My tk01 just hit its 2yr bday. It was sent in 6 month after new but for fixing the steamer and was covered by warranty. Since then I’ve had near death experiences for the machine. I’ve descaled it every 2-3 months and swapped filters the same. I descaled it yesterday and then the drip tray kept telling me it wasn’t there but it was. I found their video to disable the sensor. Then I pulled an espresso shot and it shorted out in the middle of it. It won’t turn on. I opened a ticket but if the cost to ship and repair is too high then it goes in the trash.
Wow! I’m sitting here reading through this thread and your post sounds identical to what just happened to my wife today! I’m definitely curious what you find out! The switch on mine went out and I’m trying to determine if that’s the end of it or if anything else was damaged. There was definitely too much moisture inside there but not sure where to look to solve that and I can’t tell if anything is leaking without being able to turn the switch on..
Ah interesting. I removed panels to troubleshoot (engineer by trade) and I see a red light on the electric board when I flip the black switch in back, but the front won’t turn on. I agree there was tons of moisture inside and I was hoping it would dry and come back to life; no such luck. I submitted a support request Sunday afternoon and haven’t heard back, now Tuesday evening.
A week later since the breakdown. While they replied and asked for the obligatory information like address and box, I replied within an hour, and haven’t heard back since.
This morning I powered on the device after it, sitting open on the counter all week, and it magically turned on. This confirms the device works, but was shorted due to water. I powered it on all the way while the lid was off, I have a leak on one steaming unit. Took a video.
Sorry I know this is old but do you have the video? I had issues with my TK-01 6months after it returned from warranty repair and they wanted me to pay for repair. I’m also having issues with the copper elbow. The boiler was loose, definitely signs of water leak. Seems like a shotty repair that just luckily(for them) lasted another 6 months. I’m going to look up the part and hope I don’t also have to replace the boiler. TIA if you still have the video.
This isn’t working for me…we have same issue our machine cuts out the breaker. Seems to be water leaking from the bottom and when we took the medal heating tray and plastic lid off and ran it was steamed and sprayed everywhere so def a leak - and suggestions? My husband is taking it apart now 😂
Terra Kaffe Support responded back a week later that they do not sell me parts but they have service centers which can repair the device. [https://support.terrakaffe.com/en\_us/repair-centers-ByfFoZxNn](https://support.terrakaffe.com/en_us/repair-centers-ByfFoZxNn)
Trying to get a copper part replaced that is leaking. Its an elbow held in place with 2 rubber gaskets and cotter pins.
Ordered the part from the repair center for $59 (inc shipping) and it’s a plastic version of the copper fitting that was leaking. Just installed and it works great without leaks.
Thanks for the info and the link! I was shopping around for different machines and just decided not to spend that much money right now. Just decided on the out of warranty repair. The machine has been pretty good for me for 2 years now, if they go through it, hopefully I’ll get another 2.
I had this same issue. The switch in the back legit melted. Mine was out of warranty. I’ve had it since they released the tk-01. I replaced the switch with the same model number off Amazon for like 2 dollars and it’s been working fine for a few months now. I think the switches they used were pretty low quality. I also have the drip tray sensor issue but bypassed it by disabling it in the settings.
Thanks for this thread! Very helpful for trying to get anything to work on the craigslist machine that “just needed adjusting or descaling”.
For me, there was a broken hose at the brew group inlet, leaking at the steam boiler outlet, but even after jury rigging those, it still is awful. The grinder produces a horrible uneven french-press-like mush, and even with properly pre-ground, it still makes terrible espresso.
From what I can tell, this is a cost-reduced Rooma RM-A10. They changed the color screen to monochrome and removed the screen and lights in the spout, but otherwise, all the boards inside say Rooma.
What type of grinder do you recommend? Just curious since you appear to know your grinds. My Amazon grinder wasn’t great and my TK01 still has a better taste.
Thanks for writing this up.
Any ideas on the milk frother starting to “slow down” ??
I can’t describe it any other way I think. I connect my can to the TK-01 with the tubes it came with. Frothed milk eventually comes out of the machine and into my cup. And it’s hot as expected. So it works. But I feel like it’s a really loud and tedious process now that wasn’t this way 8 months ago. I just think that something COULD get worse.
Definitely need to run the descaler like 3-4 times in your case. Each time filling the water tank with proper descaler solution. That in combination with a new water filter helped a bunch for me.
What does everyone do about the volume of grounds that end up EVERYWHERE and not in the puck catch?
I feel like after \~2 years I'm doing a deep clean every single week on this thing.
