The West Bend coffee maker is one of the best coffee makers you can find. It is designed to make coffee brewing easy and safe, even for people who do not know how to make coffee. But you have to maintain it regularly for it to be efficient for a long time.
Like any other electrical appliance, the coffee maker can malfunction. If your West Bend coffee maker is not working, you can troubleshoot its issues as explained here.
Troubleshooting a West Bend coffee maker
These are the main issues that you may encounter when using your coffee maker and how you can fix them.
West Bend coffee maker doesn’t heat
Your coffee maker is not heating probably because of a blown fuse, faulty thermostat, defective power cord, or the heating element doesn’t work.
The heating element is located at the bottom of the heating plate and its role is to boil water. When it has been in use for a long time, it wears out and may short-circuit when it comes into contact with water. Check whether the heating element is burnt and if so, contact a professional technician to replace it.
Another possible reason is that its thermostat has malfunctioned. The thermostat is responsible for controlling the operation of the coffee maker’s heating elements. You should remove and replace it or contact a technician to do it for you.
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The coffee maker is not pumping water
Your West Bend coffee maker is not pumping water likely because of a clogged pipe or a defective heating element. One of the main issues that cause the pipe to clog is the limescale and mineral build-up from hard water.
To unclog the coffee maker, mix water and vinegar and turn on the coffee maker. Run the coffee maker until the solution that drains is clear. Run another clean water cycle to remove the remaining vinegar solution from the coffee maker.
To prevent the pipe from clogging, use soft water instead of hard water to brew your coffee. Hard water contains minerals that clog the pipe and prevent the coffee maker from pumping water. You should also descale your coffee maker after every three months to remove thick layers of minerals deposited in the pipes.
Alternatively, you should also check the coffee maker’s thermostat and timer. It may short circuit when it comes to contact with water. Use a multi-meter to test its continuity and if the reading is beyond zero to infinity, the thermostat is defective and requires replacement.
How to use a West Bend coffee maker
Make sure to clean your coffee maker thoroughly before using it for the first time. For the best results, you should use the medium coarseness setting. Otherwise, the powder-like coffee ground may cause the basket to flood.
- Use a standard cup to measure the cups of coffee to be brewed. Remove the basket and stem and fill the coffee maker with cold water to your desired level. You can use the cup markings inside the coffee maker as a guide.
- Place the stem into the heating unit at the bottom of the coffee maker, then put the basket on the stem. Evenly sprinkle the recommended amount of ground coffee into the basket. Use the chart for reference.
- Cover the lid back on the coffee maker. Ensure that the lid is turned clockwise until securely locked in the handle slots to reduce coffee spills.
- Connect the cord to the coffee maker and plug it into a power source of 120V.
- Each cup of coffee takes one minute of brewing time, after which it stops perking automatically.
Once the coffee maker has finished brewing, use a hot pad to remove the lid, stem, and basket carefully. It is because the coffee and grounds are hot. If you don’t remove them, bitter oils from the coffee grounds will leak into the coffee.
As long as the coffee maker is connected to the outlet, coffee will remain at serving temperature. When you have finished serving coffee and the carafe cools down, wash the coffee maker with warm and soapy water. Dispose of the coffee grounds and coffee filter after every brewing cycle since they form mildew afterward and cannot be reused.
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How to clean a West Bend coffee maker
It is important to clean a coffee maker after every cycle. In addition, the West Bend coffee maker parts such as the lid, reservoir, coffee basket, and heating unit need thorough cleaning on a regular basis. Cleaning it ensures that you get rid of the remaining coffee grounds and build-ups in the basket.
Follow these steps to clean a West Bend coffee maker:
- First, disconnect the coffee maker and let it cool.
- Next, wash the basket, lid, and stem with warm, soapy water and a dishcloth.
- Dry everything with a dry cloth.
- Remove stubborn coffee stains on the bottom of the lid or stem with a damp cloth.
- Fill the water reservoir with one-third of hot clean water. Add a small amount of liquid dishwasher detergent and wash it with a dishcloth or sponge.
- Clean the heating unit properly with a scouring pad to eliminate coffee residue. Twist the pad inside the heating unit to clean it thoroughly.
- Once you have completed the above step, drain and rinse inside. Clean the faucet in running clean water while moving its handles up and down.
- Drain the water from the coffee maker and dry it with a cloth. Clean its outside with a damp cloth and dry it with a soft clean cloth.
With the tips above, you should now be able to troubleshoot and fix your West Bend coffee maker that is not working.