Do-it-yourself coffee maker repair

What is a good and high-quality coffee machine for? Of course, for aromatic hot coffee in the morning. The brewing process of this wonderful drink is almost completely automated and requires minimal human intervention. The filling of the device implies the presence of many mechanical parts, electronic circuits, as well as a miniature hydraulic system. However, everything soon fails and these necessary devices are no exception. In the event of a breakdown of coffee machines, there are only two options: take it to the service or repair the coffee machine yourself.

1. Water supply interrupted. There is a blockage in the pipeline of the mechanism;
2. The coffee has acquired an unusual smell or taste. In this case, it is not always necessary to fix something with your own hands. Perhaps you just need to change the coffee tablets, and there is a very wide selection of them: Dolce Gusto - Dolce Gusto, Nestlé, Jacobs, etc. Alternatively, the filter of the coffee machine may be clogged. Cheap plastic can be another factor affecting the taste and smell of coffee. During operation, some parts of the machine heat up to 130 degrees, which can cause the plastic to melt;
3. Cold coffee. Most likely, your heating element has stopped working;
4. The espresso machine is not working. Many factors can affect this: the motor is broken, the pump does not work, the power cable is broken;
5. Water dosage exceeded (most often found in capsule coffee machines). Most likely, the breakdown lies in the engine or in the timer circuit.
6. The brewing time setting circuit does not work or the dosage into the cup is incorrectly adjusted. Of course, you need to focus on the model of the device and its brand, but a common reason is the improper operation of the engine control circuit, or one of its compartments.

Video (click to play).

If you are not sure that the repair of the coffee machine is within your power, then it is better to refer it to specialists. If the device is under warranty, then it is not worth disassembling it at all, it will instantly lose the warranty.

To repair the coffee machine, first you need to disassemble it. And how to do it correctly, step by step is described below.

1. It is necessary to find the back wall of the device, or rather the set screws. Unscrew with a screwdriver, pliers or whatever is at hand and is ideal for such work, set aside. It is worth noting that there may be several options for screws. They can be hidden, cruciform, or with a convex head;
2. The screws are removed, it is logical that the cover should be easily removed. However, if it cannot be removed, then there are hidden locks in the case. Most often these are ordinary plastic latches and they are located at the bottom of the back cover. From the outside, such a lock can be easily opened with a knife or a small screwdriver;
3. Finally, access to the "insides" of the machine has been obtained, it's time to start repairing it.

And so let's go in order. There is a blockage in the water supply pipe. In such coffee machines as: Delongee, Bork - Bork, Ariete - Ariete and others, cleaning is done using a long and thin rubber hose. It must be run along the duct and thereby break through the blockage. However, it will be much more effective to use special brushes on a flexible leg.

It is a little more difficult to clean the filter with your own hands. With frequent use of the coffee machine, the filter accumulates: scale, coffee residues, salt plugs, etc. Cleaning must be approached carefully, but the most important thing is to do it according to the instructions, otherwise you can violate the integrity of the part. In the process, it is allowed to use a soft swab sprinkled with alcohol.Rinse the filter thoroughly after cleaning.

If you are unable to solve the problem yourself, contact a Saeco espresso machine repair center.

The coffee machines of the firms Mulinex, Krups, Roventa, Saeko have another problem - water leaks. In them, the valve regulating the water supply is located practically in the filter. If the coffee does not stop pouring, most likely a worn valve is to blame, which leads to this phenomenon.

The valve cannot be repaired; in this case, only replacement with another new part is available. To understand whether the valve has broken, it is enough to pour coffee out of the machine, disassemble, rinse and inspect well for possible breakdown.

1. Initially, it is worth checking if everything is in order with the power supply. See if the cable is broken, check the grounding.
2. It also happens that household coffee machines produced in China simply lose contacts (they go away). Such cases were encountered with more famous brands: zauber, melitta, trevi. It is enough to check all the wire connections with the control circuit.
3. A common case for Senseo¸Siemens, Ufesa machines, they have low-quality thermostats built into them. To diagnose it, you need to remove one wire from its end and "ring" the contacts with a tester. If all is well, then the chain will be closed.
4. The heating element may also fail. Diagnostics is carried out in the same way as a thermostat. Replacing it with a new one is difficult, it will be easier to try to repair or buy a new coffee machine.
5. Very often, on the shelves next to the coffee machine, all the necessary accessories are sold that you will certainly need for the correct operation of the device. And for cleaning technical parts, it is definitely advised to buy special flexible brushes.

