Do you know what happens when you start the coffee maker without putting the decanter on the warming plate? No? Well, I can tell you. I've forgotten the decanter this week. TWICE.
Here is what happens. The water slowly drips into the filter basket, and because there is no decanter lid to lift the bottom stopper of the basket, the water fills up the basket until it overflows, spilling grounds and brown water onto the warming plate, and all over the counter. I just hope, hope, hope that the water and grounds that surrounded Mr. Coffee didn't seep between the wall and the countertop. We might want to think about an extra bead of caulking on Mr. Coffee's counter.
When I finally entered the kitchen, and noticed the excessive gurgling and sputtering, I hurriedly threw the decanter on the warming plate to collect the coffee still held in the filter basket, and began to clean up my mess. Yes, I salvaged what I could, and mopped up the rest.
How ironic that recently I posted this picture on Facebook with the caption: JAVA INSTALLED SUCCESSFULLY. It's harder to do than it looks, apparently.
Chuck and I have been camping out downstairs on mattresses to take advantage of the air conditioning that cools the downstairs beautifully, but leaves a lot to be desired on the upstairs level. Each morning I have woken with a stiff back and neck, sore shoulders, and lately, I've added a headache to my whining list. What I'm saying is, in my defense, I may not have been fully awake when I started the coffee maker without making sure it was fully assembled when I pressed the ON button. TWICE.
At what point, I ask myself, does Chuck assemble my kids for a family meeting to determine what to do about their mom? So far, I can still find my way back home from WalMart, and I remember to take my medications, when Chuck reminds me. I don't think I'm a danger to myself or anyone else. Right now, the coffee maker is my biggest challenge. When I start leaving the oven on, and getting the kids' names mixed up, they may need to think about having that meeting.
Oh, wait...
Now that I have finished my cup of coffee that only had a spoonful or two of grounds in the bottom of it, I'm debating about making a second cup. I've iced my back, warmed my shoulders and neck, and I'm finally waking up. I think I might be able to make a cup of joe without covering the counter with coffee this time. It's good to have goals.
Java installed successfully, indeed. Looks like the joke was on me!
Have you thought about a Keurig?! I love mine, and I've never forgotten to put a mug under the machine. When I used to use a drip machine, I left the carafe off the plate a few times like you describe.
ReplyDeleteI had a Keurig, once upon a time. It was lovely, but the cheapskate in me won when it came time to buy my own coffeemaker. It's a valid suggestion, tho. You really think I wouldn't forget to put the mug in place?!?
DeleteThat sounds like a rough week! I have to admit, I've forgotten to put the mug in place on a Keurig type machine. My favourite way to have coffee in the morning is to let my much-more-wide-awake husband make it for me (especially when it comes with a chocolate heart). I hope your back feels much much better--those are usually the things that addle my brain's functioning.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Crystal. Yeah, I'm not sure the Keurig is the answer. Chuck is not a coffee drinker, and I'm up HOURS before he is. I'm just going to have to make sure everything is set up COMPLETELY the night before, I think. LOL.
DeleteI have a 4-cup electric percolator that I often decide to not use because I have to literally assemble it in order to create caffeine, and there are days I'm pretty sure that successful assemblage isn't going to take place. And I'm a morning person. (I just read your last comment, and I believe I may just go put it together now with the coffee in the basket, so all I have to do is plug it in tomorrow morning. Brilliant!) :) Hope the rest of your mornings this week go smoothly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. So far, so good. Mom had an electric percolator when I was little. I didn't know they still made those! I wonder if the coffee is better percolated...
DeleteI can so relate considering I can hardly make coffee until I've had coffee. You don't need that family meeting yet - just some good rest : )
ReplyDeleteGood rest is hard to come by for some of us. Luckily, I can take afternoon naps. ;-)
DeleteWe have an enormous coffee maker at church, hard-wired with water and everything. I am scared to death of it. See, I don't use it often enough to remember all the steps. The worst part is that it takes a minute to start--and the temptation to push that button again is almost overmastering.
ReplyDeleteI've done the frantic cleanup for others, when twice as much boiling water is pouring out of the decanter and all over the sink. So, yeah, I avoid that machine. At home I stick to a French press or a one-cup pour over. Simple is best.
Oh, my. Your church is glad I'm not in charge of coffee hour!!!
DeleteI set my drip coffeemaker on a morning alarm (well, during the school year I do), and you can bet I'm more awake at night when I set everything than I am in the morning when I really need it.
ReplyDeleteReally need to get in the habit of getting my coffee maker ready the night before!
DeleteDon't even ask me about my long series of cafeteras (expresso coffee pots). Newest one was a Christmas present from sons to replace falling apart one, but it doesn't gurgle properly which means I don't hear it when it's ready. So the coffee 'burns' (boils violently). I destroyed the one belonging to my son's housemate (an Italian gourmet no less) by forgetting to put water in it, so the rubber ring melted. Don't know how I managed that...
ReplyDeleteOh, Valerie. You win! I've never made espresso, but it sounds like there are too many ways to go wrong with one. No thanks. I'm having enough trouble with my coffee maker!
Delete