How to Fix a Slow Coffee Maker?

Everyone looks forward to a perfect cup of coffee to kickstart their day, and the last thing they want is a coffee maker that takes forever. Truly, savoring that perfect cup is crucial, and the coffee maker is key in making it happen.

But, coffee makers are just like other appliances at your home, which needs special care now and then since these appliances are prone not to function correctly if not checked for regular maintenance.

Here you must be thinking about what to do, my slow coffee maker?

Well, if your coffee maker is brewing slowly and taking way more time than usual, then it is most likely that your coffee maker needs cleaning.

Let’s look at some reasons why your coffee maker is so slow.

What are the Reasons for a Slow Coffee Maker?

If your coffee maker is brewing slowly and your mug is not filling up as it usually does, then it may be happening because of the buildup of coffee debris. But, no need to worry about that; it can be easily treated at home.

Here are some primary reasons mentioned for slow coffee makers;

Mineral Buildup:

When you continuously use a coffee maker without cleaning it, there is a chance of minerals getting buildup in the coffee maker. Since water has nutrients like calcium and lime, they form buildup, making it difficult for the coffee maker to brew slowly.

On the other hand, coffee granules consist of some oil content, which comes out when granules come into contact with water.

So basically, these two deposits make your coffee maker slow.

Water Clogging

If you see that water is getting clogged in the coffee maker, there may be a chance that the coffee pot’s tube is blocked. This clogged tube prevents fluid from coming out quickly, and eventually, the coffee maker operates slowly.

Clogged Needles:

Coffee makers do brew slowly if the needles are clogged due to the excess buildup of coffee granules.

Let’s go through some steps on how you can prevent your coffee maker from working slowly.

How to Fix a Slow Coffee Maker:

Here is an informational guide for you on how you can fix a slow coffee maker and once again make it brew coffee quickly.

Unplug the coffee maker:

First of all, detach your machine from the switch.

Clean clogged needles:

To clean the needles of the coffee maker, take a paper clip and, with its help, clear out the needles. But make sure not to press hard.

Wash the chamber:

With the help of water, wash out the leftover debris from the coffee maker’s chamber.

Descale the Machine:

To Descale your Coffee Maker:

Take vinegar and water in equal amounts and pour them into the water chamber.
Start brewing at this moment make sure the water is hot.
Do this process till the chamber is empty.

This solution of vinegar and water helps in sterilizing and clears out any buildup.

Another cycle:

To remove any remaining vinegar particles, brew the coffee maker with hot water until the water chamber is empty.

After going through this process, the coffee maker will be ready to work with perfection and, if not, repeat the above, mentioned process.

Let’s look at some common frequently asked questions regarding coffee makers;

How often should we Clean a Coffee Maker?

Cleaning the coffee maker daily is recommended because there is a buildup of harmful bacteria, which is quite dangerous for you and your family. Moreover, a dirty coffee maker will result in providing coffee that tastes awful.

Once or twice a week, clean all the removable parts of the coffee maker with a mild soap.

How often Should we Run a Vinegar Solution?

It would be best if you descale your coffee maker at least once a month whenever you brew coffee debris buildup inside your machine. To remove these, cleaning is essential.

Can we Clean the Coffee Maker Without Vinegar?

Yes! Why not? You can use lemon juice instead of vinegar since it has the same bleaching properties and does not have an intense smell like vinegar.

How to Clean the Detachable Parts of the Coffee Maker?

Cleaning the removable parts is also of great importance if you want your coffee maker to last long.
These parts are usually dishwasher safe. But, it is recommended to wash them manually.
These parts include the filter basket and the carafe. They both will become shiny with few minutes of handwashing.
Once done, pat dries them or let them dry at room temperature before putting them back. Never put these parts wet in the machine since it may result in electrical damages.

How can we Clean the Outer Parts of the Coffee Maker?

Cleaning the exterior of coffee makers is as essential as cleaning the interior. It is a crucial step to do, which is often neglected. However, there it is not difficult to do.

You cannot submerge the base of your machine in water since it is electrical, so cleaning it has a different procedure.

Here are the steps to clean;

Detach the coffee maker
Take a slightly wet cloth and some soapy water.
Make sure that the cloth is not entirely damp.
Wipe down the outer part of the coffee maker.
Wash and carefully dry the tray.

Important Tip:

To clean the exterior, here are some quick and easy ways which you can adopt. For example, you can use a glass cleaner, a mixture of warm water, and vinegar to clean the exterior of the coffee maker.

Bottom line:

Slow coffee makers are a significant hurdle to enjoy coffee. But, no need to spend time worrying about how to fix it. Instead, follow the steps mentioned above in the comfort of your home. Eventually, you will once again have a fantastic cup of coffee in time without waiting longer.

Still, if your coffee maker is slow, try to get it checked by a professional.