The Top Five Brewer Service Issues

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By RICH LEESON

#1. Short Potting:

This is when the dispensed hot brew water volume is less than what was programed or set.

The cause is usually lime scale or calcium build up in the spray head, spray head tube, or tubing from the tank to the spray head valve. This builds over time and depending on water conditions can collect quite quickly causing a restriction and reduces the volume of water during the timed brew cycle.

Troubleshooting: If the desired brew water volume is less than desired check and correct the following

  1. Water filter, check life expectancy and change if needed

  2. Spray head, clean and clear all the holes

  3. Use a deliming spring to clear spray head tube on older machines or shut machine down, unplug and drain tank for safety and clear silicon tubing and dispense valves with newer digital machines.

#2. Calibration:

This is the process of setting the machine’s hot water delivery volume, based on the water supplied and condition of the machine. Calibration should be done at installation, or after a repair.

The cause is usually varied Brew Volume, it could be more water than expected or less. This is simply because the system that delivers the water is time / volume/ flow rate dependent and the factory has no way to know these factors prior to installation or repair.

Troubleshooting: After installation, de-liming, or any service to the hot water delivery system, the timer must be re-calibrated to the proper volume required. If this is a newer digital machine use the Calibration mode in the software

#3. Lack of Cold / Fresh water refilling the tank:

This is when the tank does not automatically refill.

The causes could be a limed refill probe, failed inlet valve, spent water filter or simply the water supply is off. This issue can sometimes be identified by dry coffee in the funnel after brewing.

Troubleshooting:

  1. Check and make sure water supply is on

  2. Check function of inlet valve on the rear of the machine

  3. Check and replace or add water filter as needed

  4. Locate refill probe on the top of the tank and remove any lime / calcium from the probe end

#4. Brewer not heating to desired brew temp:

Brewing coffee is a combination of volumes, coffee and water as well as water temperature.

The causes could be a limed temperature probe, failed thermostat, failed tank heater or other related heating circuit components.

Troubleshooting:

  1. Check supplied line voltage and breakers to confirm machine has proper electrical power

  2. Check brewer temperature setting and confirm it is set to desired temperature, adjust if needed.

  3. Check temp probe for scale build up and clean or replace as needed.

  4. Check and confirm brewer has supplied voltage to tank heaters.

  5. Check and reset as need high limit safety

  6. Check function of other heating components, terminal blocks, triacs, control thermostats for function. Replace as needed

#5 Coffee not tasting as desired:

Brewing coffee requires 4 critical components,

  1. Fresh clean water, heated to a specific temperature

  2. Fresh coffee, measured to a specific amount

  3. Controlled time the water and coffee are in contact

  4. Clean coffee spray head, funnel and vessel coffee is brewed into

The cause is usually related to water and cleanliness which are #1 & #4 on the above list and customer should be responsible for this issue.

Troubleshooting:

  1. Check and clean spray head and area. Clean off the accumulated coffee oils.

  2. Check and clean coffee brew funnel. Clean accumulated coffee oils.

  3. Check and clean the vessel coffee is brewed into, including faucet if one is there, clean thoroughly.

  4. Check and replace or add water filter if needed.