The principle of operation and repair of capsule coffee machines is slightly different from drip coffee machines. A small container of coffee powder is attached to the inside of the machine, the piercing mechanism is manually clamped. After use, the capsule is disposed of. Inside such devices, most often there are no temperature sensors, but there is an ordinary pump that runs on a timer. The water flow rate has been calculated in advance. If the water supply is carried out with the wrong dosage, then the timing circuit may have broken.

Repair of coffee makers often does not depend on the brand or model; in general, they differ only in nuances. This can be the shape, as well as the location of parts, size, different types of sensors. The very principle of operation of the coffee machine does not change.

Any professional inspection for breakage always starts with the cord. It makes no difference whether it is a capsule or drip coffee machine repair. Then the power board is checked (if any), it is worth noting that the coffee machine has a lot of filters, diode bridges, and also transistors. All this must be examined for burnout. This is the only way to recognize the true cause of the equipment malfunctioning.

For us today, a coffee maker is a completely familiar electrical appliance that helps us every morning to drink a glass of fresh hot coffee. But when it breaks down, we begin to realize our dependence on it. Then it will be especially useful for you to know how to repair coffee makers with your own hands. After all, you can repair it quickly, if you want it. I'll help you.

A modern coffee maker is simple in its own way. It should run hot water through the ground coffee, and then collect the finished coffee in a special tank and keep it warm until use. And so let's look at this process. A certain amount of water is poured into a special tank. A flexible silicone tube is connected at the base of the tank.

It goes to the base of the appliance, where it is connected to the metal pipe of the boiler. When water passes through the boiler tube, it is quickly heated by the heating element. The heated water enters the top of the coffee maker and then drips into the filter with ground coffee.Having passed through the ground coffee beans, water, or more precisely the coffee already enters the jug, which stands on the base on the heating plate. This process continues until all the water has passed through the boiler and the reservoir is empty.

Limescale often forms during operation of the coffee maker. Let's start with cleaning. First wash the jug, filter and lid in hot water and soap, then rinse and dry. Assemble the coffee maker and pour cold water into the tank. Turn on the device and let it pass through it. Pour out the water and repeat the process.

Descaling.

If the water poured into the coffee maker is hard, then you will periodically need to remove it every 2-3 months using a special descaling agent. To do this, fill the tank with a descaling agent diluted according to the enclosed instructions. Place the jug on the heating plate without inserting the filter. Turn on the device to let the agent run for at least 1 minute, turn it off and leave for 1 hour to let the agent act on the scale. Then turn it back on and let all the water flow through the coffee maker into the jug. Pour everything out of the jug and rinse it. Pour clean water and turn the coffee maker back on. Let her rinse. Rinse this way at least two times. It is better to pour filtered water into the coffee maker, this will save you from the formation of limescale.

Now let's look at typical coffee maker malfunctions.

1. There are coffee particles in the jug.

In this case, check the filter for damage. Replace the damaged filter with a reusable one or use paper disposable ones.

2. It turns out weak coffee.

Check the proportions of water and coffee according to the instructions for the coffee maker. As a result of the deformation of the filter, the first drops of hot water can fold the filter so that water will not seep well through the coffee particles. Change the filter and try brewing coffee again.

3. Coffee is leaking.

This can occur if the jug is not stationary. A valve is installed at the outlet of the filter holder, which prevents coffee from flowing onto the heating plate if the jug is not on it. If you turn on the appliance and forget to put the jug on, then the valve may leak due to natural wear or simply not keep the increased pressure of the escaping coffee. In this case, immediately unplug the device from the mains. Blot the coffee from the heating plate with a paper towel and drain all the water from the tank. In this case, the coffee maker should be well dried, as insulation breakdown may occur and lead to damage and electric shock!

An incorrectly positioned jug on the heating plate can also cause coffee leakage. In this case, the finished coffee does not drip exactly into the hole on the jug lid, but flows down the jug onto the heating plate. To remedy, place the jug correctly on the heating plate.

If the valve is faulty, it will also leak coffee when the jug is not on the heating plate. To check, make sure that the valve lever moves without binding. Remove the lever and check if the valve is in place.

