Do you love the smell of fresh-brewed coffee in the morning? There’s something about that first cup of coffee that just makes the world seem a little bit brighter. But have you ever stopped to think about how your coffee maker works? Turns out, there’s a lot of science involved in brewing the perfect cup of joe.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how a Bunn coffee maker works and some of the factors that go into making great-tasting coffee. So if you’re curious about your favorite morning ritual, keep reading!
How Does a Bunn Coffee Maker Works?
The Bunn coffee maker is a small, fast serving machine that brews high-quality batches of hot coffee. Coffee brewing can be as easy as inserting a filter with some ground beans and some water, closing the lid, and pushing the power button. It might not look like it from the outside but within this little machine, there’s a lot happening.
Inside the Bunn coffee maker, water is heated into steam and then pressurized to somewhere between 60 atm (600 psi) and 90 atm (900 psi).
The next step can be either heating cold water through an internal heat exchanger or spraying hot water over the grounds. Combinations of these two techniques are used by different models of coffee makers.
From a Bunn coffee maker’s internal water tank, the pressurized water is forced to pass through several funnels containing ground coffee beans and finally, it reaches the brew basket.
The hot water extracts soluble compounds from the grounds in a process called “infusion” and these compounds form an essential part of the final flavor of the coffee. Coffee is kept hot in the brew basket and, thanks to a small but critical feature, it doesn’t burn.
The Bunn coffee maker’s internal heater is controlled by a thermostat and switches off once the water temperature reaches 92 °C (198 °F). The fact that this machine can keep coffee above boiling temperature without burning it is impressive.
Coffee served from the Bunn coffee maker tastes good, but this doesn’t come for free. Making coffee at home requires a lot of effort and proper timing to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Using pre-ground coffee instead of grinding beans right before brewing will result in many issues, including severe under-extraction and over-extraction.
Freshly ground beans make sure that water passes through all of them and they create a uniform mass which is critical for the extraction process and its consistency over time and between batches.
How to Clean a Bunn Coffee Maker?
Cleaning your Bunn coffee maker will help prolong its life and ensure the best possible flavor in every cup of coffee you brew. Although this seems like a very simple task, there are some important factors you need to know before beginning. What follows is an explanation of how to clean a Bunn coffee maker for the best results.
First and foremost, you should NEVER use bleach to clean your Bunn coffee maker. Chlorine is rough on stainless steel and will corrode the inside of your brewer if used repeatedly. Wash your decanter with mild soap and rinse thoroughly with water after every use (or as needed).
Note: Never let coffee grounds sit in the decanter for a long period of time after brewing.
To remove any scale buildup, pour a small amount of white vinegar into the decanter and run it through a brew cycle without coffee. Once the cycle is finished, dump out the vinegar and run two or three cycles with fresh water before making your next pot of coffee.
Most manufacturers recommend running a brewing cycle with just plain water every few weeks to remove any residual flavors from previous brews.
This is especially important if you use your unit to make tea, flavored coffee or cocoa, etc., as this will help eliminate residual off-flavors that can be transferred onto the next brew.
Never use steel wool, wire brushes, or abrasive cleaners on the inside of your brewer. This will damage the stainless steel finish and cause corrosion. Cleaning tablets or pucks should NEVER be used to clean a Bunn coffee maker as they may leave a residue that can adversely affect the taste of your coffee.
The best way to clean the outside of your Bunn coffee maker is with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. Do not use chemicals or abrasive cleaners on any surfaces.
If you have hard water stains that won’t come off despite your best efforts, try using CLR (Calcium Lime Rust). It’s non-abrasive, non-toxic, and environmentally safe.
To keep your Bunn coffee maker looking shiny and new, you should clean it on a regular basis. Of course, this will depend on how often you use it.
The more coffee you make, the more frequently your unit should be cleaned. In addition to following these simple steps for cleaning a Bunn coffee maker, always remember to toll off power before beginning any type of cleaning process inside the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I leave my Bunn coffee maker on all the time?
There’s no need to leave your coffee maker on all the time. In fact, it’s better to turn it off between uses so that it doesn’t heat up the room (or your office) and waste energy.
Coffee makers only take a few minutes to heat up water and brew a pot of coffee, so there’s no need to have them running all day long. Just make sure you unplug them when you’re not using them!
How do you make coffee in a Bunn machine?
In order to make coffee in a Bunn machine, you will need to fill the reservoir with cold water and add ground coffee to the funnel.
You can then adjust the brew strength and choose your desired cup size before pressing the brew button. The coffee will begin brewing automatically and will be dispensed into your cup once it is finished.
How long does it take for a Bunn coffee maker to heat up?
It takes about 4 minutes for a Bunn coffee maker to heat up.
One of the reasons Bunn coffee makers are so popular is because they heat up so quickly. This means you can get your morning cup of coffee faster, and it also means that the coffee doesn’t have time to cool down before you drink it.
How do you start a Bunn coffee maker for the first time?
First, make sure the coffee maker is unplugged. Then, remove the water tank by lifting it straight up. Next, fill the water tank with cold water to the MAX FILL line. Replace the water tank and press it down until it clicks into place.
Plugin the coffee maker and choose your desired brew size by pressing one of the buttons on the front of the machine. The light corresponding to your chosen brew size will turn on. Finally, place a coffee mug or carafe beneath the spout and hit “BREW.” The coffee maker will start automatically.
Are Bunn coffee makers worth the money?
There is a lot of debate on this topic, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Some people find that Bunn coffee makers produce better-tasting coffee, while others find them to be too expensive and prefer other brands.
One thing to consider is that Bunn coffee makers are designed for commercial use, so they are often more durable and can withstand a higher volume of usage than other brands. This can be important if you plan on using your coffee maker frequently.
How long should a Bunn coffee maker last?
A Bunn coffee maker should last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. However, it is important to properly maintain your coffee maker in order to increase its lifespan.
By cleaning your machine regularly and using the proper filters, you can extend the life of your coffee maker by up to 2 years.
Do Bunn coffee makers use a lot of electricity?
Bunn coffee makers vary in their energy consumption, but most use between 1000 and 1500 watts of electricity. This is about the same as a microwave oven or a blow dryer.
So if you’re using your coffee maker every day, it may be worth your time to invest in a more energy-efficient model. There are many great options available now that use less than half the wattage of traditional models.
