Coffee tastes bitter or burnt.

Safety first: Use caution when touching the warming plate; it can be very hot.

• Reduce keep-warm time: Turn off the coffee maker or remove the carafe from the warming plate within 30–60 minutes of brewing.
• Adjust grind and dose: Use a slightly coarser grind and reduce the amount of coffee per pot.
• Descale: Scale can cause uneven heating. Run a descaling cycle with vinegar and water.
• Check plate temperature (advanced): If the warming plate seems excessively hot or scorches coffee quickly, the thermostat may be faulty and should be replaced.