My inexpensive Hamilton-Beach coffee maker has an extremely annoying brew strength adjustment dial on the lid. (People, if you like weak coffee, you either need to switch to a different coffee blend or use less coffee.) After yet again accidentally turning the dial while filling the reservoir and thereby making a really crappy pot of coffee, I began to wonder by what mechanism the brew strength adjustment works. What part of the coffee-making process does it affect? Once you have your coffee maker filled, you’re dealing with a finite amount of coffee and water, after all. The only thing I can think of that can be fiddled with at that point is the temperature of the water. Is that it, or is it something else?
My guess … the opening in which the water comes out. Thus changing the amount of time that it lingers with the grounds and soaks up coffeeness.
What the … !!!: Got it in one.
frecafree: Given that the whole device is cheapo flexible plastic you can probably dial it to the correct strength, then remove (or if necessary, break off) the dial, leaving the internal mechanism set however. If you spend a couple minutes fiddling with the dial & watch what otehr parts move you’ll probably see a good way to disable it.
So, if you want weak coffee, the adjustment allows more water through, so it filters through the grounds more quickly?
I’ve considered sticking a piece of duct tape over the dial so I can’t turn it by accident. (The innards where the dial mechanism must be is inside another piece of plastic. I’m not sure I can get to it to remove it/break it off.)
Thanks, LSL Guy and **What the…!!! **for the info!
if the knob is removable off the shaft then you might set the knob, then pull it off, so the shaft isn’t easily rotated. you could also put a mark on the front marking the flat or groove on the shaft so that it gives you a sense of security that it hasn’t moved.
This is true, but if you want ultimate control over steeping time get yourself a french press.