Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the safe and efficient operation of your Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker. Please read all instructions carefully before use and retain for future reference.

The Hamilton Beach FrontFill 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is designed for convenient use, featuring a front-access water reservoir and a swing-open brew basket. It offers programmable brewing, automatic shutoff, and customizable brew strength options.

Important Safeguards

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and/or injury to persons, including the following:

• Read all instructions.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
• To protect against electrical shock, do not place cord, plug, or coffee maker in water or other liquid.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
• Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning the appliance.
• Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Contact manufacturer for examination, repair, or adjustment.
• The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may result in fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• To disconnect, turn any control to “off,” then remove plug from wall outlet.
• Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
• Carafe is designed for use with this appliance. It must never be used on a range top.
• Do not place a hot carafe on a wet or cold surface.
• Do not use a cracked carafe or a carafe having a loose or weakened handle.
• Do not clean carafe with cleansers, steel wool pads, or other abrasive material.
• Scalding may occur if the lid is removed during the brewing cycles.

Product Overview

The Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is designed for ease of use and consistent coffee brewing. Key components include:

• FrontFill Water Reservoir: Allows easy filling without moving the unit.
• Swing-Open Brew Basket: Provides convenient access for adding coffee grounds and cleaning.
• Digital Controls: For programming brew time and setting the clock.
• Select-a-Brew: Offers regular, bold, and 1-4 cup options.
• Auto Pause & Pour: Temporarily stops brewing to allow pouring a cup mid-cycle.
• 2-Hour Keep Warm with Auto Shutoff: Maintains coffee temperature and enhances safety.
• Easy-View Water Window: Clear measurement marks for accurate filling.

Figure 1: Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker. This image displays the complete coffee maker unit, including the digital display, carafe, and overall design.

Figure 2: Dimensions of the Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker. The image shows the height (13.9"), width (12.2"), and depth (11.1") of the coffee maker.

Setup

1. Unpack: Carefully remove all packaging materials from the coffee maker.
2. Clean Components: Wash the carafe and brew basket in hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
3. Position: Place the coffee maker on a dry, level surface. Ensure it is positioned where the FrontFill water reservoir and swing-open brew basket can be easily accessed.
4. Initial Cleaning Cycle: Before first use, fill the water reservoir to the 12-cup mark with clean water. Place an empty filter in the brew basket. Run a full brew cycle without coffee grounds to clean the internal components. Discard the water.

Operating Instructions

1. Setting the Clock

1. Plug the coffee maker into an electrical outlet. The display will flash.
2. Press the HOUR button to set the hour. The time will advance quickly.
3. Press the MIN button to set the minutes.
4. Ensure the AM/PM indicator is correct.

2. Brewing Coffee

1. Fill Water Reservoir: Open the FrontFill water reservoir and fill with desired amount of fresh, cold water using the easy-view water window for guidance. Do not exceed the 12-cup MAX line.


Figure 3: FrontFill water reservoir and swing-open brew basket. This image demonstrates the convenient front-filling mechanism for both water and coffee grounds.

2. Add Coffee Grounds: Open the swing-open brew basket. Place a standard basket-style paper filter or the reusable filter (if included) into the brew basket. Add desired amount of ground coffee. For best results, use 1 tablespoon of ground coffee per cup.
3. Close: Close the brew basket and the water reservoir lid securely.
4. Select Brew Strength (Optional): Press the BREW OPTIONS button repeatedly to cycle through Regular, Bold, or 1-4 Cup settings. The selected option will appear on the display.


Figure 4: Select-a-Brew options on the control panel. This image highlights the buttons for choosing regular, bold, or 1-4 cup brew settings.

5. Start Brewing: Press the I/O (On/Off) button to begin brewing. The indicator light will illuminate.
6. Auto Pause & Pour: The coffee maker features Auto Pause & Pour, allowing you to temporarily remove the carafe to pour a cup before the brewing cycle is complete. The flow of coffee will stop automatically. Replace the carafe within 20 seconds to prevent overflow.

Figure 5: Auto Pause & Pour feature in action. This image shows a hand pouring coffee from the carafe while brewing is still in progress, without spillage.
7. Keep Warm: After brewing, the coffee maker will automatically enter a 2-hour keep warm cycle. The heating plate will keep the coffee warm. After 2 hours, the coffee maker will automatically shut off.


Figure 6: 2-hour keep warm with auto shutoff. This image illustrates the coffee maker's ability to keep coffee warm for an extended period.

3. Programming Brew Time

1. Follow steps 1-3 for brewing coffee.
2. Press the PROG button. The display will show the programmed time.
3. Press the HOUR and MIN buttons to set your desired brew time. Ensure the AM/PM indicator is correct.
4. Press the PROG button again to confirm. The indicator light next to PROG will illuminate.
5. At the set time, the coffee maker will automatically begin brewing.

Figure 7: Programmable display with cleaning reminders. This image shows the digital display for setting the time and programming future brew cycles, along with a 'CLEAN' reminder.

Maintenance

1. Daily Cleaning

• Always unplug the coffee maker before cleaning.
• Wash the carafe, carafe lid, and brew basket in hot, soapy water. These parts are not dishwasher safe.
• Wipe the exterior of the coffee maker with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.

2. Cleaning Cycle Reminder

The coffee maker will display "CLEAN" on the digital screen when it's time to run a cleaning cycle to remove mineral deposits and ensure optimal performance. This typically occurs after a certain number of brew cycles.

3. Descaling (Cleaning Cycle)

1. Empty the brew basket and carafe.
2. Fill the water reservoir with 1 part white vinegar and 1 part cold water. For example, for a 12-cup cycle, use 6 cups of vinegar and 6 cups of water.
3. Place an empty paper filter in the brew basket.
4. Press and hold the CLEAN button for approximately 5 seconds until the cleaning cycle begins. The coffee maker will run a partial brew cycle and then pause.
5. After the cleaning cycle is complete, discard the vinegar-water solution.
6. Run 2-3 full brew cycles with fresh, clean water to rinse out any remaining vinegar taste.

Troubleshooting

Specifications

• Brand: Hamilton Beach
• Model Name: Hamilton Beach Programmable Drip Coffee
• Model Number: 46310
• Capacity: 12 Cups
• Color: Black
• Product Dimensions: 12.9"D x 7.95"W x 13.9"H
• Item Weight: 5 pounds
• Voltage: 110 Volts
• Power Source: AC
• Operation Mode: Fully Automatic
• Special Features: Auto Shut-Off, Programmable, Water Filter (optional)
• Coffee Input Type: Ground
• Is Dishwasher Safe: No (Carafe, Carafe Lid, Brew Basket are hand-wash only)
• UPC: 040094463107

Warranty and Support

For warranty information or product support, please refer to the documentation included with your purchase or visit the official Hamilton Beach website. Keep your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.