Putting milk in your Keurig may sometimes sound like a perfect idea to prepare hot, creamy chocolate. The idea can also cross your mind when you are pressed by time, and you need to prepare a hot creamy chocolate or a cup of milk coffee and you see Keurig as the perfect solution to your problem.
But can you put milk in your Keurig? You should never put milk in your Keurig because the milk curdles at 180 degrees Fahrenheit and a Keurig heats liquids up to 197 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, milk will remain in the internal tubing, causing it to spoil and damage the Keurig.
Amy Doyle, a spokesperson for Keurig, also warns that using Keurig for your milk will result in coagulation. This is because brands such as Keurig K575 heat water between 187 and 197 degrees Fahrenheit. This is higher than the amount of heat required to curdle milk, which is mostly 180 degrees Fahrenheit. I use the Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker. Click here to have yours delivered.
What Happens if You Put Milk into Your Keurig Machine?
You should never put the milk in the Keurig machine because the leftover milk in the tubing will go sour. Also, the Keurig will begin to smell like burnt milk.
The thought of putting milk in your Keurig machine is not ignorant. However, there is a reason you don’t see many people putting their milk in the Keurig machines. This is because that is what the Keurig machine is designed for. At its core, Keurig is designed to raise the temperature of water within a noticeably short time. It is also designed to allow water to travel from one reservoir through the coffee pod and into the cup. These designs, unfortunately, make it impossible for milk to be put in the machine.
For starters, when you put milk in the Keurig machine, you should expect it to be burned rather than heated. This is because of the way Keurig functions. The machine raises the temperature quickly, in almost the same fashion as you would do when burning something. Unfortunately, you cannot do this to milk. This is because milk can curdle and coagulate under high temperatures very quickly. Therefore, when placed in a Keurig machine, the coagulation process starts immediately.
A Keurig machine is a machine designed to hold liquids for days. However, this is not possible with milk. You cannot leave milk inside the Keurig machine for days without it getting spoiled. Compared to water, which does not need replacement after being left in the machine, milk can spoil quickly. Also, when milk droplets are left in the Keurig or trapped inside, it starts to smell, unlike water. This is complicated by the fact that, when you remove the machine, there are no assurances that all the milk is removed from the reservoir; hence your next coffee may taste different due to interaction with spoiled milk.
The third thing that happens when you put milk in a Keurig machine is that it gets damaged. This is because, after heating the milk, it becomes burnt rather than heated. This milk gets trapped inside reservoirs and pipes inside the machine and is not easy to remove. With time, the milk can start damaging metal parts or prevent them from working properly.
How Do You Clean a Keurig if You Had Added Milk to It?
There are many circumstances where you may find yourself in need of cleaning your Keurig machine because milk was added to it. This includes visitors or your children putting the milk unknowingly in the Keurig machine to heat it up and prepare coffee or chocolate. When that happens, you have to know that the process of washing your machine is delicate. Therefore, you need to be very procedural when cleaning your Keurig machine. Below are some of the steps you should use to clean your Keurig machine.
- Start by assembling cleaning products such as white vinegar, dish soap, a toothbrush, all-purpose cleaner, and a microfiber cloth or paper towels.
- Next, you need to remove the reservoir, the reservoir lid and its cover, the drip tray and its cover, and if your Keurig has a built-in filter, remove it also and set it aside.
- Next, carefully remove the K-cup holder and funnel.
- Next, soak these components in hot and soapy water. If there is a chance you have a dishwasher, do not be afraid to use it because these components are also dishwasher safe. Also, if your Keurig doesn’t have a removable reservoir, do not stress yourself. You can skip the step. Also, if your Keurig model has additional features, make sure you also wash them. These additional features include components such as carafes and milk frothers. After washing them, let them dry.
- Next, open up your Keurig and use a cleaning toothbrush to scrape out any leftover coffee grounds, milk, etc.
- The next step involves using a microfiber or paper towel to wipe the outside of the machine using an all-purpose cleaner to make it shine like new. While cleaning the outside of your Keurig, you may encounter hard-water buildup. To remove the water, put a towel with some white vinegar on and let it sit until the buildup starts to break down.
- The next step involves descaling and sanitizing your Keurig. In this phase, you will need to reassemble your Keurig machine and fill the reservoir halfway with vinegar. Set a mug in the drip tray and run the machine. Repeat this process until all the vinegar is used up. Next, put water in the reservoir and repeat step 7 until you are sure your Keurig is descaled and sanitized.
- At this point, you can now make a cup of coffee.
How to Use a Keurig Frother
To use a Keurig frother, ensure that the added milk does not exceed the minimum or the maximum recommended volume. Also, ensure you use fresh milk when using a Keurig milk frother, or at least whole milk.
