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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Kuerig v's Generator - not working
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zorro
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 10:54
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Hi

I have a question/issue I cannot figure out

I have been using a Kuerig at the cabin and it worked fine, running off the generator only

Generator is a 9500W (peak)/7500W (running) and works pretty well for the water pump and several outlets – nothing else

However, recently, the Keurig has stopped working when plugged into any generator outlet (Kuerig is 1500W)………….and I have tried 2 different Keurig machines

The outlet works perfectly well and have tested it with other items including an outlet tester

It almost seems like the Keurig is using too much power, which I cannot see how that is possible as it is only 1500W and the Generator is 7500W…………….and nothing else was being used at the time

I have brought the Keurig home and it works fine in a powered outlet

Outlet has not tripped or anything

Any thoughts?

Thanks

jhp
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 11:40
Reply 


I would guess if it's a nicer coffee machine there is a surge protection circuit in the coffee maker that is being tripped by the slightly fluctuating power coming off the generator. Works sometimes, won't work sometimes.

If you have a big enough one, try running the coffee maker from an inverter, that might smooth out the fluctuations. Or try a dumber coffee pot - Walmart has a single serve K-cup brewer for $17 that I highly doubt has any protection circuit at all.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 12:28
Reply 


Never thought of that!!

Thanks for the suggestion - sounds like that is the issue as 2 separate machines are having the exact same issues!!

Going to take up your idea of a cheap machine which should not have a surge protector built in

Thanks!

Paul

jhp
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 12:34
Reply 


I've got two of these. Cheap and functional.

Using the loose grounds works ok but it makes a bit of a mess. K-Cups are great.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Single-Serve-and-K-Cup-Black-Coffee-Maker/912456 806

zorro
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 12:48
Reply 


Perfect - thank you

How can they even make a coffee maker for $19???? (other than no doubt from..... CHINA......in a Trump voice )

Incredible!!

jhp
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 13:00
Reply 


I was surprised myself.

I don't use K-Cups at home really but I wanted them for the cabin so the coffee doesn't get as stale between trips. I thought I'd end up having to spend $100 on a coffee pot, but turns out, nope - cheap and functional exists in the pod coffee space as well.

I liked it so much I bought one for home to serve coffee for people who prefer slightly higher quality than whatever I found onsale at the warehouse store LOL.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 13:29
Reply 


Dont fool your self kureg machines are not made in USA.

What does it do when it dosnt work? Does it light up at all? Do you have a inverter generator to test it on?

Have you considered a stove top percolator or french press?

zorro
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 13:38
Reply 


Oh - i am sure Kuerig is not made in the US!

It does not come on at all now - it did, but then stopped................same with 2 Keurig machines

My Inverter is only 1500W so the Keurig is too powerful for testing it and i dont have an inverter genrator

But to be honest, for $17 i will try it - not got too much to lose

And I do have a stove coffee pot, which is great - but the small machine just gets used for convenience or a single cup when i want a cup quickly

When there are a few of us, then the stove top pot comes into play

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 15:37
Reply 


Just plugging it into the inverter and seeing if it lights up could tell you something.

I would take it apart and look for a fuse. I replaced a water pump in one once. Be careful it's like a swiss watch behind the covers.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2020 21:24
Reply 


Just plugging it into the inverter and seeing if it lights up could tell you something.

I would take it apart and look for a fuse. I replaced a water pump in one once. Be careful it's like a swiss watch behind the covers.

spoofer
Member
# Posted: 28 Jun 2020 13:59
Reply 


I have chosen not to use k cups anymore. We don't need anymore plastic trash in our world. I realized that the coffee isn't really that good out of them either. I use an old fashion perculator that I got at LL Bean at camp and a Cuisinart drip machine that makes such good coffee that we are on our 3rd one.

zorro
Member
# Posted: 29 Jun 2020 09:19
Reply 


As confirmed above, i do have a coffee pot/perculator as well as a K-Cup maker

The K-Cup maker is for speed and single cups - much easier, faster and more convenient than the coffee pot

When I finish with the k-cups, they go into the burn barrel with all other paper and plastics that i can burn before i leave the cabin - so minimal waste


Brettny - the Keurig works fine at home - lights up and makes perfect coffee - just does not work off the generator at the cabin.............never tried it on the inverter as it would be pointless as i would not run it off the inverter

I also bought a small plug in surge protector which i am going to try - not sure if that will help, but will try anyway

JHP - i managed to get that machine from Walmart - so will try it out at the weekend - thanks

paulz
Member
# Posted: 4 Jul 2021 22:30
Reply 


Happy 4th gcrank and tmt.

I quit drinking coffee about three months ago to lower my blood pressure. Man it was tough getting the motor running in the morning. Finally about two weeks ago, I had a big day planned at the cabin and just couldn't get fired up. Heck with it, had a big cup. Cut down about 10 bay trees, restacked the lumber pile, cleaned the whole shop. Fabulous.

I'm still limiting myself to one cup, it's a slippery slope..

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 4 Jul 2021 23:29
Reply 


Just how big is that cup, Paul?
For me its been a Bodem French Press for going on two years, it eclipsed everything else I tried. Mostly I do cold brew, a 24hr infusion on the kitchen counter then into a jug in the fridge. It really cuts the acids that can trouble my stomach. Flavor is Great! That provides me about 5 days at a cuppa per.
If I miss a batch I do a hot-brew in the same press. It does it all. Boil water on a burner then pour into the press, let sit 10min and done; whats not to love.
Btw, I get different 'flavor notes' out of the same coffee grounds depending on if done cold or hot.
My coffee? Its German, vac-packed grounds from Aldi's for under $6/#. Waayyy Good

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 5 Jul 2021 11:01 - Edited by: gcrank1
Reply 


What I forgot to mention on the 'cold-brew' method is that there is NO power required to make great coffee.
It is just the grounds in the container With Cold water added, then let to sit for hours (I started at 12,,then 16 and found 24 gives me what I want).
You can try this with any suitable sized jug and a strainer at the end pour if you dont want to buy a French Press off Amazon right away.
Start out with 1 heaping measure spoon of coffee per average size coffee cup of water and 1 extra for 'the pot'; adjust that to you taste for the next batch.
By not brewing with hot water the acids and bitterness isnt leeched out of the grounds, it is smooth and mellow. It is different than what was hot-brewed refridgerated or iced.
Really, it almost too easy, you just have to plan ahead on the next batch so you have a cuppa when you want out of the fridge carafe.
If you want your coffee hot, just heat it to drink temp, Do Not boil.

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 5 Jul 2021 18:06
Reply 


Quoting: paulz
Happy 4th gcrank and tmt.

I quit drinking coffee about three months ago to lower my blood pressure...


And I dont even drink coffee at all. Never have. I guess once you start, you need it daily.

If it works for you paulz, then it works.

redneckpaul
Member
# Posted: 5 Jul 2021 20:40
Reply 


Quoting: zorro
I have a question/issue I cannot figure out

I have been using a Kuerig at the cabin and it worked fine, running off the generator only

Generator is a 9500W (peak)/7500W (running) and works pretty well for the water pump and several outlets – nothing else

However, recently, the Keurig has stopped working when plugged into any generator outlet (Kuerig is 1500W)………….and I have tried 2 different Keurig machines

You know you turned into a "Nanny State Snowflake" when your problem is my kuerig won`t work! What are you gonna do when your in a real SHTF situation.....wake up and smell the coffee!

just kidding I hope you get your problem fixed

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 5 Jul 2021 22:13
Reply 


Could be that high-tech coffee pot needs a pure Sine Wave input? A typical utility generator isnt clean power.

paulz
Member
# Posted: 6 Jul 2021 10:57
Reply 


Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech
If it works for you paulz, then it works.


Didn't start in earnest until my 60s. Could probably still do without if I didn't have this dang property. Spent most of yesterday cutting, clearing and chipping on my steep hillside, crawled back to the cabin and slept.
Sure helped get the cob webs out this morning.

I use a French press btw, as someone mentioned. No muss, no fuss. Heat the water on the stove, pour it in, add a tablespoon of coffee, put the top on, press and drink. I only clean the thing when we leave the cabin 3-4 days later.

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