What should I do with my old Keurig machine?

[davidg4781]

This looks like the best place to ask this.

A month or so ago Texas was getting some pretty heavy rains. After they passed I noticed a couple of roaches in my apartment. Since living here for over 5 years I've maybe seen a few, mostly dead. They're older apartments so I imagine there may be some. Either way, as far as I know, I don't have an issue and my apartment's pretty clean.

I decided to do a descaling of my Keurig machine and when I was on one of the final rinses, I noticed a roach egg sack floating in the coffee cup. I threw out the water, unplugged the machine, and bought a new one. Reading online, it seems this could be an issue but it appears they don't get into where the water portion is. I flushed it some more and looked around and I cannot see how there can be any actually inside where the water is heated. It's the older single cup version so there's no large reservoir.

Now I'm not sure what to do with it. Cosmetically it's great. It functions great. But I can't bring myself to drink out of it, even though I'm pretty sure there are no issues. Should I just toss it out or sell it on craigslist, obviously with full disclosure and a pretty discounted price? I would have to drive about an hour to get to a local CL market but I'm planning on going out there on Thursday anyway.

If I do sell it, what would be a good price? I looked around for repair places that could use the parts but couldn't find anything local.

 

[Huntn]

Electronic recycling. Check with your city/county.

 

[mobilehaathi]

You could try selling it/giving it away (with a disclosure), but you may not get many hits. Otherwise, just recycle.

 

[A.Goldberg]

This thread now has me terrified of ever using a keurig.

 

[firedept]

Another vote for recycling.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Definitely recycle.

 

[Hastings101]

I would recycle it, as I wouldn't want someone using it because that's kind of gross. If you're really sure it's clean and you include the roach information you could probably put it up on craigslist and see what people offer for it.

 

[0388631]

Recycle.

 

[iMi]

+1 for recycle...

 

[maflynn]

Ugh, I'd not want to use it or sell it at that point. Definitely recycle it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And yet another vote for re-cycle.

Even if you offered it for sale (with full disclosure) and for next to nothing, I doubt that you'd get many hits, or much interest.

 

[Kaylor]

I'm glad I already had my coffee this morning... Recycle. Definitely.

 

[heehee]

Reason why I never buy anything used.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Reason why I never buy anything used.

Likewise.

Actually, I very rarely buy anything used, and certainly would never buy anything used that had been utilised in the preparation of food or drink.

 

[sim667]

Disinfect it and use it...... whats the point in binning it because of a cockroach egg, any trace of germs won't survive being disinfected, and certainly won't survive boiling water.

 

[Huntn]

This thread now has me terrified of ever using a keurig.

Lol, and I never liked them before.

Honestly though, I've used them and I wonder what opportunity there is for roach eggs to fall into the cup? They could not have come from the guts of the machine, where the water is heated, then they would have had to navigate through the coffee cartridge. Most likely these eggs had to be attached on the exterior underside or unlikely in the coffee chamber, areas which could have been sanitized... Unless these eggs where deposited inside the detachable water chamber, or when the chamber was detached, roaches climbed in through the water opening, but I don't recall how big that water opening is, and I've already determined it's unlikely they'd make it though the coffee cartridge. Worse case you could have some steamed roach cafe. Mmm, think I'll go have a cup of coffee.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Lol, and I never liked them before.

Honestly though, I've used them and I wonder what opportunity there is for roach eggs to fall into the cup? They could not have come from the guts of the machine, where the water is heated, then they would have had to navigate through the coffee cartridge. Most likely these eggs had to be attached on the exterior underside or unlikely in the coffee chamber, areas which could have been sanitized... Unless these eggs where deposited inside the detachable water chamber, or when the chamber was detached, roaches climbed in through the water opening, but they'd still have to make it though the coffee cartridge. Worse case you could have some steamed roach cafe. Mmm, think I'll go have a cup of coffee.

Yes, hm, the sort of slightly unsettling scenarios that don't really bear too much thinking about.

