Product Overview
The KitchenAid espresso machine features several key components:
- Removable Bean Hopper: Holds coffee beans.
- Removable Water Tank: Holds water for brewing.
- Commercial Grade Tamper: Used to tamp coffee grounds.
- Flat Based Portafilter: Holds the coffee grounds for brewing.
- Storage Tray: Stores filter baskets.
- Pressure Gauge: Indicates brewing pressure.
- Hot Water Spout: Dispenses hot water.
- Steam Wand: Used for frothing milk.
- Filter Basket: Holds coffee grounds within the portafilter.
- Drip Tray: Collects drips and overflow.
Accessories
Your machine comes with various accessories:
Storage behind the Drip Tray:
- 1 Shot Single Wall Filter Basket
- 2 Shot Single Wall Filter Basket
- 1 Shot Double Wall Filter Basket
- 2 Shot Double Wall Filter Basket (included in portafilter)
- Cleaning Brush
In the Accessory Box:
- Portafilter
- Tamper
- Priming Pump
In the Packaging:
- Milk Pitcher (12 oz)
- Water Filter
- Water Filter Holder
Control Panel
Familiarize yourself with the control panel:
- 1. Power Button: Turns the machine on/off.
- 2. Heating Light Indicator: Shows when the machine is heating up.
- 3. Grind Amount Select Knob: Adjusts the amount of coffee grounds.
- 4. Grind Start/Stop Button: Starts or stops the grinding process.
- 5. Mode Button: Selects between Espresso, Steam, or Hot Water modes.
- 6. Dose Button: Selects the shot size (1 or 2 shots).
- 7. Pressure Gauge: Displays the brewing pressure.
- 8. Temperature Button: Adjusts the brewing temperature (Low, Medium, High).
- 9. Start/Stop Button: Starts or stops the brewing/steaming process.
- 10. Clean (Descale) Cycle Button: Initiates the cleaning or descaling cycle.
Quick Start Guide
- Remove Transportation Seal: Remove the red transportation seal located below the water tank.
- Install Water Filter and Fill Water Tank: Install the water filter into its holder, soak it for 5 minutes, then place it in the water tank and fill the tank.
- Fill the Bean Hopper: Add coffee beans to the hopper. Ensure it is properly locked; otherwise, the power light may blink.
- Turn ON the Machine: Press the Power button. The priming pump is used when the water tank is full and the water drop icon flashes.
- Select Filter Basket: Choose the desired filter basket (single or double wall, 1 or 2 shot) and insert it into the portafilter.
- Insert Portafilter: Place the portafilter into the portafilter holder under the grinder.
- Select Dose and Grind Amount: Choose the coffee dose and adjust the grind amount to match your selected filter basket.
- Grind Adjustment: Start with the knob in the middle. Adjust to the right for a finer grind and to the left for a coarser grind. Lighter roasts generally need a finer grind, darker roasts a coarser grind.
- Grind Coffee: Press the grind start/stop button to grind. Press again to stop.
- Tamp Coffee: Remove the portafilter and apply even pressure to tamp the coffee grounds to the marked line inside the filter basket. Add more coffee if it doesn't reach the line.
Filter Basket Selection Table
| DOSE | GRIND KNOB LOCATION | BASKET TYPE | USE FOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Shot | A | Single wall | Freshly ground whole bean coffee. |
| Double wall | Helps build pressure, use with certain coffee types. | ||
| 2 Shot | B | Single wall | Freshly ground whole bean coffee. |
| Double wall | Helps build pressure, use with certain coffee types. |
Baskets found in storage tray behind drip tray. Double wall basket shipped in portafilter.
Espresso Shot Guide
Ideal Espresso
The pressure gauge should indicate a reading within the espresso range for an ideal shot. Bean type (dark or light) influences the pressure. A good shot can be achieved at the upper or lower end of the pressure range.
What to Look For
- Smoother flow
- Thick crema
- Well-balanced and smooth taste
TIP: Always use freshly ground coffee.
Under Extraction
What to Look For: Watery flow, thin crema.
Espresso is pale brown, tastes weak and watery.
Dosage: Increase dosage.
