Water left in the base - am I doing something wrong? I have just bought a 9 cup Bialetti and although I am following instructions, I am left with half of the bottom container filled with water and VERY strong coffee in the top container, but only a small amount. Leaving the pot to continue cooking, in the hope that more coffee appears, is pointless. Previously I had an electric 6 cup machine that worked a treat for years, but it developed the same problem and I threw it away, thinking it had died. You can imagine my frustration that my brand new stove top version that I bought to make more of this delicious coffee, has the same problem and actually makes less than before!Does anyone have any ideas? Water left in the base - am I doing something wrong? I have just bought a 9 cup Bialetti and although I am following instructions, I am left with half of the bottom container filled with water and... » Read More Water left in the base - am I doing something wrong? I have just bought a 9 cup Bialetti and although I am following instructions, I am left with half of the bottom container filled with water and VERY strong coffee in the top container, but only a small amount. Leaving the pot to continue cooking, in the hope that more coffee appears, is pointless. Previously I had an electric 6 cup machine that worked a treat for years, but it developed the same problem and I threw it away, thinking it had died. You can imagine my frustration that my brand new stove top version that I bought to make more of this delicious coffee, has the same problem and actually makes less than before!Does anyone have any ideas? « Show Less
1046927
HiThe problem is not having a great seal, which is essential. Very simply, good espresso comes from machines which can generate huge amounts of pressure. Some of these machines in good coffee shops cost $40,000 and above... Bialetti produces a much superior stove top called the Bialetti 'Brikka'. The seals on this model are much improved and it has a pressure sensor built in (no electronics, just engineering). I recommend you give the other one to a friend and find a Brikka. It produces crema, which proves that the water has shot through the coffee at both high speed and high temperature. Good luck finding one I am English and had one sent out to me here in the US from London. HiThe problem is not having a great seal, which is essential. Very simply, good espresso comes from machines which can generate huge amounts of pressure. Some of these machines in good coffee shops cost $40,000 and above... Bialetti produces a much superior stove top called the Bialetti 'Brikka'. The seals on this model are much improved and it has a pressure sensor built in (no electronics, just engineering). I recommend you give the other one to a friend and find a Brikka. It produces crema, which proves that the water has shot through the coffee at both high speed and high... » Read More HiThe problem is not having a great seal, which is essential. Very simply, good espresso comes from machines which can generate huge amounts of pressure. Some of these machines in good coffee shops cost $40,000 and above... Bialetti produces a much superior stove top called the Bialetti 'Brikka'. The seals on this model are much improved and it has a pressure sensor built in (no electronics, just engineering). I recommend you give the other one to a friend and find a Brikka. It produces crema, which proves that the water has shot through the coffee at both high speed and high temperature. Good luck finding one I am English and had one sent out to me here in the US from London. « Show Less
1046928
Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I have strengthened the seal and things seem to be much better. I love the richness of the flavour so I'm not sure that a higher heat is the answer for me!Thanks agin.
1046929
Wondering... how quickly do you feel the water should come to a boil? Peeked this morning as was a little surprised to see some coffee had already appeared in the top portion eventhough there was not a full rolling boil going on below. Wondered if I had the stove setting a little too low. Thoughts?
1046930
not sealing to allow the water to build up steam to force all the water to flow though the center tube. check the gasket on the upper pot where the filter is. hold the bottom securely while using the upper pot to tighten.
1046931
Honestly, I've found using a higher heat setting resolves this... the coffee won't be as rich though.
1046932
make sure it boils fully at a high temperature, turn it off and leave it on heat until it finishes making noise usually works fine Greg
1046933
use two gaskets, then everything will be fine...make sure you put in enough coffee and fill it up to the valve.
2002323
I'm having the same issue. Twelve cup coffeemaker, but I end up with only 10 cups in the pot. The rest of it (water) ends up under the pot. To empty the extra water means I have to take all the parts off and dump excess water out of the main pot Has anyone found a solution?
222863
I haven't had this problem. Perhaps you are putting too much water in. As you've probably noticed, there's a fill line just below the pressure valve in the bottom reservoir, which I intuitively feel doesn't allow for enough water, but which does allow for a full pot of espresso. If you're putting in the right amount of water, then I would make sure I tighten the pot before I heat it up and use high heat to quickly force the water up through the coffee.
