1. Important Safeguards
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following:
- Read all instructions before operating the appliance.
- 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.
- Scalding may occur if the lid is removed during the brewing cycles.
- The carafe is designed for use with this appliance only. 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.
2. Product Overview
Familiarize yourself with the components of your Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker.
Figure 1: Front view of the Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker, showing the main unit, glass carafe, and control panel.
- Main Unit: Houses the heating element, water reservoir, and control panel.
- Water Reservoir: Located at the back, with an internal water level indicator.
- Filter Holder: Removable basket for coffee grounds.
- Permanent Gold Tone Filter: Reusable filter for coffee grounds.
- Glass Carafe: 5-cup capacity with a brew-through lid and ergonomic handle.
- Warming Plate: Non-stick surface to keep coffee hot after brewing.
- Control Panel: Digital LCD display with buttons for setting time and programming auto-brew.
Figure 2: Top view with the lid open, revealing the filter basket and a permanent gold tone filter filled with coffee grounds.
Figure 3: The Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker positioned on a kitchen counter.
Figure 4: Close-up of the internal water level indicator, showing markings for cup measurements.
3. Before First Use (Setup)
- Unpack: Carefully unpack your coffee maker and remove all packaging materials.
- Clean Components: Wash the glass carafe, brew-through lid, and permanent gold tone filter in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
- Initial Rinse: To clean the internal components and remove any manufacturing residue, fill the water reservoir to the 5-cup mark with fresh cold water. Place the empty filter holder with the permanent filter inside the machine, and position the empty carafe on the warming plate. Run a full brewing cycle without coffee grounds. Discard the water. Repeat this process once more.
- Placement: Place the coffee maker on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from the edge of the counter. Ensure adequate ventilation around the unit.
4. Brewing Coffee
Follow these steps to brew a fresh pot of coffee:
- Fill Water Reservoir: Open the lid of the coffee maker. Fill the glass carafe with the desired amount of fresh, cold water (up to 5 cups). Pour the water into the water reservoir, ensuring it does not exceed the 'MAX' fill line indicated by the internal water level indicator.
- Add Coffee Grounds: Place the permanent gold tone filter into the filter holder. Add the desired amount of medium-coarse ground coffee to the filter. A general guideline is one level tablespoon of coffee per cup (5 oz) of water, adjusting to personal preference. Do not exceed 8 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
- Close Lid: Close the top lid securely.
- Position Carafe: Ensure the glass carafe with its brew-through lid is correctly placed on the warming plate. The drip-stop mechanism will engage if the carafe is not properly positioned.
- Start Brewing: Plug the coffee maker into a 110V AC outlet. Press the ON/AUTO/OFF button once to start the brewing process. The 'ON' indicator light will illuminate.
- Serving: The brewing process will complete automatically. You may remove the carafe during brewing for a few seconds to pour a cup without dripping, thanks to the drip-stop feature. Return the carafe to the warming plate promptly.
- Keep Warm: The warming plate will keep the coffee hot for two hours after brewing. After two hours, the coffee maker will automatically shut off.
Figure 5: The coffee maker actively brewing coffee into the glass carafe.
5. Programming the Timer
The coffee maker features a programmable 24-hour timer and clock with a digital LCD display.
Figure 6: Close-up of the control panel, showing the digital clock display and 'Set', 'Hour', 'Min', and 'ON/AUTO/OFF' buttons.
5.1 Setting the Current Time
- Plug in the coffee maker. The display will flash '12:00'.
- Press the HOUR button to set the hour. Hold it down to advance quickly. The AM/PM indicator will change accordingly.
- Press the MIN button to set the minutes. Hold it down to advance quickly.
- Once the correct time is displayed, stop pressing the buttons. The time will be set after a few seconds.
5.2 Setting the Auto-Brew Time
- Prepare the coffee maker for brewing as described in Section 4 (fill water, add coffee grounds, place carafe).
- Press the SET button once. The display will show 'AUTO' and the previously set auto-brew time (or '12:00' if not set).
- Press the HOUR and MIN buttons to set your desired auto-brew start time.
- Once the desired auto-brew time is displayed, stop pressing the buttons. The time will be set after a few seconds.
- Press the ON/AUTO/OFF button twice. The 'AUTO' indicator light will illuminate, confirming that the auto-brew function is activated. The coffee maker will start brewing at the programmed time.
- To cancel the auto-brew function, press the ON/AUTO/OFF button until the 'AUTO' light turns off.
6. Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and extends the life of your coffee maker.
6.1 Daily Cleaning
- Always unplug the coffee maker before cleaning and allow it to cool completely.
- Remove the glass carafe, brew-through lid, and permanent gold tone filter. Wash these parts in warm, soapy water. They are also top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Wipe the exterior of the coffee maker with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.
- Do not immerse the coffee maker in water or any other liquid.
6.2 Descaling (Mineral Deposit Removal)
Mineral deposits (calcium) from water can build up in your coffee maker and affect its performance. Descale regularly, depending on water hardness and frequency of use (e.g., every 2-4 weeks).
- Prepare a descaling solution: Mix 1 oz (2 tablespoons) of Capresso Cleaning Solution (or white vinegar) with 10 oz (1.25 cups) of water.
- Pour the solution into the water reservoir.
- Place the empty carafe with its lid on the warming plate.
- Press the ON/AUTO/OFF button to start a brewing cycle.
- After approximately half of the solution has brewed through, turn off the coffee maker by pressing the ON/AUTO/OFF button. Let it stand for 15 minutes to allow the solution to work.
- Turn the coffee maker back on to brew the remaining solution.
- After the cycle is complete, discard the solution and rinse the carafe thoroughly.
- Fill the water reservoir with fresh cold water and run two full brewing cycles with water only to rinse out any remaining descaling solution.
7. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee does not brew. | No water in reservoir; coffee maker not plugged in; power outage; auto-brew not set correctly. | Fill reservoir; check power connection; reset clock/timer; ensure 'ON' or 'AUTO' light is illuminated. |
| Coffee is too weak. | Not enough coffee grounds; coffee grounds too coarse; water-to-coffee ratio incorrect. | Add more coffee grounds; use finer grind; adjust ratio to taste. |
| Coffee overflows from filter. | Too many coffee grounds; filter clogged; carafe not properly placed; mineral buildup. | Reduce coffee grounds; clean filter; ensure carafe is centered; descale the machine. |
| Coffee tastes bad. | Old coffee grounds; dirty machine; poor water quality. | Use fresh coffee; clean machine thoroughly; use filtered water. |
| Lid is difficult to open. | Lid latch is stiff. | Gently twist the handle slightly while lifting to disengage the latch more easily. This may become easier after the plastic warms during brewing. |
8. Specifications
- Model: Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker (Model 426.05)
- Capacity: 5 Cups (25 oz / 740 ml)
- Dimensions (D x W x H): 6.25" x 8" x 10"
- Weight: Approximately 2 pounds
- Voltage: 110V AC
- Special Features: Programmable 24-hour timer, digital LCD display, auto shut-off (2 hours), drip-stop, permanent gold tone filter, non-stick warming plate.
- Included Components: Coffee maker unit, glass carafe, permanent gold tone filter.
9. Warranty and Support
This Capresso coffee maker is backed by a manufacturer's one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use.
For warranty claims, technical assistance, or to purchase replacement parts, please contact Capresso Customer Service. Refer to the official Capresso website or product packaging for the most current contact information.
Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty validation.