4. Water is leaking.

The cause of this malfunction may lie in a cracked or disconnected flexible tube. To check the tube, unplug the coffee maker from the mains, unscrew the screws that secure the bottom cover. On some models, the cover is secured with plastic clips. After removing the cap, inspect the tube for cracks and if it fits well over the heater tube. Leakage can come from a loose clamp or a crack in the tube. Replace damaged items. Assemble the coffee maker and fill the reservoir with water, place the appliance on a clean newspaper and check for leaks. If the leak persists, then the reason may lie in a crack in the water tank. Inspect it carefully and find the leak. The crack can be sealed with special food grade glue.

5. The coffee maker is running slowly and splashes.

This is most likely due to limescale and limescale deposits inside the appliance. At the same time, the water heats up slowly and circulation is disturbed. See descaling.

6. Water does not pass through the coffee maker.

In this case, make sure there is water in the coffee maker. Likewise, scale can completely stop the passage of water. Descale the coffee maker.

7. The coffee maker is completely out of order.

• • First of all, check the presence of power supply for the operation of other electrical appliances. Perhaps the machine has turned off on the dashboard or the plugs have burned out.
  • Check that the power plug is working properly and the fuse in it. (not in all forks).
  • Check the power cord for an open. Most coffee makers attach the cord to the terminal block. Use a tester to ring the cores of the cord.
  • Check internal wiring and tighten loose contacts.
  • Check the thermostat for proper operation. To do this, carefully remove one wire from the thermostat using a screwdriver. Attach the test leads of the tester to the thermostat contacts. The tester should show a closed circuit. If it shows infinity, then the thermostat is under replacement.
  • Check the thermal fuse for working order with a tester. It should indicate the presence of a chain.
  • Heating element defective. Call with a tester, after removing the wire from one end of it. Often the heating element is made of a disk type, so changing it is not entirely economical.
  • Defective power switch. Check it with a tester. Replace with good one if necessary. Read about refrigerator repair and do-it-yourself electric stove repair in the same blog. It is also useful to read posts on jigsaw repair, centrifugal pump repair and kitchen hood repair.

  And finally, watch the video about coffee machines

  The repair of Saeco coffee makers was discussed, they described what would break. The speech concerned coffee machines that can grind grain, dose, brew, pour into cups. The difference between the coffee maker is in its modest capabilities, there are plenty of designs. More often we find three on the counter: drip, espresso, capsule. There are quite large differences between them in the methods of cooking, the insides are similar. Each device has one 230 volt motor (for example, synchronous with a magnetized rotor) that drives the pump. More like a compressor, in some the piston goes back and forth. Creates high pressure (horn modifications). Consider how to repair a coffee maker with your own hands.

  At the coffee maker, a container for water and a heating element form the basis, but there are further differences. The difference between a drip coffee maker and an espresso machine is described by the operating pressure. In the first case, boiling water simply drips onto the filter containing the poured coffee, the drink seeps further down, flows down, fills the cup. It is important to see the drop-stop function so as not to constantly collect moisture. In an espresso, a jet of water with a temperature of 95 degrees is thrown under pressure, forced through the tablet. To top it off, a special press drains the pomace. It turns out a dry squeezed coffee tablet. No additional filter needs to be installed. Coffee machines work on different principles, there are drip, espresso models.

  Capsule coffee makers contain an infusion compartment with a needle, into which a plastic container of coffee powder is inserted. Brewing can be carried out under pressure or without. The first method differs from the second by the presence of a boiler in the design: water gains the required temperature, the compressor creates pressure. In the latter case, we often observe the possibility of obtaining milk froth. Stable bubbles are generated by the high temperature steam. The walls of the balls are cured by strong heat. One difference between brewing coffee and getting creamed:

  Coffee is brewed with water of 95 degrees Celsius, to obtain steam, the heating elements work, reaching a threshold of 127 degrees. The modes are considered the best for traditional recipes.

  Pay attention to the compressor: it allows you to brew coffee correctly, to get froth. The generated pressure is impressive, reaching 15 - 20 bar, more than is supplied to the heating system in the fall, checking during the period of technical measures. Managed to brew high quality coffee. In models of espresso (sometimes called carob), a special horn where coffee is applied. Then the structure is screwed onto the housing branch pipe, the handles are tightened with force. It turns out a dense tablet through which water is powerless to flow, having lost the circuit of a high-power compressor. It is possible to brew excellent coffee, not much different from the true drink obtained by the Turks according to generally accepted, traditional methods.

