Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffeemaker
Model Numbers: 49960, 49997, 49997C
Important Safeguards
- Read all instructions.
- 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 are closely supervised and instructed concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
- Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
- Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs. Care must be taken, as burns can occur from touching hot parts or from spilled, hot liquid.
- To protect against electric shock, do not place cord, plug, or coffeemaker in water or other liquid.
- Unplug from outlet when the coffeemaker is not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning the appliance.
- Coffeemaker must be operated on a flat surface away from the edge of counter to prevent accidental tipping.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Call our toll-free customer service number for information on examination, repair, or adjustment.
- The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter or touch hot surfaces, including stove.
- Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
- WARNING: To avoid hot water spraying from the piercing needle, do not lift the lid during the brew process.
- Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
- WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not remove the bottom cover of the coffeemaker. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Repair should be done by authorized service personnel only.
- CAUTION! Cut Hazard: Removable single-serve pack holder contains a sharp blade. Use caution when handling.
- CAUTION! Cut Hazard: Piercing needle is sharp. Use caution when cleaning.
Other Consumer Safety Information
This appliance is intended for household use only.
WARNING! Shock Hazard: This appliance has a polarized plug (one wide blade) that reduces the risk of electric shock. The plug fits only one way into a polarized outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the plug by modifying the plug in any way or by using an adapter. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, have an electrician replace the outlet.
The length of the cord used on this appliance was selected to reduce the hazards of becoming tangled in or tripping over a longer cord. If a longer cord is necessary, an approved extension cord may be used. The electrical rating of the extension cord must be equal to or greater than the rating of the appliance. Care must be taken to arrange the extension cord so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or accidentally tripped over.
To avoid an electrical circuit overload, do not use another high-wattage appliance on the same circuit with this appliance.
Parts and Features
Description of the coffeemaker parts:
- Water Reservoir: Located at the back, with fill level markings for 8, 10, and 14 ounces (237 ml, 296 ml, 414 ml).
- Lid: Covers the brewing area and contains the piercing needle.
- Piercing Needle: Located on the underside of the lid, used to pierce single-serve packs.
- Removable Single-Serve Pack Holder: Inserted into the brew basket area, holds the single-serve pack. Contains a sharp blade.
- Removable Brew Basket: Used for ground coffee.
- Funnel: Holds the pack holder or brew basket.
- Adjustable Drip Tray/Cup Rest: Can be moved to different heights to accommodate various cup sizes.
- Water Filter: Removable filter located in the water reservoir. Must be kept in place for brewing.
- ON/OFF Button: Powers the coffeemaker.
- Lid-Open Button: Used to lift the lid.
- Fill Valve: Located in the water reservoir, should not be removed.
How to Brew a Single-Serve Pack
- Open the lid by pressing the Lid-Open Button and lifting.
- Place a single-serve pack into the Removable Single-Serve Pack Holder. Do not remove the foil seal.
- Fill the Water Reservoir with cold water using the cup or travel mug you will brew into. Do not fill above the 10-oz. (296 ml) fill line.
- Lower the Lid until you hear a click sound, locking it in place.
- Adjust the Drip Tray/Cup Rest to the desired height by sliding it into the openings and pushing down to lock.
- Press the REGULAR or BOLD button to start brewing. The power ON indicator light will illuminate blue.
- The coffeemaker will shut off automatically when brewing is complete.
- Rinse the Funnel and Removable Single-Serve Pack Holder after each use.
Notes: Use only cold water. Do not use hot water. Do not reheat coffee in the machine. Do not use creamer or non-dairy creamer in the reservoir. After brewing hot cocoa single-serve packs, brew a water-only cycle without a single-serve pack to avoid clogging the piercing needle.
To Drain Unit: If the brew process is stopped early, or to remove any remaining water from the reservoir, place a large mug on the drip tray/cup rest and press and hold the REGULAR button for 3 seconds. Failure to drain the unit can cause the next cup brewed to overflow.
How to Brew Ground Coffee
- Open the Lid by pressing the Lid-Open Button and lifting.
- Place the Removable Brew Basket into the Funnel, aligning the brew basket handle with the funnel tab.
- Add ground coffee to the Removable Brew Basket. Use a maximum of 3 Tablespoons (44 ml). Keep grounds below the MAX fill line.
- Fill the Water Reservoir with cold water using the cup or travel mug you will brew into. Do not fill above the MAX fill line (14 ounces / 414 ml).
- Lower the Lid until you hear a click sound, locking it in place.
- Press the REGULAR or BOLD button to start brewing. The power ON indicator light will illuminate blue.
- The coffeemaker will shut off automatically when brewing is complete.
- Rinse the Funnel and Removable Brew Basket after each use.