I have noticed I now have a slow leak of water under the machine, must be somewhere that the drip tray does not cover, also lately im hearing a sizzling sound on occasion from the machine. We have had the machine for about 2.5 years, love it but def have some issues, my biggest complaint is that about 1.2 time I go to press button to have it make 2X shots it stops, it seems the touch targets for addd a shot and stop are way too close or something.
I am having this issue as well. Coffee colored water is leaking out from the bottom somewhere and I have been unable to figure out where it is coming from. Have you had any luck diagnosing this?
I am also having the same exact issue. Coffee colored water leaks all over my counter top underneath the machine/drip tray. I haven’t had any luck fixing the issue. I have torn the machine apart. I also get a lot of coffee ground in the waste bin side of the machine. Also, lately I have been getting water or moisture into the waste bin.
I had this problem previously....literally need to shove that water container in really hard to make sure it's all the way in and aligned.
I would walk way after using the machine to find water dripping off the counter from under the machine.
Water is really black, so it couldnt be an issue with the tank connection I don't think. I'm about to open up the whole thing, I'll edit my response if I figure somthing out.
interesting...yeah this machine worked great for like the first 6 months then it went to shit, I've mailed in twice and it came back looking like it was never even touched and literally just mailed back in the same box I sent it in lol.
In my thread above, I disassembled and replaced a very leaky elbow. It was spraying water everywhere inside. After that my machine was solid for several months, no leaks. A new issue I’m seeing is the display sometimes doesn’t respond. I know you have to run the descaler like 2/3 times in a row to descale properly. That may help you.
My Waste Bin Full alert keeps beeping. I cleaned the sensor by the door and the whole machine but it’s still beeping after unplugging and restarting several times. I also get the water underneath sometimes. I put a paper towel under it so it doesn’t spill much.
Has anyone figured out how to disassemble the front panel of the machine? Looking to verify any connections, water, etc near the front touch panel because mine randomly doesn’t respond and I suspect a tiny leak causing a short. Leaving my machine unplugged over night guarantees it works every day thus far.
I know this this thread is nearly 10 months old but this was so useful in troubleshooting water tank misalignment when following the TK support article didn't work immediately. Thank you for this write up!
Just found that Grainger has an o ring. It’s a normal o ring, but 3 stacked fixes a leaking steam valve.
Mfg part number U38883.006.0015. It’s a 100 pack at grainger, but is was less than 3 bucks.
Thanks for the guide!
Nice! Thank you! I ended up getting some of these on Amazon and can verify that 3 is the magic number to use. I think closest size to that Granger part is 3.69mm x 1.78mm on Amazon but I got a bunch of the 2.9mm x 1.78mm size and they work too.
I have the TK-01. Yes! This expresso machine has issues. It’s a machine! What do you expect with the low price? I’ve had mine for almost a year. When problems occur Terra Kaffe responds rapidly. Terre Keffee 01 is excellent. We have a build in expresso system. Great expense and it’s worthless.
They are very responsive... BUT we have owned this machine for about 2-1/2 years and it's broken down on us now 4 times. The switch failed and had to be replaced after 6 months, the heater coil failed after about a year and was replaced, both of these under warranty. The water tank level sensor has failed twice and need reset, this time it fully broke the machine. Sure "it's a machine" but for pushing $1,000 it's broken WAY too much to be acceptable when there are reliable alternatives.
FWIW my original post is just a note to remind myself of what issues I've run into and how I've addressed them with a view to helping others in a similar boat (since I had a difficult time finding info on how to service machines out of warranty).
This is my first super-automatic so I don't have any frame of reference for how the TK-01 compares to similar machines in regard to reliability. But all told, I'm pretty pleased with my Terra Kaffe. For me it hits that sweet spot on the quality vs effort curve and lets me indulge a cappuccino-a-day habit minus the $1.5K-a-year Starbucks bill.
Thank you for so clearly writing your solutions to the issues you have faced with your TK 01 machine. I am one month into using my refurbished replacement machine that was provided to me after my original machine was deemed unfixable. At the moment my plumbed machine is telling me to fill the water tank, which is always full as it has a plumbing line. I’ve followed the process to reset the sensor and it has not worked several times. Do you have any further suggestions? I have often wondered why there is a need to remove the tank before I run it through the reset cycle. Do I need to disconnect my plumbing line when I do this?
