When I used tap water, filtered or not, to make coffee I used the carafe to pour the water into the coffee maker, then put the carafe in place. But since I started using bottled water I've screwed up several times. I put the carafe in place, and instead of pouring in 2 bottles of water next, I put the filter and grinds in. Then I forget to put water in. I get ready to hit the power button, or actually do when I realize I didn't put the water in yet. So I turn it back off if I did hit the button, pour the water in, and turn it on. Except for Wednesday. I put the filter and coffee in, turned it on, and walked away. A while later when I went back in the kitchen to get some coffee, I finally saw that I hadn't put any water in the coffee maker.
This is the point where I REALLY screwed up and wanted to warn you about. I poured the water in the coffee maker and it spit some steam out and sputtered, then it started making coffee as usual. When I went to get a cup of coffee after that, there was a little bit on the counter and I thought the filter basket overflowed. I grabbed my coffee cup in one hand and the carafe in the other, and when I got it 2 feet from the coffee maker the whole bottom of the carafe fell out on the floor along with the potful of coffee. I never had that happen before and figured it was because the coffee maker was already hot before I poured the liter of water in it. So if you ever have a senior moment and forget to add water to your coffee maker and turn it on, turn it off and let it cool down before you add the water and turn it back on again.
Now I'm using an old coffee maker I stored in the basement that has the handle held onto the top of the carafe with zip ties. I think I have to try to find generic carafes for both of these coffee makers or buy a new coffee maker. No replacement carafe is available for the old one, and I think I checked on the new one when I first got it because I wanted a spare but there weren't any. I'm not sure and will be checking soon.