Smeg 50's Style Espresso Machine User Manual

Introduction and Important Information

This user manual provides essential instructions for the aesthetic and functional maintenance of your Smeg appliance. For further product information, please visit www.smeg.com.

⚠️ Please read this manual carefully before using the appliance.

Safety Precautions

This section details critical safety measures to ensure safe operation. Failure to follow these warnings may result in personal injury or damage to the appliance.

General Safety Warnings

• Do not leave the appliance unattended while in operation.
• Never immerse the appliance, power cord, plug, or base in water or any other liquid.
• Do not unplug the appliance by pulling the cord or with wet hands.
• Do not use the appliance if the power cord or plug is damaged, or if the appliance has been dropped or damaged in any way.
• In case of malfunction or a damaged power cord, have the appliance repaired exclusively by qualified technicians or authorized service centers.
• The power cord is intentionally short to prevent accidents.
• Do not let the power cord hang from the edge of a table or other surface, or come into contact with hot surfaces.
• Avoid contact of the power cord with sharp edges.
• Do not place the appliance on or near hot gas or electric stoves, inside an oven, or near heat sources.
• Do not touch the plug with wet hands.
• Ensure the power outlet is always easily accessible to allow for quick unplugging.
• To unplug, grasp the plug directly and do not pull the cord.
• Do not attempt to repair the appliance yourself. Turn off the appliance, unplug it, and contact Technical Assistance.
• Never attempt to modify or repair the appliance. In case of malfunction, have it repaired exclusively by qualified technicians or contact Technical Assistance.
• Improper use of the appliance can cause injury. Disconnect the plug before cleaning.
• Keep packaging material out of reach of children.
• Never attempt to extinguish a flame/fire with water. Turn off the appliance, unplug it, and cover the flame with a lid or fire-resistant blanket.
• Always disconnect the appliance from the power supply when not in use, if left unattended, or in case of malfunction.
• Always disconnect the appliance from the power supply before assembling or disassembling components.
• Turn off and unplug the appliance before removing accessories or accessing internal components that move during use.
• Always disconnect the appliance from the power supply and let it cool down before cleaning.
• Do not use the appliance with parts or accessories from other manufacturers.
• Use only original manufacturer spare parts. Using non-recommended spare parts may cause fires, electric shocks, or personal injury.
• Place the appliance only on flat, dry surfaces.
• Do not wash the appliance in a dishwasher. Do not pour liquids onto the power plug and the power base. Failure to observe these warnings can cause death, fire, or electric shock.
• Do not use an adapter.
• Use only approved extension cords suitable for the appliance type.

Specific Appliance Warnings

• Do not fill the water tank beyond the maximum level indicated.
• Do not operate the coffee machine without water in the tank or without the tank inserted.
• Use only coffee beans to obtain ground coffee; do not insert pre-ground coffee into the bean hopper.
• Check that there are no foreign objects inside the coffee grinder.
• Allow the coffee machine to cool down before cleaning.
• Maintain a space of at least 3 cm between the coffee machine and any side or rear walls, and at least 15 cm above the coffee machine.
• Appliance surfaces can become hot; do not touch hot surfaces after use.
• Do not place the appliance near taps or sinks.
• If using an extension cord, its rated value must be at least equivalent to the appliance's rated value. If the appliance has a 3-pole power cord with earth connection, the extension cord must be of the 3-POLE EARTHED type. The extension cord should be positioned so it does not rest on surfaces where it could be pulled by children or cause tripping hazards.

Appliance Description (Fig.A)

The appliance consists of the following main parts:

• 1. Machine body
• 2. Coffee bean container lid
• 3. Coffee bean container
• 4. Grinding levels
• 5. Grinding level indicator
• 6. Water tank lid
• 7. Water tank (2.6 Lt)
• 8. Cup warming plate
• 9. ON/OFF button
• 10. Control panel
• 11. Single espresso grinding button
• 12. Double espresso grinding button
• 13. Single espresso dispensing button
• 14. Double espresso dispensing button
• 15. Steam/hot water lever
• 16. Manometer (pressure gauge)
• 17. Water hardness test strip
• 18. Conical burrs (grinder)
• 19. Filter holder support
• 20. Filter holder
• 21. Dispensing group
• 22. Steam wand/hot water spout
• 23. Tamper
• 24. Drip tray
• 25. Coffee grounds container
• 26. Drip tray grid
• 27. Water level indicator
• 28. Stainless steel milk jug
• 29. Accessory drawer
• 30a. Single shot pressurized filter
• 30b. Double shot pressurized filter
• 31a. Single shot non-pressurized filter
• 31b. Double shot non-pressurized filter
• 32. Dispensing group cleaning disc
• 33. Cleaning brush
• 34a. Steam wand cleaning needle
• 34b. Filter hole cleaning needle

Using the Appliance

Filters

This machine includes four filters: two non-pressurized and two pressurized.

