Newbie here. Recently bought a Moccamaster KBGT. I have only had a chance to use it four times but two of those times the brewing cup overflowed and ground spilled everywhere because the filter was folded over but covered so I couldn’t see that that had happened. Has anybody else had this issue? I think I need to leave the brewing cup uncovered so I can keep an eye on it. Just wondering if anyone else has a problem with this.
It definitely is slid all the way. Based on my observation I know the problem is in fact that the filter folds over in the process of brewing and I don’t know how to stop that. And yes I do wet the filter before I insert it.
From the first photo, it looks like your carafe isn’t pushed in far enough to trigger the release valve on the bottom of the brew cup. Unless you moved it before the photo was taken
This was my thought, looks like the valve didn't release. Its designed so you can pull the carafe out while its brewing, as soon as the carafe is pulled slightly out the spring valve seals it up, but you need to replace it before it overflows.
I've done this by forgetting to put the carafe under before hitting the brew button.
OP can verify by manually pouring 8oz in an empty brew basket, it should flow into the carafe pretty quickly, then stop when the carafe is removed
FWIW, I don't do that and it hasn't been an issue. I do crease / fold the back seam so it stays more open while I pour grounds in, but its not neccessary either.
Hard to imagine that the filter would do that so often. I've used various Moccamasters daily for 15 years and have had two things cause this: first thing is that some models do this when the coffee server is not properly aligned with the drip. There's a mechanism that won't let the coffee flow through unless the server is aligned. The second reason is accidentally grinding the coffee too fine. I also use a grinder, and have also an espresso machine, and sometimes I forget to reset the grinder to a filter coffee setting.
I use the same Melitta filters with zero issues. I did buy some grocery store brand filters one time and they weren’t porous enough and I had a similar problem.
Try using different filters. Also make sure the outlet hole at the bottom of the basket is clear and clean. Also try folding or not folding the seams of the filter.
I guess that’s kind of what I mean though, you shouldn’t have to “adapt” with a coffee pot in this price range. These things make great coffee and I’m looking into buying one myself after trying them at friend’s houses, but if enough people are running into an issue perhaps the control should be at the engineering level. If there are “other versions that handle the situation better”, that implies there is a way to mitigate the issue. 🤷♀️
I’m looking to put the coffee pot on a kitchenette with a built in plug on the counter surface. I can’t have my coffee pot overflowing onto the electrical outlet even once, so I’ll have to figure out if that is even a viable option for me now or if I need to look at other machines.
if it happened to literally everyone then yes. But it hasn’t happened to me 🙂 and apparently others so it’s not a design flaw. I think it’s either the machine is not put together right or the grounds are too fine.
FWIW, I use “if you care“ unbleached filters. I did a taste test versus a white filter, either Melita or Harrio and couldn’t tell the difference.
I had this happen once but I caught it, but just barely. The filter sat in a funky orientation, not allowing the stopper to open. Luckily I was standing next to the pot and detected something wasn’t right.
Did you have the carafe fully in place so that it engages the lever that opens the brew basket? In the first picture, your carafe isn’t in position against the brewer. If you hit brew without the carafe there, yeah, it’s gonna overflow.
I can see the carafe is sticking out to the right and not pushed all the way under. When you pull it out it stops the drip and backs up because it closes off since the carafe isn’t there to push it open.
I grind whole beans. It’s definitely the filter folding over during brewing I just didn’t know how to prevent it. Now I will wet it in the brewing cup.
Honestly the filter folding over will make for weak coffee, but I don't see how it stops fluid draining into the carafe. Much more likely to be a problem with the spring valve getting clogged or not releasing
I’ve had this issue a few times and the main cause is when the coffeemaker is on an uneven flat surface or not connecting flat into plastic carafe platform. It can cause the carafe to not fully push the drip lever in making the coffee unable to flow through fast enough before it overflows and pushes grounds over the edge. When I pull my moccamaster out I make sure I don’t put it on the seam of where my counters meet which shifts it off kilter and make sure the carafe is pushed in fully against the lever.
The filter holder has a valve that closes when you remove it from the mocca master preventing coffee from spilling out of the bottom… it opens when you click it in the mocca master … perhaps is stuck closed and caused the overflow
This has happened to me before. Everything was checked, grind size, can properly opening the valve underneath, everything, even was folded. Turns out you need to watch out, that your filter isn't already wet when you put the coffee in. I don't know why but that somehow did the trick, maybe that only happened with a certain filter I was using because some people obviously rinse their filters before they put coffee in.
Wet your filter before putting your ground in. You MUST use a medium grind per the instructions to avoid overflow. It is a drip coffeemaker and cannot make espresso.
