Thanks GregM - the CoffeeMaster works great

[58limited]

I received the top with good gasket from GregM this week and made my first pot of coffee with my Sunbeam CoffeeMaster. Turned out great! Kinda like the french press coffee I've had.

The gasket was a little hard (go figure - its 60 years old or more) but I heated it in hot water and it fit right into the base, and came off of the base when the cycle was done.

I've always wanted to try this coffee maker and thanks to this website, I've found a good part to use. Thanks for making this site possible Robert.

 

[whirlcool]

I recently got a seal for my Coffeemaster off Fleabay, it was soft and pliable. But when I went to use it to make coffee, it imparted a strong taste of rubber to the coffee. This almost rendered the coffee as undrinkable. The previous gasket, which was hardened some, didn't do that.
Any guesses as to why this gasket is doing this?

Working properly the CoffeeMasters DO make some of the best coffee around. Especially if you grind your own beans beforehand.

 

[tlee618]

Hi Allen, I have heard of this problem before and have no idea why it happens. My suggestion would be to use it for a few cycles with only water and see if it goes away. Terry

 

[whirlcool]

Terry:

We tried that, still have the rubber taste. Then I wiped it down in vinegar and soaked it in hot water. It removed the taste for a few brewings, then it came back again.
I wonder if it is some form of deterioration?

 

[danemodsandy]

Allen:

Your "rubber" taste is probably a breakdown of the rubber. I don't know if Sunbeam used natural rubber or neoprene, but both would tend to break down chemically over the course of fifty years.

Once plastic or rubber components begin breaking down, there's really nothing to do about it but find another part that is not exhibiting symptoms. Vintage Tupperware is prone to the problem; the plasticiser in the polythene leaches out, leaving the plastic less flexible and its surface sticky. Breakdown is best prevented by keeping plastics and rubber in cool, dry places, out of the light.

 

[whirlcool]

Thanks for the additional information.
Looks like it's time to stop playing around with these C-30's and go for a C-50. Do those use rubber gaskets? Or do they have another way of creating the seal between the two vessels?

 

[tlee618]

Allen I remember way way back when a neighbor had taken her coffeemaster in for a new seal, when she got it back she said it made terrible coffee that tasted just like rubber. Now that I think about it I don't ever remember her using that pot again. I have had a few coffeemasters over the years and have never had this problem. I just wonder if Jon C. or Tom might have some ideas?