to get hot water. Yes, other Keurig machines can do it too. Let’s dive into how they manage that.
- Fill the water tank. Some small Keurig machines do not have custom-size options, so the machine uses all of the available water in the tank. So, adjust the volume of water according to how much you will need.
- Press the power button. Once the green light goes up, Keurig automatically heats water for about 3 minutes. Just be mindful that some models like the Keurig K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus do not have an auto-off feature, so they will continually heat water even when idle.
- Open and close the lid without the K-Cup. This step may seem pointless, but what you’re doing is “tricking” the Keurig into brewing a cup of coffee. Instead of puncturing a K-Cup, it holds nothing and lets hot water pass through.
- Choose the cup size. If your Keurig model has cup size options, you must select between the available 4 to 12 ounces.
- Wait. The cup should fill with hot water in less than a minute – the same time needed to brew with a K-Cup.
Why is My Keurig Not Dispensing Hot Water?
Finding your coffee machine broken in the morning is a rough start to the day, and sadly, it’s something many of us face eventually. If you’re in this pinch, don’t worry! I’ve got some quick fixes you can try, or dive into my detailed Keurig troubleshooting guide for more help.
- Faulty heating element. When heating elements lose conductivity, they no longer produce heat in your Keurig. This problem commonly occurs over time due to wear and tear or instantaneously due to a short circuit brought by water spillage. Either way, your Keurig loses its ability to heat water.
Before throwing your Keurig out, I suggest checking in with a technician. Your machine may only need a part replacement, which costs significantly less than a new coffee maker.
- Residue buildup. Once coffee or sugar forms residue in your Keurig, the pipes clog and leave little to no room for hot water to come out. Not only does it affect how your coffee tastes, but residue buildup can also break the internal mechanisms of your Keurig.
Luckily, proper maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of your Keurig. Wipe your Keurig after every use and flush the machine at least once every month to avoid residue buildup.
- Mineral buildup. The white, chalky deposit on metal surfaces is the limescale buildup coming from tap water. When left unattended, this mineral decreases the heating efficiency of the machine, clogs the pipes, and possibly breaks the Keurig altogether.
Descaling clears mineral buildup. You should be descaling at least every six months and potentially as often as once a month, depending on how hard your water is.
- Manufacturing defects. Even with hands-on quality control, defective products can still make it out to the market. That’s a common reason why your Keurig machine is not working even if you use it correctly only a few times.
The best thing to do at this point is to stay calm and not do anything crazy like opening the Keurig yourself. You might discredit your claim for repair or replacement on the limited one-year warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Keurigs dispense hot water?
All Keurig models dispense hot water. If you’re wondering how it does this, Keurig machines heat water and run it through coffee pods to produce different kinds of coffee drinks. Without K-Cups, hot water will pass through and dispense into your cup.
Can I make tea in a Keurig?
Yes, you can brew tea with a Keurig in two ways. One way is the conventional approach, where you obtain hot water from the Keurig and use it to steep the standard teabag. Second is brewing tea K-Cups like Bigelow Herbal Tea K-Cups in your Keurig machine.
What is a Keurig?
Keurig is a pod-based coffee maker with an automatic brewing system, heating chamber, and additional features. Keurig machines operate like drip coffee makers but with pressurized water through pre-measured capsules called K-Cups.
If you’re unfamiliar with how Keurig machines work, the brewing instructions are easy to follow. You fill the water tank, insert a K-Cup, press the button, and wait for delicious coffee in less than a minute!
Keurig: A Coffee Maker and A Water Kettle
Make your Keurig work harder! It’s not just for coffee – save money and space by using it as a water kettle too. Just remember to keep it clean to get the most out of your investment. Happy brewing!
Ready to give your Keurig another go? Start by exploring the top coffee K-Cups for a delightful brew. Or, if you’re craving a stronger jolt, check out the most potent K-Cups available. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
