COFFEEMAKER INSTRUCTIONS

Dear Editor

The coffeemaker that I last purchased has misleading directions for periodic cleaning. I’m so glad I saved the proper instructions from coffeemakers gone by. The cleaning instructions say: “Run a brew cycle by adding only water to the coffeemaker to fully rinse the system.” First of all, they should have used the word flush instead of rinse.

What we are intending to do is add a solution to the reservoir, then flush it through to remove any lime deposits that may be present. The lime that we are attempting to be rid of is present in water. And what have we been flushing through the system each time we brew coffee? Water. Flushing water through the system will not only fail to clean the system but may also make things worse. They just want your coffeemaker to fail you in a short period of time so they can sell another one.

According to instructions on a previous coffeemaker, here is the proper way to clean your coffeemaker:

1. Pour 20 oz. of white vinegar into the reservoir.
2. Place a coffee filter into the brewing basket.
3. Place the empty decanter back into the unit, centered on the warming plate.
4. Brew 3 cups of the cleaning solution through the coffeemaker.
5. Turn the coffeemaker off and let stand for 30 minutes.
6. Turn the coffeemaker back on and run the remainder of the cleaning solution through the coffeemaker.
7. Discard the cleaning solution and rinse the decanter thoroughly with clean water.
8. Fill the reservoir with clean, fresh water.
9. Place the decanter back into the unit, centered on the warming plate.
10. Remove and discard filter (I do step 10 before step 9). You have not failed if you don’t see lime sediment. It’s not there every time.
11. Fill reservoir with water and complete brewing cycle.
12. Repeat steps 8–11 once more.

This set of instructions did not go into detail about placing the paper filter in before brewing, but a previous set of instructions directed you to wet the filter before placing it inside the basket, making sure the filter is against the wall of the basket. You can’t manage a filter that has been made wet without it collapsing on itself. The proper way is to dampen the basket all around, then place the filter in, pressing all around so that it is up against the side so it will not collapse.

I called the company about it (an answering machine). Maybe that’s why they don’t give explicit instructions. You do it wrong, the filter collapses, the basket overflows, and you have water and grounds on your warming plate. This would also contribute to the coffeemaker’s short life.

Corporations have become predatory. All this while our government has reduced consumers’ recourse and limited corporations’ liability.

Troy J. Kiefer, Perryville