Bunn VPR Coffee Maker Logo
Posted on Mar 08, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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How to prep to brew good coffee

We use the Bunn VPR at our church.  We are preping the machine prior to service to make coffee after service (approx. 1 1/2 hr later).  We have been instructed to do two(2) clear pots of water run through to heat the water in the reservoir.  The second pot is left to stay hot and be used for the first pot of coffee.  The machines are unplugged between uses(sometimes 6 days between uses) so as not to waste energy and burn out the element and not dry out.  We have been told to wait until the machine stops gurgling to pour in the first run. Is this necessary? What is the proper prep procedure?   Is it best to use cold water or hot?  Is there a manual that offers instructions?

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  • Posted on Mar 09, 2009
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Hello, that sounds fairly good, as you describe it. Here is a link to your units manual:
http://www.bunnomatic.com/pages/techdocs/manuals/pourbrew_warm.html

go to the bottom of the page, and select the operation manual for a VPR. It is advisable to let the unit sit for approx. 20 minutes after filling, cold water works best, and you need to make sure that you pour the water in before you plug it in, as the heat circuit is always on, whether water is in it or not, including if all the water has evaporated. The manual for the unit should answer your questions.

Hope that helps, and thank you.

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Hello. Bunn coffeemaker VPR Series. When water is poured in coffee starts to make. Carafe gets about 1/3 full and then just drips through filter for about 5 minutes. Never makes full pot.

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You should call your vendor for service. Especially if it's on loan from them.
*** The following is for information only. Equipment should be serviced by a qualified tech. ***
VPS are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater powers up. Brewer will pre-heat the water (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* FYI Coffee grounds are usually in pre-messured packets for office use. A simple guide is one tablespoon per cup. (level or heaping spoon is up to you)
* Since your brewer was bubbling at one point. I'm guessing it had water in the pre-heater at one time. But if it's not in use and left plugged in all that time then the water has probably boiled off. Hopefully someone unplugged the brewer prior to the unit blowing the thermal fuse.
* You can test the VPR by following the Pre-fill instructions I've listed earlier. If the brewer heats up and does not continuously boil (shorted condition) then try a brew. If it works then your okay. Otherwise the unit will need service for a blown high limit or bad heater element.
* Call your coffee vendor anyway. Many coffee vendors will service your brewer of even replace it as long as you buy coffee from them. Ask around.
* check bunn.com for free download of VPR manual

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Our BUNN vpr is plugged in 24/7 and stays warm all the time. This seems like a big waste of electricity to me, but I have been told that when they tried to unplug the last one between uses, they had to buy...

VPS/VPR are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater is turned on (CWTF's have a toggle switch behind the machine). Brewer will pre-heat the water (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* FYI Coffee grounds are usually in pre-measured packets for office use. A simple guide is one tablespoon per cup. (level or heaping spoon is up to you)
* Final; Getting back to unplugging when not in use. Yes there is a heater in the machine that keeps the tank warm. You can save power by turning off the warmer plates when not in use. Some units have up to 6 plates. The warmer "Blanket" is designed to keep the tank warm enough to brew and not waste heat or electricity. Yes unplug the unit at night if there is no night crew drinking coffee (or tea) But follow the Pre-heat instructions mentioned above prior to plugging the brewer back in. If the tank has been emptied at night or dried up after an idle week. Then there is a chance you may over heat and blow the thermal fuse. Or at best have a half pot short brew as the water dried up.
* Note leaving the brewer plugged in without brewing daily is not a good idea. The water evaporates and eventually drys out the pot. Takes about 1-2 weeks but it does blow the fuse(s) and the unit will need service.
* Final; Follow the Bunn set up and care instructions (manuals from Bunn.com for down loading. (*FREE*)
Aloha, ukeboy57
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