BUNN VP-17 Coffee Maker Review- WATCH BEFORE YOU BUY!!!

[@EuropaSteve]

My VP-17 is 24 years old and still like the day I got it. Great machine!

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Excellent. You undoubtedly take good care of it. Maintenance isn't that difficult. If you have soft water or use Spring/ Filtered water that's a plus!! Bit you certainly got your $$ worth!!!

[@PJHLR]

I have had my VP17-1 since 2006 and it has never failed. I bought the stainless steel brew funnel back then. I just checked it. It does have that screw in tip. So, back then, they included it with the funnel. The wire basket does come out for cleaning. There is one word of caution: When you first unbox the brewer, do NOT plug it in before filling the water tank! One useful accessory to buy is a wall timer. That way you can set it to turn on your brewer 25 minutes before you need it. Otherwise, the brewer's water tank will keep the water hot 24/7. VP17 does not have an on/off switch for the brewer, only for the warmer. Using the timer will save you electricity.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Excellent Comment. I did hook it to a digital timer so as to keep the thermostat going on & off 24/7 to keep the water at 190° during times I don't Need it to

[@Testoider]

Can you explain how a digital timer works? Like you can program it to turn on your appliances?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

BN-LINK 7 Day Heavy Duty Digital... www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVF16JG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I ordered this on Amazon. I plug it into the wall...then plug the Bunn into the timer. It's easy to set. I set it to go on at 5am and off at 7pm. Sometimes I brew a 1/2 pot at 6 or 7. This keeps the machine from cycling the tank heater on & off 24/7. Saving a bit of electricity.

[@Testoider]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus thank you for this

[@Testoider]

@@PJHLR understood, thank you

[@JamesHMcQuaid]

Thank you Jim. We love our VP-17.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Thanks for watching

[@brucevodka]

I NEVER knew about the screw-tip, I just ordered it. If this is the secret I've been looking for, you are my new BEST friend!!!

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

It's actually OUTRAGEOUSLY UNFAIR that this tip is needed....and that they sell this for $12!! But Yes...it will make the coffee run slower thru the basket...which allows increaded water /coffee saturation rate...more flavorful coffee. ALSO..Another trick I do to mostly all my coffee brands except GEVALIA COLOMBIAN ....whenever I buy ground coffee...I put the desired amount into my Mr Coffee Bean grinder and grind to a finer ground which holds the water further giving Even better flavors. Hey Everyone has their favorite coffee brands but in this machine I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Gevalia Colombian Ground or bean in the vacuum sealed bags. I try my best to avoid Coffees ..even GEVALIA when sold in the round tin container....just something about the vacuum sealed bags that makes the coffee stay and taste fresher. Glad you found my video!!! ENJOY ☕️ ☕️ ☕️!!

[@watsonspuzzle]

After years of replacing coffee makers every year and water dribbling everywhere when pouring from the pot, I replaced my last coffee maker with this machine. I replaced the basket with the stainless steel, too. It's been 4 years now, and I love the Bunn VP-17.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

It's definitely a great choice....These are workhorses...and Everyone knows you can't beat their quality.

[@alejandrogsd7247]

I just bought the VP17-3 and I love it so far made tea and coffee! Definitely worth the investment

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

A great Choice for sure. I too use this to brew up a big 2 gal container which will be Iced Green Tea

[@scole901]

ive had my vp 17 for 12 years, i got tired of buying new coffee machines every couple years, its paid for itself.

[@gaylestroble5914]

Brilliant idea to warm cup first!!! Thanks so much for sharing that idea!!!

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

ITS THE SMALL DETAILS!!! Hey Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!!