Non-pressurized filters (31a, 31b)

These filters allow experimentation with various grinding, dosing, and tamping levels to create a perfectly balanced espresso.

Pressurized filters (30a, 30b)

These filters assist in regulating pressure even when grinding and dosing are not perfect. Select the filter for one or two cups as needed. When using non-pressurized filters, transitioning between single and double shot filters may require preparing a few coffees to achieve the ideal grind and correct dose for the pre-set dispensing.

For example, selecting a very fine grind with non-pressurized filters might require increasing the amount of ground coffee to ensure the correct dose in the filter. The machine is pre-set to dispense coffee using non-pressurized filters at a medium level of the FINE segment. Adjust the grind fineness by rotating the bean container clockwise or counter-clockwise according to your preference.

Controls Description (Fig.A)

• ON/OFF Button (9): Powers the machine on or off.
• Single Espresso Grinding Button (11): Grinds a pre-set amount of coffee for a single espresso.
• Double Espresso Grinding Button (12): Grinds a pre-set amount of coffee for a double espresso.
• Single Espresso Dispensing Button (13): Dispenses a pre-set amount of single espresso.
• Double Espresso Dispensing Button (14): Dispenses a pre-set amount of double espresso.
• Steam/Hot Water Lever (15): Rotate clockwise for hot water, counter-clockwise for steam. Two steam intensities can be selected.

Alarms

Buttons flash differently to indicate alarms:

• Buttons (11) and (12) flashing quickly: Coffee grinder used for too long, temperature block activated, or grinder is clogged. Press one of the flashing buttons and wait for cooling, or disassemble and clean the grinder.
• Buttons (11) and (12) flashing simultaneously: Alarm for missing bean container (3) or incorrectly inserted bean container. Ensure the container is correctly mounted or add coffee beans if necessary.
• Buttons (13) and (14) flashing in sequence: Machine is reaching the correct temperature for coffee dispensing. Wait for the buttons to light up steadily before selecting your desired beverage.
• Buttons (13) and (14) flashing simultaneously: Alarm for missing water tank (7), incorrect insertion, or insufficient water for dispensing. Check insertion or add water.
• Button (14) illuminated orange: Indicates a descaling cycle is needed. Refer to the "Descaling" section. Pressing button (14) again will bypass the procedure, and all buttons will light up steadily. It is recommended to descale when indicated to maintain coffee taste and machine function. If descaling is not performed, button (14) will remain orange upon each power-on until the cycle is completed.

First Use (Fig.A & B)

Before first use:

• Carefully unpack the appliance and remove all packaging materials.
• Clean all removable components with a damp cloth: coffee bean container (3), water tank (7), lids (6, 2), drip tray (24), coffee grounds container (25), cup grid (26), filter holder (20), filters (30a, 30b, 31a, 31b), tamper (23), and other accessories.
• Ensure all components are completely dry before reassembling.

⚠️ Do not operate the coffee machine without water in the tank or without the tank inserted. RISK OF DAMAGE!

Parts in contact with food are made from materials compliant with current legislation.

• Insert the coffee bean container, aligning the arrow "✓" on the container with the arrow on the surface.
• Secure the container by rotating it clockwise until the arrow aligns with the grinding level indicator (5).
• Remove the red protective cap from the rear of the machine, located between the water tank (7) and the machine body (1).

Initial Rinse:

For first-time use, it is recommended to rinse the internal circuits. Follow these steps:

• Turn on the machine as described in "Switching on the machine".
• Attach the filter holder (20) with a double-shot non-pressurized filter (31b) to the dispensing group (21).
• Place a container under the dispensing spouts and press button (14).
• Repeat this procedure 5 times.
• Place a container under the steam wand/hot water spout (22).
• Rotate the steam lever (15) to the " " icon and dispense water for 15 seconds, then return it to the vertical position to stop.
• Rotate the steam lever (15) to the " " / " " icons and dispense steam into the container for a few seconds, then return it to the vertical position to stop.

Rinsing the internal circuits is also recommended after prolonged periods of non-use.

Grinding Level Adjustment (Fig.B)

⚠️ Do not use green, caramelized, or candied coffee beans as they can clog the grinder and render it unusable.

The grinding level should be adjusted when the grinder is in operation or during first use when the bean container is completely empty. Rotating the bean container (3) with the grinder stopped and beans inside could damage the grinding unit.

