How to Say ‘Turn Off the Coffee Maker Please’ in Spanish

Quick answer

• The most common way is “Por favor, apaga la cafetera.”
• “Apaga” is the command form of “apagar” (to turn off).
• “La cafetera” means “the coffee maker.”
• You can also use “Puedes apagar la cafetera, por favor?” (Can you turn off the coffee maker, please?).
• For a more polite request, add “podrías” before “apagar”: “¿Podrías apagar la cafetera, por favor?” (Could you turn off the coffee maker, please?).
• Remember to adjust for formality if speaking to someone you know well or a stranger.

Who this is for

• Travelers visiting Spanish-speaking countries.
• Anyone sharing a kitchen with Spanish speakers.
• Coffee lovers who want to communicate basic needs.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Know what kind of coffee maker you’re dealing with. Is it a drip machine, a French press, an espresso maker? This doesn’t change the Spanish phrase, but it’s good to be aware of your equipment. Filters are usually paper, metal, or cloth.

If you’re in the market for a new drip coffee maker, consider checking out highly-rated models for consistent brewing.

Water quality and temperature

For brewing, good water makes a big difference. Tap water can be fine if it tastes good. If it has a strong smell or taste, filtered water is better. Temperature is key for extraction, but for turning it off, it’s just about safety.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is more about making good coffee than turning it off. A fine grind is for espresso, medium for drip, and coarse for French press. Freshly ground beans are always best. But again, for the phrase itself, it’s irrelevant.

For those who prefer a richer, full-bodied cup, a French press is an excellent alternative to a drip machine.

Coffee-to-water ratio

The ideal ratio is usually around 1:15 to 1:18 (coffee to water by weight). For example, 20 grams of coffee to 300-360 grams of water. This is crucial for taste, but not for the request.

Cleanliness/descale status

A clean machine makes better coffee and lasts longer. If you’re asking someone to turn it off, you might also want to consider if it needs a clean. Limescale buildup is a common issue.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

This section is about the process of brewing, not the language itself, but understanding the context helps.

1. Measure your coffee beans.

• What to do: Weigh out the desired amount of whole beans.
• What “good” looks like: Precise measurement for consistent results.
• Common mistake: Guessing the amount. This leads to weak or bitter coffee. Use a scale.

2. Grind your coffee beans.

• What to do: Grind the beans to the appropriate size for your brewer.
• What “good” looks like: Evenly sized grounds.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine or too coarse. This ruins extraction. Match the grind to your brewer.

3. Heat your water.

• What to do: Heat fresh, filtered water to the optimal temperature (195-205°F or 90-96°C).
• What “good” looks like: Water at the right temperature, not boiling.
• Common mistake: Using boiling water. This can scorch the grounds. Let it cool slightly.

4. Prepare your brewer and filter.

• What to do: Rinse paper filters to remove papery taste. Assemble your brewer.
• What “good” looks like: A clean, ready-to-go setup.
• Common mistake: Not rinsing paper filters. This leaves a chemical taste. Always rinse.

5. Add coffee grounds to the brewer.

• What to do: Place the ground coffee into the filter or brewer chamber.
• What “good” looks like: Grounds evenly distributed.
• Common mistake: Tamping down the grounds too much (for drip). This can cause channeling. Just level them.

6. Bloom the coffee (optional but recommended).

• What to do: Pour just enough hot water to saturate the grounds and let it sit for 30 seconds.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds puff up and release CO2.
• Common mistake: Skipping the bloom. This can lead to uneven extraction and a sour taste. It allows gases to escape.

7. Pour the remaining water.

• What to do: Slowly pour the rest of the hot water over the grounds in a controlled manner.
• What “good” looks like: Even saturation and a steady stream.
• Common mistake: Pouring too fast or all at once. This can lead to over-extraction or uneven brewing. Pour in stages.

8. Let it brew/drip.

• What to do: Allow the coffee to fully extract and drip into your carafe or mug.
• What “good” looks like: The brewing process finishes within the expected time.
• Common mistake: Leaving it too long. This can result in bitter coffee. Know your brewer’s typical brew time.

9. Remove the grounds/filter.

• What to do: Carefully remove the spent grounds and filter once brewing is complete.
• What “good” looks like: No dripping or mess.
• Common mistake: Letting the grounds sit in the brewed coffee. This can make it bitter. Remove them promptly.

10. Serve and enjoy.

• What to do: Pour your freshly brewed coffee.
• What “good” looks like: A delicious cup of coffee.
• Common mistake: Letting brewed coffee sit on a hot plate for too long. It gets burnt.

