I assume that the water must be overflowing the filter. If you have not recently switched to some unusual new filters that drain water more slowly, the other reasonable problem would be that water is flowing too rapidly. I have never torn down a coffee maker but I suppose that there could be some small hole sprayer that has come loose letting a faster flood of water. If it were me, I would go to my local second hand store and get one of the many coffee makers that are probably sitting there. If you don't like that one, get another.

I agree with Chas. That happens to me if my filter collapses. It wouldn't surprise me if the filters are smaller/shorter in height than they used to be.

Thanks so much Chas and Jasdip. What you say

makes sense. I think I will try making eight cups which will then, I hope, keep the fresh grounds at a lower place in the brew basket. Perhaps it's time to go to costco and drop $30 for a new coffee pot.

That little gadget that presses in to allow the flow of water may be clogged or not being pressed in just right? The top of the pot and the button that presses to allow coffee to flow, have to be lined up just right or water won't come out right. Or have you just bought a new package of filters about the time things started going bad? I once bought a package of filters and didn't realize that I had bought the 4 cup size because they really didn't look any different and that was all that was there to buy so I just grabbed a package. Even putting them in the basket didn't look too small but the water came up over it, that was when I realized I'd purchased the wrong thing.

I know this sounds strange:

Sometimes your body can be going thru a change, things can taste very different to you.

dcarch

I think she meant that there's sludge in the cup.

yes, there is sludge in the cup. Thanks for all your input everybody. The filters do look short and yup, it is a new package of filters. I just made an eight cup pot and while I am not at the bottom of this pot, the filter still looked short and there is a sludgy line inside the pot.

And dcarch, yes, my body feels as if it is deteriorating at an accelerated pace lately and my taste buds are affected! Downhill all the way but glad to be able to report this!

Buy a good name brand filter and see if that doesn't fix your problem. I bet that's all it is.

i always use instant coffee same mix alwas but made it today with fresh spring water half way threw i noticed light brown sludge or like mud stuck to the sides and bottom never happened before

At our sons house there is a small inexpensive MrCoffee pot that we bought to use when we visit. It suddenly stopped letting the water out to flow over the basket. Not being there too much I just let it go and used thier other coffee maker instead. Just not interested in figuring it out while we are there.