1164463
Thank you so much. i just put it in car to return. I will read this tonight and see if I can do it. I can't believe a coffee pot instructions are so difficult for me. this morning when it finished, i turned off brew is that right.printer messed up now.thank youbrenda
1546880
I am having the same problem. I just used the singel brew several times. We buy specialty coffee beans at costco & grind them daily since we love gormet coffee. I used 2 scoopes of beans (normally 5 scoops for a full pot) brewed it & it was see thru dirt colored water! WTF? So I ground up 3 heaping scoops & tried again, darker water with tons of grounds in it! Seriously? What could a preson possibly get wrong with putting in a cup of water, grounds & pushing a button (basically)? I dont get it...Maybe its just defective. I guess I hate the single brew in this machine now. Kinda sucks. BUMMER!
1580812
I was asked to answer this, but I never did figure that one out. I usually just adjust the amount of coffee or water. Perhaps this is a question for the manufacturer to answer. I do like the fact that this coffeemaker has a thermostat and never burns the coffee, thus the coffee it brews is pretty good.
571823
LOL! Welcome to the club Grergory! I've had mine for about a year. Although it makes very good coffee I like mine quite strong. The brew basket on this unit isn't sized for "too much" ground coffee, so if you want it strong you have to make it in smaller batches. Also, be sure to take the shower head out and clean it after brewing as the grinds float to the top and stick to it.Jon GordonI know this is a bummer, but this is just one of the short comings of this unit. Better by a replacement basket now, if you can get one, as Bodum isn't making them anymore and if yours cracks like mine did, then you'll be out of luck. LOL! Welcome to the club Grergory! I've had mine for about a year. Although it makes very good coffee I like mine quite strong. The brew basket on this unit isn't sized for "too much" ground coffee, so if you want it strong you have to make it in smaller batches. Also, be sure to take the shower head out and clean it after brewing as the grinds float to the top and stick to it.Jon GordonI know this is a bummer, but this is just one of the short comings of this unit. Better by a replacement basket now, if you can get one, as Bodum isn't making them anymore... » Read More LOL! Welcome to the club Grergory! I've had mine for about a year. Although it makes very good coffee I like mine quite strong. The brew basket on this unit isn't sized for "too much" ground coffee, so if you want it strong you have to make it in smaller batches. Also, be sure to take the shower head out and clean it after brewing as the grinds float to the top and stick to it.Jon GordonI know this is a bummer, but this is just one of the short comings of this unit. Better by a replacement basket now, if you can get one, as Bodum isn't making them anymore and if yours cracks like mine did, then you'll be out of luck. « Show Less
1503076
I do not have any issues with the milk steamer, I do start it after the double expresso, so it build it the steam form the pressure of the coffee.If that is how you do it as well, then maybe your machine is having a issue with the water pipe. hope this helps :O)
2020291
This sounds like a defect to me. I would contact Hamilton or see if Amazon can replace the coffee pot. I've never had this problem.
637852
I have not encountered any problems with my Capresso. Not exactly sure of your question. Just a few thoughts that may be of help. If water is not coming down from the tank into carafe, make sure no objects or inside the tank blocking the process, such as a bean. Check to make sure the filter system is in correctly or remove it. Finally, contact Capresso. I have had a number of Capresso brew/grinders from them and they have always taken care of any issue I had. Which was usually me causing the problem, lol. As to all grinds not being water infused, don't forget to adjust the grind (at container) to coarse if using darker oilier beans. Or reduce the aroma level which will grind just a little less for the cup setting. I know I sound like an ad, but don't give up on this coffeemaker. We love coffee and this is the best machine out there for the price. A plus is the easy clean up. I am not a strict coffee afficianado, so I do use a paper filter.
162498
I've made the same observation. The amount of grounds seems to be totally dependent on the amount of water you put in the tank. I asked the Breville CSR about it and got a non-answer. It seems to make the same strength coffee regardless of the setting.
