Hey, I'm here!!
David!
I didn't see which Sunbeam Coffeemaster you have. The process is the same, but the C-50's have "ears" which clamp the upper vessel to the bottom pot. I know that the gaskets can become brittle over the years, and I feel the same way everyone else does. Why can't someone make a replacement gasket? There is a Casco Bay Molding store online that sells replacement Pyrex/Silex vacuum pot gaskets, but no Sunbeams (IIRC). It is best to wet the gasket before attaching the vessels. If your model is a C-50, just press it onto the pot and secure with the clasps. If you have a C-20 or C-30, press the top vessel down at around the 3 o'clock position and twist it until it is secure (or the handles on the C-30 match up).
As far as filters...The C-50's fine mesh filter really requires no additional filterization. However, I buy the disc paper percolator filters (Melitta; 100 for $1.25). Just cut a slit in one and place it between the two filters. You can also use these on the C-20 and C-30 instead of the cloth filters. The key is to use about five of them. If you use any less, you will have a paper explosion in your coffeepot. I have experimented on mine, and five seems to be the right amount.
I have some extra cloth filters and can copy some Sunbeam instructions for a couple of models. If you want them, just holler at me on my e-mail address.
These do make awesome coffee. Yes, it takes a bit longer than a drip (threw mine away several years ago), but the end product is well worth it!! This stuff is so hot and so strong, rumour has it that they were using it to de-ice planes last week. Right, Whirlcool? ;-)
David!
I didn't see which Sunbeam Coffeemaster you have. The process is the same, but the C-50's have "ears" which clamp the upper vessel to the bottom pot. I know that the gaskets can become brittle over the years, and I feel the same way everyone else does. Why can't someone make a replacement gasket? There is a Casco Bay Molding store online that sells replacement Pyrex/Silex vacuum pot gaskets, but no Sunbeams (IIRC). It is best to wet the gasket before attaching the vessels. If your model is a C-50, just press it onto the pot and secure with the clasps. If you have a C-20 or C-30, press the top vessel down at around the 3 o'clock position and twist it until it is secure (or the handles on the C-30 match up).
As far as filters...The C-50's fine mesh filter really requires no additional filterization. However, I buy the disc paper percolator filters (Melitta; 100 for $1.25). Just cut a slit in one and place it between the two filters. You can also use these on the C-20 and C-30 instead of the cloth filters. The key is to use about five of them. If you use any less, you will have a paper explosion in your coffeepot. I have experimented on mine, and five seems to be the right amount.
I have some extra cloth filters and can copy some Sunbeam instructions for a couple of models. If you want them, just holler at me on my e-mail address.
These do make awesome coffee. Yes, it takes a bit longer than a drip (threw mine away several years ago), but the end product is well worth it!! This stuff is so hot and so strong, rumour has it that they were using it to de-ice planes last week. Right, Whirlcool? ;-)