• To adjust the grinding level, rotate the bean container (3) clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on the desired fineness. Align the scale (4) on the container with the indicator (5). Rotating the container (3) clockwise produces a finer grind; counter-clockwise produces a coarser grind.
• Place the filter holder (20) with the filter inserted onto the support (19) and press the button corresponding to the desired grinding level, checking the correct grind.

Preparing Espresso (Fig.A, B, C, D)

For optimal coffee tasting, it is recommended to preheat the cup by rinsing it with hot water or dispensing hot water into it via the wand (22).

Upon each power-on, it is recommended to rinse the dispensing group (21) and filter holder (20) circuits by dispensing a double coffee without coffee in the filter.

• Check the water level in the tank (7) and add water if necessary, ensuring not to exceed the "Max" level.
• Verify that the coffee bean container (3) contains coffee beans.
• Select the appropriate filter (30a, 30b, 31a, 31b) for the required dispensing type and insert it into the filter holder (20). Refer to the "Parts/Accessories Description" section for details on different filters.
• Place the filter holder (20) with the inserted filter onto the support (19).
• Press button (11) to grind for a single shot or button (12) for a double shot.
• After grinding, place the filter holder (20) on a flat surface as shown in Figure C.
• Distribute the ground coffee evenly and tamp it using the supplied tamper (23). For correct dosing and tamping, the top edge (23a) of the tamper should be aligned with the top edge (20a) of the filter holder.
• Clean excess ground coffee from the filter holder, then attach it to the dispensing group (21) and rotate counter-clockwise until secured.
• Place the cup(s) under the filter holder spouts (20).
• Select the desired beverage and press the corresponding button (13 or 14). Dispensing will stop automatically when the set quantity is reached.

The manometer (16) allows you to check if the coffee dispensing is optimal, as shown in Fig.D:

• Correctly extracted coffee (Fig.D1).
• Under-extracted coffee (Fig.D2).
• Over-extracted coffee (Fig.D3).

⚠️ To avoid splashes, do not detach the filter holder during dispensing. Wait a few seconds after completion. RISK OF BURNS!

• Once dispensing is complete, remove and clean the filter holder by rotating it clockwise.

After approximately 5 minutes of inactivity, the machine enters Eco Mode (Standby). The standby time can be modified in the "Auto-off setting" section.

Steam Dispensing and Cappuccino Preparation (Fig.A & E)

• You can select two steam intensities (38 and 39).
• Ensure the drip tray (24) is correctly mounted.
• Pour cold milk into the milk jug up to the spout level.
• Insert the tip of the steam wand (22) into the designated hole (41). Rotate the lever to the " " icon for a few seconds to expel any residual water, then return it to the vertical position.
• Using the rubber protector (22b), move the steam wand (22) outwards, immerse it in the jug (28), and tilt the jug slightly as shown in Figure E.
• Rotate the lever (15) counter-clockwise to the desired steam intensity.
• Once the desired milk temperature is reached, return the lever (15) to the vertical position to stop steam dispensing.
• Pour the frothed milk into cups with the previously prepared espresso. The quality of the milk foam may be influenced by the type of milk used and the user's technique. For a good cappuccino, it is recommended to use partially skimmed or whole milk at refrigerator temperature (approx. 5°C).
• To make multiple cappuccinos, prepare all coffees first, then froth the milk for all cappuccinos.
• After heating the milk, dispense steam briefly to clear the wand.
• Clean the steam wand (22) after each use to prevent milk residue buildup or clogging. For complete cleaning, refer to the "Cleaning and Maintenance" section.

Hot Water Dispensing

• Place a container under the steam wand (22).
• Rotate the lever (15) clockwise to the " " icon to dispense hot water.
• Stop dispensing by returning the lever (15) to the vertical position.

Quantity Customization

For each function, you can customize the amount of ground and dispensed coffee. Press and hold buttons 11, 12, 13, or 14 for 3 seconds, depending on the function you wish to customize. The selected button will flash; if the sound function is active, the machine will emit a double beep to signal the start of the preset program modification. When the desired quantity is reached, press the selected button again. The button will flash 3 times, and an audible signal will confirm the quantity has been saved.

Machine Settings

The programming menu allows you to set:

• Auto-off Time (Standby)
• Water Hardness
• Coffee Temperature
• Pre-infusion Profiles

To access the programming menu, simultaneously press buttons (11) and (14) for 5 seconds. All buttons will flash simultaneously.

• To set the auto-off time, press button (11).
• To set the water hardness level, press button (12).
• To set the extraction temperature, press button (13).
• To set the pre-infusion times, press button (14).

