Just like any other equipment, the number of years, or months of that matter, your coffee maker lasts is dependent on how well you take care of it. The following are some of the mistakes you should avoid if you want your coffee-maker to remain functional and last longer.
Keeping your Coffee Maker Dirty, Clogged, and Scaled
For most of us, the coffee machine is not the first thing that crosses our minds when we consider giving our kitchen appliances a good scrub. This is how we reduce our coffee machine’s functionality and durability without knowing it. A lot of coffee oils and dust tend to accumulate on the internal surfaces of your pot which facilitates the build-up of calcium deposits, mold and bacteria. This can further translate to numerous coffee maker problems including overheating.
Besides washing your carafe daily, make a habit of cleaning your coffee machine at least once a month to keep your coffee tasting like magic. Regular cleaning also alleviates mold and bacteria build-up, which can adversely affect your health.
Using the Wrong Grind
Each type of coffee maker is unique, and so is the grind. Therefore, it is vital that you use the right grind for your coffee maker to avoid overworking it and damaging it. For instance, if you crave a cold mug of coffee, a percolator is the ideal grind, just as a French press is perfect for a coarse grind. Besides destroying your coffee maker, using the wrong grind gives your coffee a stale, unnatural, and bitter taste.
You Go for Too Oily Coffee Beans
A lot of coffee oils accumulate on the inside surfaces of your coffee maker, especially during roasting. While every bean contains a certain oil level, some are oilier, depending on how much they have been roasted. You can identify an oily bean by how dark and shiny the coating is. While some coffee enthusiasts may prefer an oilier, richer flavor, others love their coffee beans thoroughly roasted and dry.
If you are a lover of the oily flavor, then the espresso machines might not be the best choice for you. As a matter of fact, Espresso Machine Experts encourage coffee users to consider the oil level of their coffee beans and then selecting the most convenient coffee maker for it.
You Not Discard Old Beans After Brewing Your Coffee
It is not uncommon for people to leave old wet beans in the coffee maker after brewing. You might not know this, but you are slowly reducing your coffee pot’s life expectancy. The went grounds create a damp internal environment that facilitates rapid development and accumulation of mold and bacteria, which can get you sick. It can also damage your coffee-machine and render it useless.
You Forget to Turn Off your Coffee Maker While Not in Use
Leaving your coffee maker plugged in leads to a continuous flow of electricity, which consequently wears it off and shortens its life span. Fortunately, modern coffee-makers automatically turn off when not in use.
Using the Wrong Size Pod for Your Singe Cup Brewer
Every coffee pod comes in a unique size. However, most of the modern coffee pods are compatible with multiple coffee machines. But it would help to confirm that your coffee pod is a perfect fit for your machine before using it.
You are Underestimating the Importance of Water
Insufficient amounts of water in the coffee water reservoirs can lead to extensive damages to your coffee maker. When working with an insufficiently filled tank, the pump draws in the air into the system, resulting to excess pressure and ultimately destroying the coffee mechanics.
