Jura Coffee Maker

Jura coffee makers are devices designed by Jura Elektroapparate AG, a Swiss developer and distributor of home appliances. They don’t manufacture the appliances however, in fact since the 1990’s they have outsourced production to other companies. Their espresso machines are manufactured by Eugster/Frismag, another Swiss company.

Jura espresso machines are fully automatic and have a strong element of design as well as function. There are no low-end machines made by Jura.

The Jura espresso machines are available worldwide in over 50 countries, They are distributed all across Europe, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Spain, and the United Kingdom, North America (including the US and Canada) and Australia.

According to Jura’s website, in regards to sustainability and energy savings, they say their coffee machines are durable and are made to last. They also state that they can be serviced, even after years of use. Also since 1994, the machines have come with an automatic switch-off so that if the machine is not being used it will conserve energy. A feature that supports this is energy-saving term blocks, which efficiently bring the coffee and steam to the correct temperature quickly and minimizes energy loss when the machine is not in use.

A coffee machine’s drip tray catches excess water and coffee while the machine is operating. When the drip tray becomes full, the water reaches the bottom of metal contacts that rest on the internal metal contacts that connect to the board, creating an electrical signal. The signal tells the machine that the drip tray needs to be emptied, and one of the following messages may appear on the machine’s display: ‘Empty Tray,’ ‘Tray Missing,’ or ‘Drawer Missing.’

• Wet coffee grounds can accumulate in the drip tray where the contacts are secured, causing a false reading that the drip tray needs to be emptied. Gently remove the metal contacts from the drip tray and clean the contacts and the drip tray with soap and water. Clean the internal contacts with a moist cotton swab with a mild cleaning agent for metal. Dry the internal contacts and metal contacts on the drip tray before reinserting it.
• If the metal contacts are dull or corroded, they will need to be replaced. Also, check for corrosion on the internal contacts.
• Many Jura coffee machine models include a micro-switch that is activated by the drip tray when it is inserted, signaling the board to proceed to the next step. If the micro-switch lever is corroded, broken, or jammed, the machine may not recognize that the drip tray is inserted. The micro-switch may need to be replaced.

For an ‘Empty Grounds’ error message, the grounds container tray was likely reinserted too soon after the machine asked the user to empty the grounds. Take the grounds container tray out and wait ten seconds before reinserting it. This error message can also be caused by a faulty micro-switch, which may need to be replaced.

If the coffee is dispensing slowly or unevenly, or if coffee is leaking behind the spout, there are several possible solutions.

• The machine’s grinder might be grinding the coffee beans too fine, so adjust the grinder to a coarser setting. Vacuum out the grinder before adjusting to a coarser grind to remove any leftover grounds that could cause problems. Only adjust the grinder coarseness when the grinder is activated.
• If the spouts are dispensing coffee unevenly or slowly, the spouts are likely partially clogged. Run a cleaning and descaling cycle to remove any build-up. The spouts may need to be removed and manually cleaned, as well.
• If no coffee is dispensed or the coffee leaks behind the spouts, then the coffee dispensing spouts are likely clogged. Coffee grounds can accumulate in the dispensing spouts over time if the grind setting is too coarse, overly oily beans are used, or cleaning cycles are neglected. Manually remove and clean the spouts.

If no coffee is dispensed, the grinder is likely grinding the coffee beans too finely, which can cause a ‘System Fill’ message to appear on the machine’s display. If this is the case, the used grounds will be soaked and look like mud.

• Adjust the grinder to a coarser setting. The spring and rod mechanism in the brew group drain valve could also be damaged, which causes the water for the brew cycle to drain into the drip tray without reaching the coffee grounds.

If water is leaking from the water tank, the water filter is not tight, or you see a ‘Fill Water Tank’ message, use the following solutions to solve water tank errors.

• If the coffee machine’s water tank is leaking when it is not fitted onto the coffee machine, the tank’s O-ring may need to be replaced (the O-ring is fixed to a plunger and allows the flow of water from the water tank when the spring to the plunger is compressed). If water is leaking while the water tank is fitted onto the machine, the water inlet valve gasket may also need to be replaced.
• If you see a ‘Fill Water Tank’ message when the water tank is full and fitted onto the machine, check the magnetic float inside the machine’s water tank. When the water tank is full, the float rises and contacts the internal water level sensor to notify the machine’s computer that the water tank is full. The float can become stuck because of sediment buildup, preventing it from contacting the internal sensor. If this is the case, use a cotton swab to clear out any sediment and ensure that the float is unstuck.
• If the water filter is loose inside the water tank, check the water filter bracket for broken pieces preventing the tank from tightly securing the water filter. Also, check the bottom of the water tank where the water filter is inserted for broken pieces. If the water filter is not secured properly, air can enter the water circuit of the coffee machine, which can damage parts like the water pump.

Jura and Amazon sell a Jura Repair Tool that includes an Oval Head Key which is required to open Jura Capresso-Impressa coffee machines. The tool is designed to remove the black Oval Head Screws used to fasten the exterior housing of the coffee machine. From Jura, this part costs approximately $15, but iFixit sells an Oval Drive Bit that can be used in place of this specialized tool. You may also need T15 and T10 screwdrivers to repair your coffee machine.

Jura states that their coffee machines should be serviced every two years and recommends servicing by one of their registered dealers. Many Jura coffee machine owners have reported getting six to ten years of life from their machines, so taking care of the machine is worthwhile. Your coffee machine should prompt you to clean it after every 50 liters of water used (around 1-2 months, depending on how often you use the coffee machine).

Coffee contains 98% water in addition to calcium, minerals, and fluorides in the water used to make the coffee. Jura recommends using a CLEARYL filter to filter water and absorb substances like chlorine and lead. Jura recommends changing your filter either after 50 liters of water have passed through or after two months. Jura sells descaling tablets which can be used when the coffee maker prompts the user with “Please descale” on its display.

Espresso machines can cost thousands of dollars, so if you drink espresso often and regularly clean and maintain the machine, it can be worth the money. Different coffee machines include various settings and options (and the more options on the machine, the more expensive it will be), so consider those when looking to purchase a machine.

• Wikipedia: Jura Elektroapparate
• Amazon: Jura Coffee Makers
• Jura: That is Jura
• Jura: FAQs about Maintenance