What Does the Strong Button Do on a Keurig? (Tested Guide)

Last Updated on January 13, 2025 by Karen

This post explores the function of the strong button on Keurig machines, explaining how it enhances the brewing process to deliver a stronger, bolder cup of coffee or tea by adjusting factors like brew time, water amount, and flavor extraction.

If you’re a coffee lover, you’re likely familiar with the joy of brewing a fresh cup of coffee using your Keurig machine. But have you ever wondered what the strength button does on your Keurig brewer?

In this guide, we’ll explore the strong setting and how it affects your brew button, brew size, brew time, and ultimately the strength of your coffee.

Whether you’re seeking a stronger cup of coffee or just curious about the brewing process, we’ll break down everything you need to know for the perfect cup of coffee every time.

The Basics of the Keurig Strong Button

The strong button on Keurig brewers offers an easy way to enjoy a strong brew with just the push of a button. It’s designed to enhance the flavor profile of your coffee, especially for those who prefer a bolder cup of coffee.

When you press this button, the machine adjusts the amount of time it brews and uses much water to extract more flavor from the coffee grounds. This results in a stronger coffee with a richer, more intense flavor. In my model, it is on the lower bottom left corner. In some machines, it is an actual strong button.

How Does the Strong Setting Work?

When you engage the strength button, it modifies a few key factors in the brewing process. First, it brews with less water, meaning there’s a higher concentration of coffee in the cup. This can be especially important for coffee drinkers who prefer a stronger cup of coffee without adding more coffee grounds.

The amount of time increases slightly, allowing for more extraction from the coffee’s strength. In short, the machine takes more time to brew your coffee, leading to a stronger brew with a bold flavor.

Adjusting the Brew Size and Strength

In addition to affecting the brewing time, the strong setting on Keurig machines can also influence your serving size. If you prefer a stronger cup of coffee, you might want to choose a smaller cup size, like a single cup. This will ensure that the stronger brew maintains the desired intensity.

For a darker roast coffee or dark roasts, the strong button can bring out the maximum flavor and a bolder cup of coffee. However, if you prefer a lighter cup, using a larger serving size might balance the strength with the desired flavor profile.

Strong Setting vs Brew Size

When you combine the strong button with a larger serving size, you might find that the coffee doesn’t come out as bold as expected. In this case, the amount of coffee you use matters.

The stronger coffee option works best when paired with the appropriate amount of water for your brew size.

The machine may still produce a stronger brew, but it will take longer and extract more from the coffee grounds.

Strong Button for Iced Coffee

I like to use the strong button setting for iced coffee. Iced coffee tends to dilute as the ice melts, so using the strong button ensures that you’re getting a stronger brew that holds its own against the ice.

This can result in a richer cup of coffee that won’t lose its intensity when chilled. For the perfect iced coffee, consider choosing a stronger brew with a dark roast coffee or bold flavor to maintain the coffee’s strength when chilled.

The Benefits of the Strong Button

There are several advantages to using the strong button on your Keurig brewer:

Stronger Brew: It enhances the flavor and strength of your coffee, making it perfect for coffee lovers who enjoy a bolder cup of coffee.
Customization: It allows you to adjust the strength of your coffee without changing the amount of coffee or brew size.
Better for Dark Roasts: The strong setting works well with dark roasts, bringing out their full flavor profile without over-extracting.
Convenience: The easy way to make a strong cup of coffee with just the touch of a button adds to the ease of use of Keurig brewers.

Tips for Brewing a Stronger Cup of Coffee in a Keurig

To get the most out of the strong button on your Keurig machine, consider the following tips:

Use Fresh Coffee: For the best flavor, always use fresh, high-quality coffee grounds or K-cup pods.
Choose the Right Roast Level: If you prefer a stronger cup of coffee, dark roasts or bold flavor options work best. These roasts naturally have a richer flavor and higher caffeine content.
Consider a Reusable K-Cup Filter: If you want to use your own coffee, a reusable K-Cup filter is a great option. You can adjust the amount of coffee and brew time to suit your preferences, allowing for a more customized coffee experience.
Pay Attention to Brew Cycles: The brew time can affect the intensity of your coffee. The strong setting increases the time spent brewing, which means more extraction from the coffee grounds.

Can You Use the Strong Button to Make a Larger Cup of Coffee?

Yes, you can use the strong button to make a larger cup of coffee, but there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

How the Strong Button Affects Larger Cups of Coffee

When you press the strong button on your Keurig, it increases the brew time, which in turn extracts more flavor from the coffee grounds in the K-Cup. If you choose a larger brew size, the machine will still take longer to brew, but since more water is used, the flavor of the coffee could be slightly more diluted compared to a smaller brew size.

However, the strong button still works to enhance the coffee strength by forcing the machine to extract more from the coffee grounds during the brewing cycle, which can result in a richer and bolder coffee experience, even with a larger cup.

