Mr. Coffee Brewing Slow? 5 Fixes for Fast Dripping

Why Your Mr. Coffee Brews Slowly

Mr. Coffee's troubleshooting table has one answer for "brews slowly": the coffeemaker needs cleaning. Mineral scale builds up inside as you brew, and the fix is the Clean cycle with white vinegar. On the 12-Cup Programmable (JPX37), a flashing red Clean light is the machine telling you it's due.

Two things look like slow brewing but aren't. The Clean cycle itself pauses for about 30 minutes partway through, and Pause 'n Serve stops the flow while the carafe is out. A paper filter that has collapsed into the basket can also hold the water back.

---

Is It Actually Slow?

---

Try This First

• Look at the Clean light. On the JPX37, red and flashing means clean it now.
• Check the paper filter hasn't folded over or collapsed into the basket.
• Put the carafe fully back on the warming plate and leave it there.
• Note when you last cleaned it. Mr. Coffee says every 40 brews with hard water.

---

Fix 1: Run the Clean Cycle (Works About 45% of the Time)

This is Mr. Coffee's documented fix for slow brewing. The JPX37 procedure:

1. Put an empty 10-12 cup basket-style filter in the basket, and the empty carafe on the warming plate.
2. Pour 4 cups (20 fl oz) of undiluted white vinegar into the reservoir, or use Mr. Coffee cleaner.
3. Press Clean. The Clean light stays on during the cycle.
4. It brews about 3 cups slowly, then pauses for about 30 minutes. Leave it alone.
5. It brews the rest. The Clean light and the machine turn off when it's done. The whole cycle takes 45-60 minutes.
6. Pour out the vinegar and run two full brew cycles of fresh water to rinse.

Brew a pot and time it. If it's still slow, run the Clean cycle again (Fix 4). Our Mr. Coffee descaling guide has more on vinegar and cleaner.

Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes, including rinses
Cost: The price of a bottle of white vinegar
Success Rate: About 45%
Difficulty: Easy

---

Fix 2: Fix the Filter and the Coffee Amount (Works About 20% of the Time)

A filter that collapses can block the basket, and the brew slows or overflows. The JPX37 manual's troubleshooting table lists a collapsed filter (grounds in the coffee) and too many grounds (basket overflow).

1. Use a 10-12 cup basket-style paper filter, or a permanent filter.
2. Press the paper filter in so its sides are flush with the basket. If it keeps collapsing, dampen it first.
3. Use medium grind, which is what Mr. Coffee's coffee chart is based on.
4. Measure the coffee: 12 cups = 9 tablespoons, 10 cups = 7.5, 8 cups = 6.5, 6 cups = 4.5, 4 cups = 3. One Mr. Coffee "cup" is 5 fl oz.
5. Make sure the basket is fully inserted.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 20%
Difficulty: Easy

---

Fix 3: Rule Out the Normal Pauses (Works About 15% of the Time)

Mr. Coffee machines stop on purpose in three situations. None of them is a fault.

• The Clean cycle pause. Partway through a Clean cycle, the JPX37 pauses for about 30 minutes with the Clean light on. It then finishes on its own.
• Pause 'n Serve. Lifting the carafe stops the flow so you can pour. You have up to 30 seconds. Leave it out longer and the basket overflows, so put the carafe straight back.
• Power interruptions. After a power cut, the machine carries on only if power returns within 7 seconds (JPX37) or 10 seconds (SK series). After that, press Brew Now/Off (JPX37) or switch it on again (SK).

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 15%
Difficulty: Easy

---

Fix 4: Clean Again, and Clean More Often With Hard Water (Works About 12% of the Time)

Heavy scale can need more than one cycle, and hard water brings it back faster. Mr. Coffee's interval is:

1. Run a second full Clean cycle (Fix 1), including the two water rinses.
2. Time a full pot again.
3. If you have hard water, clean every 40 brews from now on.

Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Cost: A bottle of white vinegar
Success Rate: About 12%
Difficulty: Easy

---

Fix 5: Contact Mr. Coffee (Works About 8% of the Time)

If two Clean cycles, the right filter and medium grind haven't helped, the problem is inside the machine. The manuals say "No user serviceable parts inside", so don't take the cover off.

1. Note the model number stamped on the bottom.
2. Call 1-800-MR COFFEE (1-800-672-6333) in the US, or 1-800-667-8623 in Canada.
3. Machines under a year old have a 1-year limited warranty for the original purchaser with proof of purchase. Don't return it to the store.

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: Free under warranty
Success Rate: About 8%
Difficulty: Easy

---

When DIY Won't Work

Stop using it and unplug it if water leaks from the base, the cord or plug is damaged, or you smell burning.

Call Mr. Coffee if brewing is still slow after two Clean cycles with the correct filter and grind.

---

Prevent Future Slow Brewing

• Clean every 40 brews with hard water, 80 with soft, or when the Clean light flashes.
• Rinse with two water cycles after every Clean cycle.
• Use medium grind and the measured amount of coffee.
• Seat the filter flat against the basket sides.
• Fill to the 12-cup MAX line, not past it. Extra water runs out of the overfill hole at the back.

---

FAQ

How long should a Mr. Coffee take to brew?

The Mr. Coffee manuals read for this guide don't give a normal brew time. The documented signs of a problem are a brew that has become slow over time and, on the JPX37, the red Clean light flashing. Both mean it needs a Clean cycle.

Why did my Mr. Coffee stop halfway through cleaning?

That's by design. The JPX37 Clean cycle brews about 3 cups, then pauses for about 30 minutes with the Clean light on, then finishes. The full cycle takes 45-60 minutes.

How often should I clean my Mr. Coffee?

Every 80 brew cycles with soft water, every 40 with hard water, or whenever the red Clean light flashes on the JPX37.

Can I dilute the vinegar?

The JPX37 manual uses 4 cups (20 fl oz) of undiluted white vinegar, or Mr. Coffee cleaner. Follow two fresh-water brew cycles afterwards to rinse.

Why is there water left in the basket after brewing?

Check the filter first: a collapsed paper filter can block the basket. Seat the paper filter flush with the basket sides, dampen it if it folds, and use medium grind.

---

Related Mr. Coffee Guides

• Mr. Coffee Descaling Guide
• Mr. Coffee Won't Brew
• Mr. Coffee Maintenance Guide
• Mr. Coffee Leaking Water

Sources: Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable JPX37-R series user manual and Simple Brew SK series user manual (Sunbeam).