How Long Does A Coffee Maker Last

As much as we would like our appliances to last forever with minimum maintenance, it often does not turn out that way.

The same is the case with a coffee maker.

The average life expectancy of a coffee maker is about 5 years.

Assuming you take proper care of the machine by cleaning and descaling routinely, the device can last for as long as 10 years.

Although some coffee machines can remain functional for 10 years, you may want to say farewell to your coffee maker somewhat sooner.

Here are some of the causes that affect the functionality of your coffee maker and signs indicating why it may be time to replace your old model with a new one.

Table of Contents

Factors affecting the efficiency of a coffee maker

To ensure that your machine lasts longer, be aware of these factors that could cause your coffee maker to stop working.

Related Reading: Which Coffee Maker Makes The Hottest Coffee – Learn More.

1. Build quality

When buying a coffee maker, make sure it has high-quality construction.

A good build quality includes components made from aluminum and stainless steel.

Nowadays, most appliances are made using plastic, so it’s essential to know if it is cheap or high-quality.

A Coffee machine having pipes and pumps has a little more complicated design and is more prone to breaking down.

But if you use it per the manufacturer’s guidelines, these machines tend to have a good lifespan.

2. Water quality

If your tap water supply contains hard water, you will notice its effects on all your appliances.

Limescale build-up is a typical symptom of hard water.

Also, the high iron percentage in hard water causes rusting.

Unintentionally, you will be posing harm to your coffee maker by using hard water.

The pipes will degrade quicker, and if you have a water reservoir made from metal, it will start rusting.

Dirt marks gradually start building up in plastic reservoirs, making it tougher to get rid of them.

Eventually, you will end up with bad-tasting coffee and a coffee maker with a shorter life.

By using filtered water, you cannot only improve your coffee taste but also increase your coffee maker’s lifespan.

3. Bean type

Some coffee makers struggle with very finely ground coffee beans.

The filters and pistons get blocked if they are not cleaned often.

This puts unwanted pressure on the pump, which can burn out.

The same goes for coarser grinds.

Your machine will need to work unnecessarily hard and, eventually, stop making the perfect cup of coffee.

Before buying your coffee beans or grinding them, better check which type of grind is suitable for your coffee maker for the best brew.

Another thing to consider when buying your favorite blend is dark roast coffee.

This is a naturally oilier type of roast that gets sticky and starts clinging to various parts of the appliance.

Over time, the brewing parts of your machine will accumulate layers of gunk.

When this layer gets too thick, your machine will no more function at its best.

4. Frequency of use

The more a machine is used, the harder it has to work; the same applies to your coffee maker.

While most coffee makers are designed to make coffee whenever you want, overusing it may result in your machine giving up sooner than expected.

So, what’s the solution?

If you know you will be drinking coffee all day long, consider storing it in a thermos rather than running your coffee maker multiple times a day.

5. Cleaning and maintenance

Some coffee maker parts need to be removed and cleaned regularly.

The brew funnel and decanter can be washed with soap and hot water after every use.

The spray nozzle should be washed every two weeks to prevent clogging.

Deep cleaning can be done every couple of months.

Simple maintenance jobs on your coffee maker will keep it in shape a bit longer.

Related Reading: How Many Watts Does A Coffee Maker Use? – Read More.

Five signs you need a new coffee maker

1. Water does not heat up enough

While cleaning and descaling can keep the coffee machine running for long, heating elements eventually wear off over time.

When this occurs, there is no option but to replace the coffee maker.

2. The machine is out of order

Machines can experience many issues, such as faulty pumps, leaks, or irreplaceable parts (like water reservoirs and carafes) getting cracked.

These are clear indicators that your coffee maker needs to be replaced.

3. Manufacturer discontinues pods

A real issue arises when a coffee machine that takes only certain types of coffee pods or k-cups is no more supported by the manufacturer.

It means that if the company discontinues those pods, the machine is left useless.

This ultimately means that you will need to replace the coffee maker.

4. Your taste has changed

While you might have preferred drip coffee before, you might now develop a strong taste for espresso.

We suggest you should pay attention to your liking and replace that old coffee maker if you have grown tired of it.

5. Your lifestyle has changed

When you are single, owning a single-serve coffee maker might be a smart idea.

But things change once you have a family.

You want to be able to save money by brewing more coffee in one go, so you want to use ground coffee rather than pods.

That is one good reason to replace your old one-cup coffee maker.