Draining your Keurig without disassembly

Apparently I must be the first to figure this out...and no, I'm not an engineer, just someone who looks for answers.
Anyway. I've seen impossoble, disassemble it, turn it upside down and shake it, etc... but none as simple as my method. I plan on moving and since this machine has outlived several others I know of, I wanna take it with me. Please be patient, there were a few kinks in the video where it wasn't going as fast as I wanted it to and then for some reason it didn't go straight to prime.

[@pippermouse4968]

you are the ONLY person to show how to do this without taking it apart! THANK YOU!!!!

[@joeyaklic9002]

You solved the million dollar question! For the life of me, I don’t understand why Keurig won’t share this information, it’s frustrating. I’m extremely grateful that you figured it out and shared it with us. THANK YOU!!!!

[@kariedwards495]

Glad I could help... I am slight more mechanically inclined than most 'normal' people so when something presents as an issue I like to help others. Happy new year and thank you for the comments t.

[@joeyaklic9002]

Kari Edwards Sounds like I need to subscribe to your channel then! Happy new year to you as well!

[@trevormocarski5276]

They don't tell you to do this because the water pump is always supposed to have water in it or it will break

[@wesleyjustice3686]

I have one just like hers and I just did it myself when I heard the pump go empty I pulled the cord from the socket and it's good all water drained I give this best video I ever seen to fix something 100 stars

[@kariedwards495]

Wesley Justice thanks for the kudos, glad you liked it. My parents are still using the one in the video, I gave it to them when I stopped drinking coffee.

[@michaelking7344]

Thank you Kari. To those who are having the issue noted by M Jones (the light stops blinking but it continually makes the sound where it is trying to pull water in), there is a reason for that. The Keurig must have a full internal reservoir at the start of the brew process, as it will continue to try to suck in water until the internal float tells it to stop. So, put about a half tank of water in the external reservoir and place it on the machine, with the machine plugged in and turned on. That will cause the Keurig to suck water into the internal reservoir. Leave it alone until the ready indicator comes on. THEN empty the external reservoir and replace it on the Keurig. You can then take the steps shown in the video - hold up the float, open and close the lid, select large. The various models may operate a bit differently at that point. Mine emptied before even completing the normal large-size cup (it was only about 3/4 full when the Keurig ran out of water); I did not have to then do a small as Kari did on her video.

[@kariedwards495]

Thank you for the added specifics. This was my first technical video (even now, I’ve only done a few...I only do one if I have a better solution to something). I’m surprised at how many people are still watching it... It makes me happy.

[@michaelking7344]

@@kariedwards495 It is indeed very satisfying to know you help others, isn't it? :) And thank you for the original post! Without it, I wouldn't have been able to add those specifics. Like you, my additional insights did not arise from technical training. Rather, I have a long history of taking apart any device which didn't work. I always figured if I couldn't fix it, at least I can learn something from seeing how it's made.

[@debfosspeterson7160]

@kariedwards495 @michaelking7344 Thank you, BOTH, for the clear directions on how to empty the internal tank! HAVE A GREAT DAY! 🎉

[@frankjackson6901]

Great job. ALWAYS shut off immediately afterwards to keep heating elements from damage.

[@M-.-Jones]

Although I have the same machine it didn't work for me. The light does stop blinking but it just makes a continual sound like it's trying to pull water in when trying to brew

[@stefanniestar]

Genius!!!! What a great method to get the water out!!!!! Sooooo happy I found your video!!!!

[@kariedwards495]

Thank you, I appreciate the gratitude

[@isabellemolinaxo5116]

Omg thank you!! I had thrown out my keurig then I was given one and it was having the same problem. I was about to throw this one out. Watched 8 KZbin videos and this was the only one that works. As a mom with 3 toddlers. You saved me 😅

[@kariedwards495]

Always a pleasure. Thanks for the thanks

[@johnfoehl8429]

This solution is the best. It took me a while to figure out how to trick the machine into thinking there was water in the res., I used a paper towel to hold the float up and like a miracle it pumped the water out.

[@ThePhoenixxs]

Whoo Hoo!! Worked like a charm! I used electrical tape to hold the 'bobber' up, and 'brewed' several times, tilting it forward over the sink. I think that's how you can get any residual water out. Thank you!!

[@kariedwards495]

I don't recommend doing g it more than once, that could have possibly damaged the machine since it is still heating up. Next time, just do it once, to be safe

[@andyjame5150]

This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact kzbin.infoUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.