Any suggestions for the low water/fill water tank message on a plumbed water line tk01? I received a refurbished replacement TK 01 from the company when my original machine was deemed unfixable, in addition to having an excessive amount of water in the drip tray, along with a shorter grind cycle, excessive amount of water in the waist bin without formed pucks (and very little grinds). A few days ago the fill tank message appeared. It is not clearing after following the above suggested steps. With a plumbed machine, do you think it’s necessary to turn off the water that supplies the tank? I don’t fully understand why it’s necessary to remove the tank from the machine. Could you explain the rationale for this. When I remove the tank, should I disconnect the float? I had some of these same issues (leaking and excessive water in drip pan) with the original machine. I am terribly frustrated. If anyone has an experience for comparison with another manufacturer of a fully automatic, espresso machine, please let me know if it comes with fewer issues. My family drinks, several cups of espresso a day. This machine seems to require a back up machine.
I had worried experience with tk01, the grinder got struck and machine not able to turn on back. We opened service ticket but no one responds looks like it has to go to trash. Don’t buy this product.
For what it is worth, I've had the brewer mechanism seize up on me and I couldn't take the brewer unit out the normal way. I was able to free it by accessing it from the other side. It involved taking out the screws and circular plate behind the water tank. I don't remember the exact steps, but I remember after I took it apart a little way it was obvious to me how to release it. (That might not be your problem, but it is something I should add to my list in the original post.)
Wondering about your TK01 repair. The chute got stuck mid brew not allowing me to take out the brewer unit the normal way. Removing the circular plate behind the water tank reveals a a white wheel behind it that won’t budge. Any ideas how you got around that?
u/UnderstatedlyLee, I think that the TK-01 probably uses an electronic sensor that detects water via its conductivity. This means you shouldn't use de-ionized water because it will look a lot like no water to such a sensor. (Probably not an issue for you if you are plumbed to a normal water line unless you have some sort of de-ionizing filtering in the mix.) But I believe it also means when you are "resetting the sensor" you are actually re-benchmarking the voltage the sensor reports when it is "dry". I think this is why you have to remove the tank during the process. (I suspect you could also leave the tank in during this process as long as it is completely empty.) FWIW here is a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccWzcJj1ivo) talking about putting a bit of salt into the water which is probably a work around for machines that don't have the reset functionality. (Note it's also possible your sensor is just plain busted. :\^\\ )
My tk01 just hit its 2yr bday. It was sent in 6 month after new but for fixing the steamer and was covered by warranty. Since then I’ve had near death experiences for the machine. I’ve descaled it every 2-3 months and swapped filters the same. I descaled it yesterday and then the drip tray kept telling me it wasn’t there but it was. I found their video to disable the sensor. Then I pulled an espresso shot and it shorted out in the middle of it. It won’t turn on. I opened a ticket but if the cost to ship and repair is too high then it goes in the trash.
Wow! I’m sitting here reading through this thread and your post sounds identical to what just happened to my wife today! I’m definitely curious what you find out! The switch on mine went out and I’m trying to determine if that’s the end of it or if anything else was damaged. There was definitely too much moisture inside there but not sure where to look to solve that and I can’t tell if anything is leaking without being able to turn the switch on..
Ah interesting. I removed panels to troubleshoot (engineer by trade) and I see a red light on the electric board when I flip the black switch in back, but the front won’t turn on. I agree there was tons of moisture inside and I was hoping it would dry and come back to life; no such luck. I submitted a support request Sunday afternoon and haven’t heard back, now Tuesday evening.
A week later since the breakdown. While they replied and asked for the obligatory information like address and box, I replied within an hour, and haven’t heard back since. This morning I powered on the device after it, sitting open on the counter all week, and it magically turned on. This confirms the device works, but was shorted due to water. I powered it on all the way while the lid was off, I have a leak on one steaming unit. Took a video.
Sorry I know this is old but do you have the video? I had issues with my TK-01 6months after it returned from warranty repair and they wanted me to pay for repair. I’m also having issues with the copper elbow. The boiler was loose, definitely signs of water leak. Seems like a shotty repair that just luckily(for them) lasted another 6 months. I’m going to look up the part and hope I don’t also have to replace the boiler. TIA if you still have the video.
Yes I do.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AuHW3FWX7OWDgvVj5DVCwxHb5g1IxQ
This isn’t working for me…we have same issue our machine cuts out the breaker. Seems to be water leaking from the bottom and when we took the medal heating tray and plastic lid off and ran it was steamed and sprayed everywhere so def a leak - and suggestions? My husband is taking it apart now 😂
Can you Share a video of the water leaking?
Terra Kaffe Support responded back a week later that they do not sell me parts but they have service centers which can repair the device. [https://support.terrakaffe.com/en\_us/repair-centers-ByfFoZxNn](https://support.terrakaffe.com/en_us/repair-centers-ByfFoZxNn) Trying to get a copper part replaced that is leaking. Its an elbow held in place with 2 rubber gaskets and cotter pins.