[@FurTheCasa]

Hi Jim. Thank you so much for all of the information and suggestions. Drinking coffee that has been run through so much plastic... My family is over it and I'm currently researching the alternative. Your video has sealed the deal. Heck, I'll probably get the Amazon card just for the discount! Thanks again for this informative post.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Excellent!! You made my Coffee day!!! ☕️ 😆. It took about a month for me to fine tune the amount of coffee/ water ratio to get the perfect cup for my taste. Remember to buy that RIDICULOUS Tip kit to screw in the metal basket drain. Also I joke to my wife that the first week or so of pots weren't that good..because The machine hasn't been "Seasoned" yet....so my suggestion if I were to do it again....buy the cheapest store bought Coffee you can and get the machine broken in.... Also in the end Coffee taste is RELATIVE to each drinker....I have found that making 8-10 cups each morning....Using Fine ground coffee works Perfectly because it further slows the flow...increasing the flavor...but won't over flow. I have found that GEVALIA COLUMBIAN GROUND Coffee is PERFECT right out of the bag. It's fine, rich and the flavor from this machine is unbelievable!!! One last thing. These use a bit more electricity...much more amperage...but Nothing requiring special home wiring....it plugs right into a regular outlet... I purchased & plugged it into a digital timer and scheduled the timer to turn the machine on at 6am and off at 7pm. So it doesn't waste electricity overnight as you will hear it run every 15 minutes or so to reheat the water in the large water tank. I have Solar so during the day it's not costing me anything....but overnight with the extra energy it does use ...having it off by timer if you don't have solar and get an electric bill will save you the extra $10 a month this machine will cost to run. Enjoy. I hope Amazon still has the Discount promo!!!

[@t.r3400]

That was extremely helpful. Thanks a lot🙏

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Appreciate your watching and taking the time to comment!

[@lwlucas7032]

Thanks for this video. It is possible to brew only 4 cups? How much time it takes to brew it including puring the fresh water and then brewing?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

This particular Full size VP-17 Commercial Machine tends to brew weak coffee when brewing less than 8 cups due to the large basket . If you tend to make 4-6 cups mostly then I would recommend the Bunn HOME BREW Coffee maker which I have owned thru the years. It is a smaller version of this comes in black or white....but the basket is 1/2 the diameter than the VP which allows for a slower brewing of 4-6 cups. Hope this answered your question I brew and drink 10-12 "cups" between my wife & I .... the coffee mugs I have my coffee in actually hold about 20oz which of course is more than a Measuring "cup". The Bunn Home Brew machines are Fantastic...but I make alot of Coffee so I wear them out in about 4 years 😆. Lastly with both the Home Brew and VP 17 both will brew a full pit (10-12) cups in well under 4 minutes.

[@djc4962]

I would love to have one of these how is easy is it to do maintenance on it like say the heating element stops working how hard would it be for me to fix it or find the parts for it

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Fair concern & question. Bunn Commercial Coffee Co Gives a FULL YEAR parts and repair on all their Coffee machines. As for maintenance....Your water quality will dictate issues such as lime scale or calcium build up....There is little maintenance other than using the supplies calcium/ lime scale removal tool which is really just a Long thin metal snake which you run up the water tube after you unscrew the shower head. I am fortunate and have no lime or calcium build up problems so even after a month there's little to nothing I see upon cleaning this..... Bunn machines are well made and reliable, parts if needed are readily available direct from Bunn Corp. Many times small parts they may comp you. As for general recommendation maintenance...Bunn suggests in hard water , lime areas a Weekly Descaling cleaning by unplugging the machine, unscrew shower head and clean shower holes if needed.... Mix a pot of 2/3 Distilled water & 1/3 White Vinegar....pour into the machine as if making a pot of coffee. After you run a pot thru....use the descaling tool and clear away any line or scale residue thru the water spout ( where the shower head was unscrewed) ....empty the spent solution.... reattach shower head....plug machine in then RUN THROUGH SEVERAL FRESH POTS OF COLD WATER to flush away Vinegar/ Distilled solution.... Then your machine is clean. These machines are very reliable. I have never had one burn out nor malfunction. Hope this helps!!