[@crabster9]

Wow! I just tried it and it worked. Wished I would have known this trick when I was moving. I couldn’t get most of the water out and I had some water damage due to it leaking. From now on I will use this trick to drain out what i can. I can still hear a little and that is fine. I can manage with that. Thanks for the info.

[@rantle100]

OMG! You are a genius! I haven't used my Keurig for over a year and I know water has been sitting there during all that time. I was going to toss it but I'm going to try what you did. Thanks so much!

[@randyw.9916]

I couldn't get this to work with a K-40 model the pump just kept running and I didn't get the light to brew. I'm thinking of putting some vinegar in the reservoir and cycle it into the internal storage so instead of water there would be a water/vinegar mixture. I do know that long term storage of water is not that big of deal. The Keurig I'm using was stored with water in it for over a year. When I began using it I simply cycled all the water out of it cleaned it with vinegar. It took a while and a little bit of a hassle but we've been using it for more than a year now and so far no one has gotten sick or died.

[@JoeKubinec]

Thank you for this video. I followed your instructions and got a decent amount of water out. But I'm an engineer and handy, so I went to some of the other videos to check whether there was any water left in the tank. I shook the unit and couldn't hear any water sloshing around ... but after disassembly I got an additional 1/4 cup of water out. It was a pain in the butt to disassemble. The hardware is very small and you need wire cutters (dikes), long nose needle nose pliers, and small zip-ties to reconnect hoses that have to be temporarily disconnected. I used both the drain from the top method and the drain from the bottom method. (Aside: The drain from the top method got the most residual water out imo). My purpose for draining the tank was that I purchased a K50 single serve to reduce (a little) clutter on the counter, and I wanted to put the B60 into storage as a backup. Even though I went with three approaches to drain the unit, I could still see some drops of water in the tank. Will just a few drops cause a bacteria or mold issue? I don't know. Would the 1/4 cup that Karie Edwards' method leaves in the tank cause a bacteria or mold issue; or a freezing issue? I don't know. I guess the question is... other than putting units in storage why would you need to completely drain the tank? If it is a water quality issue Kari's method goes a long way to minimize the amount of residual water in the tank. Also... to the people who are worried about damaging the heating element... as shown in Kari's video the unit can sense when water is needed to protect the heating element and is the reason why it goes into "prime" mode. Would I personally use Kari's method every day? Nope - out of caution regarding the heating element. Would I be personally afraid to use Kari's method once a week? Nope - because of the protection afforded by the "prime" mode for this unit. Another thing I learned was why we, as a society, throw out so much stuff... this thing was difficult to disassemble because of the small size of the screws and I needed appropriate tools and space; and replacement zip ties. The single serve I just purchased was $60. When it breaks down, as every electro-mechanical device ultimately will, it won't be worth my time to fix. Maybe when it breaks I'll put it into storage and fix it when I'm retired! Thanks again for your video Kari!

[@kariedwards495]

JoeKubinec thanks for the informative comment. As an afterthought, now that I know there is still a small amount left in the machine and the antibacterial properties of vinegar, I would consider using a 50/50 vinegar/water mix as the last bit of liquid through the machine if you plan to store it for any amount of time. My method is best used if you need to transport the machine. Take care and again, thanks for the comment.

[@lotsofpooches]

YOU are my HERO!!! Thank you!!! I've been looking at KZbin videos all night trying to fix my problem and just could not handle opening the machine up! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!

[@ardenwalker8759]

Thank you so much. I've been trying to figure out how to empty the water but didn't want to tear it apart. Will try this.

[@carolynmcpherson3388]

Thank you! This worked exactly how instructed. So much easier than taking it apart!

[@LtColUSAF33]

It worked perfectly!! Thank-you!!d. I can't believe I didn't think of that myself. I think the disk is just a float and not a magnet but, that's beside the point. YOU NAILED IT--my Keurig is now empty and ready fire storage thanks to you!

[@tonycook8348]

It is a float, but it contains a small magnet, so the machine can detect when the reservoir water level is too low to brew more coffee.

[@reneeb5261]

Thank you! It worked!!! I did NOT want to take my Keurig apart.........

[@kariedwards495]

Always glad to know I can help

[@BruceProductions_OCButterfly99]

Thank you. It totally worked. I watched a video that said to take off the bottom. etc but I did it this way and I did it2x to make sure it was all out. Thank you so much. I have 2 machines. My x did not want to bother cleaning out his expensive one. I totally fixed it with paperclip and cleaning. Now I have a great machine to sell for gas money. YES! ;)

[@kariedwards495]

OCButterfly99 so glad I am still helping people

[@jerrycrystalnichols7942]

Very clever!!! I'm not a super handy guy so I'm very leery about taking things apart. This solves my problem! Thanks!!

