My Coffee Maker is Taking a Long Time to Brew Coffee

Published: 
August 21, 2022
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Troubleshooting and Proper Maintenance to Prevent Future Problems

Are you confused about why your coffee maker is taking so long to brew? This problem often happens when you have had your coffee maker for several months to a year.

There could be several factors at work if you have a slow coffee maker. The most common problem is that your coffee machine is clogged with minerals from hard water and needs cleaning.

However, this is not the only reason your coffee pot may run slowly. This article will explain why your coffee pot is slow and how you can fix it at home.

How Coffee Makers Work

Before explaining how to make your slow coffee maker work like new again, you need to know how coffee makers work.

The simplest explanation is that the coffee maker heats the water, causing the pressure to rise. The hot water travels up through the intake hose, through the valve, and drips into the coffee grounds basket. From there, the coffee slowly drips into the carafe, where you can pour and enjoy it.

Working-coffee-maker
A Typical Kitchen Coffeemaker on a Kitchen Counter

As you may already know, multiple things can go wrong when brewing a pot of coffee. Here is why your coffee maker may not work as it should, with possible solutions below.

Reasons Why Your Coffee Maker Is Slow

Slow coffee machines frustrate caffeine lovers. Here are several reasons why you could be having trouble with your coffee maker.

Hard-water-buildup
Hard Water Can Accumulate in Your Coffee Maker and Prevent Proper Function - Just Like It Has Accumulated on this Kitchen Sink
  • Your Coffee Pot Is Clogged With Minerals: This is the most common issue causing coffee pots to brew slowly or not at all. Follow the directions below to clean your coffee pot with vinegar and water to dissolve the blockages.
  • You Have a Blocked Valve: Coffee grounds or other foreign materials can sometimes block the valves that control water flow through your Bunn coffee maker or any other brand.
  • A Hose Is Obstructed: In addition to clogged valves, hoses could also become blocked. Check them for coffee beans and other misplaced materials.
  • Your Pump Is Malfunctioning: If your coffee pot is brewing slowly, but you have already cleaned it and checked the hoses and valves, you may have a bad pump. Unfortunately, unless you are accustomed to fixing small appliances, there isn't much you can do to repair a malfunctioning pump other than to replace the machine.

How To Clean Your Keurig or Drip Coffee Machine

You can buy commercial cleaning liquids for your drip coffee maker, but a DIY solution can be just as effective.

Vinegar, partly made from acetic acid, reacts with the minerals clogging your coffee machine and dissolves them. This process is an easy fix for a slow coffee maker.

Mix a 1:1 solution of white distilled vinegar and water, filling your carafe with half water and half vinegar. Pour the vinegar mixture into your reservoir and brew as usual. You may notice right away that the liquid flows faster.

After the vinegar and cold water solution goes through the machine, follow these three steps.

  1. Use full pots of plain, cold water for at least three brewing cycles.
  2. For a Keurig coffee machine, use three full water reservoirs to start. This process could take many brewing cycles since the machine only puts out one cup at a time.
  3. Repeat with fresh water until you can no longer taste the vinegar flavor. No one likes the nasty surprise of a cup of coffee that has vinegar in it.

After cleaning your coffee pot with vinegar, you should notice a difference in the machine's speed, as well as the coffee's taste. If it doesn't work completely, try repeating the process.

How To Clean a Clogged Hose or Valve

Cleaning a clogged coffee maker hose or valve can be complicated, but it can save you the cost of a new machine.

  1. First, let the coffee machine cool down, so the hot plate does not burn you.
  2. Next, ensure you have unplugged the machine and emptied all the cold water from the reservoir. You will be turning the pot upside down to work on the valve.
  3. After that, undo the screws holding the bottom of the machine. Depending on the brand, you may need a Torx bit to get the screws out.
  4. Next, detach the downspout hose. Check it for blockages. Some brands, like Mr. Coffee, have a valve inside the hose. Coffee grounds or other residue may clog this hose. Take the valve out and rinse it. Be sure to put it back in the hose right side up.
  5. Replace everything the way you found it and screw the bottom of the machine back on. If you don't put your machine back together the way it was, you may experience water leakage or break the machine.

Cleaning Your Espresso Machine

Avoid cleaning a Nespresso or similar espresso machine with vinegar. Instead, use the branded cleaning solution that comes with the machine. Vinegar could damage countertop espresso machines.

Coffee Filter Issues

You've cleaned all of your hoses and valves and descaled the pot. If your coffee machine is still slow, you might have the wrong coffee filter. Some paper filters are too thick for water to drip through. Try a reusable metal mesh filter to test this idea.

Coffee-filter-issues
Make Sure That You're Using the Proper Filter for Your CoffeeMaker

Never use a paper towel as a coffee filter. A piece could tear off and become stuck in your coffee machine's hoses. This blockage could cause your coffee maker to slow down or stop entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Having a coffee pot that doesn't work correctly is frustrating when you want a good cup of coffee in the morning. We have answers to your questions about your slow coffee maker.

How long does the average coffee maker take to brew?

Most coffee machines take about three to five minutes to brew a pot, from when you turn it on to when it finishes brewing.

How long does the average coffee maker take to brew?

Most coffee machines take about three to five minutes to brew a pot, from when you turn it on to when it finishes brewing.

Why is my coffee maker making less coffee?

If you've noticed that your coffee maker is not making enough coffee, you are probably dealing with a clog of some kind. Alternatively, you could have a problem with the pump.

How do you fix a slow-running coffee maker?

If you have a slow coffee maker, it's probably clogged. Follow the steps above to descale the machine, and if that doesn't work, check the valves and hoses.

What if my coffee pot does nothing when I turn it on?

If you can hear a gurgling sound when you turn on the coffee pot, but nothing else happens, you probably have a clog on your hands. It may be a mineral clog, a hose clog, or a valve clog.

If you don't hear any sound, it's possible that you have a broken pump and you need a new machine. You could also have power, thermostat, or circuit board issues.

Why is my Moka pot brewing slowly?

Moka pots are stovetop espresso makers rather than traditional coffee pots. If you aren't getting quick enough results from your Moka pot, you probably don't have the heat up high enough.

What do I do if nothing works to fix my slow-brewing coffee machine?

Unfortunately, if you have tried all the suggestions in this article, including checking all the hoses for blockages, you may be unable to fix your coffee machine. It may be time to replace it with a new one.

Frank Salvatore

Hey there - I'm Frank Salvatore. I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!

About Me
Frank Salvatore
I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!
Learn More About Me
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