General FAQ

How can I contact Bonavita?

Contact us form
support@bonavita.co
1-888-850-2675

What is the Bonavita Warranty Policy?

1 Year

What is covered by the warranty?

1) Full replacement when item breaks - Glass carafes are not covered under the warranty unless broken upon arrival in the box. We will require a photo for proof.

2) Replacement parts when available

How does a customer submit a warranty claim?

Please check out the Bonavita warranty

What happens if a coffee machine breaks and needs a replacement part?

Normally, replacement parts within 1 years of purchase date will be provided. Due to the current supply chain backlog and delays parts will be available in early 2023.

One-Touch Brewer – Product Use

Brewer stops mid-cycle

Confirm it is not in pre-infusion mode. If still not brewing, please proceed to our warranty page

Brewer takes longer than usual

Please descale your brewer

Grounds in coffee

Use a taller filter to keep the grounds in the filter basket

Water leaking from bottom of brewer

Please proceed to our warranty page

Water is not flowing into filter or carafe

Please proceed to our warranty page

Thermal carafe leaks

Vacuum seal is likely damaged, please proceed to our warranty page

Water trapped in walls of thermal carafe

Vacuum seal is likely damaged, please proceed to our warranty page

Why is brewing taking longer than the recommended 6 minutes?

Your geographic area may affect your brew time. Below are a few tips that may help you understand your particular situation:

• 6 minutes is measured at 120V. In California and the Northeast your line voltage can be as low as 104V.

• The lower the voltage line the slower the brew.

• Count total time, beginning when the water first comes out of the shower head, not when you turn on the switch. It can take up to 12 seconds for the heating element to heat the water enough to begin the brew cycle and release water from the shower head. 

• If lower voltage is not the case, it might be time to descale the brewer.

Why is the coffee not hot?

Our automatic brewers are designed to brew a full carafe of coffee at 195-205°F. Once coffee comes in contact with air, the temperature will decrease significantly. Immediately after brewing a full carafe, the temperature in the carafe is typically 175-185°F. Brewing a smaller batch or brewing at higher elevations may result in a lower temperature.

Why isn't the water coming out of all of the holes in the shower head?

To ensure the shower head is working as designed, please remove the tank lid and shower head, then replace the shower head, ensuring that it is pressed down as far as possible. Also ensure the brewer is placed on a completely flat surface. For a demonstration using the 1800 series brewer, please watch this video by Roastmasters Coffee: 1800 series demo

Please Note: The shower head is designed to allow an even distribution of water. However, the brewer is not pressurized, so the amount of water brewing through each hole is not regulated. The holes located in the center of the shower head usually distribute throughout the brew cycle and the outside holes alternate. The water will cover the entire filter basket and rise slightly above the grounds, allowing for an even extraction.

Why does my brewer have a strong plastic taste/smell, even after several uses?

This is normal for newly manufactured plastic. If it remains after several uses, please use a good quality biodegradable and phosphate-free coffee machine descaler to clean the brewer. If this doesn't remove the smell/taste, we will replace the brewer. 

Can I use a thermal carafe with my coffee brewer that has a warming plate?

No, thermal carafes are not compatible with a warming plate. 

Can I use a glass carafe with my thermal carafe coffee brewer?

Yes. We have Double Walled Glass Carafes available for purchase: BV61500CAD Bonavita 5-Cup Double Walled Glass Carafe & BV61900CAD Bonavita 8-Cup Double Walled Glass Carafe

Can I purchase a thermal carafe that is glass lined?

The glass lined thermal carafe has been discontinued and is no longer available.

One-Touch Brewers – Product Info

How often should I descale my Bonavita brewer?

