Antarctic Star Espresso Machine

Thank you for purchasing this product! Please read this manual thoroughly before using and save it for future reference. For questions about the product, please contact Antarctic Star customer service at 661-435-8826.

Important Safety Precautions

Before using this electrical appliance, basic precautions should always be followed:

1. Read all instructions.
2. Before using, check that the voltage of the wall outlet corresponds to the rated voltage marked on the rating plate.
3. To protect against fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, do not immerse cord, plug, in water or other liquid.
4. Remove plug from wall outlet before cleaning and when not in use. Allow appliance to cool down completely before removing/attaching components or before cleaning.
5. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions, or is dropped or damaged in any manner. Return appliance to the nearest authorized service facility for examination, repair, or adjustment.
6. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may result in fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
7. Place appliance on a flat surface or table; do not hang power cord over the edge of the table or counter.
8. Ensure the power cord does not touch hot surfaces of the appliance.
9. Do not place the coffee maker on a hot surface or beside a fire to avoid damage.
10. To disconnect, remove plug from wall outlet. Always hold the plug; never pull the cord.
11. Do not use the appliance for other than its intended use and place it in a dry environment.
12. Close supervision is necessary when your appliance is being used by or near children.
13. Be careful not to get burned by steam.
14. Do not touch hot surfaces of the appliance (e.g., steam wand, brewing filter when hot). Use handles or knobs.
15. Do not let the coffee maker operate without water.
16. Scalding may occur if the water tank is removed during brewing cycles.
17. Do not remove the metal funnel when the appliance is brewing coffee or when steam and hot water escape from it. Ensure pressure is released before removing the metal funnel.
18. Connect plug to wall outlet before using and turn any switch off before unplugging.
19. Relieve pressure through the steam wand before removing the tank cover or metal funnel.
20. 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 supervised or instructed by a person responsible for their safety.
21. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.
22. This appliance is intended for household and similar applications (staff kitchen areas, farm houses, client use in hotels/motels, bed and breakfast).
23. Do not use outdoors.
24. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
25. If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons to avoid a hazard.
26. WARNING: The filling aperture must not be opened during use.
27. The appliance must not be immersed.
28. The heating element surface is subject to residual heat after use.
29. WARNING: Potential injury from misuse.
30. The coffee-maker shall not be placed in a cabinet when in use.
31. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be operated by children without supervision.
32. WARNING: Do not touch the metal surface of the steam wand when using the unit to avoid scalding.

HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

Parts Identification

The espresso machine consists of the following parts:

• 1. Top tray
• 2. Double cup button
• 3. Single cup button
• 4. Steam button
• 5. Power button
• 6. Funnel bracket
• 7. Drip plate
• 8. Drip tray
• 9. Water tank cover
• 10. Water tank
• 11. Steam/Hot water knob
• 12. Steam wand handle
• 13. Steam wand
• 14. Steam wand nozzle
• 15. Spoon (with tamper at the other end)
• 16. Cleaning pin
• 17. Capsule funnel
• 18. Capsule filter
• 19. Ground coffee funnel
• 20. Single-cup filter
• 21. Double-cup filter

[Diagram Description: A top-down view of the espresso machine showing numbered components. The front features buttons for power, single cup, double cup, and steam. The top has a tray and water tank access. The side has a steam wand. The front base has a drip tray and plate. The main body houses the funnel bracket.]

Before the First Use

To ensure the first cup of coffee tastes excellent, rinse the coffee maker with warm water:

1. Remove the plug at the bottom of the tank.
2. Pour water into the water tank, not exceeding the "MAX" mark. Close the tank cover.
3. The appliance has a detachable water tank for easy cleaning. You can fill it before reinserting it into the appliance.
4. Set a brewing filter into the metal funnel (no coffee). Align the raised dot on the filter with the groove on the funnel edge, then rotate to fix it.
5. Insert the funnel into the funnel bracket according to the grooves, at the "LOCK" position. Fix it firmly by turning anticlockwise until it is at the "CLOSE" position.
6. Place an espresso cup on the drip plate. Ensure the knob is at the "OFF" position.
7. The appliance is not supplied with a jug or cup; please use your own.
8. Connect to the power source and press the power button to turn on. All four indicators illuminate together and then flash like a breathing light. The machine enters preheat mode.
9. When the power, single, and double-cup indicators become solid, preheating is finished. Press the double-cup button; the single-cup indicator turns off, and the double-cup indicator starts flashing. After a moment, water will flow out.
10. When the appliance stops pumping water automatically, the single and double-cup indicators return to steady light. Pour out the water and clean the container. You can now start brewing.
11. Initial water pumping may produce noise as the appliance releases air. This is normal and should disappear after about 20 seconds.

Make Coffee Instructions

Preparation

1. Remove the water tank, open the cover, and fill with water, not exceeding the "MAX" mark.
2. Set a brewing filter into the metal funnel (no coffee).
3. Insert the funnel into the appliance and rotate to fix it.
4. Place an espresso cup on the top tray.

Preheating

To make a good hot Espresso, preheat the appliance, funnel, filter, and cup to prevent cold parts from influencing coffee flavor.

5. Ensure the knob is at the "OFF" position. Connect to power, press the power button. All four indicators illuminate and flash like breathing light, indicating preheat mode.
6. When the power, single, and double-cup indicators become solid, preheating is finished.

