Here at VitaCup, we understand the importance of coffee in our morning rituals and even just the thought of that ritual being interrupted is a travesty! Over 600 million cups of coffee are made a day, and as much as we would love to say VitaCup coffee pods are always 100% perfect, there is the chance of a pod manufacturing mishap from time to time.
In the event of one of those times, we wanted to share some tips and tricks to troubleshoot the issue and ensure that you get the most out of your pods.
Poke a Hole in the Top of the Pod
It’s possible for air to seep inside the pod. The air does not affect the coffee, but it may affect how your pod brews. If you notice the pod seems to be overly full with air, take something sharp to poke a small hole into the lid of the pod. This will release some of the air to get the best brew possible. Once you poke the hole, put the pod in the brewer and enjoy! Here is an example of how to poke the hole in the lid.
Make Sure the Lid is Completely Down
Ensure that the lid of your coffee maker is closed all the way down so that your pod is properly pierced through. If the lid of the coffee maker isn’t closed all the way, your coffee is likely to have grounds in it and you may have a big mess on top of your hands. Lastly, if the lid of the brewer is not closed completely, it will not brew a full cup of coffee (and nobody wants that!). Firmly press the lid (sometimes with a bit of extra muscle, depending on the machine) until you hear the pod fully pierced.
Make Sure the Brewer is Clean
A clean brewer is a vital part of making sure that you get the best (and healthiest) cup of coffee possible! If using a single-serve coffee maker every day, it’s best to clean the water reservoir once a week. Start by taking it off the machine and cleaning it thoroughly with warm soapy water. Let the inside air dry and use a lint-free cloth to dry off the outside. When you put the reservoir back on the machine, run two hot brew cycles through to kill any leftover germs. If you notice over time that your brewer is working slower than normal, you may need to descale it. Refer to the owner’s manual of your brewer for a step-by-step guide on descaling, as this process varies from brewer to brewer.
Clean Both Needles on the Brewer
There are two separate needles in your single-serve brewer: one that pokes a hole in the top of the pod and one that pokes the hole in the bottom. After using your brewer frequently, coffee grinds can get stuck in the needles, causing the pods to “explode” and create a mess. A paperclip works well to dig into the crevices where the needle is to clear any old coffee grounds. Once the needles are clean, you should run a few hot water cycles through the brewer to ensure the old grounds have been removed.
With regular brewer cleaning and knowledge of these few easy troubleshooting tips, you’ll be on your way to drinking the perfect cup in no time! If your issue was not addressed in this post, or you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our customer success team at customerservice@vitacup.com OR 888-857-VITA to be walked through the issue!