Andrea Sanchez

I feel your pain; my that model maker pulled the same stunt last month, brewing half pots and leaving me grouchy before work. Tried all the cleaning tricks, but nope. Ended up realizing the filter was the culprit – it was warped from heat over time. Swapped it out for a cheap generic one that fit, and boom, back to normal. If that doesn't help,, poke around the tubes for any kinks or leaks. But honestly, if it's two years old, sometimes they're done. Look for compact models that are reliable without fancy bells; it'll save your sanity.

Cooking for one got easier when I stopped pretending I was cooking a showpiece. I made the same pot of lentils three Tuesdays in a row and learned that reheated with different spices and a fried egg, it was fine. The night I came home late and ate it cold over toast told me the real goal was edible and cheap, not novel.