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Btw...I do not clean thus machine weekly. I use it EVERY DAY....Use Natural Spring water so don't have any issues. I do clean the exterior as well as the basket after each use.

[@desynchonosisdragon9108]

Just purchased the same model. I did get the stainless basket AND the ridiculous tip/nozzle. Makes fantastic coffee. I'm learning that you don't need to turn the hotplate on to brew. Figured that out after hearing the machine heat up without the switch on. Only thing I dont like is there isn't a switch to turn the heater off. You just have to unplug it.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

It's top shelf. I have it plugged into a digital timer....so it goes off at 7pm and back on at 5am... that saves the hear cycling overnight when it's not needed

[@jason19872011]

This coffee machine also enables you to avoid plastic chemicals in your coffee.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Absolutely....which is why I recommend buying the metal grind cup holder as I did. It's much healthier!

[@jason19872011]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus I missed that part.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

@jason19872011 No worries... I sort of had a mini- Tantrum on how greedy Bunn is to offer the Stainless basket but require you buy the $10 screw in tip to reduce water flow. 💧

[@smith0426]

If you remove the carafe while it's still running, is there something to prevent it from still dripping through the basket?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

After the coffee has Essentially completed running thru I give the basket a sharp jiggle which releases any trapped liquid coffee....I keep a small tea cup nearby to put underneath to catch any drips when I pour my first cup. If your asking if you can interrupt the brew and quickly pour a cup before it completes then no there is no way to stall the brew down.... but the machine is super fast... most times I make only 8 cups which completely brews in about 2-3 minutes tops

[@deanatredeau4416]

I am considering one for my church and read I should empty tank if machine is staying unused for periods of time due to bacteria growing in water--I am wondering how you would do that? I enjoyed your video.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

If You are not going to use it for an extended time the only way empty it is Remove the brew funnel and spray head Hold the brewer by the back and tip it upside down over the sink until water flows out of the spray head tube and possibly the top lid. Once all of the water is out clean / cover or store. It. When you do start it back up I would recommend refilling it and add a half pot of white vinegar. Then run several pots of cold clean water to flush away any lingering white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural disinfectant.

[@mariahriv3095]

Great video i just ordered mine! Where did you buy the funnel screw tip? I cant seem to find it on their website could you drop a link plz? Thanks great video!

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Thanks!! I LOVE MINE!! You will too...Here is the Bunn store link thru Amazon Bunn 01031.0000 Funnel Tip Kit a.co/d/ggAbMLA I find that the best tasting Coffee is the Gevalia brand...its ground very fine. I suggest that if you use medium or coarse ground coffee brands that you give the grounds a run thru in a coffee bean grinder as I do when I brew 8 O'clock or McDonald's Colombian ground. It enhanced the flavor. Also I have found that it brews the ABSOLUTE BEST tasting coffee when you make at least 10 cups. Anything less because the basket is larger may come out weaker than you may like .

[@3b3id]

What do you think of the Bunn dual hopper grinder? I wanna get that as well 😊

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Have to take a look. I don't have one. I have a small bean grinder which I use for Beans...also I grind most ground coffee except Gevalia which is already very finely ground.

[@kieranjimenez1808]

Thank you Jim! This is full of helpful information. I just bought a VP 17 Series 3, second-hand. I was super excited because I've also always admired these machines, but sadly cant get it to work! The problem is that I fill up the reservoir but water never comes out the spout. When the reservoir is full, the water just starts to leak out of the sides of the machine. Is the spout obviously plugged somewhere, or am I making a mistake somehow? I've checked and I don't see any blocker like you mention at the end of you video, where if the top flap is open the water wont come out the spot (would such a lever be visible?) Thanks for any insight! (I may have sadly just got ripped off on Facebook marketplace...)

