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Some coffee makers use special fasteners that require unique screwdrivers.
You may be able to see the problem without testing anything.
Testing a switch with a multimeter. The switch should get a reading of infinite when off and little or no resistance when on.
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Coffee is America's favorite noncarbonated beverage. It became increasingly so when electric coffee makers started coming home—probably right after electricity was invented. Today's household coffee makers have evolved to where they are simple in design, nearly problem free, and inexpensive to replace. Even so, things can go wrong—and you can fix them!
A coffee maker, also known as a coffee pot, is a small heating appliance designed for brewing coffee from ground coffee beans. The two types of electric coffee makers are drip and percolator. Drip coffee makers heat water and pump it to drip through the coffee basket and into a carafe. Percolator coffee makers heat water into steam that pushes the hot water up a tube where it falls through the coffee basket and into the main compartment. Coffee makers use switches to turn on and regulate electricity for heating water, and controllers for warming elements in the base that maintain heat in the coffee. Quite simple.
To disassemble and test a drip coffee maker:
- Unplug the unit from the electrical receptacle.
- Remove the pot and basket. Remove or tape closed the water reservoir lid.
- Turn the appliance over and remove all screws that secure the case halves. Lift off the case to expose the heating element and controls.
- Inspect the control cavity to determine if the solution is simple: disconnected wire, debris, etc. If so, fix, reassemble, and test. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
- Use a multimeter to test the warming and heating elements, and the switch, thermostat, and t imer.
- Replace any defective parts or decide to replace the appliance, as appropriate.
- Reassemble the appliance and reinstall the pot and basket.
- Fill the water reservoir approximately half full, then plug in and turn on the coffee maker to test its operation.
To disassemble and test a percolator coffee maker:
- Unplug the unit from the electrical receptacle.
- Remove the basket, stem, and lid.
- Turn the appliance over and remove all screws that secure the base. Lift off the base to expose the heating element and controls.
- Inspect the control cavity to determine if the solution is simple: bad seals, disconnected wire, debris, etc. If you find a problem, fix, reassemble, and test. Otherwise, continue with the next step.
- Use a multimeter to test the warming and heating elements, and the switch, thermostat, and timer.
- Replace any defective parts or decide to replace the appliance, as appropriate.
- Reassemble the appliance and reinstall the stem, basket, and lid.
- Fill the coffee maker to approximately half full, then plug in and turn it on to test its operation.
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