Why Did the Vacuum Button Pop Up?
Coffee Beans Release Gas (This Is Normal). Freshly roasted coffee beans naturally release carbon dioxide (CO₂) — a process called degassing.
This happens most quickly in the first days and weeks after roasting.
When coffee is stored in a sealed container, this gas has nowhere to escape. As CO₂ builds up inside the canister, internal pressure increases and can cause the vacuum indicator button to rise.
Depending on the freshness of your beans, this can happen:
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After a few hours
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After a day
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Or after a few days
👉 This does NOT mean outside air has entered the canister.
CO₂ vs Oxygen — The Important Difference
This is the key point many people miss:
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CO₂ (from coffee beans) does not make coffee go stale
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Oxygen (from outside air) does make coffee go stale
When the canister is sealed correctly, your coffee may be surrounded by CO₂, not oxygen.
Even if the button rises due to internal gas pressure, the coffee is still protected from oxidation.
So:
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Button rises due to coffee gas → Normal
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Button rises because outside air leaked in → Problem
The challenge is telling the difference — which brings us to the test below.
The Only Reliable Way to Check If Your Canister Is Faulty
(The Empty-Canister Test)
The Empty-Canister Test removes coffee, oils, fines, and gas from the equation and tests the seal alone.
How to Do It
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Empty the canister completely
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Clean and dry the rim and lid seal (O-ring)
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Seal the canister
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Leave it untouched for 24 hours or longer
Results
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✔ Button stays down → The canister is working correctly
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✖ Button rises while empty → The canister may be faulty
If your canister holds vacuum when empty, it is not faulty.
“But the Button Pops Up When Coffee Is Inside”
If your canister passes the empty test but the button rises when coffee is inside, this is normal behaviour, especially with fresh beans.
Common reasons include:
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Fresh beans releasing CO₂
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A canister full of coffee gas
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Internal pressure pushing the indicator up
Even if the button rises after a few hours, the seal can still be intact, and your coffee is still protected from oxygen.
What to Do in Everyday Use
This canister is designed for active daily use — open, brew, reseal.
Best practice:
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Re-press the button every 1–2 days when using fresh beans
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This releases built-up gas and restores vacuum
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Your coffee remains protected during use
This is normal maintenance, not a defect.
When Is the Canister Actually Faulty?
The canister may be faulty only if:
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The button rises while the canister is empty, and
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The Empty-Canister Test fails
If that happens, please contact us at:
📧 hello@brewingculture.com.au
Include:
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Your order number
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A short video showing the sealing process and the indicator after 24 hours
We’ll review it quickly and arrange the next steps.
In Simple Terms
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Button rises with coffee inside → Usually normal
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Button rises when empty → Possible fault
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CO₂ doesn’t age coffee — oxygen does
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The Empty-Canister Test tells the truth
Is This Canister Right for You?
This canister is ideal if you:
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Brew coffee regularly
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Open and reseal your container often
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Want to slow oxidation during daily use
If you prefer to store coffee untouched for months without checking the indicator, long-term storage options (original valve bags, vacuum-packing, freezer storage) may be more suitable.