[@tomtuson]

I discovered this myself after reading someone's post about using a strong magnet to fake the machine. I did the same thing, reached inside the reservoir and pulled the disc up and emptied the tank by using a cup and pressing the TALL BREW button. Simple as can be without taking the thing apart... YES!!!!!! YES!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!

[@terriemorrison3282]

So glad I found this video! Worked perfectly. Although I never got the “prime” message, I am confident the inner tank is empty.

[@kariedwards495]

Awesome, so glad I could help

[@rajkarki3242]

That's a grate idea and I was lucky when I came across your video while looking for an answer on the net. Thanks.

[@kariedwards495]

Raj Karki no disassembly required

[@jeffspicer7885]

I logged in just to say how genius this is. Thank you!

[@DarkenEmbrace]

Just did it today. It works very successfully . Thank you.

[@CortezMusical]

Good video! I have a newer Keurig with the reservoir in the back, so I couldn’t use your method, called the Company and they just said to store it that way, not an option for me.. so I did the next best thing, I flipped it upside down and wuala! What goes up must come down, I now have a clean Coffee Maker 😊

[@CZPO7DUTY]

Brilliant. Thanks so much. 👍 This is THE way to drain the water before storage. Amazingly simple.

[@kariedwards495]

CZPO7DUTY thanks, glad it worked for you.

[@campdmg]

Closing up our camper for the winter....last year, the Keurig froze and wouldn't work when we opened for the season this year. Going to try this today in hopes that it gets all water out. Thanks for the video!

[@kariedwards495]

Michael Guest should work, it doesn’t get 100% out, but it is better than the alternative. I recommend since it will be packed away for some time, that you run straight vinegar for a full tank when you set it back up again to kill any bacteria that may have made a ho,e...also works to de scale and clean the system (I was going to say to leave some vinegar in it, but I don’t know if that would mess up the lines)

[@oehowardful]

IT WORKED! At first it just kept making noise like it was warming up the water, which it did. Then I just lifted the handle like I put a kcup in and Viola! It worked! I shook my Keurig and no more water was heard sloshing around. Thank you!

[@danielscissorhands]

You mean "voila" :)

[@debmcalary4681]

You are a Genius! Seriously!! Thank you. I couldn't believe what the other videos were telling me to do.

[@kariedwards495]

Deb McAlary make sure you hold the magnet up all the way until it is empty (stops dispensing liquid or asked to be primed) and then release..

[@YnRsince1973]

Did not work for mine either just like stated by others. BUT what did work (without taking anything apart) is using the exhaust on my shop vac and blowing the water out of the reservoir. Take off the water tank, cover the vent on the machine (sits at top of external tank) and blow through the intake there at the bottom of where the water tank sits. tipped the whole thing forward over my sink and the water flowed out from the needle. Took a few minutes, but it worked.

[@jiminutez]

Your Keurig was the model I had before my K40 model. I stuffed a paper towel wad to hold that floater wheel up. The machine went through a cycle but no water. Even while using my fingers to hold the wheel up the coffee maker said add water. So I will have to remove the two screws behind the word Keurig. If you tilt the cof maker way back you will see it.

[@smokydogjoe]

This is the best way to get water out. THANK YOU !!!

[@diro6232]

I absolutely love your idea! Thank you!

[@markswartmx56]

That's BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing!

[@cathyberger1865]

Thank you!! I'm getting rid of my old one for a upgrade one and it was just full of water so this works great It is a magnet in there.

[@daniellegarvey8912]

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@loriboright3828]

YAY! Thanks! Way more manageable than tools!

[@tiffinydouglas1232]

Thanks a million... your video has been super helpful..

[@cctbsn2773]

this solved a problem I have been having with the flow slowing down, perhaps getting rid of an airlok. thanks

[@kariedwards495]

Perhaps, although another possibility is calcium buildup from water. I recommend descaling it...even if you already have before, because each time can do a little more... I recommend emptying it completely, pouring pure white vinegar in and running a few cups...then let it sit overnight and in the morning run a bunch of plain water through until you no longer smell vinegar. It’s a good idea to do this every six months or so depending on your water (hard water will need more frequently)

[@ManyfiresWoman]

Worked like a charm! I tried to take apart first and that was really a challenge (read 'pain in the butt'). Did it your way and only had to do it once before it said "Prime". Made a horrific noise though. Don't know if that's normal. Thank you for the tip.

[@kariedwards495]

If it's the noise I'm thinking, it does that when it loses the prime. Mine never had an issue

[@cindycarey5277]

This worked like a charm for me! Thank you!!