Notes: Use only cold water. Do not use hot water. Do not reheat coffee in the machine. Do not use creamer or non-dairy creamer in the reservoir. Do not use hot cocoa powder or mix in the brew basket.
To Drain Unit: If the brew process is stopped early, or to remove any remaining water from the reservoir, place a large mug on the drip tray/cup rest and press and hold the REGULAR button for 3 seconds. Failure to drain the unit can cause the next cup brewed to overflow.
Care and Cleaning
Clean all coffeemakers at least once a month (once a week for areas with hard water).
- Descaling: Pour 3/4 cup (177 ml) of plain white vinegar and 3/4 cup (177 ml) of cold water into the reservoir. Place a 14-oz. (414 ml) cup or travel mug underneath to catch the water/vinegar solution. Press the REGULAR or BOLD button once. After 30 seconds, unplug the unit and allow vinegar to clean. After 30 minutes, plug in the unit. Press the REGULAR button and allow it to finish the brew cycle. When the brew cycle is finished, wait for the unit to cool. Empty cup and rinse. Run 2 to 3 cycles of cold tap water. The unit is cleaned and ready to make coffee.
- Routine Cleaning of the Needle: The needle is located in the lid of the coffeemaker. Bend a small paper clip as shown; insert the tip of the paper clip through the hole/eye of the needle and up into the needle to ensure grounds have been removed. Brew 2 or 3 times with cold water to make sure grounds have been removed from the piercing needle.
Dishwasher-Safe: Removable parts (single-serve pack holder, brew basket, drip tray cover) are dishwasher-safe. Do NOT use the "SANI" setting when washing in the dishwasher. "SANI" cycle temperatures could damage your product.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Probable Cause/Solution |
|---|---|
| Coffee tastes bad. | Coffeemaker needs cleaning; coffee ground too coarsely or too finely. Set coffee grinder to automatic drip grind; poor coffee quality and freshness; poor water quality (use filtered or bottled water). |
| Water on counter under unit. | Overfilled water reservoir (do not add more than 14 ounces [414 ml] to the removable water filter); some mugs/cups do not pour cleanly and can dribble water down the side of the cup and onto the counter. |
| Coffeemaker will not brew. | The piercing needle may be clogged. Clean piercing needle in the lid of the coffeemaker; no water in unit. |
| Coffee overflows from brew basket. | Use removable brew basket for ground coffee. 3 Tablespoons (44 ml) is the maximum amount of grounds to brew; use a lesser amount of ground coffee; when using whole bean coffee, a standard automatic drip coffee grind will yield best results. Be careful not to overgrind, since very finely ground coffee can cause overflow. |
| Coffee overflows from mug or travel mug. | To prevent coffee overflowing, use the same mug/travel mug to brew into that was used to fill the water reservoir. Do not add more than 14 ounces (414 ml) of water. There may also be additional water in the system that is causing the overflow. Remove brew basket or single-serve pack holder. Hold REGULAR button for 3 seconds to remove any remaining water. |
| Water remaining in reservoir. | Added too much water. Place cup or travel mug on drip tray. Remove single-serve pack and replace brew basket. Repeat brewing cycle. Hold REGULAR button for 3 seconds to remove any remaining water. |
| Blinking light. | Indicates water is remaining in the reservoir and needs to be drained. |
| Coffee not dispensing. | Piercing needle is clogged with coffee grounds. Turn unit off; unplug. Allow unit to cool completely. To remove any built-up coffee grounds, insert end of bent paper clip into eye and up into the piercing needle. |
| Failed foil seal (single-serve pack). | There is variability in the single-serve pack manufacturing process which causes some types of single-serve packs to be weaker at the seams. Try a different brand. |
Limited Warranty
This warranty applies to products purchased and used in the U.S. and Canada. This is the only express warranty for this product and is in lieu of any other warranty or condition.
U.S. Warranty: This product is warranted for one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Canada Warranty: This product is warranted for five (5) years from the date of original purchase.
During this period, your exclusive remedy is repair or replacement of this product or any component found to be defective, at our option. You are responsible for all costs associated with returning the product and our returning a product or component under this warranty to you. If the product or component is no longer available, we will replace with a similar one of equal or greater value.
This warranty does not cover glass, filters, wear from normal use, use not in conformity with the printed directions, or damage to the product resulting from accident, alteration, abuse, or misuse. This warranty extends only to the original consumer purchaser or gift recipient. Keep the original sales receipt, as proof of purchase is required to make a warranty claim.
To Make a Warranty Claim: Do not return this appliance to the store. Please call 1.800.851.8900 in the U.S. or 1.800.267.2826 in Canada or visit hamiltonbeach.com in the U.S. or hamiltonbeach.ca in Canada. For faster service, locate the model, type, and series numbers on your appliance.
Note: Mexican warranty details are provided separately in the original document and may differ.
