Some people just cannot function without that caffeine blast. Coffee serves as the fuel to make people function effectively especially in the morning. If you are a coffee person, you probably have realized by now how expensive it is to buy coffee from coffee shops and restaurants. You would be lucky if you have free coffee at your workplace but if not, would you be willing to spend quite a large portion of your salary just for coffee?
Many experts have already reiterated the practicality of using coffeemakers. And since manufacturers have now come up with all sorts of coffeemaker types, many of which actually has the capability of reproducing coffee shop type espressos and even Frappuccino, drip coffeemakers have now become a household staple.
What a Drip Coffeemaker Is and How it Differs From Others
A drip coffeemaker is said to be the main secret for a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. This is the machine that will give you more or less the same coffee shop consistency and taste for a much lesser price. There are actually two types of a drip coffeemaker. There is the automatic one which basically does everything and the manual one which requires a bit of your help in some of the steps.
If you are using the automatic one, the secret is to start the process right since once it goes inside the coffeemaker, you are literally hands off the machine and would just have to wait. Now, while this most certainly sounds convenient, it takes time to get the right filter, ratio, temperature, and grind. Another thing to put into consideration as well is how easy it is to clean.
While most drip coffeemakers being sold today claim that they are easy to use, maintain, and clean, you would want to get as much information as you can. You cannot buy a drip coffeemaker and not know how to properly maintain it because this might cost you more in the long run.
The Most Common Problems of Drip Coffeemakers
Bonavita BV1800 8-Cup Coffee Maker
A faulty coffeemaker can pretty much ruin your day especially if you woke up on the wrong side of a bed due to sleeping late the night before to finish your homework or that project you are supposed to present today. You are probably still sleepy and hoping to be awakened by the soothing coffee aroma from your coffeemaker but upon realizing it, your drip coffeemaker suddenly decided to stop working.
There are quite a few things that could go wrong with coffeemakers especially if you have not been doing regular maintenance cleaning. Here are some of the problems you might encounter:
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Either the power cord or the on/off switch is busted
This arises from usual wear and tear. How have you been storing the power cord after you use your coffeemaker? That might explain what happened. As for the on/off switch, this is a usual scenario and you would have to call a professional or bring it to a service center to have it fixed. You now know that you need to be gentle on these sophisticated kitchen equipment.
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BODUM 11001-01US Bistro Drip Coffeemaker
The valves seem to be clogged
This only means that you waited long enough to clean your drip coffeemaker that resulted to debris in the valves. If the debris is small enough, you might be able to get it out using a toothpick or something long and thin. But if not, you might be able to have it checked so the valves can be properly flushed out.
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Calcium deposits in the tubes
Calcium is actually a common problem among coffeemakers and sterilizers. The simplest solution here is to regularly run a vinegar solution through the machine and then follow it with two batches of water to flush out the acidity of the vinegar and whatever smell is left.
How to Properly Clean a Drip Coffeemaker
If you want to maintain a great tasting coffee, you have to clean your drip coffeemaker on a monthly basis. The reason behind this is because brewing produces an oily residue. In addition, there could be impurities and hard water deposits. If you want to lessen these out, you would have to use mineral or purified water. Even then, it is still suggested that you do regular monthly cleaning of your coffeemaker.
Here are some tips on how to properly maintain your drip coffeemaker:
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Clean using the vinegar method
Technivorm-Moccamaster Coffeemaker
Fill your coffeemaker’s water reservoir with half distilled white vinegar and half water. Turn the machine on and let several cups run before turning it off. Let it then sit for an hour before discarding the vinegar mixture and running plain water through it for at least two times. Afterwards, clean everything once again or put in the dishwasher if the parts are indicated dishwasher safe.
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Use baby brush to remove stubborn stains
Never use hard scrubs as those might produce visible scratches. It is recommended to use baby brush since it has an extended reach and the bristles are soft.
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Clean the pot regularly
This is what restaurants frequently do – get two cups of ice, 1/4 rock or table salt, and 1/4 lemon juice and swirl them around the pot for several times. However, make sure you do this with an already cold bowl and not a hot bowl or else, you might have a broken pot from the extreme temperatures.
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Do not use the coffee pot in pouring water to reservoir
This is one of the most common mistakes in making coffee at home using drip coffeemakers. What people do not realize is that this leads to a nasty taste because of the oil and impurities that are left in the pot.
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Use baking soda to remove stale coffee flavors
A little sprinkle of baking soda can actually go a long way as far as removing stale coffee flavors in the pot is concerned. This makes it easier to scrub the pot without having to exert too much effort.
Drip coffeemakers can be your best friend as it gives you rich tasting coffee every single day. However, do not forget to regularly clean it. Doing this will make sure you get to enjoy great-tasting coffee for a longer period of time and lets you make the most out of your drip coffeemaker.