Espresso Extraction

1. Remove the funnel by turning it clockwise. Add ground coffee to the filter using the spoon (one spoon makes about one cup of coffee). Tamp the coffee powder tightly with the tamper at the other end of the spoon.
2. Alternatively, place your chosen coffee capsule directly into the capsule filter, then insert the filter into the capsule funnel, and proceed with the following steps.
3. Insert the funnel into the appliance and fix it firmly.
4. Place the warmed cup on the drip plate.
5. Press the single or double-cup button as needed. After a moment, coffee will flow out. You can press the corresponding button again to stop brewing at any time.
6. If coffee flows too slowly or not at all, the cause may be excessive pressure. Try coarsening the coffee powder, reducing the amount, or tamping more lightly.
7. WARNING: Turning the knob ON during brewing will cause all four indicators to flash as a warning.
8. The appliance stops working automatically when brewing is finished. Your coffee is ready.
9. Default working time: single cup is 15 seconds, double cup is 27 seconds.
10. WARNING: Do not leave the coffee maker unattended during operation, as manual intervention may be required.
11. After brewing, remove the funnel and discard the coffee residue.
12. WARNING: Removing the funnel immediately after extraction may cause coffee liquid to erupt or overflow. Wait 30 seconds after extraction is complete for pressure to release before removing the funnel.

Frothing Milk / Make Cappuccino

The steam wand can be used to froth milk or make hot beverages. To make a cappuccino, top up a cup of espresso with frothed milk.

First, prepare the espresso according to the "Make Coffee Instructions" section, using a sufficiently large cup. Then, prepare a jug with about 100 grams of milk per cappuccino. Whole milk at refrigerator temperature is recommended. The milk jug should have a diameter of at least 70mm and be tall enough, as milk volume increases by approximately 2 times.

1. Press the steam button to preheat. The steam indicator will flash like breathing light, and the single/double-cup indicators will turn off. When the steam indicator becomes solid, preheating is finished.
2. Ensure steam preheating is complete before operating the knob.
3. Before frothing milk, slowly turn the knob to "ON" for about 10 seconds to release steam until it becomes steady, then turn the knob off.
4. The knob controls the steam wand. Rotate slowly; a larger angle increases pressure.
5. WARNING: Operate carefully, as steam can cause scalds.
6. Insert the steam wand into the milk about 20mm deep. Position the steam wand arm at 12 o'clock and the steam outlet at 3 o'clock.
7. Slowly turn the knob to "ON". Steam will emerge from the outlet, and the steam indicator remains lit. Continue rotating to increase pressure. Move the jug in a circular motion from top to bottom while frothing.
8. During steaming, the metal funnel must be assembled in place.
9. The maximum working time for steam is 180 seconds. Turn the knob off when the desired foam volume is reached.
10. After steaming stops, immediately clean the steam outlet with a thick, wet sponge. Turn the knob to "ON" for a few seconds to discharge residual foam inside the wand. Be careful not to get hurt!
11. Pour the frothed milk into the prepared espresso. Sweeten to taste and sprinkle with cocoa powder if desired. Your cappuccino is ready.
12. It is not recommended to brew coffee again immediately after steaming, as it may affect the coffee taste.

Dispensing Amount Settings

Set Single Cup Amount

Hold the single-cup button for 3 seconds to enter setting mode; the single-cup indicator flashes. Press the button once; coffee dispenses, and the indicator keeps flashing. When the desired amount is dispensed (approx. 10-25 seconds), press the button again to stop. The indicator stays solid, saving the setting. Operations within 10 seconds are ineffective.

Set Double Cup Amount

Hold the double-cup button for 3 seconds to enter setting mode; the double-cup indicator flashes. Operate similarly to the single cup. The adjustable dispensing amount for double cups ranges from 20-50 seconds. Operations within 20 seconds are ineffective.

Restore Factory Settings

Simultaneously hold and press the single-cup and double-cup buttons for 3 seconds. The indicators flash 3 times, and the machine restores factory dispensing amounts.

Automatic Power-Off Function

If no operation is performed within 29 minutes after pressing the power button, the unit will automatically power off.

Cleaning and Maintenance

1. Cut off power and let the coffee maker cool down completely before cleaning.
2. Clean the housing with a damp sponge and clean the water tank, drip tray, and drip plate regularly. Dry them thoroughly.
3. Do not use alcohol or solvent cleansers. Never immerse the housing in water.
4. Detach the metal funnel by turning clockwise, remove coffee residue, and clean with cleanser, rinsing with clear water.
5. Clean all attachments in water and dry thoroughly.

Descaling - Cleaning Mineral Deposits

Regular descaling ensures efficient operation, clean internal piping, and peak coffee flavor. A descaling warning appears when the appliance has cumulatively worked for 500 cycles: all indicators flash 5 times after preheating, then the appliance returns to normal. To descale:

1. Fill the water tank to the MAX level with water and detergent (water:detergent ratio 4:1). Alternatively, use citric acid (obtainable from chemists/drug stores) with a water:citric acid ratio of 100:3.
2. Prepare two containers: one 500ml under the brew head and one 1L under the steam wand nozzle.
3. Press and hold the steam button for 5 seconds. The single and double-cup indicators flash, and the machine automatically descales for about 11 minutes. Then, the single and double-cup indicators flash faster. Immediately turn the knob to "ON" to dispense water from the steam outlet, then reset the knob within 1 minute. Descaling is complete.
4. It is recommended to fill the water tank with clean water to MAX and repeat Step 4 twice to remove residual detergent.
5. To cancel the descaling warning without descaling: press and hold the single cup, double cup, and steam buttons for 3 seconds. The indicators flash 5 times, and the warning is canceled.

Environment Friendly Disposal

Help protect the environment! Please respect local regulations: hand in non-working electrical equipment to an appropriate waste disposal center. [recycle symbol]