Grind Size: Make grind finer.
TIP: Using a double wall basket can help build pressure during extraction.
Over Extraction
What to Look For: Inconsistent drip, thin crema ring.
Espresso is dark brown, tastes bitter and burnt.
Dosage: Decrease dosage.
Grind Size: Make grind coarser.
Personalizing Your Drink
- Prepare Milk: Fill the milk pitcher to about 1/3 full, up to the pouring spout.
- Purge Steam Wand: Select Steam mode, point the steam wand towards the drip tray, and press the start button to purge.
- Froth Milk: Submerge the tip of the steam wand just below the milk surface, angle the pitcher, and press start.
- Heat Milk: Submerge the steam wand deeper in the milk pitcher. Remember to purge and clean the wand with a damp cloth after each use.
- Hot Water: To use the independent water spout, switch the mode to hot water.
- Dispense Hot Water: Place a cup under the hot water spout, select the desired water dose, and press start.
Troubleshooting
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTION |
|---|---|---|
| Descale LED illuminated, Play/Cancel button blinking. Mode settings not working. | Machine is in descale mode. Clean Cycle Button [clean-cycle-icon] pressed. | Complete the descale sequence. Refer to the Owner's Manual or Product Guide for descaling instructions. |
| Water on the countertop. | Overflowed Drip Tray. Drip Tray removed during auto purging. | Empty the Drip Tray frequently. Keep Drip Tray inserted when the machine is on. |
| Water in drip tray. | Dripping after removing water tank. Red Transportation Seal installed. Water purged during mode cycling. | Remove tank slowly to prevent water release. Remove the red transportation seal. Empty Drip Tray frequently. |
| Condensation in/under storage basket. | Condensation from purging as heater adjusts temperature. | Condensation is normal. Regularly empty and clean the drip tray. |
| Espresso tastes bitter. | Espresso shot over-extracted. Grind too fine. Too much coffee. | Change grind to coarser. Change grind to coarser. Reduce coffee dose. |
| Espresso pours slowly or drips out of portafilter (over-extracted). | Grind too fine. Too much coffee. | Change grind to coarser. Reduce coffee dose. |
| No Crema, or too thin (under-extracted). | Coffee beans old or dry. Grind too coarse. Not enough coffee. | Use fresh coffee beans. Change grind to finer. Increase coffee dose. |
| Power LED flashes. | Bean Hopper not locked. | Insert Bean Hopper correctly until locked. Beans may obstruct mechanism. |
| Grinder scattering grounds. | Ion Generator blocked by oil/residue. | Clean grinder chute. Remove bean hopper, empty beans, remove conical burr, brush chute. |
| All lights flashing. | Heater overheat. | Let heater cool for 10 minutes without unplugging. |
| Steam Wand not releasing steam. | Steam Wand blocked. | Clean Steam Wand per manual instructions. |
| Under-extracted shots. | Beans not fresh. Not enough coffee. Grind too coarse. | Use fresh beans. Increase coffee dose. Change grind to finer. |
| Espresso shot size small or large. | Custom shot volume used. | Reset to default shot volumes (hold Dose Button 3 sec). |
| Espresso puck shows water puddle. | Too little coffee. Single Wall Filter Baskets used. | Increase coffee dose. Use Double Wall Filter Basket. |
| Grinder light flashes quickly. | Grinder used continuously; motor in protection mode. | Stop using for 10 minutes. |
| Grinder not working. | Bean Hopper not inserted properly. Grind knob between settings. | Insert Bean Hopper correctly. Align grind knob with a dose setting. |
Maintenance Frequency
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Descaling | Blinking Clean Cycle Button [clean-cycle-icon] indicates descaling is needed. Frequency depends on usage and water hardness. Refer to manual for instructions. |
| Grinder Cleaning | Clean grinder monthly, or more often if using oily/dark roast beans or if grounds scatter. To clean chute: 1. Remove bean hopper and empty beans. 2. Remove conical burr. 3. Brush grind chute from below and above. |
| Drip Tray Cleaning | Condensation in drip tray is normal due to purging. Clean drip tray regularly. |