11. Turn off the coffee maker.

• What to do: Press the power button or unplug the machine.
• What “good” looks like: The indicator light is off, and the machine is cool.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to turn it off. This wastes energy and can be a fire hazard. This is where you’d say “Por favor, apaga la cafetera.”

12. Clean your equipment.

• What to do: Rinse the carafe, filter basket, and any removable parts.
• What “good” looks like: Clean equipment ready for the next use.
• Common mistake: Not cleaning regularly. This leads to stale coffee flavors and buildup. Clean after each use.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Forgetting to turn off the coffee maker	Wasted electricity, potential fire hazard, burnt coffee	<strong>Say “Por favor, apaga la cafetera.”</strong> or unplug it.
Using stale coffee beans	Flat, dull, or bitter flavor	Buy fresh beans and store them properly (airtight, dark, cool place).
Incorrect grind size	Bitter (too fine) or weak/sour (too coarse) coffee	Match grind size to your brewing method (fine for espresso, coarse for French press).
Using tap water with off-flavors	Unpleasant taste in the final cup	Use filtered or bottled water for a cleaner taste.
Not preheating the brewer/carafe	Coffee cools too quickly, affecting extraction	Rinse with hot water before brewing.
Pouring water too fast	Uneven extraction, weak spots, over-extraction	Pour slowly and steadily, in stages if needed.
Leaving brewed coffee on a hot plate	Burnt, bitter, stale taste	Transfer coffee to a thermal carafe or drink it fresh.
Not cleaning the coffee maker	Stale flavors, mineral buildup, slower brewing	Descale and clean your machine regularly per the manufacturer’s guide.
Using too much or too little coffee	Too strong/bitter (too much) or too weak (too little)	Use a scale for precise coffee-to-water ratios.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If you are speaking to a friend or family member, use the informal “tú” form: “Apaga la cafetera, por favor.”
• If you are speaking to someone you don’t know well or someone older, use the formal “usted” form: “Apague la cafetera, por favor.”
• If you want to be extra polite, use “Podrías” (Could you): “¿Podrías apagar la cafetera, por favor?” (informal) or “¿Podría apagar la cafetera, por favor?” (formal).
• If you want to ask if they can turn it off, use “¿Puedes…?” (informal) or “¿Puede…?” (formal): “¿Puedes apagar la cafetera, por favor?”
• If the coffee maker has an auto-shutoff feature, you might not need to ask, but it’s still polite to check if it’s off.
• If you are unsure of the formality, it’s generally safer to use the more formal “usted” form.
• If you hear “Sí, claro” (Yes, of course) after your request, they understood and will comply.
• If you are in a very casual setting, sometimes just “¡Apaga la cafetera!” will suffice, but adding “por favor” is always a good idea.
• If you are asking about turning it on, the phrase would be “Por favor, enciende la cafetera.”
• If the coffee maker is unplugged, there’s nothing to turn off.
• If the coffee maker is already off, you don’t need to ask.

FAQ

How do I say “coffee maker” in Spanish?

“Cafetera” is the most common word for coffee maker.

What’s the difference between “apaga” and “apague”?

“Apaga” is the command form for “tú” (you, informal), while “apague” is the command form for “usted” (you, formal).

Can I just say “Apaga la cafetera”?

Yes, that’s a direct command. Adding “por favor” (please) makes it more polite.

What if I want to ask “Could you turn off the coffee maker?”

You can say “¿Podrías apagar la cafetera, por favor?” (informal) or “¿Podría apagar la cafetera, por favor?” (formal).

Is “Por favor, apaga la cafetera” always correct?

It’s very common and generally correct for informal situations. For formal situations, use “apague.”

What if I don’t know if I should use formal or informal Spanish?

When in doubt, it’s usually safer to use the formal “usted” form (“apague”).

How do I say “turn off” in Spanish?

The verb is “apagar.”

What does “la cafetera” mean?

It means “the coffee maker.”

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed Spanish grammar and verb conjugations. (Look for resources on Spanish verb conjugation.)
• Specific coffee brewing techniques for different machines. (Search for guides on drip coffee, French press, etc.)
• The history of coffee or coffee culture in Spanish-speaking countries. (Explore articles on coffee history.)
• How to order coffee in a Spanish-speaking cafe. (Find guides on cafe etiquette and ordering in Spanish.)
• Troubleshooting common coffee maker malfunctions. (Consult your brewer’s manual or manufacturer’s website.)