Having a coffee machine is a bliss for any coffee lover. Unfortunately, coffee machines aren’t problem-free and the Ninja coffee makers aren’t an exception. So what are the problems with Ninja coffee makers?
You might as well be wondering: “how did people make their coffee in the past?” Coffee is a drink loved (and for some inexplicable reason, despised) by many. It comes in second place for the most consumed drinks in the world.
With that being said, how did we discover coffee?
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A Brief History of Coffee & Coffee Makers
The discovery of coffee dates back to the 9th century when a goat herder called Kaldi found out that his goats got excited when it ate a certain plant.
The drink itself originated in Yemen. Back in the day, people would boil a kettle of water and put some coffee beans into the boiling water for a couple of minutes.
Espresso machines were the first type of coffee makers to ever exist. In 1884, Angelo Moriondo built the first espresso machine that was later modified in 1903 by Luigi Berzerra.
Fast forward to 1908, Melitta Bentz invented the first official drip coffee maker that developed to the machines that no home or office is devoid of.
Common Problems With Ninja Coffee Makers and What to Do About Them
If you’re one of those people who own a ninja coffee maker, you’re probably familiar with at least one of the issues that come along with them. Consider yourself lucky if you own one and haven’t experienced any trouble with your coffee machine yet.
However, here are some of the problems with Ninja coffee makers that you might face in the future. And we have solutions for you!
1. Beeping Then Shutting Off
Also known as ‘The Five Beeps of Death’, the Ninja coffee maker beeps a few times when brewing your coffee, then suddenly stops after a few moments.
It’s a very common problem and the good side of it is that you can fix it yourself without needing the help of any professionals.
Apart from the five beeps of death, the beeping of your coffee maker can mean something else.
A Ninja coffee maker beeps on many occasions. For example, it beeps when the brewing basket isn’t properly inserted into the machine.
It also beeps when brewing is finished. It’s important to figure out when and why your coffee maker’s beeping, so as not to confuse it with the five beeps of death.
2. Leaking Water/Coffee
Whether it was a car leaking oil or a coffee machine leaking water, leakage can be such a hassle sometimes.
Many claim that coffee makers leak when the reservoir is filled with too much water. If that’s the case, then all you have to do is fill it till the specified rim and you’re good to go.
But in other cases, it’s a much bigger problem than just over-filling your reservoir with water. There are two possibilities; your coffee maker is clogged or there’s a leak in your tube connectors.
Give your coffee machine a quick clean with vinegar and water to ensure that it isn’t clogged. Pour the water-vinegar mixture into the reservoir and start a brewing cycle.
Or run a cleaning cycle by pressing the clean button. It’ll remove any dust, debris, or any other foreign particles that build up inside the machine.
If it still leaks, check the tube connectors for any defects. You’ll have to change the connectors if a leakage was found, you might even have to replace the entire device if it was beyond repair.
3. The Clean Light Is Constantly Turned On
Even after running a few cleaning cycles, you may find the cleaning light of your coffee maker is still on.
Ninja coffee makers have a sensor built within that senses the accumulation of calcium and minerals inside the machine. Other than minerals that build up inside a coffee machine, mold can get there too, which can cause you some serious health issues.
Deep cleaning your coffee maker every now and then will help improve the taste of your coffee significantly, as well as keeping that clean light turned off for a little while.
How to Properly Clean Your Coffee Maker
After completing the first step we mentioned above -which was brewing water and vinegar- run a brewing cycle once more, but only with water this time, to make sure the vinegar is removed so it wouldn’t affect the taste of your coffee later on.
Use a sponge and some baking soda to remove any stains visible on the exterior of your coffee maker. You can use a cleaning solution instead of baking soda too.
Wash any removable parts after every use with lukewarm water and some dish soap or place them in the dishwasher if they’re dishwashing-friendly.
A damp cloth can be used to clean the parts that are hard to reach with a sponge.
4. Setting the Delay Brew Feature is Rather Difficult
For those who don’t quite know what a delay brew is, basically it’s programming your machine to brew a certain amount of coffee in a specific time. It’s a feature suitable for people with no time on their hands in the morning for making their beloved cup of coffee.
Although the delay brew feature seems like it’d offer great help and save time, it’s difficult to get it working. There’s a solution available, but it isn’t that trustworthy since a lot of people still struggle with handling this feature.
First, you have to set the clock visible on the machine by pressing on the hour and minutes buttons. After you press in the numbers for the clock, wait for it to lock in the time by itself.
Next, press on the delay brew button and punch in your desired time, brew size, and type.
Lastly, make sure your drip stop is open, so it can brew your favorite coffee for you.
5. Not Brewing an Entire Carafe
One of the few benefits of the Ninja coffee makers is that they come with particular brew types and sizes. You may have chosen the wrong brew size for your carafe or chose an unsuitable brew type.
Keep in mind that brew types differ in the amount of coffee they serve. If you’ve picked both the right type and carafe size, then perhaps your coffee machine is clogged and needs to be cleaned.
6. Brewing Odd Tasting Coffee
Finding out your coffee doesn’t taste as good as it used to is definitely disappointing, but it might not be the machine’s fault this time. Perhaps it’s the coffee beans you’re using or the water you’re filling the reservoir with.
Try using fresh coffee beans if you aren’t already. Storing food for too long takes away its freshness and makes it bland on your taste buds.
7. Coffee Gets Cold Quickly
Every coffee maker has a thermal element that heats the machine, hence heating the brewed coffee. If you notice your coffee isn’t as hot as it’s supposed to be, check the internal heating plate for any faults.
An electrical tester can be used to check the proper functioning of the heating plate and cables inside the coffee maker.
8. Some Coffee Grounds Aren’t Properly Brewed
Though coffee is naturally bitter, finding coffee grounds while peacefully drinking your cup is displeasing and a mood ruiner.
The problem might be lying in your filter baskets. Regularly inspect them for any dents or pits that made some of the coffee grounds find a way into your cup.
No need to worry about your filter baskets wearing out, spare parts are cheap and easy to obtain.
Is Using a Coffee Maker Good for Your Health?
Opinions have differed on this topic. Some believe that owning a coffee maker, which you can use to make your home-made coffee, is healthier than getting a cup at your local cafè.
Others say that coffee makers slowly ruin your health, especially if they contain large amounts of plastic.
So, which of these opinions is actually correct? We’ll make it easy for you. Both are correct.
Having a coffee maker that contains high rates of plastic is dangerous to your health. When plastic comes in contact with hot liquids, it produces a chemical called Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA.
Not only does this chemical cause reproductive harm, such as infertility, but it also attributes in the formation of some types of cancer.
On a more positive note, brewing your own homemade coffee provides you with increased amounts of antioxidants and oils that are doubled during the brewing process.
A cup of homemade brewed coffee contains fewer calories than a takeout cup in any coffee shop as well.
Problems with Ninja Coffee Makers: Final Thoughts
With the huge technological development we’re experiencing nowadays, we have yet to invent something flawless.
Keeping an eye on your electronics is a must. Neglecting any problem, no matter how small it was, would lead up to bigger, unwanted troubles that would cost you a lot more than you can imagine.
Owning a ninja coffee maker sounds more troublesome than it should be. Nonetheless, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the delights of sipping on a fresh cup of coffee.
Photo by veer66 