The most common faults with automatic coffee machines

(Dis)advantages of automatic coffee machines

Simply choose yourdesired beverage on the displayand press the button and you have a cup of coffee ready in no time. Automatic coffee machines have a fully automated process that requires no experience to have a good tasting standard beverage.

Anyone can operate an automatic coffee machine. There is no need to have any special experience or a lot of time. The preparation on it is fast and hassle-free because the coffee maker does everything for you.

However, it is important to takecare of the machine and not to neglect its daily cleaning. Otherwise, there is a risk that you will feel it on the taste of your drink. For some machines, cleaning is complicated and requires a maintenance expert or training.

It is the need for more frequent maintenance that limits the number of coffees you can brew each day. Also, you need to frequently change the milk and keep the components working before starting again.

Bad milk foam

"After about 2.5 months, the coffee maker stopped making thick foam. I cleaned the container several times. Uncapped the coffee maker did all the maintenance as per the instructions and still nothing. Only warm unwhipped milk comes out."

If the coffee maker makes you hotmilk without milk foam, the coffee maker itself should be fine. The fundamental fault is in the milk froth regulator, which is on the lid of the milk frother.

To whip the milk properly, the foam regulator needs a slot to draw in and mix air. If you have everything perfectly cleaned and dried, there is likely to be a mechanical fault with the regulator itself.

Coffee doesn't taste like it used to

If your coffee doesn't taste that great anymore, the coffee maker isn't heating up, it's lacking the necessary pressure, or the milk nozzle isn't working, the fault is likely to be inadequate or poor cleaning.

It's not enough to clean theoutside of the coffee maker, it's theinside that needs much more care. That's where all sorts of deposits hide that we just don't want there and should get rid of.

Such deposits stick to the heating coils and this causes the water to slow down. Not to mention, they are also the cause of bacterial growth.

A limey coffee machine

You should descale your coffee maker because over time it will become clogged with limescale as well as other debris.

Limescale can have a direct effect on electricity consumption. When the heating coil in the coffee maker is clogged with limescale, more electricity is consumed when it heats up.

Thelife of the coffee machine can also be affected. If the coffee maker is extremely clogged with limescale, it may even happen that you simply don't turn it on one day. This is because limescale can clog the nozzles and other parts through which water flows when making coffee.

Last but not least, limescale affects the taste of the coffee, which can be affected in several ways. Often it is an unpleasant, strongly acidic taste that you don't want to feel when you enjoy your cup.

In addition, coffee from a limed coffee machine can contain tiny bits of limescale, which is not ideal in terms of its taste or appearance.

The coffee maker makes too much noise

"I have a new coffee maker that is very noisy when making coffee.. the sound is like some small machine. I can't make coffee in the morning if someone is still sleeping."

Sometimes your coffee maker maymake unusual noises. This can be annoying and disturbing to you and those around you. Several factors may explain why your coffee maker is so loud.

First, a loud coffee maker may mean that your coffee maker isclogged. Mineral deposits and debris can clog and block the pipes inside the coffee maker. The solution is proper cleaning. Thoroughly cleaning the inside of the coffee maker will help remove the blockage.

Another reason why your coffee maker is noisy may be thatdebris may have gottentrapped in its valves . Your coffee maker has a valve located in the aluminum tubing or sometimes in the bucket opening, depending on the model of coffee maker.

To help reduce noise, perhaps lubricating the brewing unit with food grade lubricant and general maintenance, including lubricating the threaded rod on which the brewing unit moves.

Even a simple home coffee machine can make a lot of mischief, whether it's bad milk foam or a tasteless cup. The important thing is to take good care of your coffee machine and clean it regularly. This is the only way the coffee machine will serve you well in return.