SMARTWAVE

Overview

BUNN SMARTWAVE is a family of commercial brewers built around BUNN’s SmartWAVE brewing technology. By increasing turbulence in the brew funnel, the technology supports the brewing process and helps bring out flavour. The family combines a low-profile, space-saving format with controls and configurations suited to commercial beverage service.

The digital WAVE15-APS is one SMARTWAVE configuration. It is suited to coffee service in offices and breakrooms, producing up to 3.9 gallons per hour, or 62 8-ounce cups per hour. It brews into a compatible thermal carafe on a slide-out booster tray. A server is not included with this model.

Key Features

• SmartWAVE brewing technology: Increases turbulence in the brew funnel to support brewing and help bring out flavour.
• Low-profile format: The WAVE15-APS has a compact footprint for commercial counter use.
• Digital programming: The WAVE15-APS digital model has a four-digit LED display for programming.
• BrewMETER: Facilitates automatic pulse routine programming.
• Cold brew lockout: Helps protect brew quality and temperature by preventing brewing when the brewer is not ready.
• Energy-saver mode: On the WAVE15-APS, this mode lowers the tank temperature when the unit is inactive.
• SplashGard funnel: The black plastic funnel deflects liquid away from the user’s hands.
• Carafe support: The WAVE15-APS accommodates a 1.9 L thermal carafe on its slide-out booster tray. The carafe is sold separately.

Specifications

The following specifications are for the digital WAVE15-APS configuration; SMARTWAVE family configurations can differ.

• Product family: BUNN SMARTWAVE
• Model: WAVE15-APS, digital, low-profile wide-base brewer
• Brewing capacity: 3.9 gallons per hour; up to 62 8-ounce cups per hour
• Compatible server: 1.9 L thermal carafe; server sold separately
• Display: Four-digit LED programming display
• Funnel: Black plastic SplashGard funnel
• Water connection: Plumbed water access; 1/4-inch male flare fitting
• Recommended incoming water temperature: 60°F
• Ideal incoming water pressure: 20–90 PSI
• Electrical: 120 V, 60 Hz, single phase; 11.3 A; 1,350 W
• Power connection: Attached cord with NEMA 5-15P plug
• Dimensions: 9.7 in. W x 17.9 in. D x 17.4 in. H
• Weight: 24.35 lb.
• Certifications: NSF and UL

Installation & Requirements

Connect the brewer to a cold-water supply. The installation guide specifies a supply line of 1/2 inch or larger and operating pressure between 20 and 90 PSI. Install a shut-off valve in the line before the brewer. If supply pressure exceeds 90 PSI, the guide calls for a regulator to reduce it to 50 PSI. The water inlet fitting is 1/4-inch flare. BUNN does not recommend a reverse-osmosis or deionized water supply for this equipment.

For installations, the guide recommends 1/4-inch copper tubing when the brewer is less than 25 feet from the 1/2-inch water supply line, and 3/8-inch tubing when it is more than 25 feet away. It notes that a coil in the water line can make it easier to move the brewer for cleaning the counter, and advises against saddle valves because their opening may restrict water flow. Where code requires a backflow preventer, the guide calls for a shock arrestor between it and the brewer, installed as close to the brewer as possible. Install adequate backflow prevention in accordance with applicable plumbing and sanitation codes.

Electrical service must match the brewer’s data plate and local and national electrical codes. For the WAVE15-APS digital specification listed above, the electrical supply is 120 V, 60 Hz, single phase, and the unit has an attached cord and NEMA 5-15P plug. The installation guide cautions against overloading the circuit and requires the chassis to be electrically grounded.

Operation

Initial setup

Insert an empty funnel into the funnel rails and place an empty, customer-supplied server beneath it. For a taller server, the guide instructs the operator to lift the front of the booster plate and slide it back into the brewer housing. The legs can be extended up to 1¾ inches if additional height is needed. Connect the brewer to power and activate the Enable Brew On/Off control. The tank fills and stops automatically when full. Allow approximately 20 minutes for the water to heat; the display indicates when the brewer is ready. Some water dripping from the funnel during heating is described as normal. Factory-set water volumes and flow settings can be adjusted if needed.

Brewing coffee

Start each cycle with a clean, empty brew funnel. Place a BUNN filter in the funnel, add fresh coffee, and level the grounds with a gentle shake. Slide the funnel into its rails until it stops, position an empty server beneath it, and confirm that brewing is enabled. Press and release the desired brew switch. When dripping has finished, remove the funnel carefully, discard the used filter and grounds, and rinse the funnel.

Controls and tea-brewing configurations

Control details depend on the SMARTWAVE configuration. The digital WAVE15-APS has a four-digit LED programming display. On the brewer controls covered by the operating guide, Enable Brew On/Off enables the brew circuit and tank refill; turning it off stops tank refilling and disables brewing. Stopping a cycle after it starts does not stop water flowing into the server until the funnel is empty. On combo coffee-and-tea models, the guide assigns Brew A to coffee and Brew B to tea. For tea, use a clean tea funnel and BUNN filter, add fresh tea, position an empty server, and press and release Brew B. Do not remove the server until the tea dilution cycle is complete.

Cleaning & Maintenance

For exterior surfaces, the guide recommends a damp cloth rinsed in mild, non-abrasive liquid detergent. Do not immerse the machine or clean it with a water jet. Disconnect power and allow the brewer to cool before servicing or deliming. BUNN recommends periodic deliming; the interval depends on the mineral content of the water, and the guide notes that hard-water locations may need to delime daily.

To delime, remove the brew funnel and turn the sprayhead counterclockwise to remove it. Insert the supplied deliming spring all the way into the sprayhead tube; when properly inserted, no more than 2 inches of spring should remain visible. Move the spring back and forth five or six times, then remove it. If lime blocks sprayhead holes, clear them with a toothpick and rinse the sprayhead before reinstalling it. Refit the sprayhead by turning it to the right, reconnect power, and allow the water to reheat before brewing.

Troubleshooting

The installation guide lists the following displayed error codes and checks:

• ER 1: Temperature sensor shorted — call service.
• ER 2: Temperature sensor open — call service.
• ER 3: Heating too long — call service.
• ER 4: Refill too long — check the water supply.
• ER 5: High tank level during brew — delime.
• ER 6: Check the Enable Brew On/Off switch.
• ER 7: Check the Brew A or Large switch.
• ER 8: Check the Brew B or Large switch.
• ER 9: Check the Hidden switch; the guide marks this code not applicable in the listed troubleshooting table.

Applications

The WAVE15-APS is described as suitable for breakrooms and offices needing small-scale coffee production. Its stated output of up to 62 8-ounce cups per hour also makes the brewer relevant to other commercial beverage-service settings that need brewed coffee available in a thermal carafe. Confirm the required server and brewer configuration for the intended service before ordering.