Coffee Maker: Burnt or Electrical Smell

The last thing you want to smell when brewing a fresh pot of coffee is a burnt or electric smell. Our experts have nared down the most likely parts for causing this issue: the power cord, holder, basket, and carafe. Now that you have figured out the part where this is coming from, read our expert tips on how you can repair this yourself.

Coffee Maker: Burnt or Electrical Smell

Power Cords

If the power cord on your coffee maker is cut, or has developed a short in it, it will arc and cause a burning smell. To replace your power cord, make sure the unit is unplugged, remove the carafe and flip it over, exposing the bottom plate. Remove the screws holding the plastic bottom cover in place. You want to gain access to the mother board, which will most likely be held in place with a bracket and screw. Pull out the motherboard and follow the power cord to where it is attached in two places. Use a soldering iron to detach the cord, and install the new one.
Coffee Maker: Burnt or Electrical Smell

Carafes

the carafe is cracked it will leak coffee onto the warming plate, resulting in a burning smell. To fix this issue, you should replace the carafe with one that meets the specifications of your coffee maker.
Coffee Maker: Burnt or Electrical Smell

Holder

The holder or brew basket holder on your coffee maker could be misaligned, causing the coffee and water to leak out and onto the warming plate. This will result in a burning smell. Luckily this is an easy fix and can be solved by correctly aligning the holder and brew basket. If your coffee maker has been dropped or damaged, the brew basket and holder may be damaged to the point that it needs to be replaced, in which case you should order a new one that is compatible with your model.
Coffee Maker: Burnt or Electrical Smell

Baskets

Many coffee maker models use a brew basket the has a valve built into it to serve a cup of coffee while still brewing. This valve can fail by not sealing when the carafe is removed, causing coffee to drip onto the warming plate. The valve can be accessed either through the bottom cover of the coffee maker or through the top, by removing the brew basket assembly. The valve will most likely be rubber, and held in place by metal clamps which can be removed with pliers. Replace with new valve and reassembly the coffee maker.