What is the Lifespan of a Coffee Maker? (Facts Explained)

You’ve been looking at upgrading your coffee machine and find yourself wondering what is the lifespan of a coffee maker. This is an important question to ask especially if you’re looking at buying an expensive one.

A good quality coffee maker or machine should last up to ten years or more. But you can’t automatically assume your machine will give you ten years of loyal service. This is dependent on a whole lot of different factors. These could include how you use your machine and the quality of your machine.

How Long Should Coffee Makers Last?

Asking how long should a coffee maker last is the same as asking how long is a piece of string! Designers of coffee makers will try to convince you their product will last a long time – anything between five to ten years. That can well be but a definite answer can’t be given because so many other factors influence the lifespan of any product.

What Causes Your Coffee Maker to Stop Working?

Find out what can influence the quality of your coffee maker and ultimately lengthen or shorten its life time. If you want to make sure your appliance lasts for a long time, then be aware of these factors. These are some of the ways your coffee maker could stop working.

The Design and Build Quality of the Coffee Maker

The less complicated the design of your coffee maker, the less likely things will go wrong with it.

Take a look at the French Press. If you’re using the plunger correctly, cleaning it regularly and don’t drop it, it should last for a long time. Of course, wear and tear have an impact so a time will come when you’ll need to replace it. But it shouldn’t have to happen too soon. I know friends who’re using the same French Press they bought more than seven years ago!

Coffee machines with pumps and pipes are a bit more complicated and more likely to break down. But if you’re using it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, these machines have a good lifespan.

Make sure the materials used to construct the coffee maker is of high-quality, durable and long lasting. While most appliances nowadays are made from plastic, it’s important to know what type of plastic is used. There’s cheap plastic and there’s high-quality plastic!

A good build quality would include components made with stainless steel and aluminum. Here some examples of 4 cup coffee makers with great built quality.

Tap Water or Filtered Water: What’s the Difference?

Any coffee aficionado will tell you to make your coffee brew with filtered or purified water, whether you’re using a French Press or a coffee machine. This improves the flavor of your brew. But how does the type of water impact your coffee maker?

If your tap water supply is prone to hard water, you’ll notice the affects in all your appliances. Limescale build-up is a common side-effect of hard water. Another indication are dirty marks around the edge of your kitchen sink or bath tub. High iron content in hard water leads to rusting.

Unknowingly, you’ll be causing damage to your coffee machine when using hard water. The pipes will deteriorate quicker and if your water reservoir is made from metal, you run the risk of rust. Dirty marks will line plastic reservoirs, eventually making it harder to remove them. In the end, you’ll end up with foul tasting coffee. And a coffee maker with a shorter lifespan!

By using filtered water, your coffee maker will last longer and you’ll enjoy your cup of coffee.

Cleaning and Maintaining the Coffee Maker

As much as we would like to believe our appliances will last forever with minimum cleaning and maintenance, it often doesn’t work out that way! If your idea of cleaning your coffee maker is simply wiping it over with a damp cloth, think again.

Depending on the coffee maker you’re using, parts of it need to be cleaned on a regular basis. The decanter and brew funnel can be washed in hot water and soap after every use. The spray nozzle should be cleaned every couple of weeks to prevent clogging.

A deep cleaning can take place every couple of months. Specialized coffee maker cleaners can be used for this process. Vinegar also works well. This step ensures all part of the appliance is cleaned thoroughly.

Carrying out simple maintenance jobs on your coffee maker will keep it going a bit longer. Check the handle of the decanter regularly and tighten any loose screws. If the funnel cracks or the spray nozzle breaks, see if you can get replacement parts. Make sure you use the same brand when getting parts. Otherwise you run the risk of decreasing the functioning of the machine.

The Right Grind and Roast

Some coffee makers will struggle with a very fine coffee grind. The filters and piston will get blocked and if you’re not cleaning them often, the machine will take strain. This puts unnecessary pressure on the pump and it may burn out.

The same applies to coarser grinds. Your machine will need to work harder and eventually it’ll stop producing the perfect cup of coffee! Before purchasing your ground coffee or grinding whole beans, check which grind is best suited for your coffee maker for an optimal brew.

Another factor to consider when buying your favorite blend of coffee is dark roast coffee. This type of roast is naturally oilier. What happens when something is full of oil? It gets sticky and clings to various parts of an appliance. The same goes with dark roast coffee and coffee machines. Eventually, over time, the brewing components of your machine will form layers of gunk. When this layer gets too dense, your machine will stop working at its best level.

How Often Are You Using Your Coffee Maker?

The more an appliance is used, the harder it’s working. And the same goes for your coffee maker. While most coffee makers are designed to give you coffee whenever you want it, overuse it and it may want to give up sooner than you expect it to! So, what’s the answer here? If you know you’re going to drink coffee all day long, get a coffee maker that matches your demand.

If you’re always entertaining family and friends, a coffee maker designed to make single serves is more likely to pack in than a coffee maker designed to brew for a crowd. So, if you love your coffee maker and want it to last a long time, make sure it’s designed to give you the quantity you’re using it for.

Another factor we tend to forget about when brewing our coffee, is not turning off the electricity supply to the machine when it’s not being used. The constant source of electricity running through your machine can impact it negatively. If your electricity supply has surges, your machine will be damaged. Unplug your coffee maker when you’re not using it.

What is the Most Reliable Coffee Maker?

If you’re wondering what is the most reliable coffee maker, it comes down to your own personal choice of coffee brew. You may be a fan of Keurig coffee and Keurig coffee machines are of high-quality build. But they still involve many components which can go wrong if ultimate care is not taken. Luckily most issues can be fixed quite easily.

Any coffee maker with pumps, piping, heating elements and other intricate brewing components can be easily damaged even if you’ve done your best to care for it. There’ll be days when you simply forget to unplug your machine from the wall socket! Or, you’re unaware of hard water running through your appliance until its too late.

Technology has improved coffee machines but it also means more things can go wrong. This shouldn’t stop you from buying an electrical coffee machine. It simply means you need to factor all the pros and cons before doing so. And, knowing your appliance may not be as reliable as you hope it to be.

The simpler the design of your coffee maker, the longer you can expect it to keep on making your brew. When you’re deciding on reliability, think about how  much maintenance and care you’re willing to put into your coffee maker to extend its lifespan.

Does a Warranty Tell You How Long Your Coffee Maker Will Last?

Most reputable brands will give a 2-year warranty for a good coffee machine. But this doesn’t mean your appliance will last for two years (or more). How many times have you bought an appliance with a warranty only to have it pack up on your three days after the warranty expires? Or, the warranty expired five years ago and your coffee machine is still going strong.

The moral of the story? Don’t gauge the lifetime of your coffee machine by the warranty covering it!

Getting the Most Out of Your Coffee Maker

A coffee maker, like any other kitchen appliance, can have a good lifespan if it’s cared for and used for what it’s intended for – to brew your coffee. But different coffee makers have different requirements. If you used it incorrectly or expect it to do more then it’s designed to do, you can expect it to pack up sooner than later.

The lifespan of a coffee maker is not dependent on the hefty price tag or the fancy designs. So, going simple and sometimes, going cheaper can mean a longer life expectancy of your coffee maker.