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

I'm not a Repair expert but It has a baffle inside which displaces whatever water you pour in....that is probably gunked up or calcified. If you can't use it it may be worth trying to take it apart to see if there is anything in sight that is causing it. Not sure how "user serviceable " they are...but the mechanics seem pretty straight forward. One problem may be that the gunked up or calcified part may be inside a sealed area which is unserviceable. One suggestion Before you do take it apart... try pouring in "WHITE VINEGAR" as much as it can take and run a bunch of cycles thru...let it sit a few hours...the White Vinegar is a pretty good acidic cleaner plus DISINFECTANT. I do this about every month or two for maintenance. Good luck 👍

[@kieranjimenez1808]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus Yes thank you very much. I think the problem may be that it is gunked up either in the bottom of the heat tank (where the hot water gets sent to the top of the tank once it gets displaced by new cold water) or gunked up in the tube that moves hot water from the tank to the spot to make coffee. I'll see how much of that I can get into myself. But I'm not able to run any cycles of vinegar through, because nothing will come out the other end...

[@3b3id]

Hi Jim! I had the machine for over a month now, steel spray head, steel basket, glass decanter and all, just feel like the water coming out of the sprayhead isn’t hot enough (measured it around 185F max) to brew properly (which should be 200F-205F). I did some testing by removing the sprayhead and the water coming out is 200F (again without the stainless steel sprayhead). What brews the coffee is 185F water, not 200F. Any idea what’s going on? And the coffee gets luke warm to cold pretty quick, I’d say in about 5 min. I was expecting it to brew piping hot 3rd degree burns hot, but it’s only around 150F in my cup. Im thinking of returning it. What do? Thanks! 🤔

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

HMMM Interesting!! There's no thermostat adjustment to raise the heating element. I always preheat the decanter with hot water before I make coffee. But 185° is adequate for Coffee. 200-205° is just shy of Boiling which is too Hot.... If you recently purchased it try contacting the seller for a possible exchange if you want to be certain.

[@3b3id]

Thanks Jim!, I’ll do that! I purchased it from home depot and got a $50 discount for opening a Home Depot ccard, and can return/exchange it within a year. I contacted Bunn and they said the thermostat is preset at 200F. Thanks again! 😎

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

@3b3id ok.... It could be a defect on the machine. For that kind of $$ it may be worthwhile for an exchange just to rule out that aspect. I also preheat my decanter and coffee mug with hot water so when the Hot coffee hits them it's not hitting a cold surface. Just a little trick of the OCD coffee ☕️ trade!!

[@3b3id]

Great idea, thanks Jim! 🙂

[@quietone7167]

Does this machine make coffee hot as Duncan donuts coffee ?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Yes.... its the same...Restaurant equipment....180+°f Hot Coffee. I also suggest preheating the coffee carafe for a few seconds with hot water.... I also do the same with my thermos or cup before I pour!!

[@quietone7167]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus thank you

[@thumpergrey]

Would it be possible for you to make a video of you using it. I just got one of these and i did buy it used so it could be a part failure. But my Bunn machine is constantly leaking. maybe i did something incorrectly

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Where is it leaking from? If it's leaking when not in use then there may be an internal tank or fitting leak. It should not be leaking water other than dispensing and water you pour into the top water grate.

[@thumpergrey]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus thanks for replying back to me. I’m currently investigating the issue. It does not leak when it is not in use but rather it leaks when I pour additional water through the water gate. In an attempt to make a pot of coffee.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Hmmm. I wonder of you have a calcium build up that's causing it to back up. So the water is leaking out of the gate where you pour water into?

[@brucevodka]

Jim (new BF) what is your coffee to water ratio with the Bunn? Happy Holidays!!