What Happens When Brewing a Larger Cup with the Strong Button?

More Bold Flavor: Using the strong button with a larger cup size (e.g., 10 oz or 12 oz) will give you a stronger brew with more intense coffee flavor than the standard brewing process. The longer brew time helps extract more from the coffee grounds.
Amount of Coffee: Since you’re using more water, the coffee grounds will have to absorb more water, and you’ll still get a flavorful cup, but it may not be as concentrated as if you were brewing a smaller cup. For an even stronger cup of coffee, you can consider using a stronger K-Cup or adjusting the brew size and amount of water to match your desired strength.
Larger Serving Size: If you typically prefer larger cups of coffee, the strong setting can give you a bolder cup of coffee, even if you’re brewing a larger serving. However, it may be helpful to experiment with different brew sizes to find the right balance between strength and flavor.

Tips for Brewing Larger Cups with the Strong Button

Use a Darker Roast Coffee: The strong setting works well with darker roast coffee because it can handle the increased brewing time and higher extraction. A bold coffee flavor will become more pronounced when using the strong button.
Choose the Right K-Cup: Some K-Cups are designed to give you a stronger coffee experience, so consider selecting one that’s labeled as a bold roast or extra strength for the best results.
Experiment with Brew Sizes: If you prefer a larger cup, choose the 12 oz option, but be mindful that this may still result in a slightly weaker coffee than if you were brewing a smaller size. Adjusting the water amount or brew cycles may help balance it out.

While the strong button can help enhance the flavor and strength of a larger cup of coffee, the final result may still depend on the K-Cup you choose, the brew size, and your desired coffee strength. Experimenting with different settings can help you achieve the perfect cup of coffee, whether you’re brewing a single cup or a larger serving.

Using the Strong Button for Tea K-Cups

While the strong button is primarily associated with brewing a stronger cup of coffee, it can also be used when brewing tea K-Cups for a more intense flavor profile. If you’re a tea lover who enjoys a robust cup of tea, using the strong button with your Keurig brewer can be a great way to enhance the flavor, especially for teas that are traditionally more delicate.

How the Strong Button Affects Tea Brewing

When you use the strong button on your Keurig brewing machine for tea, it adjusts the brew time and water temperature, similar to how it works for coffee. This means that tea leaves in the K-Cup are steeped for a longer period, extracting more flavor from the tea. The longer steeping time results in a bolder, richer tea experience—ideal for tea lovers who want to intensify the flavor of their favorite tea types, including black tea, green tea, or herbal tea.

Best Tea Types for the Strong Button

The strong button is most effective with certain types of tea that have a bold flavor profile or can handle a longer brewing time. Some of the best K-Cups to use with the strong setting include:

Black Tea K-Cups: These tend to have a robust, hearty flavor, making them ideal for the stronger brewing process.
Green Tea K-Cups: For those who prefer green tea, the strong setting can extract a more intense flavor, though you should be mindful of the brewing time to prevent bitterness.
Herbal Tea K-Cups: Herbal teas, which vary widely in flavor, can also benefit from the strong setting, especially if you’re looking for a more flavorful and aromatic cup.
Oolong Tea K-Cups: With its complex flavor profile, oolong tea can become richer and fuller with the use of the strong button.

Considerations for Brewing Tea with the Strong Button

While the strong button enhances the flavor of many types of tea, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

Water Temperature: Tea K-Cups typically require a slightly lower water temperature than coffee K-Cups. While coffee brews at higher temperatures, using the strong button may lead to water that’s too hot for delicate teas, especially green or white tea. If your machine allows, you may want to adjust the water temperature manually to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.
Steeping Time: Tea has an ideal steeping time, which varies by type. Using the strong setting will increase the brew time, which is beneficial for some teas like black or oolong. However, for lighter teas like white tea, too long of a brew time could result in a bitter taste.
Amount of Water: Consider adjusting your serving size when using the strong button. A smaller serving size can help concentrate the flavor, while a larger cup size may result in a more diluted tea.

How the Strong Button Improves Your Tea Experience

Using the strong button on your Keurig brewer provides several benefits for tea drinkers:

Bold Flavor: The extended brewing time brings out a deeper, more intense flavor from your tea K-Cup.
Enhanced Aroma: The additional brewing time also helps release more essential oils and aromatic compounds, enhancing the overall tea experience.
Stronger Tea: Whether you’re making green, black, or herbal tea, the strong setting allows you to get a richer, more satisfying cup with a bolder flavor profile.

If you’re a tea lover looking to elevate your tea-drinking experience, the strong button on your Keurig machine can help you achieve a more intense, flavorful brew. While it’s best for bold teas like black tea, oolong, or herbal blends, the strong setting can be adjusted for more delicate teas to suit your preference. By using the strong button strategically, you can create a cup of tea that’s packed with flavor, offering a richer, bolder experience with every brew.