[@debbyroe7595]

Thank you so very much!!! You are a blessing!

[@thirdeyespirit7530]

It worked thank you! Great way to trick the machine. Emptied it out this way.

[@kateb2690]

Go Kari! I love the simple ingenuity. Unfortunately there is no floating magnet for the K Select. I can get some of the water out by brewing the largest sized cup, then quickly removing the water reservoir before it can pull more water in from the reservoir. Otherwise I might have to resort to disassembling it. Ugh!

[@johnbenicy4807]

And another THANK YOU, it did work as demonstrated.

[@vwent51]

Wow thank you! That just saved me from throwing out a perfectly good Keurig out 😂

[@muybesos1]

It worked! So glad I found your video

[@kariedwards495]

La I'm so glad it worked for you. I know it isnt good for all models, but it sure beats the videos I had seen prior.

[@michaelchu2636]

It worked just as you said. Thank you.

[@ANDYTOROK99]

I have a Keuriig 50. I jammed the float up[ as you did with your fingers but it did not fool the machine. it kept trying to warm up and never gave me the lights to brew a cup.

[@jimbozhaager5722]

Thank you worked like a charm!!Seems like Keurig would have some info on this...you should tell Keurig how to do this! For a Fee....Ha

[@kariedwards495]

Jimboz haager so glad. I just brought mine up to my pates house finally and set it back up yesterday and it works like new just as I had expected.

[@nana2jw886]

Wow thanks! Going to try this.

[@johnpeligrino5314]

This is all I wanted to know! Thank you!

[@michelebrown9850]

YOU ARE A GENIUS!!!!!! THANK YOU!!

[@j.w.holmes2119]

Worked perfectly. Thx for the tip.

[@EVILGOKU1986]

Finally! Thank you . You are awesome.

[@stephanieway873]

You are my new best friend you are a genius thank you for sharing !!!😀💯

[@susans5990]

Worked great. Thank you!

[@clairefraser3941]

Thank you. Was ready to throw away bc I was not going to take apart.

[@kariedwards495]

Claire Fraser glad I could help

[@ritabauer3989]

I have a different model. Took out the 2 screws like yours, then had to remove the silver press down handle with a star-shaped screwdriver. I detached 1 zip tie from the rubber tube turned it upside down and mouth-blew air through the bit that sticks out on the outside that the tank hooks onto. Got it almost completely empty. A magnetic screwdriver would have helped to get the 2 screws back in.

[@stanleykeith6969]

I found this out from before, about the little pc. inside the water tank, the only thing I was afraid to burn the unit out because of no water inside of the unit. Also I have taken off the handle and black cover, cut the little wire tie, pulled the hose off the filter and have blown the water back out of the heating area holding tank and pushed it out into where the water comes in.

[@jengottlick8559]

This worked!! Thank you so much 😀

[@babyviet316]

This is genius! Thank you!!!

[@kaistamper8573]

Thank you you are a lifesaver

[@mariogiron-abrego366]

Brilliant! Thank you, ma'am!

[@kariedwards495]

Mario Giron-Abrego you’re very welcome, glad I could help another..Happy Holidays

[@timmcniven435]

You are a genius. Thank you. ;-)

[@debbiewasserman1816]

Thank you. You are a genius!!

[@sarahdugo2]

You ROCK!! Thank you so much

[@13pgraves]

This is awesome! THANK YOU!!

[@jeanninetaylor9231]

Best video ever for this thank you

[@edmclaughlin1901]

Very smart! Thanks for sharing!

[@kariedwards495]

Glad I could help

[@fromfjord]

Thank you so much for this hack ❤️

[@eileenwong7115]

I also tried flipping my Keruig upside down and shaking it doesn't work. I have the Keruig 2.0 (K200) model but I really don't want to take it apart as I'm afraid I won't know how to assemble it back (not a handy gal). Do you think descaling would help push the water out of the internal tank? Any other ideas or suggestions? Thanks a Many.

[@robertsimpson4984]

common sense .... I like the way you think ! Post more ! Still run vinegar and flush well before using again!

[@kariedwards495]

Robert Simpson yes, I agree. To kill any bacteria that may still grow.

[@braveswin1]

Awesome! You are the queen

[@JoshPennCPTSD]

Hallelujah! Thanks!

[@kgee0616]

yes! works!! Thank you!

[@MikeLaven]

Wished it worked for mine, but all it did was try to draw water for about a minute and a half and then go into prime mode. Tried several times as shown in your video and it never worked for me. Must be my model that is different than yours and so many others that said theirs worked. To everyone else give it a shot, you have nothing to lose.