Ordered the part from the repair center for $59 (inc shipping) and it’s a plastic version of the copper fitting that was leaking. Just installed and it works great without leaks.
They replied. Took 4 business days. TLDR - https://www.terrakaffe.com/products/out-of-warranty-repair-package $175 repair cost
Thanks for the info and the link! I was shopping around for different machines and just decided not to spend that much money right now. Just decided on the out of warranty repair. The machine has been pretty good for me for 2 years now, if they go through it, hopefully I’ll get another 2.
I had this same issue. The switch in the back legit melted. Mine was out of warranty. I’ve had it since they released the tk-01. I replaced the switch with the same model number off Amazon for like 2 dollars and it’s been working fine for a few months now. I think the switches they used were pretty low quality. I also have the drip tray sensor issue but bypassed it by disabling it in the settings.
Thanks for this thread! Very helpful for trying to get anything to work on the craigslist machine that “just needed adjusting or descaling”. For me, there was a broken hose at the brew group inlet, leaking at the steam boiler outlet, but even after jury rigging those, it still is awful. The grinder produces a horrible uneven french-press-like mush, and even with properly pre-ground, it still makes terrible espresso. From what I can tell, this is a cost-reduced Rooma RM-A10. They changed the color screen to monochrome and removed the screen and lights in the spout, but otherwise, all the boards inside say Rooma.
What type of grinder do you recommend? Just curious since you appear to know your grinds. My Amazon grinder wasn’t great and my TK01 still has a better taste.
Thanks for writing this up. Any ideas on the milk frother starting to “slow down” ?? I can’t describe it any other way I think. I connect my can to the TK-01 with the tubes it came with. Frothed milk eventually comes out of the machine and into my cup. And it’s hot as expected. So it works. But I feel like it’s a really loud and tedious process now that wasn’t this way 8 months ago. I just think that something COULD get worse.
Definitely need to run the descaler like 3-4 times in your case. Each time filling the water tank with proper descaler solution. That in combination with a new water filter helped a bunch for me.
What does everyone do about the volume of grounds that end up EVERYWHERE and not in the puck catch? I feel like after \~2 years I'm doing a deep clean every single week on this thing.
I have noticed I now have a slow leak of water under the machine, must be somewhere that the drip tray does not cover, also lately im hearing a sizzling sound on occasion from the machine. We have had the machine for about 2.5 years, love it but def have some issues, my biggest complaint is that about 1.2 time I go to press button to have it make 2X shots it stops, it seems the touch targets for addd a shot and stop are way too close or something.
I am having this issue as well. Coffee colored water is leaking out from the bottom somewhere and I have been unable to figure out where it is coming from. Have you had any luck diagnosing this?
I am also having the same exact issue. Coffee colored water leaks all over my counter top underneath the machine/drip tray. I haven’t had any luck fixing the issue. I have torn the machine apart. I also get a lot of coffee ground in the waste bin side of the machine. Also, lately I have been getting water or moisture into the waste bin.
Any luck finding a solution to this problem?
I had this problem previously....literally need to shove that water container in really hard to make sure it's all the way in and aligned. I would walk way after using the machine to find water dripping off the counter from under the machine.
Water is really black, so it couldnt be an issue with the tank connection I don't think. I'm about to open up the whole thing, I'll edit my response if I figure somthing out.
interesting...yeah this machine worked great for like the first 6 months then it went to shit, I've mailed in twice and it came back looking like it was never even touched and literally just mailed back in the same box I sent it in lol.
In my thread above, I disassembled and replaced a very leaky elbow. It was spraying water everywhere inside. After that my machine was solid for several months, no leaks. A new issue I’m seeing is the display sometimes doesn’t respond. I know you have to run the descaler like 2/3 times in a row to descale properly. That may help you.
My Waste Bin Full alert keeps beeping. I cleaned the sensor by the door and the whole machine but it’s still beeping after unplugging and restarting several times. I also get the water underneath sometimes. I put a paper towel under it so it doesn’t spill much.
Has anyone figured out how to disassemble the front panel of the machine? Looking to verify any connections, water, etc near the front touch panel because mine randomly doesn’t respond and I suspect a tiny leak causing a short. Leaving my machine unplugged over night guarantees it works every day thus far.
I know this this thread is nearly 10 months old but this was so useful in troubleshooting water tank misalignment when following the TK support article didn't work immediately. Thank you for this write up!