959625
I asked Hamilton Beach and the response I got, was this is a problem that we cannot fix or correct, I was welcome to select another coffee pot. What happens is that water condenses in the lid from the steam and goes down the inside of the back behind the holding tank. It gathers on each side of the heating element. Most of the time on mine it gathers on the right hand side but occasionally on the left. After each pot of coffee, before I make the next pot, I use paper towels to soak up the water and thus far none has gone onto the counter! I like everything about the pot except this water problem, I'm still trying to decide if I'l go for another product which has been offered by Hamilton Beach. I asked Hamilton Beach and the response I got, was this is a problem that we cannot fix or correct, I was welcome to select another coffee pot. What happens is that water condenses in the lid from the steam and goes down the inside of the back behind the holding tank. It gathers on each side of the heating element. Most of the time on mine it gathers on the right hand side but occasionally on the left. After each pot of coffee, before I make the next pot, I use paper towels to soak up the water and thus far none has gone onto the counter! I like everything about the pot except this water... » Read More I asked Hamilton Beach and the response I got, was this is a problem that we cannot fix or correct, I was welcome to select another coffee pot. What happens is that water condenses in the lid from the steam and goes down the inside of the back behind the holding tank. It gathers on each side of the heating element. Most of the time on mine it gathers on the right hand side but occasionally on the left. After each pot of coffee, before I make the next pot, I use paper towels to soak up the water and thus far none has gone onto the counter! I like everything about the pot except this water problem, I'm still trying to decide if I'l go for another product which has been offered by Hamilton Beach. « Show Less
1028458
The cone on these new Melitta's make the pour go through faster for some reason. I also grind the bean very fine. I pour the water very slowly always getting the grind on the sides. It took awhile to tweet it. I also use more coffee than recommended. I like strong coffee :) Good luck!
878194
we had the same problem, and actually found it was an issue with the cups we were using. we took apart one cup where the brewer didn't give us a full cup of coffee, and compared it to one that did. the short-cupped one was missing a filter paper thingy in it, so we don't buy those cups anymore. the only other thing we do that others might not is run it without a cup at 4-5 times a week - my 11yo son uses it to get hot water for oatmeal in the morning :)
2263251
Maybe you put too much water. You need to fill the upper part until the word H2O and stir this water in the bottom part. Put enough coffee to fill the filter and dont push it
654777
Hello Donald, mine will also occasionally leak as well. When this happens, I have found that the pot was not entirely empty when I made a fresh pot or I filled the water level too high. It will also "spring" a BAD leak if the components (water tank, filter bay and coffee pot itself) are not completely seated in their proper alignments. Check all of these things EACH time you make a pot of coffee and I think you will be as pleased with your coffee maker as I have been. Also, I always make coffee for my guests instead of letting them try to make it themselves! They ALWAYS make it leak! It just takes a little getting used to and being careful each and every time! Enjoy! Hello Donald, mine will also occasionally leak as well. When this happens, I have found that the pot was not entirely empty when I made a fresh pot or I filled the water level too high. It will also "spring" a BAD leak if the components (water tank, filter bay and coffee pot itself) are not completely seated in their proper alignments. Check all of these things EACH time you make a pot of coffee and I think you will be as pleased with your coffee maker as I have been. Also, I always make coffee for my guests instead of letting them try to make it themselves! They ALWAYS make it... » Read More Hello Donald, mine will also occasionally leak as well. When this happens, I have found that the pot was not entirely empty when I made a fresh pot or I filled the water level too high. It will also "spring" a BAD leak if the components (water tank, filter bay and coffee pot itself) are not completely seated in their proper alignments. Check all of these things EACH time you make a pot of coffee and I think you will be as pleased with your coffee maker as I have been. Also, I always make coffee for my guests instead of letting them try to make it themselves! They ALWAYS make it leak! It just takes a little getting used to and being careful each and every time! Enjoy! « Show Less
299531
I think you can either fill the top with beans (about 1/2 lb.) or toss them in just before the grind, I keep mine full. Either way, there's a bit of grind still in the unit, but that shouldn't be an issue because of the relative amount to new coffee, as well as the fact that unless it sits for an extended period, there isn't enough air and time to seriously degrade the next cup.