Coffee Maker Leaking
If KitchenAid Coffee maker is Leaking
There are several possible explanations for leaking, depending upon several factors:
What is leaking?
- Water?
- Coffee?
- Water/Coffee/Grounds?
If coffee overflows the brew basket:
- The brew basket is not completely closed.
- Close the brew basket and ensure it clicks firmly into place.
- Too much coffee was placed in to the brew basket.
- Use less coffee
When does it leak?
- During filling?
- At the beginning of brew?
- Just before end of brew (> ½ pot of coffee brewed
Where is it leaking from?
(A puddle under the Coffee Maker does NOT necessarily mean it is leaking from the bottom)
- From top rear of water tank during filling
- From the bottom of the unit (droplets will be seen hanging from vent holes under unit)
- From carafe or warming plate area
- From under front edge of front lid
Water coming from the top rear of the unit during filling:
Explanation:
- The water tank is being overfilled. Do not fill the carafe above the "Max Fill" line.
- If using a separate water decanter, use less water – only fill to the "Max" line on the water filter handle in the water tank.
Leaking water from bottom of unit during brewing:
- Verify that the water is leaking from the bottom of the coffee maker and not just running down the back during filling and pooling underneath. (Look under coffee maker – without lifting – to see if water droplets are hanging from bottom of unit)
Resolution:
If verified that water is leaking from bottom of coffee maker Contact Us for further assistance.
Leaking water from front edge of lid/s:
- Verify that front lid is fully closed during brew to prevent condensation from escaping.
Resolution:
If lid is fully closed, and the water is more than a few droplets at end of brew, please Contact Us
Leaking water from carafe/warming plate area:
- Verify that brew basket is in the Coffee Maker.
- Without the brew basket, hot water is not funneled exclusively to the carafe and can drip onto the warming plate. Sizzling sounds and steam will likely occur if this is the case. Always use the brew basket, even when only rinsing with water (i.e.: no coffee or filter).
Leaking coffee and/or grounds from bottom of unit during brewing:
Verify that the coffee is leaking from the bottom of the unit and not just running down the back during filling and pooling under unit. (Look under unit – without lifting – to see if coffee droplets are hanging from bottom of unit)
Resolution:
- If verified that coffee is leaking from bottom of unit, please Contact Us for further assistance.
Leaking coffee and/or grounds from carafe/warming plate area during brewing:
Explanation:
- Several possible causes:
Drip Stop may need to be cleaned. (Small amount leaking when the carafe is removed.):
- If the issue is pause and pour leaking (drip stop leaking), wash the brew basket with soapy water. Make sure to open the drip stop on the bottom of the brew basket to clean the seal surface from any grit or coffee grounds as this may be causing the leak.
Resolution:
- If pause and pour continues to leak after thorough cleaning, please Contact Us for further assistance.
Pause and Pour Feature
The “Pause and pour” feature enables you to remove the carafe from the Coffee Maker and pour a cup of coffee before brewing is finished.
- When the carafe is removed, a special valve stops the flow of coffee from the brew basket. However, brewing does not stop.
- If the carafe is not placed back in the Coffee Maker within 25 seconds, water and coffee grounds will overflow the brew basket.
Carafe removed (using pause and pour) for too long. (Large amount leaking when the carafe is removed.):
-
During pause and pour use, coffee maker continues brewing, slowly filling the brew basket until the carafe is returned to the warming plate.
Verify that brew basket is in the Coffee Maker:
-
Before inserting a paper filter, make sure that the brew basket is in place. Without the brew basket, hot water and coffee are not funneled exclusively to the carafe and can run down the drip lever onto the warming plate. Sizzling sounds and steam will likely be accompanied with this condition. Always use brew basket, even when rinsing with only water (i.e.: no coffee or filter).
Drip stop may be closed.
This can be caused when the carafe is not fully seated onto the warming plate.
Resolution:
-
Ensure that the carafe is locked over the edge of warming plate lip.
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Ensure that the brew basket is fully seated down in the coffee maker.
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If it is not, it will be evident by the front lid being slightly cracked open.
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Push down the lid to push the brew basket down.
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- If grinding your own coffee, too fine a grind setting will restrict water flow and could cause brew basket overflow.
- If this should occur, select a coarser grind setting.
- Verify that you are only using one coffee filter at a time. You can use the gold tone filter, or a paper filter, but do not use a paper filter inside the gold tone filter. This compresses the paper filter, restricting its water flow, and can lead to overflow.
Resolution:
- If all of the above steps have been verified and the root cause has not been identified and remedied, please Contact Us for further assistance.