I tried to use a very old percolator that hasn't been used for years. I put the water in, filled the basket, plugged it in and nothing happened. What can I do?

TRY ADDING MORE COFFEE TO MAKE IT STRONGER

USING YOUR PERCOLATOR
1.Wash the Percolator thoroughly before using for the first time.
(See "Cleaning Instructions" section in this manual.)

2.Remove Cover, Basket, Spreader and Pump Tube. Use cold, fresh
tap water to fill Percolator. Fill according to markings on inside
of Percolator for number of cups desired. Use cold tap water -
the automatic brewing cycle is timed to begin with a cold
water start.
NOTE: The bottom of the Pump Tube Spring marks the maximum
capacity of the Percolator.

3.Wet Coffee Basket to help keep small particles of coffee from sift-
ing through. Place Basket on Pump Tube. Add desired amount of
regular or percolator grind coffee to Basket.

4.Place Pump Tube with Basket into Percolator so bottom of tube is
set into Center Well. Place Spreader on top of Basket and snap
Cover onto Percolator. Attach cord to Percolator and plug into
standard household 120 volt AC wall outlet. Brewing begins
within seconds and continues at a cup-a-minute speed

5.When coffee brewing is complete, percolating will stop. The
Percolator automatically switches to "KEEP WARM" setting to
preserve fresh-tasting coffee at hot, ready-to-serve temperature.
For best flavor, remove Coffee Basket, Spreader and Pump Tube
when brewing is completed.

If you sucked suds or liquid into the motor it may have damaged the motor.

Rule#1: NEVER immerse the percolator in water--there are electrical components in the plastic base that will not react well to that kind of treatment.

The outside, cover, basket and stem can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. You can fill the pot with warm soapy water as well, although to remove mineral deposits and the like, it's recommended you periodically run a brew cycle (with stem and basket in place) using a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water. To remove tougher stains, you might want to instead try dip-it coffeemaker cleaner.

HI, on the plug, is it the part that pluges into the wall or the pot. By the model # you have 3 China pots. On the pump just below the coffee basket, take a pair of pliers and put the basket on the tube , now just make small crimp just below the basket,just enough to make it out of round., you will make it so the crimp will not let the spring or basket go by. If it is the plug going into the wall just bend the 2 flat outward so the plug fits snug. Good luck . Ron

2 years old I would pitch and buy a new one.

Cleaning generally won't help a machine that does not work.
Heating element has probably burned out.
(I am not talking about the heating pad for the carafe!)

For future reference for all the coffee drinkers out there:
Simple quick way to clean a drip coffee maker is use Vinegar.
Let it brew through the system as you would water.
Discard and run fresh water through the system to clear out the vinegar residue left behind. (Make SURE the system has cooled first before running the fresh water through!)

For those that have hard water and the coffee tastes funny.
Try a small pinch of salt in the filter basket ON top of the coffee grounds. This will soften the water and hopefully take the bitter taste away.

Guess it is possible large enough calcium deposits could block the hole in the holding tank to prevent the water from percolating to the filter basket. You may wish to check this before tossing. Last minute thought before pushing the post button.

Good luck!

check the bottom of the tube that holds the coffee basket....there is a "washer like" piece on the bottom. Make sure it is clean and moves freely, or the coffee won't percolate properly. I had the same problem and that fixed it

Simply fill with COLD water to the number of cups desired.
Place the stem and basket in the pot and put one 8 oz cup of coffee for every 20 cups of water into the basket...when doing 100 cups I add an extra 12 oz of coffee for a good coffee flavor.
Place the perforated lid on the coffee basket that is in the pot (if there is a lid--some do not have a lid). Put the cover for the coffee pot in place.
Plug in.
Turn on if there is a switch.
Give these large pots about 1 minute per cup, brewing time...that is a little over an hour usually to brew 100 cups. The coffee maker will percolate with the water coming up through the stem and over the coffee as the water heats. Usually there is an indicator light that comes on when it is finished.

If holding the coffee for awhile, it tastes best if you remove the stem and basket and it will maintain the heat without doing more "perking" and becoming stronger or bitter.

Be sure to wash it out and dry it well, leaving the lid loose or upside down for storage so that the pot doesn't become pitted. Blessings, Louise

When the unit completes its filling cycle, a relay will be activated to start the wash cycle. A 10 year old unit probably has dirty/corroded or otherwise malfunctioning relay contacts. This should be repaired by a qualified repairman as high voltages pass through these relays.

Sounds like the thermostat is weak and turning off at too low of temp.