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Of course personal Taste is important....I like my coffee on the stronger side...but not like Espresso either...or Dark Roast either. I prefer whole bean freshly ground at each pot. 95% of the time I make 8 cups.... but I have a tablespoon measuring spoon.... I measure 1 Tablespoon of Beans or 1 heaping Tablespoon of ground Coffee per cup. If I make a whole pot of 10-12 cups .... I stick to about 10-11 tablespoons per cup. So simply about 1 tablespoon per cup of water. Happy Holidays

[@laurenb9019]

Do you leave this unit plugged in 24/7? What if you go on vacation for example?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

I keep this machine plugged into a Digital Timer set to turn the Machine (the water chamber heating element) off at 7pm then back on at 6am. I don't take Vacations as I am much too busy....but Thats a valid concern because these do eat up more electricity due to the constant reheating of the Water tank. All things being equal if I were to go on vacation I would unplug it all together.

[@laurenb9019]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus thanks for the reply - for me personally I plan on unplugging it once I’m done and plugging it right before I need it in the morning. For example if I want coffee at 7am, I guess I would need to account for 15/20 minutes for the water to heat up I’m guessing? Does the water go stagnant in the reservoir / does it need to be dumped out and refilled every so often ?

[@theblindredneck747]

If you are using it daily the water should be fine. Leaving it plugged in is best as the heat prevents bacteria from growing. Your tank heater may not last as long if it has to heat water from cold daily.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

I would suggest buying a simple digital Timer as I have which plugs into the wall...like the old Fashioned lamp timers. I set mine to go off about 8pm I believe then back on at 5am.

[@kathys9999]

Good review.. I'm just a one cupper in the morning. That little screw to add for 10 bucks is nuts, but... what ya gonna do?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

I know...Im actually going to call Bunn and ask why...its just too unbelievable

[@bonniemccormack1361]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus I would too! My cat tree came with a defective piece and the company wants ME to pay $23 to replace it lol huh? Companies confuse me...

[@stevencraig9090]

How long dose it take before it starts making

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Make sure you have the pot under and on the warmer. It IMMEDIATELY dispenses the coffee once you pour the water in up top. There's no delay. Makes an entire 12 cups in less than 4 minutes!!

[@joserivera199520]

Do plastic funnels make the coffee weaker? My $40 coffee maker makes coffee more strength than bunn.

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

I don't believe the material of the funnel improves or takes away the flavor as much as the concern about the possible health concerns of pouring boiling water consistently thru a plastic funnel as opposed to a much healthier Stainless steel one. Also the Bunn Stainless funnel requires an optional screw on metering tip which Slows the water flow thus increasing the strength of the coffee.

[@joserivera199520]

@@Jimswholiestofcoleus Mmmm!! Everyone have good reviews about this product except me. I’m speculating that maybe it’s because I only make 2 cups of coffee at the time. I appreciate that you take your time you answered me back

[@bonniemccormack1361]

My work changed from those to a new provider with the plumber installed machine and it brews a ten cup carafe. The kind of coffee used is most likely the worst tasting in North America 🤢 a premeasured packaged nondescript brand. Which is good for me, I'm down from about 6 cups per shift to literally one, sometimes 2 cups, big cups tho. The tank has a hot water option, I also preheat my mug 😎

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Yes I've tasted those prepackaged Coffees. Most are mass grinds and aweful. But Bonnie...We love our Coffee....So I don't skimp....but I also don't equate or buy the most expensive as they aren't guaranteed best tasting. My Personal Fav is Eight o'Clock Colombian!!

[@hfrt29]

That's cool that basket!!! I hate plastic!..holy moly,,10 screw😂

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Yes a $10 SCREWING!!! LOL. I still don't understand the concept or reason why they added this. 😕

[@aidenc4769]

Wtf my I just burnt my coffee maker instructions very unclear

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Uhhh?? Excuse Me?? You need to perhaps take a step back and remember...its a Coffee maker....not a Chaos Math equation.....

[@kutthroatboxing]

Whats the name of that little piece on the bottom of the metal basket?

[@Jimswholiestofcoleus]

Its called " Funnel tip kit" you can actually buy it separately on Amazon for like 12 bucks. It's really a RIDICULOUS Thing to have time buy ....but If you run coffee thru the basket without it the coffee is weak.

[@lindamcd1217]

It's like a flow restrictor