Auto-off Time

After approximately 5 minutes of inactivity, the machine enters Eco Mode. To change this setting:

• Access the programming menu as previously indicated.
• Press button (11); the button flashes 3 times to indicate selection.
• The current setting is shown by the illuminated buttons as per the table below:

Press the button corresponding to your desired setting to change the time.

The selected button will flash 3 times, and an audible signal will confirm the setting has been saved.

Water Hardness

The machine is factory pre-set to "Very Hard Water". You can adjust the setting based on your actual water hardness to reduce the frequency of descaling. If you don't know your water hardness, use the provided test strip (17) following these instructions:

• Remove the test strip (17) from its packaging.
• Immerse the strip completely in a glass of water for about one second.
• Remove the strip from the water and shake it lightly. Read the results after about a minute.
• If the strip shows 5 blue squares, select "soft water".
• If the strip shows 1 or 2 pink squares, select "medium water".
• If the strip shows 3 or 4 pink squares, select "hard water".
• If the strip shows 5 pink squares, select "very hard water".

To change the setting:

• Access the programming menu as previously indicated.
• Press button (12); the button flashes 3 times to indicate selection.
• The current setting is shown by the illuminated buttons as per the table below:

Press the button corresponding to your desired setting to change the hardness.

The selected button will flash 3 times, and an audible signal will confirm the setting has been saved.

Coffee Temperature

The machine is pre-set to extract coffee at an ideal temperature, defining the temperature in the cup. To change the setting:

• Access the programming menu as previously indicated.
• Press button (13); the button flashes 3 times to indicate selection.
• The current setting is shown by the illuminated buttons as per the table below:

Press the button corresponding to your desired setting to change the temperature.

The selected button will flash 3 times, and an audible signal will confirm the setting has been saved.

Pre-infusion Profiles

The machine is pre-set with a standard pre-infusion mode. To change this setting:

• Access the programming menu as previously indicated.
• Press button (14); the button flashes 3 times to indicate selection.
• The current setting is shown by the illuminated buttons as per the table below:

Press the button corresponding to your desired setting to change the pre-infusion profile.

The selected button will flash 3 times, and an audible signal will confirm the setting has been saved.

For pressurized filters (30a - 30b), the 'Short pre-infusion' profile is suggested.

Audible Signals

The machine is pre-set with audible signals active. You can deactivate them by pressing buttons (11) and (12) simultaneously for 5 seconds.

Factory Reset

To restore all factory settings, press buttons (12) and (13) simultaneously for 10 seconds.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Warnings

⚠️ Risk of electric shock.

• Remove the plug from the power outlet before cleaning the coffee machine.
• Do not immerse the coffee machine in water or other liquids.
• Allow the coffee machine to cool down before cleaning.

⚠️ Risk of surface damage.

• Do not use steam jets to clean the coffee machine.
• Do not use cleaning products containing chlorine, ammonia, or bleach on parts with metallic finishes (e.g., anodized, nickel-plated, chrome-plated).
• Do not use abrasive or corrosive detergents (e.g., powder products, stain removers, and metal scouring pads).
• Do not use rough, abrasive materials, or sharp metal scrapers.

To facilitate cleaning operations, you can scan the QR code on the base below the drip tray, which links to a dedicated section on Installation and Cleaning (Fig. J).

Cleaning the Machine Body

For good preservation of the external surfaces, clean them regularly after each use, once they have cooled down. Clean with a soft, damp cloth.

General Cleaning (Fig.A)

To ensure proper functioning and good beverage quality, simple daily cleaning operations are recommended, such as cleaning the filter holder (20) and its filter, the drip tray (24), and the coffee grounds container (25). Regular cleaning of specific components like the water tank (7) and coffee bean container (3) is also recommended.

Only the cup grid (26) and the milk jug (28) can be washed in a dishwasher.

Cleaning the Filter Holder (20) and Filters (30a, 30b, 31a, 31b)

• Remove the filter from the filter holder (20) and rinse under running water.
• Dry all parts thoroughly and reassemble.

Cleaning the Drip Tray (24) and Coffee Grounds Container (25)

The drip tray (24) has a red float indicator (27) that protrudes from the cup grid when the liquid level is too high.

• Remove the cup grid (26), the drip tray (24), and the coffee grounds container (25).
• Empty and rinse under running water, using a neutral dish soap if necessary.
• Dry the components and reassemble them into the machine.