[@kariedwards495]

Sounds like it already emptied the internal tank …once it goes into prime mode it’s because the internal tank has no water in it

[@suemorin5599]

Wow that worked... Amazing

[@jenniferwatts6534]

Worked perfectly!!!

[@photokid841]

thanks, it worked for me

[@HeySteveNYC]

Just tried this with the B60 model, pins cleaned and all. It emptied about 6 ounces. Second and third tries emptied nothing - even though I still hear water in the tank upon shaking the unit gently. Didn't work for me, and I'm seeing this method doesn't work for everyone.

[@harlawood9811]

Thank you, this worked! :)

[@kariedwards495]

Harla Wood glad I could help

[@liveyourbestlifecoach]

You are a GENIUS!! #keurig should be paying you for your customer service!! 🫶🫶

[@ColinBPlays]

Are there any fixes for the 2.0 with this yet? Trying to move and pack it up but empty the internal reservoir

[@kariedwards495]

Colin B Plays not to my knowledge

[@ColinBPlays]

Dang, thanks for the response though

[@joanneburbol9861]

Awesome thank you so very much!!!!!!!

[@ritabauer3989]

It was meant for the video before yours. I didn't realize KZbin was on to the next one. It was about how to drain the whole thing for storage.

[@DK-jg5vk]

Genius. Thank you.

[@nana820able]

I thought this was going to work, it did empty a small amount of water but it stopped. I’m trying to empty because the machine isn’t working properly so I’m wanting to trash it. Lol, guess I’ll have to find the hard way. Thank you for the video.

[@kariedwards495]

nana820able if it started to drain and then stopped, most likely your hand lowered just a bit and the magnet lost connection. It needs to be up all the way the entire time. Also, if your machine is not making coffee properly, it likely needs to be descaled... pour pure vinegar in the reservoir and run a few cups through...then let it sit for an hour and empty it out...fill the reservoir with plain water and run it until empty...then do the clean water again... if it is a little better but not much, do the process again...also, take a safety pin or other thin metal and make sure you don’t have coffee debris clogging the tío that pokes into the pod... that is also a big problem

[@nana820able]

@@kariedwards495 thank you. Our machine has been clogging for a long time. I descaled it after a regular clean and it will work but I'd have to clean the pointed thing about every 5 cups of coffee. We've had it several years so we bought a mini. Don't bother. It's loud and slow. I just wanted to empty it and throw it away.

[@nightowlgirl]

This wouldn't work for my model. It still seems to know there's not enough water.

[@markrodgers4615]

I kept searching for exactly this solution. Thank you! I am not storing for a long period of time just moving, so i don't need it 100% dry. I am curious if you've noticed any damage as a result, based on the previous comment.

[@kariedwards495]

Mark Rodgers I have not seen any problems, the machine comes to you bone dry when new and doesn't have a problem with the heater because you put water in before trying to make coffee. it takes it back to the like-new situation. turn it off after you've emptied the internal reservoir and refill it before turning it back on.

[@YasapYaakov018]

You are awesome. Thank you

[@chrisshield6778]

Brilliant!

[@ericapallaron8026]

Unfortunately, didn't work on my Keurig - I have the Keurig K Classic. I can hear swooshing when I shake it so I know there's water in there. I pull up on the magnet, the "add water" goes off and the machine makes a noise, almost like it is starting up. Then the add water and "heating" lights turn but I'm not able to pick a cup size.

[@kariedwards495]

I’m sorry it didn’t work. It only works on the ones with the little magnet disc in the reservoir

[@tablesawer]

where to get those flexible straws??????

[@staceybream6699]

Oh my.... I cant stop laughing. First couple videos were men showing me how to tear this thing apart. I get to your video and it was quick simple and no destruction necessary LOL Nice job!!

[@kariedwards495]

stacey bream thanks, love the comments because it lets me know I’ve helped another person. I will say however, it not work with a 2.0, only the kind with the little floating magnet

[@shannonb7263]

Thank you!!!

[@markmarquez5431]

This was done in 2016. I wonder how is the keurig is it still working? I knew this can be done but i never did it because i am afraid it will overheat the heater and if it heats up as you brew without water going in could damage the heater in the long run.

[@kariedwards495]

It still works fine to this day. My parents were using it as a spare and then gave it to my brother's girlfriend when they got another 2.0

[@kariedwards495]

It still works fine to this day. My parents recently gave it to my brother's girlfriend d when they got another 2.0 (they like to keep 2 keurigs in the house.. one upstairs and one downstairs)