Moccamaster Dissapointment

[blueglide88]

I purchased my Moccamaster in April of 2023 and I use it every day. I was very happy with it until recently, when I started noticing my coffee wasn't very hot anymore. I use my digital thermometer to check the water temps coming out and it occasionally hit 195 degrees but not consistently. According to the SCA, approved brewers should hit heat the water to between 195 degrees and 205 degrees. I assume that's consistent heat for the entire brewing cycle, whereas my Moccamaster only hits it occasionally during the brewing cycle. I know I can get it fixed, not sure if it's worth the trouble. Has anybody by chance checked the temperature of their water throughout the brewing cycle?

I have to say I am hugely disappointed in this machine. returning it under warranty is going to be a bit problematic as I don't have any of the original boxing it came in, and I'll be out a coffeemaker for a while.

 

[Rand]

Have you tried descaling it? What water do you use in it?

 

[bullwinkle]

Run some strong CLR through it a couple times-you’ll be amazed at what comes out, especially if it pulls rated amperage/wattage when heating. Edit: didn’t realize CLR had that many chemicals in it! I did use No-Rinse ice cream machine cleaner/sanitizer in mine the last time, followed with several pot fulls of water.

 

[Rand]

Mine has made over 5000 pots of coffee and probably 1k+ pots of ice tea (brew with giant gallon bag then pour over ice in 5liter jug)
still kickin I use RO water and only descale about once a year with vinegar or cleaner.

I wouldnt use CLR IMO its too strong and poisonous.

Vinegar or coffee pot cleaner
Keep in mind the temp is slightly lower than discharge temp. Basket wasnt preheated much, that is after about 15-20s to let the pipe up top preheat

Yea it needs a cleaning.

 

[blueglide88]

Have you tried descaling it? What water do you use in it?

Yes I did descale it using a commercial powder. Don't recall the brand off hand. I use mostly filtered water, sometimes tap water. However tap water in Chicago is pretty good. I doubt that water is the issue.

 

[Rand]

Yes I did descale it using a commercial powder. Don't recall the brand off hand. I use mostly filtered water, sometimes tap water. However tap water in Chicago is pretty good. I doubt that water is the issue.

you are using a probe thermometer right not infrared? If not try measuring similar to what I did in the photo.
let it run 30s then stop the brewbasket and get a temp.

 

[blueglide88]

Mine has made over 5000 pots of coffee and probably 1k+ pots of ice tea (brew with giant gallon bag then pour over ice in 5liter jug)
still kickin I use RO water and only descale about once a year with vinegar or cleaner.

I wouldnt use CLR IMO its too strong and poisonous.

Vinegar or coffee pot cleaner
Keep in mind the temp is slightly lower than discharge temp. Basket wasnt preheated much, that is after about 15-20s to let the pipe up top preheat

Yea it needs a cleaning.
View attachment 253903

I am getting 195 right at the discharge, but only occasionally. I never checked the temp in the basket. Ill do that tonight when I get home. But I'm sure it will not be 195 like yours.

As a side note, I descale mine after every box of filters gets used up, just per Moccamaster recommendations.

 

[Rand]

I am getting 195 right at the discharge, but only occasionally. I never checked the temp in the basket. Ill do that tonight when I get home. But I'm sure it will not be 195 like yours.

As a side note, I descale mine after every box of filters gets used up, just per Moccamaster recommendations.

Doesnt sound like you are doing anything "wrong". What brand of probe thermostat is it / have you ever checked it for accuracy with boiling water?

PS. when I earlier said yea it needs a cleaning I was talking about my coffee pot..

 

[Cropduster172]

I just descaled mine yesterday. I used 3 heaping tablespoons of citric acid dissolved in hot water and run it part way through, shut it off and let the solution sit for 30 minutes. Then flush 2-3 times with fresh tap water. I let the carafe sit with a dishwasher detergent pod in it filled with hot water for an hour or so. Rinse. Looks like new when finished.

 

[Oldwolf]

I use the recommended Dezcal with ours and haven't had any issues for the four years we have owned it. Our opinion is that it makes great coffee.

Urnex Dezcal Coffee and Espresso Machine Descaler Activated Scale Remover - 900g Bottle - Fast Effective Descaling Of Boilers and Heating Elements Faucets Spray Heads Milk Systems

https://a.co/d/ab9Jxw8

 

[blueglide88]

So last night I ran water thru and checked the temp in the basket. I was getting 185 deg. Then I ran Dezcal thru it and got 195. Third time again with Dezcal and I got 190. Checking the many water rinses after the Dezcal was in the low 190-195 range. This morning's coffee was 195.

So if it stays at 195 I will be satisfied but, I'd rather see it vary from 195-205 per SCA. Overall I am confused. I just descaled it about 2 months ago, which would be about 60 cycles. I never go past 100 which is Moccamaster's recommendation.

 

[blueglide88]

Doesnt sound like you are doing anything "wrong". What brand of probe thermostat is it / have you ever checked it for accuracy with boiling water?

PS. when I earlier said yea it needs a cleaning I was talking about my coffee pot..

I will check it against boiling water this weekend. Good idea thanks.

 

[Cropduster172]

I use the recommended Dezcal with ours and haven't had any issues for the four years we have owned it. Our opinion is that it makes great coffee.

Urnex Dezcal Coffee and Espresso Machine Descaler Activated Scale Remover - 900g Bottle - Fast Effective Descaling Of Boilers and Heating Elements Faucets Spray Heads Milk Systems

https://a.co/d/ab9Jxw8

I researched the SDS sheets for several of the available descalers... in almost every case, citric acid is the primary ingredient.
Here's the Decal powder one: