Fetco CBS-2018 Technical Bulletin

TECHNICAL
BULLETIN
Coffee Filter Failures
Subject:
Applies to: All Coffee Brewers
Coffee Filters may fail in different ways. They may fall over or the coffee grounds may be getting
over the top of the filter paper. Brewer and dispenser performance may be affected.
1)
Size: The filter used must match the brew basket
Solution: Consult the manual, attached chart, or FETCO for the proper size filter paper for this basket.
2)
Water. Softened water, from a salt bed type water softener, can cause problems by gumming the paper
coffee filter, and causing the grounds to overflow the brew basket. Sometimes only the hot water supply line
is softened.
Solution: Switch to a non softened potable water line. All beverage equipment works better and lasts longer
with a taste and odor inline filter before the equipment. For new installations, thoroughly flush water lines
before startup.
3)
Dosage. Too little coffee, or rarely, too much can cause the paper filter to fail.
Solution: Specialty Coffee Association (SCAA) recommends 3.25 to 4.25 ounces of ground coffee to 64 fluid
oz of water. Always spread the coffee evenly in the filter. Optimal dose may require experimentation & taste
testing.
4)
Grind. Too fine a grind can slow the water travel through the filter resulting in filter failure.
Solution: try setting grinder to a coarser grind setting.
5)
Whole bean quality. When very freshly roasted, beans which are then ground and brewed may outgas
on contact with hot brew water, resulting in foaming.
Solution: FETCO coffee brewing machines with a "pre wetting" feature, to pre wet the coffee bed prior to
brewing. Or, grind these beans and wait to brew. This requires experimentation and taste testing to find the
optimal time.
6)
Filter paper quality. Filter papers are manufactured in various thickness and paper weights. Not all
filters react the same way to individual coffees. Coffee/Tea and iced tea filters have a more "closed" or
tighter paper. These filters might feel smoother and be more transparent than a coffee filter. They may be
"economically" priced.
Solution: Try a different quality filter paper
7)
Combination of factors. Some applications may have several problems.
Solution: Brew Basket Clips, Contact FETCO.
Coffee Brewer
System & Basket
CBS 30s (Plastic basket)
CBS 30s (SS basket)
CBS 60s
CBS 60s
(Using ½ Batch Brew
Basket)
CBS 18
Coffee Filters are always measured while flattened, across the widest part of the edges of the circle (large
number) and the inner circle that would be the bottom of the brew basket (small number).
FETCO ♦ 640 Heathrow Drive ♦ Lincolnshire, IL 60069 USA ♦ Tel. (800) 338-2699 or (847) 821-1177 ♦ Fax: (847) 821-1178
Size of Coffee Brewer System
Filter & Basket
9¾" X 4½" CBS 51 H10 Standard
13" X 5" CBS 51
Basket
20" X 8" CBS
H15+H20)
18½" X 7½" CBS
H15+H20)
Brew Basket)
11¼'X 3¾" CBS 21
CBS 70s
NUMBER
1
www.fetco.com
email : techsupport@fetco.com
Date:
Optional Brew
H10
50s
11&12& (incl.
50s
11&12& (incl.
(Using ½ Batch
June 30, 1999
Size of
Filter
13" X 5"
15" X 5"
15" X 5"
13" X 5"
15" X 5"
23" X 9"