Bad taste is typically a cleaning, grind, or water quality issue.
- Clean the coffee maker. Run a vinegar cycle (1 pint vinegar, let sit 30 minutes, then flush with 2-3 water cycles). Clean monthly.
- Use medium-ground coffee. Too coarse or too fine produces poor flavor.
- Adjust coffee-to-water ratio. Use 1 tablespoon (15 ml) grounds per cup of coffee. Adjust for preference.
- Use fresh coffee. Pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly. Use within a week of grinding.
- Use filtered or bottled water. Tap water minerals affect taste.
If using a water filter in the unit, replace it every 60 brew cycles. Ensure all removable parts are clean and rinsed of soap residue.