 

[Huntn]

Yes, hm, the sort of slightly unsettling scenarios that don't really bear too much thinking about.

Sometimes my intentions are less than honorable, hehe.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Disinfect it and use it...... whats the point in binning it because of a cockroach egg, any trace of germs won't survive being disinfected, and certainly won't survive boiling water.

Um, yes.

But while declining to use it may not be logical, it will most certainly be psychological. Disinfection notwithstanding, in a modern US home, I think you would be surprised at how many people would find it difficult to overcome their distaste for drinking coffee from such a piece of equipment.

Different contexts and settings might engender different responses. You might be perfectly happy - or, at least, content, to use it in a Third World country, - or someplace that offers equal challenges - reassured that it has been disinfected. But - maybe not in the US.

 

[LizKat]

My French press suddenly seems like not so much work to use in the morning after all.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My French press suddenly seems like not so much work to use in the morning after all.

A French Press is never too much work; actually, in my experience, it is one of the most forgiving methods used for making coffee.

Reliable, consistent, almost idiot-proof, (in the past, I have managed to splash myself when depressing the plunger) and it makes excellent coffee…….

 

[LizKat]

^^ At 5am I can be persuaded that Keurig process beats French press. At 10am, not so much.

I agree French press does makes wonderful coffee. At 5am I'm better off just having the task of popping in a k-cup and pushing a button. With luck I've remembered to put a mug under the brew outlet. I'm hardly a coffee connoisseur at any time, but at that hour I'm shameless.

As far as to recycle or re-use the OP's machine... I'd probably offer it (with full disclosure) to some guys I know who are lab techs, and pretty broke. They'd run vinegar through it a few times and call it good and be out at the supermarket looking for a sale on 72-count k-cup boxes. But if I didn't know those guys? Yuck. I'd remember about the roach even at 5am, I think. The machine would have been at the recycle center upon my next opportunity.

 

[Arran]

I had to google "roach egg sack".

After seeing that, I'd throw the old Keurig on the bonfire. Or maybe into the cone of an active volcano, if there's one handy:

 

[Mr. Buzzcut]

I agree there really isn't much opportunity for the machine to pass something like that. Even if you get rid of the machine, you have roaches. They are crawling in your cups, dishes, and flatware. Get rid of the roaches.

 

[Huntn]

Don't mind me, just relaxing in your coffee maker.

Exerpt from the highly recommended and nauseating, Joe's Apartment
Not to be confused with original MTV short.​

Um, yes.

But while declining to use it may not be logical, it will most certainly be psychological. Disinfection notwithstanding, in a modern US home, I think you would be surprised at how many people would find it difficult to overcome their distaste for drinking coffee from such a piece of equipment.

Different contexts and settings might engender different responses. You might be perfectly happy - or, at least, content, to use it in a Third World country, - or someplace that offers equal challenges - reassured that it has been disinfected. But - maybe not in the US.

I agree there really isn't much opportunity for the machine to pass something like that. Even if you get rid of the machine, you have roaches. They are crawling in your cups, dishes, and flatware. Get rid of the roaches.

While I generally object to all insects in my house, there are three insects I especially can't abide by- mosquitos, house flys, and roaches. No mercy, unlike the kind reception I give to spiders and small lizards.

For the OP, repeat story- 20 years ago when I lived in Texas, the large flying roaches would come in from outside. As a rule my understanding is they don't live in your house, just come to visit. I'd get up in the morning, kick the kitchen trash can and listen for a faint scurry sound. If I heard one, the trash got treated with Raid (insecticide). I eventually kept the kitchen trash out in the garage... This time around in Texas, twice a year, I treat the outside door thresholds, and under sinks/plumbing areas with Ortho Home Defense. It seems to be very effective. I keep the attic storage space stocked with roach bait, the kind they take back to the nest and share with their foul, disgusting little family members. It also appears that having 2' of cellulose insulation blown into the attic, which just happens to be treated with borate that's toxic to insects and small rodents was a good move.

We will survive!​