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How Long Does a Ninja Coffee Maker Last
About the Ninja coffee machine lifespan and how to extend it.
Published March 25, 2022
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Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Ninja products are a popular option as they come with lots of promises and a high price tag. For the majority of users who buy these products, they are worth paying for, as good as they are made out to be and can make life easier at home. However, in the case of Ninja coffee makers, they sometimes don’t last quite as long as their users might like. On average Ninja coffee pot lasts for around a year, or even less. Common problems that tend to occur quite early on include issues with the brewing cycle or the water reservoir. The good news is that you may not have to completely replace your machine to lengthen its lifespan – regular cleaning, good maintenance of the individual parts, or replacing parts that have broken down can get your machine back in good working order.
While the average coffee maker Ninja machine might have a shorter lifespan than you’d hoped, there’s no need to let this put you off getting one. Everybody’s Ninja coffee brewer machine will last for a different length of time, and you can certainly make sure that yours lasts for longer by keeping the machine clean and well-maintained and handling it gently.
Why Do Ninja Coffee Makers Not Last Very Long?
Ninja is a brand with a decent reputation, so it might be surprising for some to hear that many users haven’t had the best experience with the Ninja coffee maker espresso machine. However, it is worth bearing in mind that Ninja is quite new to coffee makers and is well-known for great blenders, so it may just be a case of giving it more time while they act on feedback and make improvements to their Ninja coffee machine lines.
Why Get a Ninja Coffee and Espresso Maker?
Despite the fact that so many users have reported a short lifespan with the Ninja coffee brewer, there are still some reasons to consider buying one. Ninja coffee maker espresso is great, and if you want a certain type of coffee maker, Ninja has various types to offer. While the settings are different for each machine, you also get the option to choose between classic and rich brewing options, allowing you to get a coffee that is comparable to espresso even if you don’t have a Ninja espresso machine. The Specialty Coffee Maker from Ninja is a great choice, with lots of options including four different brew types and six cup sizes to choose from, along with a frothing wand that you can use to make cappuccinos and lattes. Coffee made with a Ninja coffee maker is definitely an upgrade from using a regular drip coffee maker. These machines use precision heating technology, which ensures that the water is the right temperature, something that is not always the case with a standard drip coffee maker.
Ninja Coffee Makers Short Lifespan
Many customers have reported a short lifespan for their Ninja filter coffee machine, with problems starting after around three to six months of use, which can be disruptive to your morning routine. One common issue that customers have reported is the cleaning light turning on before any more serious problems start. However, users have noted that even after running the cleaning cycle as directed, the light doesn’t switch off, and the machine begins having problems with completing a brewing cycle. Residue coming out of the nozzles, sensors no longer working correctly, and a broken water reservoir are some of the biggest issues reported. All of them appear to be a result of water reservoir calcification, which builds up slowly over time.
The good news is that Ninja will help you sort these issues out if you experience them. Their customer service team is happy to offer solutions and advice over the phone, and for a small fee of $20 unless you have a full warranty, you can have a professional take a look at your coffee maker and repair it for you.
How to Maintain a Ninja Coffee Maker
Whether you have already purchased or are thinking of purchasing a Ninja coffee maker, the best way to make sure that you avoid this breakdown 3-6 months in and keep it working for longer is to keep it clean. Many of the malfunctions that users have experienced have been a direct result of the buildup of coffee grounds or minerals in the internal systems of the machine, so you may not even be aware that it is happening as you use your machine daily. Since Ninja coffee makers are a type of drip coffee maker, they follow a similar cleaning process. The Ninja website offers detailed cleaning instructions that you can use to make sure that your coffee machine is kept in good shape and continues working well for a long time.
While you may wait until the ‘clean’ light comes on before you think about running a cleaning cycle, this might not be a great idea. So far, customer experience has suggested that this light only comes on when the buildup inside the machine has already gotten to a point where it can cause lasting damage. Instead, forget about the cleaning light and clean your Ninja on a weekly basis or every two weeks depending on how often you use it. Descaling your machine regularly will help to flush out any minerals and coffee ground buildup from the inside of the machine, keeping it working well for longer.
Cleaning Your Ninja Step By Step
To descale and clean your Ninja coffee machine, take these steps:
- Fill the water reservoir with a descaling solution or use white vinegar. If using a descaler, follow the instructions that come with the product. If you are using white vinegar, then fill up the reservoir with the vinegar around a quarter of the way, before topping up to the ‘max fill’ line with cold water.
- Put the carafe in place so that it can catch the descaling solution or the vinegar once the cycle is complete.
- Select the ‘full carafe’ setting for your cleaning cycle.
- Press the ‘clean’ button to start the cycle. Depending on the specific type of Ninja coffee maker that you own, a full cleaning cycle should take somewhere in between eight and thirty minutes. Leave the machine to complete the cycle and do not unplug it or press any buttons until completed. Once the cycle is complete, the ‘clean’ light will switch off.
- Use a bottle scrubber or a gentle sponge to clean the water reservoir. Since calcification of the water reservoir appears to be an issue that leads to lots of problems with these coffee machines, this might be a step that you want to take more often even if you’re not descaling the entire machine. Avoid cleaning with soap since this might contaminate the inside of the coffee machine. Instead, use a little bit of white vinegar if water isn’t strong enough.
- Finally, run a water-only cycle by filling the clean water reservoir with cold water and running a cleaning cycle again. This will flush out any vinegar or descaling solution residue from your machine so you can start using it again.
Ninja Coffee Maker Troubleshooting
Despite users reporting that their Ninja coffee maker did not last very long, there are some issues that you will probably be able to fix quite quickly. Knowing how to troubleshoot your machine and notice early signs that something might be wrong will give you the chance to get ahead of it and prevent your machine from completely breaking down. There are several working parts in these machines, so there’s a lot that could go wrong. Some common problems you might encounter include:
No Water Coming Out
Your Ninja coffee maker will have a ‘drip stop’ feature that either prevents or allows the flow of water. Check the instruction manual to see where this is located on your machine. Most of the time, it will be attached to the Ninja cm400 filter basket. When the drip stop is on, you will usually see a water droplet symbol with a line or cross through it. Make sure that it’s switched off so that the water can come out when you start a brew cycle.
Beeping While Brewing
If your Ninja stops brewing during a cycle and starts beeping, this is usually a simple fix – most likely, your water reservoir has no water left in it. You may need to fill the reservoir up again and start a new brewing cycle. Adding more water during the cycle isn’t recommended by Ninja.
Brown Sediment in Your Cup
Brown sediment in your cup isn’t pleasant and you might at first be worried that there is something wrong with the machine. However, most of the time this will be an issue with your coffee grounds. Try using a coarser grind of coffee as if your coffee is ground too finely, it will pass through the filter and end up in your cup.
While you may be put off getting a Ninja coffee maker due to users reporting a short lifespan, the good news is that you can extend the life of your best Ninja coffee machine by carefully following the instructions, regular cleaning, and treating the machine with care.
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
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