How to Fix a Broken Coffee Maker?
Introduction
Nothing kicks off a morning quite like the anticipation of brewing a fresh pot of coffee, only to discover that the coffee maker is out of commission. It’s especially aggravating if the machine was purchased just a few months prior. Although this is an issue that could affect anyone, fortunately, a majority of problems with coffee makers can be resolved at home using basic tools.
As long as you understand the working principle of the coffee maker, you can fix a broken coffee maker yourself in a few minutes. So before we give you a step-by-step guide on how to fix a broken coffee maker, let’s talk about how coffee makers work.
How does a Coffee Maker work?
Coffee makers can be divided into two main types. Firstly we have those that recycle or percolate the water through the grounds many times. Secondly, we have those that drip hot water once through the coffee ground. These two types of coffee makers are unique, and they have different working mechanisms.
Coffee makers that recycle or percolate the water through the ground often heat a small amount of water in the base unit. This forms steam which pushes hot water up the tube in the center of the percolator. Water enters the coffee maker through the top into the coffee basket and soaks up the coffee to produce excellent coffee flavor. The hot coffee then drips through holes into the main compartment to be recycled. A thermostat determines when the coffee has been sufficiently brewed. It also helps the heating element to maintain the selected temperature of the coffee continually.
Coffee makers that drip hot water once through the ground are activated by timers and switches on the control panel. When the water is heated, it is pumped into the coffee basket. The hot coffee then falls into the carafe. There is a heating element under the carafe that keeps the coffee warm.
Common Repairs in a Coffee Maker:
So many reasons can cause a broken coffee maker. Hence, we came up with these common repair tricks you can try out to fix a broken coffee maker.
1. Fixing a Broken Switch in a Coffee Maker:
If you plug in your coffee maker correctly and it refuses to come on, one of the first causes of such an issue could be the switch. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot the switch on your coffee maker.
Step 1: Unplug the coffee maker.
Before you do anything on your coffee maker, ensure you have unplugged it from a power source. This is to ensure there is no short circuit that could injure and damage other parts of the coffee maker.
Step 2: Remove the base of the coffee maker
Next, use Philip’s screwdriver to unscrew the screws at the base of the coffee maker. This will remove the shell, hence exposing the back of the switch so you can troubleshoot it.
Step 3: Test the switch with a multimeter
Place the probes of the multimeter across the terminals of the switch and turn it on. Since the circuit is closed, it would show continuity as indicated on the switch positions.
Step 4: Replace the switch if needed
In a case it does not show continuity, then you need to replace the switch. Unplug the terminals at the back of the switch, get a new switch, and install it the same way you removed the old one.
Step 5: Close the base of the coffee maker
Turn on the switch, and if it fixes the problem, screw the base of the coffee maker back in place, and you are all done.
2. Fixing a Drip Thermostat:
The thermostat on a coffee maker is responsible for controlling the electricity that operates the heating element. If there is a problem with the thermostat, your coffee maker will not heat up correctly. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot the thermostat on your coffee maker.
Step 1: Unplug the coffee maker.
The first step is to unplug the coffee maker from a power source. This ensures you don’t get injured by an electric shock or damage other parts in case of an accident short circuit.
Step 2: Remove the base of the coffee maker
Next, empty all the content in the reservoir of the coffee maker. After that, turn the coffee maker over and unscrew the base. The base of most coffee makers can be removed with a Philip screwdriver.
Step 3: Test the thermostat with a multimeter
Get a multimeter, and place each probe at each end of the thermostat. This is to test for continuity on the thermostat.
Step 4: If defective, replace it
If the thermostat is defective, there will be no continuity. Hence you have to remove and replace it with a new one. Note, the new thermostat you get has to be of the same rating. Also, test the fuse of the coffee maker for continuity; if defective, replace it.
Step 5: Close the base of the coffee maker
When replaced, replace the base of the coffee maker and screw it in place.
3. Fixing a Cracked Coffee Pot:
If the issue you are facing is with a cracked coffee pot, then you can quickly fix it with glue. Hot glue or epoxy glue works effectively in setting cracked coffee pots.
Using Hot Glue:
Step 1: Clean the surface
Clean the cracked surface with a clean, dry towel. This is to ensure the surface is clean of debris and moisture.
Step 2: Apply hot glue to the crack
Take a hot gun pistol and gently apply the glue to the crack surface.
Step 3: Wait for it to dry.
Hold the cracked piece of the coffee pot in place as the hot glue dries. It can take about 10 to 30 minutes or more for the hot glue to dry. The time it takes for the glue to dry depends on the quantity you apply.
Step 4: Check the crack
When the glue is dry, check the crack if it is correctly sealed by filling it with water and inspect if water or coffee leaks.
Using Epoxy Glue:
Step 1: Wipe surface clean
First, clean the cracked surface with a clean, dry towel. This is to ensure the surface is clean of debris and moisture.
Step 2: Apply glue
Next, apply a generous amount of epoxy glue to the cracked surface. Ensure you use enough epoxy glue to seal off the crack completely.
Step 3: Allow setting for 15 to 60 minutes
After applying the glue, wait for about 15 to 60 minutes for it to dry. The amount of time it takes for the glue to dry depends on the quantity of the glue you apply.
Step 4: Test seal
When the glue has dried, test the seal by filling it with water and inspect if it leaks.
Bottom Line:
In conclusion, we hope this article on how to fix a broken coffee maker helped fix your coffee maker. If, after trying out all the steps in this article and none seems to work, then you may have to take your coffee maker for a professional to inspect it. Or better still, you can easily replace it with a new one.
