What Goes On Inside a Machine Coffee Maker?

Coffee machines make it simple to enjoy a hot cup of joe at home. Some of the most popular models come with a programmed clock, and even a built in grinder.

Sensors control the heating element which is circling around a warming plate every time you switch on the power. It also has a water tube made of aluminum that runs through it.

Cold-Water Tube

A machine coffee maker takes the water you pour into it and turns it into your cup of coffee. This is accomplished by boiling water and forcing it through a process that produces high pressure. These machines can run up to 15 bars of pressure, as opposed to coffee percolators that only work at one bar.

There is a reservoir at the bottom of the machine that looks like a bucket and holds the water used to make your drink. This reservoir has a hole in the bottom that connects one end to the tube that is inside the heating element and on the other hand, to an white tube that is insulated and runs from the bottom of the machine up to the faucet.

When you start your machine, the water in the reservoir passes up into the heating chamber and the thermostat tells it to heat up. As the water gets hotter, it expands and pushes on a screen under a portafilter that has been filled with coffee and reduced. The pressure causes the screen pierce the filter, allowing the espresso to enter the cup.

The espresso brewed by your machine is a delicious and rich coffee. It can come with varying levels of acidity, based on the kind of coffee you select. If you notice that your espresso has a sour taste Try changing to another filter paper or a more coarsely ground coffee. If the problem persists you should call an authorized technician to carry out a deliming process. This issue is typically caused by lime scale.

Hot-Water Tube

The white tube insulated in the bottom of your coffee maker is referred to as the hot-water tub. It transfers the hot water from the heating chamber to the faucet on the top of your coffee maker. This water saturates the grounds, bringing their flavor down into the coffee maker's waiting pot.

Some coffee makers come with the ability to keep the water warm, so that it's ready to drink when you get up. This is achieved by using a heater to produce some steam. The steam is directed towards the spout, ensuring that your coffee remains warm until you are ready to pour it.

Although it could appear as if a coffee maker is complex and expensive, the majority of models are simple to use and have very little moving parts. Regular cleaning and use will keep your machine in good condition for a long time.

A majority of coffee machines have a built-in grinder for coffee which allows you to grind the coffee and then lock the portafilter into place, and then flip the switch to start the brewing. When the switch is turned on the pump will begin to pressurize water in the heating chamber until it's about 220 psi of pressure.

The necessity of constantly refilling the reservoir is among the most frustrating aspects of making coffee. Certain manufacturers have developed coffee machines that connect directly to a household water line, allowing you to bypass the reservoir entirely. There are kits for those looking to make the switch themselves. They can transform any machine to a coffee maker that connects directly to a home water line. This process is a little more complicated and requires drilling holes into your machine to accommodate an adapter. This could weaken the structure of your coffee maker and lead to cracking in the areas where holes were drilled. It's recommended that you purchase a specially-built coffee maker that is specifically designed to accept a direct water line for best results.

Resistive Heat Element

The heater is a piece of metal that has a specific kind of electrical resistance. It blocks the flow of current without stopping it completely, and a portion of the energy is transformed into heat. This is how the boiler in your coffee maker heats the water.

The heating element is situated on the left side of the base of your machine and it looks like an ordinary light bulb filament or the component in your electric toaster. It is made up of an aluminum extrusion that is divided into two sections, with a tube to allow water to flow and the resistive element. (Watch video here). The resistance in the coiled wire is what makes it get hot when it is given energy.

When you turn on your coffee maker, the element is heating the aluminum water tube until where it boils. The bubbles will rise up through the white tube, and then be sprayed on your coffee beans using the shower head. This water spray sucks up the essential oils from the coffee beans that are ground as it descends and also contains caffeine.

If you are experiencing issues with your coffee maker and the hot water isn't coming out, it's probably due to a faulty pressure switch or heating element thermostat. You can test both with a multi-meter using the continuity test. Connect one pole to the electrical connector, and the other to flange body. It should read a value below 1. If it does not, then the switch or thermostat needs to be replaced.

The other main part of your coffee maker that could be the source of problems is the water pump or reservoir. It can get clogged up with lime and that is why you need to run a mixture of water and descaling solution through it.

Warming Plate


A warming plate is a heated metal surface that keeps the coffee warm after it has been brewed. This feature of the coffee maker is extremely popular with those who enjoy coffee at restaurants and is also a useful feature for any kitchen at home. The warming plate can be rusty and ruin the flavor, so it is important to clean it regularly. The best way to clean a coffee maker heating plate is to use a mix of water and oxalic acid.

Oxalic acid is an effective cleaning agent that can be used to remove rust from pipes, sinks gas stove burners and a variety of other household items. It is an extremely effective solution for cleaning the rusty warming plate of your coffee maker, and can be purchased from most hardware stores. You must be cautious when using this product, because it could cause burns and other injuries if it is not handled correctly.

If you are planning to clean a coffee maker with rust heating plate, first make sure the coffee maker has been disconnected. This will help prevent any damage caused by the heat generated by cleaning products. It is also recommended to wear gloves made of rubber as the oxalic acids can be very harsh on your skin.

Pour some white vinegar on the rusted portion of the heating plate. It will react chemically with the baking soda and dissolve the rust. Then scrub the area with a rag or brush until it is clean. If your coffee maker is very rusted, you may need to repeat the process several times to make sure it is completely clean. Make sure you wait until the oxalic acids have totally evaporated before plugging your coffee maker in again.

Aluminum Water Tube

When you turn on your machine, it will begin making coffee for you. It may appear simple but it takes a lot to turn the grounds from coffee and some hot water into a steaming hot beverage.

The cold water is piped into the aluminum tube below the resistive heating element via a hole in the bottom of the reservoir. Then the aluminum water tube begins to heat up, and when it is at its boiling point, bubbles form which push the water into the white tube that is in the center of your coffee maker.

The hot water sprays out from the top of the tube into an elongated disc, also called the shower head. (Or basket in certain machines). The hot water is sprayed on the coffee grounds, taking in its oil-based essence.

Then, the water flows down over the coffee and back up through the filter into the pot. The pump's oscillating pressure is the reason for this. The shearing force induced by the expanding and contracting bubble boundaries extracts ground coffee particles from the water, resulting in an espresso-like drink that is strong and smoky.

Keep in mind that your machine is dependent upon many different components. They're all interconnected. Any one of these components that malfunction can affect the entire process, therefore, if you notice strange noises or vibrations while your machine is operating, check for loose parts. Parts that are loose can cause noise and weaken connections, which could lead to additional problems.