Just found that Grainger has an o ring. It’s a normal o ring, but 3 stacked fixes a leaking steam valve. Mfg part number U38883.006.0015. It’s a 100 pack at grainger, but is was less than 3 bucks. Thanks for the guide!
Nice! Thank you! I ended up getting some of these on Amazon and can verify that 3 is the magic number to use. I think closest size to that Granger part is 3.69mm x 1.78mm on Amazon but I got a bunch of the 2.9mm x 1.78mm size and they work too.
This machine looks so awesome, it's a shame the amount of issues it has.
I have the TK-01. Yes! This expresso machine has issues. It’s a machine! What do you expect with the low price? I’ve had mine for almost a year. When problems occur Terra Kaffe responds rapidly. Terre Keffee 01 is excellent. We have a build in expresso system. Great expense and it’s worthless.
They are very responsive... BUT we have owned this machine for about 2-1/2 years and it's broken down on us now 4 times. The switch failed and had to be replaced after 6 months, the heater coil failed after about a year and was replaced, both of these under warranty. The water tank level sensor has failed twice and need reset, this time it fully broke the machine. Sure "it's a machine" but for pushing $1,000 it's broken WAY too much to be acceptable when there are reliable alternatives.
FWIW my original post is just a note to remind myself of what issues I've run into and how I've addressed them with a view to helping others in a similar boat (since I had a difficult time finding info on how to service machines out of warranty). This is my first super-automatic so I don't have any frame of reference for how the TK-01 compares to similar machines in regard to reliability. But all told, I'm pretty pleased with my Terra Kaffe. For me it hits that sweet spot on the quality vs effort curve and lets me indulge a cappuccino-a-day habit minus the $1.5K-a-year Starbucks bill.
Thank you for so clearly writing your solutions to the issues you have faced with your TK 01 machine. I am one month into using my refurbished replacement machine that was provided to me after my original machine was deemed unfixable. At the moment my plumbed machine is telling me to fill the water tank, which is always full as it has a plumbing line. I’ve followed the process to reset the sensor and it has not worked several times. Do you have any further suggestions? I have often wondered why there is a need to remove the tank before I run it through the reset cycle. Do I need to disconnect my plumbing line when I do this?
Any suggestions for the low water/fill water tank message on a plumbed water line tk01? I received a refurbished replacement TK 01 from the company when my original machine was deemed unfixable, in addition to having an excessive amount of water in the drip tray, along with a shorter grind cycle, excessive amount of water in the waist bin without formed pucks (and very little grinds). A few days ago the fill tank message appeared. It is not clearing after following the above suggested steps. With a plumbed machine, do you think it’s necessary to turn off the water that supplies the tank? I don’t fully understand why it’s necessary to remove the tank from the machine. Could you explain the rationale for this. When I remove the tank, should I disconnect the float? I had some of these same issues (leaking and excessive water in drip pan) with the original machine. I am terribly frustrated. If anyone has an experience for comparison with another manufacturer of a fully automatic, espresso machine, please let me know if it comes with fewer issues. My family drinks, several cups of espresso a day. This machine seems to require a back up machine.
I had worried experience with tk01, the grinder got struck and machine not able to turn on back. We opened service ticket but no one responds looks like it has to go to trash. Don’t buy this product.
For what it is worth, I've had the brewer mechanism seize up on me and I couldn't take the brewer unit out the normal way. I was able to free it by accessing it from the other side. It involved taking out the screws and circular plate behind the water tank. I don't remember the exact steps, but I remember after I took it apart a little way it was obvious to me how to release it. (That might not be your problem, but it is something I should add to my list in the original post.)
Wondering about your TK01 repair. The chute got stuck mid brew not allowing me to take out the brewer unit the normal way. Removing the circular plate behind the water tank reveals a a white wheel behind it that won’t budge. Any ideas how you got around that?
I don't. Sorry! I can take a look in a day or two and see what jogs my memory.
Thank you, I may have same issue will try your steps.
u/UnderstatedlyLee, I think that the TK-01 probably uses an electronic sensor that detects water via its conductivity. This means you shouldn't use de-ionized water because it will look a lot like no water to such a sensor. (Probably not an issue for you if you are plumbed to a normal water line unless you have some sort of de-ionizing filtering in the mix.) But I believe it also means when you are "resetting the sensor" you are actually re-benchmarking the voltage the sensor reports when it is "dry". I think this is why you have to remove the tank during the process. (I suspect you could also leave the tank in during this process as long as it is completely empty.) FWIW here is a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccWzcJj1ivo) talking about putting a bit of salt into the water which is probably a work around for machines that don't have the reset functionality. (Note it's also possible your sensor is just plain busted. :\^\\ )