Chances are you still want your coffee with milk. Unfortunately, your Keurig machine does not allow the use of milk and can cause damage and burn milk if the process of preparing the coffee is attempted. This is where the Keurig Frother comes into play. The frother makes it possible for you to make a milk froth that can be added to your coffee. Depending on the type of coffee you are preparing, Keurig milk froth requires specific instructions to follow. Below are some of the steps you should take when using a Keurig frother.
For starters, when using a Keurig frother, you will need to have a Keurig cup and a base that is connected to the power supply. I recommend the Keurig Standalone Frother that is available at Amazon. To have yours delivered, click here. The base is where you place the Keurig cup after putting milk inside. You will also need to have a lid to prevent overflow, although in most cases, you will never get to use it. On the Keurig cup, there are at least two buttons that set the temperature of your milk froth. One of the buttons is used when you want to froth the milk hot, while the other one allows users to froth the milk cold.
To froth, connect your Keurig cup to the electric base, then add your milk. While adding the milk, you will notice that there are two lines, the min and max lines. The min line is used when you want to prepare froth for cappuccinos, while the max line is for lattes. Fill your Keurig cup with milk and press the start button. Wait for two minutes until the milk froths, and then turn off the Keurig frother. You can then add your frothed milk to a cup of coffee.
How to Clean a Keurig Frother
Preparing your milk froth using a Keurig frother can cause the items to become messy within a very short time. That is why it is important to know how to clean it up. Fortunately, the process of cleaning the Keurig frother is simple. Below are some of the steps you should take.
- Start by removing the frother from the base. Remove the silicone ring from the lid and also remove the whisk from inside the frother.
- Next, you will need to wash the silicon ring, lid, and whisk with warm soapy water.
- Clean the exterior of the frother with soap and rinse with warm water. it is recommended that you use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge while cleaning to prevent damaging the inner coating.
- Wipe the exterior with a soft, damp cloth.
- Finally, you can dry all parts thoroughly and reassemble your Keurig frother.
Can You Make a Hot Chocolate in a Keurig Machine?
You can make hot chocolate in a Keurig machine. There are Keurig k-cup pods that contain hot chocolate or hot cocoa. They work in most Keurig machines including version 2.0.
The steps for making hot chocolate using a Keuring machine are not complicated. They are the same as if you were making a coffee using the Keurig machine. There is only a minor difference between the two processes. Below are some of the steps you should follow when making a hot chocolate using a Keurig machine.
- You will need to have hot chocolate K-cup pods, water, a regular-sized coffee mug, and milk or cream.
- Start by placing a new K-Cup pod in your Keurig pod holder.
- Next, you will need to close and secure the lid. Make sure that the pod has been punctured before going to the next step.
- The next step is using your Keurig hot chocolate setting on your model. Unfortunately, some models do not come with these settings, and you will need to configure them manually. For instance, if you want a deeper tasting hot cocoa, you need to press the “strong” button or configure your Keurig machine to reflect the same.
- Next, you will need to press the brew or k-shot button to start brewing your chocolate. Then wait for a few minutes until your chocolate is fully brewed and has stopped dripping. Then you can safely remove your mug.
- Finally, you can add milk, cream, or flavorings as desired, and enjoy your chocolate.
Can You Put Other Liquids into a Keurig?
You cannot put other liquids into a Keurig reservoir. Once a liquid besides water leaves the reservoir, the risk of contaminating the internal tubing is high.
If you have ever wondered whether you can put another liquid in your Keurig machine, then you are not alone. Unfortunately, the Keurig reservoir is specifically designed to hold water. Putting another type of liquid can result in several problems, including:
- One of the biggest risks that your Keurig machine can run into when using other liquids is getting spoiled. For instance, if you use a Keurig to heat your soup, it can cause clogging, result in an unpleasant smell for your coffee, and can even cause malfunction due to the clogging.
- If that liquid is milk, then there is a high chance that it will be burnt, curdled, or spoiled. The long-term impact of the milk in your Keurig can also cause future coffee prepared using the machine to smell like burnt milk and have an unpleasant taste.
- Unwanted smell: Depending on the type of liquid used in your Keurig, you can expect it to start smelling in the future. This is because some of the liquid will get trapped inside and, with time, start to ferment, causing an odor that, in most cases, is unpleasant. You should also consider that the fermented liquid can interact with your Keurig water and become a health hazard.
Fortunately, if you still want to put other liquids in your Keurig, you should consider getting a Keurig frother that allows you to use liquids such as coconut milk, oat milk, and some types of soup.