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Troubleshooting Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker Pumping Issues

Hamilton Beach coffee makers are some of the most popular coffee makers on the market. They are very convenient, reliable, and perfect for use in a home office as they don’t take up too much space.

However, it is not uncommon to have an issue with the coffee maker. While there are many problems you can encounter with your coffee maker, one of the most common issues when it comes to Hamilton Beach BrewStation is the appliance failing to pump, or where it starts and then stops pumping.  When this happens, it means your coffee maker is clogged, and thus, you’ll need to clean the unit.

But keep in mind that tampering too much with electrical appliances, especially when you’re not so sure what you’re doing is a bad idea. You could even end up permanently damaging the unit. So in this article, we’ll discuss the various issues that you might face with your coffee maker and how to troubleshoot them.

Reasons Why Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker Not Pumping Water

Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker Pumping Issues

Hamilton Coffee Maker is Clogged

One of the main reasons why your Hamilton coffee maker is not pumping water is probably because it’s clogged. Clogging is a major issue that can cause permanent damage to your coffee maker. In addition to reducing the water flow, the pressure may cause the pipe to dislodge completely. And when the hot water station of the machine is clogged, then the machine line will be jammed, which will definitely stop the free flow of water.

In this case, it’s first recommended to check through the manufacturer’s instructions in the owner’s manual for your specific model. With the Hamilton coffee maker, however, you can make it work by simply unplugging the coffee machine and running some compressed air through the hot water nozzles. This is how you clear out the blockage. Nonetheless, here’s another related problem:

Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker Dispensing Slower Than Usual

When this happens, it could be either due to your coffee maker’s settings or a clogged brew tank screen. To resolve the issue, check the mode you’re using to brew as both “Bold” and “1-4 Cups” involve particularly slow brewing processes.

If either of these modes is activated, press the “Brew Mode” button until there are no lights. If that doesn’t work, then it means the problem wasn’t really with the settings. And now it could be that the screen at the bottom is clogged. To fix this, use an old toothbrush to gently clean the screen before rinsing away the buildup.

Malfunctioning Heating Element

If your Hamilton Beach coffee maker is not heating the water properly, then it won’t let the water flow through the hot water pipe. Therefore, no water will be poured over the coffee grounds.

The heating element is responsible for making the water boil. It is located under the heating plate. However, it is not uncommon for the heating element to get worn out over time. Moreover, the heating element can also short circuit if water comes into contact with it.

If you’re well-versed when it comes to electronics, you can do the repair on your own, but it’s always recommended to have it checked by a technician, especially for those who don’t know how to fix electronics.

To access the heating element, remove the screws from the base of your coffee maker. Once you have gotten the horseshoe-shaped heating element, go ahead and test its conductivity with a multimeter. If there’s no current conducted, then it means the heating element is damaged. You get spare parts on your own, but you can achieve better results by bringing in technicians.

The tank is Leaking

This is yet another common problem associated with Hamilton Beach Coffee maker.  If you encounter this issue, it could be that there are too many coffee grounds or mineral buildup on the seal. Simply take the tank to the kitchen sink and turn it upside down.

Then push on the dispensing valve on the bottom of the tank. When pushing the button, flush the unit with water for 30 seconds. This should fix the problem.

How to Prevent Blockages from Happening

Not many things can wake you up better than having a hot cup of coffee in the morning. As such, it can so annoying to find out that your favorite coffee maker is not pumping water as expected. Well, we’ve seen the causes, but how can you prevent these issues from occurring in the first place?

This section explains the various tricks that you can do to prevent blockages from causing your Hamilton Beach coffee maker not to pump water:

Avoid Using Hard Water/Mineral Water

Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker Pumping Issues

There are areas that receive a hard water supply. That means that they’re lots of dissolved minerals in the water. The same case applies to mineral water or spring water when in a pinch. Over time, these minerals will harden and form blockages in the pipe when left alone. It is recommended to refrain from such water and instead opt for filtered water.

Descaling Your Coffee Maker Regularly

This is simply the process of taking out the thick layer of minerals that are coating the interior of the pipes. One effective way to do this is to perform a water and vinegar cycle every month. You can do the same when cleaning the scaling off the glass carafe that may have probably formed as well.

In case the water and vinegar mixture isn’t working, consider using a commercial descaling solution that is available on the market.

The Bottom Line

As useful as they can be, home appliances such as coffee makers are not immune to problems. There are various issues you may encounter when brewing coffee, so when your Hamilton Beach coffee maker is not pumping, don’t throw it away yet. There are certain things you can do to resolve the issue. In fact, this problem can be fixed and prevented by regularly cleaning the unit. If the problem lies in the heating plate though, you might want to have it checked out by a technician.