My Kitchenaid Coffee Maker Continues to Blink Clean
What's there not to love about coffee? It wakes you up, keeps you awake, and makes your mornings wonderful.
If you have a coffee maker, you'd understand how important it is to have it functioning at all times.
There is probably nothing as annoying as a broken coffee maker when you desperately need some coffee.
So what are the necessary steps you need to take to ensure that this never happens? And what are the steps to take when this actually happens?
Here are 5 quick tips that will help you in troubleshooting your KitchenAid coffee maker. These tips can also be applied to other brands.
1. Clean, Clean, Clean
The first step and perhaps the most important one people tend to skip is the most basic: keeping the machine clean.
Most of the problems that arise with coffee makers and other kitchen appliances, in general, are because of dirt.
Dirt and grime can quickly accumulate inside appliances and this leads to greater complications.
A good offense is the best defense.
Detachable parts of your coffee maker should be regularly cleaned with soap and water in order to avoid more complex problems caused by residue getting into unwanted places.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and keeping your machine clean is a good step in the right direction.
In fact, most problems arise because they aren't cleaned regularly.
Cleaning now and then saves both you and your coffee maker from loads of trouble.
2. Fixing A Coffee Maker That Won't Heat
A lot of coffee makers come down with a chronic case of "won't brew/heat" at one point in their lives.
It can be really frustrating and some people just give up and buy another one.
However, with a screwdriver and some cleaning equipment, you can increase the lifespan of your precious machine.
How to Deal With This Problem
When it happens, it is likely that the tube that supplies water to the heating equipment has been obstructed.
Just remove the screws beneath the coffee maker, and you'll see the heating element attached to the heating plate.
The tubes that supply water are attached to the end of the heating element. The heating element is usually shaped like a horseshoe and has 2 tubes attached to its ends.
When coffee machines don't heat, the most likely culprit is that either or both of the tubes supplying water to the heating element have problems.
Either the valve is faulty or the tube is dirty, either way, you need to take care of the problem if you don't want to spend money on a new machine.
Remove the tubes and thoroughly clean with water and soap and reattach them to the heating element.
Before doing this, test if the tubes are working. It has a valve that regulates flow.
Blow air through one end, and check if it comes out the other hole. Blow air through another end and check if comes out from the other end as well.
If you've done your job well, air should go through one end and come out the other, while not doing the same for the other end. After this, attach the tube back, fix all the screws, and close up the coffee maker.
It should be as good as new!
Here's a video that shows you just this:
3. Use Vinegar
Most people use mainly soapy water to clean. However, water may not be as effective as vinegar. This is because vinegar is acidic.
This makes it quite effective against lime buildups that are very common in tubes and filters.
It also works as a disinfectant and helps remove rust and calcium buildup quicker than conventional cleaners.
It is also useful for getting rid of troublesome stains that just won't go away.
If you want your coffeemaker to look shiny, neat, and in remarkable working condition, you shouldn't hesitate to use vinegar to clean it.
4. Dealing With Error Codes
Some models that have an LED display may display error codes.
These codes may mean different things, and they vary with different models.
Here's a list of these models models and what their error codes may mean.
Error Codes, What They Mean, and How to Clear Them
KCM5
Err1 – This error code is usually shown when the coffeemaker is in a cold condition— perhaps out in the cold or near an outside wall.
This code may also show when the water is ice cold. This can be cleared by moving the coffeemaker to a warmer place or using warmer water.
Err2 – electrical component difficulties.
This error code cannot be cleared. You might have to get a new one or take it to a repair shop.
Err4 – stuck button.
This can be cleared by releasing all the buttons.
KCM111
Err1 – stuck or jammed button.
It can be cleared by unjamming it or plugging the machine into a grounded 3-prong outlet.
KCM1402
Err2 – If a brewing cycle doesn't complete within 15 minutes, this error code may be displayed.
This indicates an issue with the heater.
KCM0802
4 – This code may be displayed when there is no water in the water tank.
Clearing this is relatively easy as you just need to add water to the tank.
For any other error code, you only need to press the brew button to reset it.
KCM1202
Er1– jammed or stuck button.
Unplugging the machine and pressing each button several times should clear the code.
5. Clogged Tubes
Half of the problems that you'll face with your coffeemaker are a result of clogged tubes.
This is a quite common issue and fairly easy to solve too!
However, this isn't always the reason that water isn't flowing properly.
It could also be a broken thermostat or timer. In this case, you may have to consider getting a new one if the one you're using isn't terribly expensive.
If that isn't the problem, you should consider checking the pump valve to check whether it is broken or stuck.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned aren't the only reasons why your coffeemaker can get clogged. This can also be by a broken heater.
However, most times, this problem can be solved by checking the tubes and filters and making sure that they aren't blocked. If they are, this is probably because of calcium build-up. This can be properly cleared with CRL or Vinegar and water, depending entirely on you.
Video: How to Fix a KitchenAid Coffee Maker
This guide applies to the following models:
- KES0503
- 5KES0503
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Coffeemaker Go Bad?
Anything made up of parts, electric and/or mechanical can go bad, and it is actually inevitable that at some point you'd be faced with the question of fixing your coffeemaker or replacing it.
So yes, a coffeemaker can go bad. This is unavoidable.
However, you can save yourself some money by learning how to troubleshoot it.
Why Is My Coffeemaker Not Brewing?
In most cases, this has to do with the heating element. However, they are some practical steps that must be taken in order to find the actual culprit.
First, you must make sure the coffeemaker is properly plugged into a power outlet.
You should also examine your circuit breaker to ensure that it is in commission.
Make sure that there is water in the water tank – there can be no brewing without water.
If you've done all this and your coffeemaker isn't brewing, it means there is a problem with the heating element.
How Do I Fix My Coffeemaker?
Coffeemakers have issues and have different ways of fixing them. However, there is one certified way of preventing problems with your coffeemaker – regular cleaning.
By cleaning your coffeemaker regularly, the chances of having issues with the machine are drastically reduced. Below, though, there are tips that can guide you in case you do have to fix it.
How Do You Fix A Coffeemaker That Won't Heat
If your coffeemaker won't heat, you're facing a serious problem. When this happens, a lot of people throw away theirs and simply get a new one.
With a little luck and expertise, this problem can be easily solved.
In most times, it doesn't heat because of a problem with the heating element.
You have 2 options in this case.
- either attempt to fix it yourself
- contact a repairman
If you do attempt to fix it yourself, the most likely problem is that the tube that supplies water to the heater is blocked.
The general way to solve this problem is by clearing the tube of obstruction and making sure that it functions properly.
You Can Repair Your Coffeemaker Yourself
Having a broken coffeemaker can be one of the most agonizing things you might have to endure in the kitchen.
It's annoying and can force you to spend money that you don't have.
You don't have to be a handyman to repair your coffeemaker.
If you follow my guide, you should be able to solve most problems faced when using your coffeemaker, KitchenAid and others.
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Did your KitchenAid coffeemaker ever break down? Write your issues in the comments below.
Source: https://kitchenguruideas.com/5-tips-for-troubleshooting-your-kitchenaid-coffee-maker/
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