We have a Bunn vpr pot and we empty it in the fall and restart it in the summer. How much water needs to be added and how long do we wait until the water is ready? Also once we made a pot do we just need to put in any extra water or is the water in the reservoir?

VPS/VPR are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater is turned on (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* Make sure the decanters are all the same size. do not mix a 12 cup pot with a 10 cup pot. One will over fill and the other will under fill. Make sure they match (in cup volume) FYI; Thermo Air pump pots are usually bigger than one pot. Typical filling only to 3/4th of the container. (I think most are in 2.5 to 3 liter sizes)
* If your not getting a full pot then the brewer was partially empty. The second brew (if done within the next hour) should come out full.
* If your still not getting a full pot then the water is leaking or is boiling off. Does it always steam from the top? Thermostat is shorted. Unplug the brewer and call vendor for service.
* Final; If your unplugging when not in use. Then follow the Pre-heat instructions mentioned above prior to plugging the brewer back in. If the tank has been emptied at night or dried up after an idle week. Then there is a chance you may over heat and blow the thermal fuse. Or at best have a half pot short brew as the water dried up.
* Note leaving the brewer plugged in without brewing daily is not a good idea. The water evaporates and eventually drys out the pot. Takes about 1-2 weeks but it does blow the fuse(s) and the unit will need service.
* Final; Follow the Bunn set up and care instructions (manuals from Bunn.com for down loading. *FREE*)
Aloha, ukeboy57

VPS are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater is turned on. Brewer will pre-heat the water (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* You can test the VPR by following the Pre-fill instructions I've listed earlier. If the brewer heats up and does not continuously boil (shorted condition) then try a brew. If it works then your okay. Otherwise the unit will need service for a blown high limit or bad heater element.
* Call your coffee vendor anyway. Many coffee vendors will service your brewer of even replace it as long as you buy coffee from them. Ask around.

Aloha, ukeboy57

VPS/VPR (VP17-3 are the same except it has 3 lower warmers) are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater is turned on (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* Make sure the decanters are all the same size. do not mix a 12 cup pot with a 10 cup pot. One will over fill and the other will under fill. Make sure they match (in cup volume) FYI; Thermo Air pump pots are usually bigger than one pot. Typical filling only to 3/4th of the container. (I think most are in 2.5 to 3 liter sizes)
* If your not getting a full pot then the brewer was partially empty. The second brew (if done within the next hour) should come out full.
* If your still not getting a full pot then the water is leaking or is boiling off. Does it always steam from the top? Thermostat is shorted. Unplug the brewer and call vendor for service.
* Final; If your unplugging when not in use. Then follow the Pre-heat instructions mentioned above prior to plugging the brewer back in. If the tank has been emptied at night or dried up after an idle week. Then there is a chance you may over heat and blow the thermal fuse. Or at best have a half pot short brew as the water dried up.
* Note leaving the brewer plugged in without brewing daily is not a good idea. The water evaporates and eventually drys out the pot. Takes about 1-2 weeks but it does blow the fuse(s) and the unit will need service.
* Final; Follow the Bunn set up and care instructions (manuals from Bunn.com for down loading. *FREE*)
Aloha, ukeboy57

You should call your vendor for service. Especially if it's on loan from them.
*** The following is for information only. Equipment should be serviced by a qualified tech. ***
VPS are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater powers up. Brewer will pre-heat the water (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* FYI Coffee grounds are usually in pre-messured packets for office use. A simple guide is one tablespoon per cup. (level or heaping spoon is up to you)
* Since your brewer was bubbling at one point. I'm guessing it had water in the pre-heater at one time. But if it's not in use and left plugged in all that time then the water has probably boiled off. Hopefully someone unplugged the brewer prior to the unit blowing the thermal fuse.
* You can test the VPR by following the Pre-fill instructions I've listed earlier. If the brewer heats up and does not continuously boil (shorted condition) then try a brew. If it works then your okay. Otherwise the unit will need service for a blown high limit or bad heater element.
* Call your coffee vendor anyway. Many coffee vendors will service your brewer of even replace it as long as you buy coffee from them. Ask around.
* check bunn.com for free download of VPR manual