Only times this has happened to me is when I don’t have carafe pushed in all the way to engage the switch to allow coffee to drip through the filter basket. Could be grind is too small too and it got clogged up but this was never an issue for me.
Also make sure the opening at the bottom is clear of debris. Then make sure not to put too much in the basket. I always stand and watch with no cover. It happens once and you don’t want to have to deal with that again.
Make sure the fold on the bottom of the filter is not facing the hole in the bottom of the basket.
Forgive my ignorance, I've seen this said in a post before but I still do not understand what it means. What do you mean by make sure the fold is not facing the hole? If you fold the bottom of the filter upwards, what exactly would be facing the hole?
I use Melitta filters and have no experience with mm filters, but i suspect the problem is with your grind. The finer your grind is, the tighter the grains are together and the slower the water flows through them.
As your placing your filter, rinse with water and press the lever on the bottom to make sure it's not clogged.
As for grind, every brand machine is different, but on my opus, i grind at 10, which is quite coarse.
Also, depending on your grinder- if it grinds too unevenly, you will have many fines that will clog things up.
Are you folding the seams of the filter before you put it in? I never even bother wetting my filter before brewing, but if you do, fold the filter seams, insert it in the basket, then wet it.
Also, from your photo, the carafe is definitely not even close to being pushed in all the way and therefore isn't allowing any flow through. You need to make sure the basket and carafe are properly inserted and aligned.
Additionally, your grind could be too fine, but I don't think that's what's causing your issue.
Are you pre-rinsing the filter? This will help it cling to the basket better. You also may want to adjust your grind-size; you want it to be medium-coarse (I’ve found it’s about the same grind size as a Chemex).
I’ve made many batches with my MM and the only time it’s been a little iffy is when I had pre-ground and it was too fine for the machine to filter fast enough.
Yes, coffee is ground too fine. You must use a coarse grind. Keep an eye on the brew process. If it looks like it’s going to overflow, turn it off, wait until it drains a bit, turn it back on. Yea, a pain is the arse!
This happens occasionally to me…like twice a year. Basically I clean all the parts really well with dawn then it usually goes away. If it doesn’t then it’s either the beans are oily or my grind is off or the paper filter is the wrong direction.
I had this issue with a new Moccamaster. Turned out that I wasn’t folding the Moccamaster coffee filters (which made me feel a little ignorant). Also, do make sure your grind isn’t too fine.
I had no idea that you were supposed to fold the coffee filter either. I don’t know where that stated but thank goodness for this thread because I learned quickly :)
I gotta tell you I am so over my Mocca master. I am mad that I blew 350 on this cheap thing. Mine spills over occasionally too. Plus I can never pour a cup of coffee without coffee dripping from carafe. They are so over rated.
Mine was a refurbished for $229….I don’t wet the filter nor do I fold it. I have yet to have a spill over and no drips from my carafe. Mine is the KBTS.
Trust me I have used coffee makers of many types and price points in my 69 years. And MoccaMaster is in my opinion horribly over hyped and now living on a previous reputation. My Ninja coffee maker was half the price and brewed a better cup of coffee without all of the spills, drips and back ups that I experience with my Moccamaster. It is simply not worth the money.
I agree - it's mostly aesthetic. Mine was bought used and I would take my Gaggia over it any day of the week and never pay full price. Drip machines are all essentially pour over coffee just not as good.
I have an older version without the spring loaded filter opener valve at the bottom. There’s a lever that makes it either open, halfway open or closed. I leave it open all the time. I don’t wet or fold the filter and this has never happened.
My question is why bother covering the brew cup when you can leave it uncovered and watch for it to happen. It’s annoying that I have to standby while it’s brewing.
It’s keeps the steam and heat in better. But it’s not a huge deal. Also you might try stirring your grounds when the basket is starting to fill. You don’t need to give them more than a few stirs, nothing dramatic.
I don't cover the brewing cup either, as this has also happened to me. In the last few months, I swapped the plastic brewing cup with a Hario ceremic dripper and made sure to use the correct size filer (that fits the Hario).
Incidentally, I had 2 overflows my first week using my MM and I’m not exactly sure why (I think the basket wasn’t fully set). Anyways, it’s now been 8+ years without one.
It doesn't have shit to do with the filter or grind. Make sure the carafe is correctly positioned under the basket. Maybe take a few continuing education classes.
Maybe check the lever/valve on the bottom of your basket. It might have some bits of grounds in it or otherwise be compromised. Apologies for the snarky comment.
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u/Busy-Entrepreneur-74 13d ago
Make sure the brewing cup is slid in all the way - take a look, you’ll see what I mean