The “coffee break” during working hours helps sustain energy throughout the day, and at home, it is a way to sit together and enjoy the beverage together. The coffee maker is becoming a part of more and more kitchens. And so, many people have trouble with coffee makers as well.
The primary cause for this type of problem is any type of blockage or water clog. The first thing to do is check the tube within the coffee pot. If there are obstructions here, or if the tube is clogged, water or any other liquid will not be able to pass through.
Find out more information about the coffee maker below.
History Of Coffee Makers
Here is a brief history of how the coffee maker evolved before reaching your kitchen.
American James Nason filed the first patent for a coffee percolator in 1865. Hanson Goodrich developed this into a stovetop percolator in 1869.
Angelo Moriondo designed and patented the espresso machine in 1884. Yes, the espresso machine dates back more than 130 years! Moriondo was unable to popularise the machine, and it never really took off.
Attilio Calimani, a Milanese designer, invented the French press in 1929. Alfonso Bialetti originally patents the Moka pot in 1933, called after Mocha, a Yemeni city. This sort of coffee maker is still widely used at home in Europe and South America today.
In 1954 the first electric drip coffee maker called the Wigomat was invented in Germany by Gottlob Widmann.
In 1961 the first pump-driven espresso machine was released by Faema, which used a motor-driven pump instead of physical force to produce the pressure for the espresso. This design became the standard for specialist coffee production all over the world.
In 1972 the electric drip coffee maker was popularised across America by the brand Mr. Coffee, replacing the percolator as the most popular brewing method both for home and commercial use in the US.
Due to the rapid acceleration of electronic technologies over the last couple of decades, espresso machines are now more sophisticated than ever. Advanced machines like the WMF Espresso can perfectly grind, tamp, and brew the coffee automatically, producing unbelievably tasty espresso at the touch of a button.
The Most Common Problems With Coffee Makers
The Machine Not Heating Or Producing Steam
A common cause of this problem is that the on/off switch is in the wrong position. This is a classic example of how something so simple can be so detrimental. Ask yourself, have you tried turning your machine on and off? Most machines have power switches that can be set in more than one position. This may be indicated with two different switches or one switch with different positions.
The Machine Not Dispensing Coffee Or Dispensing Very Slowly
One of the most common causes for this is that the grind setting is too fine, or the barista has overdosed on the coffee. The easiest solution is to take the handle out of the group head and press a volumetric key.
If the water runs okay, then the coffee grind has been set too fine or the barista has overpacked the handle with too much coffee. Adjust your grind coarser and refine your dose into your basket.
However, if you press a volumetric key and the water shows signs of irregular running or just a drizzle, then this is one instance a technician would be happy to assist with what’s seemingly a bigger problem at hand.
Coffee Dispenses Too Quickly
It is most commonly caused by the grind setting being set at a too coarse setting or not enough coffee has been dosed into the handle. Its most common solution is to adjust your grinder to make the coffee finer or increase your dose. Ensure you use fresh coffee to set the grinder. If you are using stale coffee to set the grind, then once fresh coffee is added, the barista will witness irregular shots, either too fine or too coarse. By utilizing fresh coffee, the shots will be more consistent, and your grinder will require fewer adjustments.
The Coffee Maker Leaking From Underneath
It can be caused by a blocked drain. Most times, when the question is asked: “Is the water leaking clean or dirty?” the response is dirty. This is an indication that the drain hose has been blocked, usually due to excessive amounts of milk, coffee grinds, or chocolate being poured down the drip tray.
To solve the problem, ensure the drain hose is not jammed or kinked. If the drain hose is blocked, unblock it either using hot water or a degreaser solution. It is good practice to pour a solution of dissolved espresso cleaner into the drip tray for an efficient and quick fix.
Taking Care Of Your Coffee Maker
For a smooth running coffee maker, it is needed that you take good care of it.
Make sure it is clean. To do that, remove and clean the parts and empty your coffee maker. Remove and clean the carafe, brew basket, and permanent filter (if you have one) with hot soapy water. Remove the water filter too, if applicable. Then, replace the empty filter basket and carafe.
Fill the reservoir and add a filter to fill your water reservoir with the vinegar and water mixture if you didn’t mix it in there directly. Also, if you use paper filters, place a paper filter in the brew basket.
Run your coffee maker through half of a drip cycle, stopping it so the vinegar-water mixture can sit in the reservoir and the water channel. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour in both the reservoir and the carafe.
After 30 to 60 minutes, resume the brew cycle to finish running the vinegar-water mixture through your coffee maker. Then, discard the mixture from the carafe, and replace the paper filter (if using).
Run a cycle with water twice. The general practice is to run vinegar through your coffee maker once, followed by two rinse cycles with water. But if you have a stubborn scale or residue, you can repeat the vinegar steps before the water rinses.
Fill the water chamber with plain water and run it through the system for a full brew cycle. Discard the water and replace the paper filter (if using). Allow the coffee maker to cool down. Then, repeat a full brew cycle with water.
Clean the carafe and brew basket clean the removable filter basket, permanent filter (if you have one), and carafe with hot, soapy water. A change of water filter is also a good idea if your brewer has one. Finally, thoroughly wipe the exterior of your coffee maker with a damp soft cloth.
Conclusion
Coffee has been proven to be beneficial for a person’s health, however, most people struggle with their coffee maker every day. In this article, we discuss some of them, however, if your problems are not solved take your coffee maker on a trip to a repair shop.