Aloha, ukeboy57

VPR is a pour over "Volume Displacement" brewer. Required to completely fill the inner tank and heat prior to using brewer. BEFORE plugging in unit, water must be poured into upper tray and with brew funnel and empty pot in place. Keep pouring water into top fill tray until water drips out of brew funnel. Plug in VPR and allow it 15-20 mins to heat up. leave the pot as there may be additional water dripping. Remove power if there is any water spilling out from other places like the top pan cover or bottom of machine. With the initial heating done, take a full pot of water and slowly pour into the top filling tray. HOT steaming water should come out of the brew funnel to fill the (empty) pot. Prep is done and the machine can be used to brew a pot after 10-15mins of reheat time.
*** the machine you have needs to be checked for leaks in areas mentioned above. Water should only come out of brew funnel (if not present then the brew head or if that is missing then the brew pipe. All will need to be replaced prior to brewing.) Leaking under machine is an indication of leak(s) in pour tray,tank,tank cover, gasket, probe gasket. This machine like any used equipment should be checked out by qualified tech prior to use. Be aware that coffee vendors sometimes rent or loan brewers to customers.

try hitting 'brew' until all the water evaporates, or look for a 'leak' valve to empty it. usually on the bottom or the side near the tank.
-swish-

VPS/VPR are pour over brewers. Like the 12 cup brewers you find at home, they need to be filled with 12 cups of water (a full pot), heated and then peculated over the coffee grounds and collected in a decanter.
BUT there is one main difference! The VPR and similar COMMERCIAL coffee machines are quick brewers. They usually have a pre-heated pot of water stored inside the machine.
* VPR's and similar machines REQUIRE a pre-fill and heating period prior to brewing. This means it's sitting on a level table and filled with water until water sprays from the brew head. At this point the unit is plugged in and the heater is turned on (CWTF's have a toggle switch behind the machine). Brewer will pre-heat the water (there may be some water discharge from brew head as the water expands). Ready light will come on in about 15 mins.
* To Brew; Place coffee grounds in filter, place in funnel and brew head, clean empty decanter under funnel, slowly pour one full decanter of water (cold or hot) into brew tray. Do not overflow tray. Allow water level to sink before adding more water. Only fill with one pot as an equal amount will come out the brew head and funnel.
* FYI Coffee grounds are usually in pre-measured packets for office use. A simple guide is one tablespoon per cup. (level or heaping spoon is up to you)
* Final; Getting back to unplugging when not in use. Yes there is a heater in the machine that keeps the tank warm. You can save power by turning off the warmer plates when not in use. Some units have up to 6 plates. The warmer "Blanket" is designed to keep the tank warm enough to brew and not waste heat or electricity. Yes unplug the unit at night if there is no night crew drinking coffee (or tea) But follow the Pre-heat instructions mentioned above prior to plugging the brewer back in. If the tank has been emptied at night or dried up after an idle week. Then there is a chance you may over heat and blow the thermal fuse. Or at best have a half pot short brew as the water dried up.
* Note leaving the brewer plugged in without brewing daily is not a good idea. The water evaporates and eventually drys out the pot. Takes about 1-2 weeks but it does blow the fuse(s) and the unit will need service.
* Final; Follow the Bunn set up and care instructions (manuals from Bunn.com for down loading. (*FREE*)
Aloha, ukeboy57

This brewer has a 2 1/2 pot reservoir. You should NOT plug in the brewer before the reservoir has been topped off. Pour 3 pots (one at a time, every minute or so) through the screen with a pot under the filter basket. Wait until the water flows from the basket and only then is it safe to plug in the brewer. The reservoir holds HOT water until you are ready to brew and then, by pouring in a pot of cold water, you will be able to brew.

This machine has a reservoir that holds about 2.5 pots and keeps them at brewing temperature. Therefore you should pour in 3 pots (with a pot in place under the filter basket) until water flows from the basket. Then, and ONLY then, it is safe to plug in the brewer. If you plug in the brewer BEFORE filling the reservoir you will burn up the heating element and will have to have it replaced.
After the initial filling and heat up (about 20 minutes) you are ready to pour through a pot of COLD water through and brew.

You may not have enough water in the tank.
Follow these steps

1. With the coffee pot unplugged, fill your resevoir/tank until water begins pouring out of your sprayhead and brew basket.
2. Wait for the water to finish dripping then plug in your Bunn.
3. Let your Bunn warm up for at least 8 minutes.
4. Run a test cycle with clean water, remembering to use the water pitcher provided for this purpose, while leaving your empty pot on the burner beneath the brew basket.
5. If your cycle completed, and your coffee pot is filled to the desired level you are ready to make coffee.

Remember that these Bunn models have no water filter installed, so, the cleaner the water the better tasting the coffee.