What is the proper brew head (dispersion head) temperature for drip coffee?

I just received a Technivorm KBTS (32oz) drip coffee maker. The temp at the brew head is 209/210 degree F, and the temp in the brew basket is 200/202 F. (Using a Thermapen... and also with a Thermoworks Type K Thermocouple.)

The coffee it produces seems to have a burnt taste to it.

I was under the impression that the temp, at the brew head, should be about 200 F, with a correspondingly lower temp in the brew basket. (Don't the Bunn's produce 200 F, at the brew head?)

Is my Technivorm working as it should, or is it brewing too hot?


Thanks,
Jim

Jim,

Welcome to HB.

Those temps seem about right for brewing. My Capresso drip was about 198-202F going into the basket. What coffee are you using and what did you brew it with before that wasn't giving you the burnt taste?

It is possible that your previous coffee maker was not bringing out all the "bad tastes" of a so-so coffee if it's brew temp was lower.

Dave

If measured in a styrofoam cup directly below the brew head a Bunn should measure within a couple of degrees of 200f. Bunn corp says to replace the thermostat if is below 195f and can be set as high as 203f. In the filter basket it is usually ~190f. In the pot 170f-180f is normal.

Dan Brewer

draino wrote:Jim,

Welcome to HB.

Those temps seem about right for brewing. My Capresso drip was about 198-202F going into the basket.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

If you are talking about the temp coming out of the brew head, then I am running about 10F hotter....My Chemex seems to make a decent cup of coffee...I'm dropping water in at 200F with the Chemex.

I've been using beans from Intelligentsia, Klatch, Clive Coffee, a local coffee house, and some Kona.

In the filter basket it is usually ~190f.

Thanks Dan,

I am running 200F+ in the filter basket. So, once again, I am 10F hotter than others are reporting. (With other machines.)

I guess I should ask direct questions:

1) Does a Technivorm brew 10F hotter than a Bunn?

2) At what point in the coffee making process are we suppose to see the magical 200F (195-205F)?
a) When, the water exits the dispersion head (brew head).
b) When, the water first touches the coffee.
c) After, the coffee grounds are fully saturated.

Thanks for the help,
Jim

I have a large commercial plumbed in BUNN. You can adjust the thermostat on it. I have it set for 202 at the dispersion disk. I have a multi hole disk so I get a nice shower around the basket for an even extraction. I measure it with a type K thermocouple inserted inside one of the dispersion disk's holes. You will loose 4 or so degrees in the water as it drops from there to the coffee surface. Water cools fast when dropping that far. It is a 12 cup that I have recalibrate to brew 6 cups in 3 min. Sounds like you brewer may be running about 6 degrees hot