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  We describe in detail the device of a coffee maker, a variety of coffee makers, so that readers can imagine what is happening inside. Knowing the features of the functioning of the devices, it is easy to localize the breakdown. The main types of malfunctions will visit the mind automatically, the internal structure will become apparent.

  We are writing the work of a drip coffee maker. Water is taken in by a container through a hose, pumped out by a pump. The flow heater delivers a fixed power, the pump speed is matched to the output temperature. Smart coffee makers have a sensor that monitors the parameters of the environment. By passing the pipe, the hot water reaches the upper compartment, which is equipped with a filter and contains ground coffee. The dosage is carried out according to the readings of the flow meter, or a temporary pump relay limits the duration of the heating element activation. Adjustment is possible. The spring timer works by feeding the pump through the spark extinguishing relay, or the electronic board monitors the flow meter readings, stopping the water supply at the right time.

  In some cases, the temperature is not monitored at all. A portion is taken through a check valve. Then the heating element in a matter of seconds turns the liquid into steam, the jet rushes up the tube, filling the infusion compartment, and flows into the cup. The technique will not allow you to get true coffee, it is attractive for its simplicity of implementation. The coffee maker knows how many micro doses one cup can hold. The simplest manual counter controls the operation. The absence of water in the pipe for a new intake is controlled by a bimetallic plate. In the simplest case, the heating element immediately works on a volume of water equal to a standard cup of coffee.

  The drip coffee maker has an hourglass-like shape; it is powerless to make cappuccino froth, latte. Self-repair of drip coffee makers is simple. Inside we will find:

  • a heating element;
  • water pump;
  • control scheme.

  There is an electronic filling of the microcircuits - there is a pulsed power supply unit that generates a constant voltage of the required rating (+5, +12 V). The efficiency is increased. To measure temperature, a bimetallic plate is used, which rarely breaks. The check valve can be easily checked by blowing in one direction or the other. The engine is running, controlled by a time relay (ordinary RC circuit), less often we see a flow meter, a level sensor. The pump rings, if the engine is collector, the action is repeated for the sections one by one.

  Repair of a carob coffee maker seems to be the most difficult. There is not a pump - a compressor that pumps water under pressure into the boiler. The heater is located outside the tank. Outwardly, it resembles an iron: the heating element is bolted to the wall of a collapsible boiler. To regulate the temperature, there is a bimetallic plate, the sensor tension is adjusted with a screw for at least two positions. For brewing coffee, a temperature of 95 degrees Celsius is used, getting steam will require 127 degrees. Accordingly, the relay contact of the heating element opens at the right time. The boiler is durable, assembled in two halves, withstands a pressure of 20 atm without problems. The inlet is equipped with a check valve so that water does not go back during thermal expansion, heating.

  The engine is made to dispense a fixed portion of water. The espresso maker is named after the coffee is poured into a long-handled cup. The tension design is put on the body, the coffee is rammed. Under the pressure generated by the pump, water fills the mug. Coffee makers are considered the best, experts say: carob models will allow you to take the maximum taste and aroma from the beans.

  Inside the carob coffee makers, one motor belongs to the pump. Switching the path to steam supply is carried out manually. A collector motor is rarely used, the pump is relatively small, the point of fencing a garden disappears, there is a lot of noise. The pressure is generated by a piston (like a refrigeration compressor), which does not require much effort to develop. It is easier to save copper, use an induction motor. Brushes take up a lot of space. Carob-type coffee makers are equipped with power supplies for the engine and other elements.

  Expensive models contain a motor compatible with inverter control. There are valves. A feature of the carob models is the presence of a boiler bypass valve. The pressure is dosed to ensure the correct brewing process.

  Capsule coffee makers differ little from drip coffee makers. A small container containing coffee powder is installed inside, the piercing mechanism is manually clamped. After use, the capsule is ejected automatically, removed by the user of the device. Inside, the pump controls the flow of liquid, the instantaneous water heater raises the water temperature, reaching the set one. Sometimes there are no sensors, just the pump operates according to a timer. The water flow rate has been calculated in advance. It remains to substitute the cup. If water is not dosed correctly, we are looking for a power source for the pump motor. The timing circuit is faulty, no matter how the interval is set.