Cleaning the Coffee Bean Container (3) and Grinder Burrs (18) (Fig.A & F)

• Turn on the machine.
• Ensure the coffee bean container (3) is empty, then press button (12) to remove any residual coffee from the grinder.
• Turn off the machine and unplug it.
• Remove the coffee bean container (3) by rotating it counter-clockwise until the references " " " " align with the indicator (5), then lift it off.
• Remove any coffee beans present in the grinder using the supplied cleaning brush (33).
• Lift the handle (42) of the upper grinder burr (18a) and rotate it clockwise to remove it.
• Clean the upper (18a) and lower (18b) grinder burrs, using the brush (33) if necessary.
• Reassemble the upper grinder burr (18a) by aligning the two notches " " " " and rotating it counter-clockwise to secure it " " " ".
• Clean the coffee bean container (3) with a damp cloth and reassemble it by aligning the references " " " " with the indicator (5), then rotate it clockwise to lock it.

Thanks to the Twist & Lock system, the bean container (3) can be removed even if it contains beans, allowing for cleaning of the grinder burrs (18) only.

Cleaning the Water Tank (7)

• Remove the tank lid (6) and take the tank out of the machine using its handle.
• Clean the tank under running water, dry it externally, and then reassemble it.

Cleaning the Steam Wand (22) (Fig.H)

Clean the steam wand (22) immediately after use.

• Position the tip of the steam wand on the cup grid, in correspondence with the designated hole. Rotate the lever (15) to the " " / " " icon for a few seconds to expel any remaining milk, then return it to the vertical position.
• Dry the steam wand (22) with a damp cloth.

⚠️ Wait for the wand to cool down before cleaning it. RISK OF BURNS!

• Check that the steam outlet hole is not blocked. If there are any blockages, clean the steam outlet hole using the supplied needle (34a).

Cleaning the Dispensing Group (20) (Fig.G)

• Insert the double non-pressurized filter (31b) into the filter holder (20).
• Insert the cleaning disc (32) and a detergent capsule into the filter (31b).

Use detergent capsules for domestic coffee machines commonly available on the market.

• Attach the filter holder (20) to the dispensing group (21) and place a container of at least 500 ml under the filter holder spouts.
• Fill the tank (7) with fresh water up to the max level.
• Press and hold buttons (11) and (14) for 5 seconds.
• Press button (14) for 5 seconds to start the dispensing group cleaning cycle.
• The machine will perform pulsed dispensing to clean the dispensing group (21). The operation lasts approximately 10 minutes. Button (14) flashes to indicate the procedure is in progress.
• When the procedure is complete, all buttons will light up steadily, and the machine will emit a double beep if audible signals are active.
• Remove the filter holder (20) and check if the detergent has completely dissolved. If not, repeat the operation.
• Finally, remove the filter holder (20) and the cleaning disc (32) inside it.
• Before dispensing coffee, re-attach the filter holder (20) with filter (31b) to the dispensing group (21) and press button (14) to rinse the circuit.

Descaling (Fig.B-I)

Before performing the descaling cycle, remove any water softener filters inside the tank (7).

You must remain near the machine for the entire duration of the descaling cycle, as user interventions may be required, such as refilling the tank. The total duration of the descaling and rinsing cycle is approximately 40 minutes.

The coffee machine indicates when a descaling cycle is necessary based on the set water hardness (refer to the "Water Hardness Setting" section). If button (14) lights up solid orange, a descaling cycle is required to maintain coffee taste and prevent machine damage. You can still dispense coffee, steam, or hot water. To perform the descaling cycle, follow these steps:

• Remove the filter holder (20) from its seat.
• Place a container with a capacity of at least 500 ml under the dispensing group (21), and another with a capacity of at least 800 ml under the steam wand (22).
• Fill the tank (7) up to the "MAX" level with a solution of water and descaler according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Press buttons (11) and (14) simultaneously for 5 seconds to enter the programming menu.
• Rotate the lever (15) counter-clockwise to steam intensity position 2.
• Buttons (11), (12), and (13) will turn off, while button (14) will flash orange.
• Press (14) to start the descaling cycle. During the cycle, the machine will pause to allow the descaler to act effectively. Wait for the cycle to complete.
• The descaling cycle ends when button (14) turns white.
• Remove the tank (7) and rinse it under running water to remove any descaler residue.
• Reassemble the tank and fill it up to the "MAX" level with clean water for the rinsing cycle, then press button (14) to start the rinsing cycle. Button (14) will flash.
• The rinsing cycle is complete when button (14) lights up solid white.
• Return the lever (15) to the vertical position. The machine is ready for use again.

⚠️ Personal injury hazard. Descaler contains acids that can irritate skin and eyes. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety warnings on the packaging in case of contact with skin or eyes. Use Smeg-recommended descalers to avoid damage to the coffee machine.

Troubleshooting

If the problem is not resolved or for other types of faults, contact your local service center.