Abstract: A twin brewer system (30) with a pair of brewers (30A, 30B) each with a controller (158) for controlling the application of electrical power to a hot water heater, disables the application of electrical power to the heater (154) of one brewer (30A, 30B) in response to actuation of a start brew switch of the one brewer (30A, 30B) while electrical power is being applied to the heater (154) of the other brewer (30A, 30B). The controllers also respond to a hot water quantity sensor (164, 168) and a responsive delay circuit for disabling dispensing of hot water in response to actuation of the brew start switch (50) until a sufficient quantity of hot water is in a hot water dispenser tank (152) needed for the brew cycle. Indication lamps indicate when the brew cycle is being delayed and when brewing is not being performed. Actuation of a single emergency stop switch (138) stops hot water dispensing of both brewers (30A, 30B).

Abstract: A brewing system (30) with a water dispensing brew valve (176) for controlling the passage of water through the beverage ingredient (186) and a by-pass valve (170) for passage of hot water through a brew basket (180) but past the beverage ingredient (186) having a controller (158) with a brew start switch (50) for controlling the brew valve (176) also has a flush switch (54") for opening independently of the brew switch (50), the brew valve (176) and also the by-pass valve (170) to flush a dispenser urn (66).

Abstract: A semiautomatic beverage maker (10) with a valve actuator or handle (12) for manually moving a valve (14) from a stop, closed position to a brew, open position through means of a mechanical linkage (20, 32, 36). The dispenser valve is held in the open position for a preselected brew time period by means of an electromagnet (53) which is energized through a timer switch (48) until the end of the time period, and then a coil spring (50) returns the dispenser valve (14) to the open position. In an emergency, the dispenser valve actuator (12) can be used to manually return the dispenser valve (14) to the open position before de-energization of the electromagnet (53) at the end of the brew time period. The dispenser valve actuator (12) also blocks removal of the ingredient holder, or brew basket (38) from its proper brew position when the dispenser valve (12) is open during the brew cycle.

Abstract: Hot water in a supply tank (38) of a coffee maker, (20) is dispensed through a shut-off valve including a tube (84) at a uniform rate for a preselected time period until the open inlet (84C) of the tube (84) is raised above the surface level (110) of the water to not only stop the flow but to also drain and steam clean the tube (84) of any residual water to prevent the formation of mineral and lime deposits which undesirably alter the flow rate. A brewing strength by-pass valve assembly (80) for passing diluted hot water to an urn (24A or 24B) is drawn from a supply temporarily collected at the bottom of a drain chamber (76) received into the top (76A) of the drain chamber (76) as a stream through air to pressure isolate the strength control by-pass valve (80) as well as a mixing nozzle (116A), so that adjustment of the strength control will not create a variation in back pressure to alter the uniform flow rate.