1. 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 fire, electric shock, and personal injury, do not immerse cord, plugs, or appliance 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 damaged in any manner. Return appliance to the nearest authorized service facility for examination, repair, or adjustment.
- The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may result in fire, electric shock, or personal injury.
- 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.
- Always attach plug to appliance first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to "off", then remove plug from wall outlet.
- Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
- The 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 materials.
- This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
- Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
2. Product Overview
Familiarize yourself with the components of your Bonsenkitchen Drip Coffee Maker.

Figure 2.1: Front view of the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Drip Coffee Maker.
Components:
- Water Reservoir with Easy-View Water Window
- Control Panel with LCD Display
- Brew/Off Button
- Hour/Minute Buttons
- Program Button
- Keep Warm Button
- Carafe Temp / Auto Off Button
- Bold / Clean Button
- Filter Basket (Reusable)
- Glass Carafe (12-cup / 60 oz capacity)
- Heating Plate
3. Setup
3.1 Initial Cleaning
Before first use, clean all removable parts and run a full brewing cycle with water only to flush the system.
- Wash the glass carafe, lid, and reusable filter basket in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly.
- Wipe the exterior of the coffee maker with a soft, damp cloth.
- Fill the water reservoir to the "12 MAX" level with fresh water.
- Place the empty carafe on the heating plate.
- Press the "BREW/OFF" button to start a brewing cycle. Allow the cycle to complete.
- Discard the water from the carafe. Your coffee maker is now ready for use.
3.2 Setting the Clock
To set the current time:
- Plug the coffee maker into a power outlet. The display will flash "12:00 AM".
- Press the "HOUR" button to set the hour. Press and hold for rapid advance.
- Press the "MINUTE" button to set the minute. Press and hold for rapid advance.
- The clock will set automatically after 5 seconds of inactivity.

Figure 3.1: The control panel with LCD display for setting time and programming.
4. Operating Instructions
4.1 Brewing Coffee
- Open the top lid of the coffee maker.
- Fill the water reservoir with fresh, cold water up to the desired level indicated by the water window. Do not exceed the "12 MAX" line.
- Place the reusable filter basket into its holder. Add ground coffee to the filter. For best results, use 1 tablespoon of ground coffee per cup (5 oz). Adjust to taste.
- Close the top lid securely.
- Place the empty glass carafe on the heating plate.
- Normal Brew: Press the "BREW/OFF" button once. The indicator light will illuminate, and brewing will begin.
- Bold Brew: For a stronger coffee flavor, press the "BOLD/CLEAN" button once before pressing "BREW/OFF". The "BOLD" indicator will light up. Then press "BREW/OFF" to start brewing.
- The coffee maker will automatically keep the coffee warm after brewing.

Figure 4.1: Easy-view water window on the side of the coffee maker.

Figure 4.2: Reusable filter basket for ground coffee.
4.2 Programming Auto-Brew
To set the coffee maker to brew at a specific time:
- Prepare the coffee maker with water and ground coffee as described in section 4.1.
- Press the "PROGRAM" button. The display will show "12:00 AM" and flash.
- Use the "HOUR" and "MINUTE" buttons to set your desired brew time.
- Press the "PROGRAM" button again to confirm the setting. The "PROGRAM" indicator will light up.
- The coffee maker will automatically start brewing at the programmed time.

Figure 4.3: The programmable timer feature allows setting a brew time up to 24 hours in advance.
4.3 Keep Warm Function
The coffee maker automatically keeps coffee warm after brewing. You can adjust the keep warm duration and temperature.
- Adjusting Keep Warm Duration: After brewing, press the "KEEP WARM" button. Use the "HOUR" and "MINUTE" buttons to set the desired keep warm time (up to 4 hours). The display will show the remaining keep warm time.
- Adjusting Carafe Temperature: Press the "CARAFE TEMP" button to cycle through temperature options (HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW).

Figure 4.4: The coffee maker keeps coffee warm for up to 4 hours.
4.4 Official Product Video
Video 4.1: An official video demonstrating the features and operation of the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 coffee maker.
5. Maintenance and Cleaning
5.1 Daily Cleaning
Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and taste.
- Always unplug the coffee maker before cleaning.
- Remove the filter basket and discard used coffee grounds. Wash the filter basket and carafe in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly. Note: The carafe and filter are not dishwasher safe.
- Wipe the exterior surfaces of the coffee maker with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.
- Wipe the heating plate with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
5.2 Descaling
Mineral deposits (limescale) can build up in your coffee maker over time, affecting performance. Descale regularly, especially in hard water areas.
- Fill the water reservoir with a mixture of white vinegar and water (1:2 ratio).
- Place the empty carafe on the heating plate.
- Press the "BOLD/CLEAN" button. The "CLEAN" indicator will light up, and the descaling cycle will begin.
- Allow the cycle to complete. Discard the vinegar-water solution.
- Run 2-3 full brewing cycles with fresh water only to rinse the coffee maker thoroughly.
6. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee does not brew. | No water in reservoir; coffee maker not plugged in; "BREW/OFF" button not pressed. | Fill water reservoir; ensure power cord is securely plugged in; press "BREW/OFF" button. |
| Coffee is too weak. | Not enough coffee grounds; coarse grind; descaling needed. | Add more coffee grounds; use a finer grind; perform a descaling cycle. Use "BOLD" brew setting. |
| Coffee overflows from filter basket. | Too much coffee grounds; filter basket not seated correctly; clogged filter. | Reduce coffee grounds; ensure filter basket is properly seated; clean filter or replace if disposable. |
| Coffee is not hot enough. | Keep warm temperature set too low; descaling needed. | Adjust "CARAFE TEMP" to a higher setting; perform a descaling cycle. |
| Display shows "12:00 AM" and flashes. | Power interruption or initial setup. | Reset the clock using the "HOUR" and "MINUTE" buttons. |
7. Specifications
- Brand: Bonsenkitchen
- Model: CM8903
- Capacity: 12 Cups (60 oz)
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Product Dimensions: 8"D x 10.43"W x 13.9"H
- Special Features: Auto Shut-Off, Programmable, Hot Preservation Board
- Coffee Maker Type: Drip Coffee Machine
- Operation Mode: Fully Automatic
- Wattage: 1000 watts
- Human Interface Input: Buttons
- Coffee Input Type: Ground
- Power Source: AC adapter
- Filter Type: Reusable
- Item Weight: 5.5 Pounds
- Material: Titanium Stainless Steel
- Dishwasher Safe: No (for carafe and filter)
8. Warranty and Support
For warranty information or product support, please refer to the documentation included with your purchase or contact Bonsenkitchen customer service. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.