20 Most Recent Faberware FCP280 Coffee Maker Questions & Answers

It should be about 180 degrees. The percolator should perc about one minute for each cup of coffee. If it stops too soon and the water is not hot, then the thermostat is bad. The thermostat can be replaced.

Hi, I just posted this for the FCP412 model: here it goes again.
I've had the same problem, I went with a percolator since our water is hard and we calcify the heating element within about a year. Having the FCP-412 stop working has made me angry as well.
1st, I placed an order for a P04-303 thermostat. It seems to be the correct replacement but we'll see. You can find it here: http://www.goodmans.net/get_item_fa-p04-303_farberware-p04-303-thermostat-for-coffemaker-urn.htm

2nd, here is my 1 cent fix. Really, insert a penny under the thermostat. The delay that it takes to additionally heat the penny will increase the duration that the 1000 Watt element is on. You can experiment with other materials just make sure it isn't flammable (it's next to the element) and it is not too insulate (you want the thermostat to open the circuit some time after the start of the heating cycle (3-3:30 minutes).
Good luck. -david

USING YOUR PERCOLATOR 1.Wash the Percolator thoroughly before using for the first time. (See "Cleaning Instructions" section in this manual.) 2.Remove Cover, Basket, Spreader and Pump Tube. Use cold, fresh tap water to fill Percolator. Fill according to markings on inside of Percolator for number of cups desired. Use cold tap water - the automatic brewing cycle is timed to begin with a cold water start. NOTE: The bottom of the Pump Tube Spring marks the maximum capacity of the Percolator. 3.Wet Coffee Basket to help keep small particles of coffee from sift- ing through. Place Basket on Pump Tube. Add desired amount of regular or percolator grind coffee to Basket. 4.Place Pump Tube with Basket into Percolator so bottom of tube is set into Center Well. Place Spreader on top of Basket and snap Cover onto Percolator. Attach cord to Percolator and plug into standard household 120 volt AC wall outlet. Brewing begins within seconds and continues at a cup-a-minute speed 5.When coffee brewing is complete, percolating will stop. The Percolator automatically switches to "KEEP WARM" setting to preserve fresh-tasting coffee at hot, ready-to-serve temperature. For best flavor, remove Coffee Basket, Spreader and Pump Tube when brewing is completed.

The pots we use , uses 120 volts in France they use 220 volts. So you would need a converter kit they sell a the airport. Good luck. Ron. PS some hotels have 120 volts.. Call first.

Hi. You have a made in China pot and is not worth the repair. You can repair it but in a month or 2 it will go down again. Buy a used USA pot on ebay.. Good luck . Ron

It needs a keepwarm element. Go to repairshack.com for the part. Tell them USA pot or China Pot. Good luck. Ron

Hi. Looking at the prongs with the base off and the handle away from you. One end goes on the left prong and the other to the leg of the high element on the top. Good luck. Ron

The problem is the keep warm element. The reason, your pot perc's and it gets hot near the thermo, the thermo turns off the main element. The keep warm element is not on so after a small amount of time the water cools and the thermo turns the main element back on again, thus making the water hot. The K W element is supposed to be on all the time the pot is plugged in, it is instrumental in perking the first brew making it really hot, the thermo turns off the main element and the K W element keeps the water hot. The K M element is very a easy fix, it is the small looking white rope that runs around the bottom of the pot. You have 1-nut and 1- screw to remove. When removing the screw from the main element you must hold the (leg) that the K M element is screwed to so it does not bend and brake off. Take your time and be firm with the pressure you apply to the screw, while holding it with a pliers. You have a pot made in China

First thing you should do is check the washer on the bottom of the pump stem.

Check to make sure the washer can move freely (it's not unusual for it to get gunked up. Try putting a flat-blade screwdriver under it and GENTLY prying upwards all around. Spray with a small amount of WD-40, and then run a few brew cycles with just water to get rid of the WD-40. In many cases, this will restore proper operation of the unit.

If not, there are a number of places online from which to purchase replacement parts for Farberware percolators. One is repairshack.com. If your percolators were made before 1998, you'll want the "old style" thermostat, part#P04-056:


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If instead they were made after 1998, you'll need the new style, part#P04-303:


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Rule#1: NEVER immerse the percolator in water--there are electrical components in the plastic base that will not react well to that kind of treatment.

The outside, cover, basket and stem can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. You can fill the pot with warm soapy water as well, although to remove mineral deposits and the like, it's recommended you periodically run a brew cycle (with stem and basket in place) using a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water. To remove tougher stains, you might want to instead try dip-it coffeemaker cleaner.