What Can Go Wrong?

Here are some of the most common problems that can cause your drip coffee maker to stop working:

• The power cord or on/off switch can go bad. In either of these cases, it's best to get a pro to replace it or buy a new coffee maker -- replacing it improperly can lead to a fire.
• The one-way valve can get clogged open or closed. You can usually fish out the debris that causes this problem with a toothpick.
• The tubes can get clogged with calcium. This is especially true of the aluminum heating tube. The normal way to solve this problem is to run vinegar through the machine once, and then run two batches of water through to clean out the vinegar.

There are two problems that are nearly impossible to fix:

• Failure of one of the heat-sensitive switches

The coffee maker's temperature sensors

• Failure of the heating coil

The coffee maker heating coil

Because it's nearly impossible to get replacement parts, you probably have to buy a new coffee maker if one of these problems disables your machine.

Now, when you make coffee tomorrow morning, you can do so with a new appreciation for exactly what's happening inside.

For more information on coffee makers, coffee and related topics, check out the links on the next page.