A:AnswerCarafe lid pushes up button that descends from the bottom of the filter area above the carafe. you can easily push it up with your finger and see if the water comes out. It is almost impossible for it to stick if the carafe and lid are inserted because it moves up about 3/8 inch. But if very old it is possible for stuff to clog the valve hole. So if you can press the valve up and still no water dripping then take out the gold filter basket, look at the valve and see if it is clogged. Once you get it to drain, you might try cleaning by pressing the clean button, filling the unit with 1/2 white vinegar 1/2 water then turn the unit on. It runs through slowly so the warm vinegar dissolves the salts. Just be sure your valve is open and unclogged first. It is pretty simple to maintain. only one moving part, the valve and the operator is the carafe lid or your finger or a fork if you have hot water in the thing.
A:AnswerYou're putting too much coffee. Start with a table spoon per cup of water added. If that is still too strong, add less table spoons per cup of water (ex. 4 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of coffee).
A:AnswerYou have to check the water level by looking down inside from the top. There are "steps" inside that show the level of the water. I have no idea why they wouldn't put a viewing window on the of outside it...