We recommend descaling the brewer at least once every 100 uses. If you have hard water, descaling more often is recommended. We recommend using a good quality biodegradable and phosphate-free coffee machine descaler. (Please note: Descaler should not be confused with Cleaner. They serve different purposes.) Descaler is designed to break down mineral buildup inside your brewer to ensure great coffee and consistent functionality. Follow the descaler manufacturer instructions for use. (We do not recommend using vinegar to clean or descale your brewer. Vinegar may not effectively descale your brewer, and can be difficult to rinse thoroughly. Vinegar may also leave behind an odor that can impact the flavor of your coffee.)

If your brewer is steaming more than usual, it is time to descale. 

Which filters do I need?

1900 Series – 8-12 Cup Flat Bottom Paper Filters or Reusable Flat Bottom Filter

BV01002US,  BV1500TS, BV1900TS-220V – #4 Coffee Filter Paper Cone or Reusable Cone Filter

Is the plastic BPA-Free?

Yes, all plastic components are BPA-Free.

What is the heating element made of?

The heating element is made of copper encased in aluminum and the tubing is made of aluminum, similar to espresso machines.

What type of plastic is the water chamber made of?

The tank material is BPA-Free Polycarbonate.

One-Touch Kettle – Product Info

What is the minimum amount of water you can boil in the 1L kettle?

10 ounces (300ml) is the least amount of water recommended to boil in the 1L electric kettle.

What is the minimum amount of water you can boil in the 1.7L kettle?

30 ounces (900ml) is the least amount of water recommended to boil in the 1.7L electric kettle.

The temperature display on the Variable Temperature Kettle is fluctuating over/under 10-15 degrees. Is this normal?

No, the kettle is defective. Please contact us

to receive a replacement.

The kettle never reached more than 93˚ C, either with manual or preset settings. What should I do?

If you are at an elevation of 3000 feet or higher, this is normal as water boils at a much lower temperature of 93˚C (199˚F). If you are below 3000 feet, you may have a defective kettle. Please contact us

What is the clicking sound on my electrical or variable temperature kettle?

The clicking is an electrical relay that regulates the temperature of the water.

Are the bases for the 1L and 1.7L variable temperature kettles interchangeable?

Yes

Are the bases for the 1L standard and variable temperature kettles interchangeable?

No

Can you buy a kettle without the electrical base?

No, we currently only sell the kettles as a set with the base.

Is the plastic used in the kettles BPA-free?

Yes

Why is the kettle leaking near the switch?

It is possible it is being overfilled. If not, please contact us to receive a replacement.

Why is my variable temperature kettle not recalling the most recent temperature set point after being unplugged?

The kettles manufactured during the first production run do not retain memory when unplugged. If desired, we will replace your first production kettle with a newer model that retains memory.

Why is my kettle display showing HI ERR?

This error message indicates that the kettle reached boiling point before reaching the set temperature. This is common in higher elevations. If you are not in a higher altitude, the kettle is likely defective, please contact us to receive a replacement.

Enthusiast Brewers – Product Info

What is the clicking sound?

The clicking sound comes from the carafe lid as the lid has an internal seal-valve that was designed to help with heat retention. When the steam rises, it lifts the seal-valve which may create a sound while the coffee drips through to the carafe. This seal-valve keeps the brewer within Golden Cup SCA heat standards and helps with maintaining the right temperature and flavor while keeping the coffee warm a bit longer than other brewers.

However, if the lid is turned a bit to the side it may help with reducing the clicking sounds. You can view the video here. If you do not like the clicking sounds, you always have the option of brewing your coffee without the lid and place the lid on the carafe as soon as coffee brewing ends.

You can watch the full video for more tips on getting started.

What should I do if I see that the water tank is leaking?

First, visually inspect the valve located on the bottom of the water tank. Make sure the silicone stopper sits flatly against the floor of the tank to form a proper seal.

If leakage continues to appear, then press gently on the valve a few times to loosen it up to ensure a proper seal around the base of the water tank

If leakage still appears, then using your finger gently reach into the water tank and press down on the silicone stopper to ensure it is properly attached to the valve.

You can watch the full video on how to troubleshoot the water tank here.

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