All About Coffee Makers

Sometimes coffee makers (as nearly everything) get broken for no apparent reason. When everything seems to be ok on the outside, then the problem must be on the inside, so here are some tips to help you identify the most common problems and, if you are lucky, repair your coffee maker yourself.

Problem: The coffee maker does not turn on. Symptoms: Light on the coffee maker does not lit, there are no sounds coming from it, and it never heats up.

Possible causes and solutions: This may be caused by a burnt fuse, a defective power cord or something more important. If your coffee maker has a fuse and it is burnt then replace it, but always do it with the same type and rate of fuse, to avoid the chance of more severe problems. If you find no fuse, plug your coffee maker to a different outlet, just to be sure this is not the cause.

If it still does not work, replace the power cord (you can do it yourself if you are careful and know the basic electrical concepts, but if you don't want to do it yourself you can ask a professional to do it). If, after replacing the cord with a new one, it still does not work, contact a coffee maker repairer.

Problem: The coffee maker is turned on but you are not getting any coffee. Symptoms: The maker is on and heats up, but hot water is not coming out.

Possible causes and solutions: The tubes may be clogged. Sometimes water leaves calcium and other mineral residues on the tubes, clogging them after a while. Try using your coffee maker with vinegar instead of water. If it unclogs, run water through your coffee maker a minimum of three times, in order to wash out the vinegar.

Problem: The coffee maker is turned on but you get only dirty cold water instead of coffee. Symptoms: The maker sucks water and pours it onto the coffee, but this water is cold.

Possible causes and solutions: The heating coil of your coffee maker may be dead or dying. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do, as replacement coils are extremely difficult to find and install. Consider buying a new coffee maker.

About the author:

Tamara Williams is a writer for Coffeewhich is a site dedicated to providing consumers with information on Coffee Products and brewing.

Written by: Tamara Williams

Your Place or Mine Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

½-cup Shortening

¾-cup Sugar

1-teaspoon Cinnamon extract

1-teaspoon Baking soda

6-tablespoons Butter

2-teaspoons Cinnamon, ground

3-large Eggs

2-cups Flour

1-teaspoon Baking Power

½-pint Sour cream

1-cup Brown sugar

1-cup Walnuts, chopped

Instructions:

Cream thoroughly shortening, sugar, and cinnamon extract; add eggs and beat well; sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and add alternately with sour cream. Blend well. Spread ½ batter in the bottom of a greased and lined with wax paper tube pan. Cream together; butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts. Mix well and sprinkle ½ over the batter in the pan. Add remaining batter and sprinkle on remaining nut mixture. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes.

Serves 6

Note: This is great with a cream cheese or powdered sugar icing/frosting if you prefer cake with icing/frosting. You can also add a different extract for a little different flavor or even a different nut can change it a little and I have made those changes and they are really good, but this is the best to me family.

Be Sure to visit Cristies Cookin for more recipes, tips, ideas, spices, aprons and even a CIA thriller "11.11.11". Crisite's talents are vast and is always working on new things so check back often for new product, recipes, tips and ideas. Don't forget to submit your favorite recipe to win Cristie's "Gotcha Covered" apron.

Cooking lessons for Cristie began at 8 years old with the best teacher in the world -- her Mom! Later, she cooked for the restaurant the family owned, and her love of the "trade" has grown ever since. Cristie's creative cooking has continued for over 40 years. Her creations can soon be on your kitchen table. Check out Cristie's books at http://www.cristiescookin.com and http://www.tjstokes.com

Written by: Cristie Will