We love our model E9 coffee maker. However, our coffee has been bitter. In South Florida our water isn't the greatest, but I use double-filtered tap water, and also bottled water. We also use good quality coffee. Should we clean the unit more often? I really need your help, because I know the coffee can taste better/ Mae Hawkins

Hi there! I'm sorry to hear that your Tchibo coffee maker is not brewing the large size coffee properly. Here are a few suggestions that might help:

1. Check the water level in the water tank. If the water level is too low, the machine may not be able to brew the large size coffee.
2. Make sure that the coffee filter is properly inserted into the filter holder. If the filter is not inserted properly, the machine may not be able to brew the large size coffee.
3. Clean the coffee maker. The coffee maker may be clogged, which can prevent it from brewing the large size coffee properly. You can clean the coffee maker with a mild detergent and water.
4. Descale the coffee maker. If the coffee maker is not descaled regularly, it can build up calcium deposits, which can prevent it from brewing the large size coffee properly. You can descale the coffee maker with a descaling solution.

If you have checked all of these things and the large size coffee is still not brewing properly, then you may need to contact Tchibo customer support for further assistance.
Here are some additional tips that might help:

• Use fresh, cold water. Stale or warm water can affect the taste of the coffee.
• Use a good quality coffee. Cheap coffee beans can make the coffee taste bitter.
• Grind the coffee beans to a medium-coarse grind. A too fine grind can make the coffee taste bitter, while a too coarse grind can make the coffee taste weak.
• Clean the coffee maker regularly. A dirty coffee maker can make the coffee taste bitter.

I hope these suggestions help!

That is an espresso maker and I've never had espresso that wasn't bitter.
You can change coffee brands and amounts.
My favorite coffee is Red Diamond. But we don't do espresso with it.

When a coffee beverage has been prepared, the coffee machine also rinses the coffee lines before turning off.

If the water that comes into contact with the coffee grounds is too hot, you will extract bitter elements from the coffee. The water should not be boiling when poured on the coffee grounds. Coffee oils, fats and sediment are the natural parts of the coffee bean that causes bitterness by forming as the brew ages. The longer the coffee sits the stronger it tastes.
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Espresso Machines Coffee Makers Grinders Reviews

You will likely find the bitterness is a function of your coffee bean choice or the 'roast' component of that coffee. Darker roasts tend to taste bitter.

There may be some buildup in the machine other than in the pot itself. To test this, try running the brew cycle with no beans. Taste the hot water. If it's acrid and bitter, your problem lies in buildup (such as the basket). Otherwise, if the hot water just tastes like hot water, then the temperature of the water has probably become too high (that will make coffee tastes more bitter). If this is the problem, there's probably no fix (just make sure you fill the reservoir with cold, not hot, water).

You need a new drainage valve on the base of the brew unit.

Debris was left in the chamber when manufacturing the unit. Flus and clean accordingly and it will survice.

If you are using a Claris filter, please remove this from the watertank. The descaling agent will clog the filter and make the water taste bad. After descaling, also be sure to rinse the watertank so there`s no resedue of the solvent left in the tank.

However, bitter taste on the coffe usually is related to the coffee side; Try to run a cleaning program. And check grinder settings. If the powder is to fine, it will increase the contact time, and that will make the coffee bitter. My advise is to clean the machine and experiment a little with the grinder settings.

Good luck!