Tchibo Qbo Coffee Machine

Technical Specifications

Made exclusively for: Tchibo GmbH, Überseering 18, 22297 Hamburg, Germany. Technical and aesthetic modifications reserved.

Energy Efficiency Class: A++ (based on ENERG label).

Safety Information

Please read the following safety warnings carefully to prevent injury or damage.

General Safety and Usage

• [!] This symbol indicates danger of injury.
• [⚡] This symbol indicates danger of electric shock.
• The word PERICOLO indicates severe injury or fatal danger.
• The word AVVERTENZA indicates injury and significant material damage.
• The word ATTENZIONE indicates minor injury or damage.
• Additional information is marked with [i].

Intended Use and Location

The machine is designed for brewing coffee and espresso using Qbo capsules. It is intended for domestic or similar environments such as shops, offices, farms, and hotels. For commercial use, supervision by trained personnel is required. Do not use outdoors; place in a dry, indoor location, avoiding high dust or humidity.

Children and Persons with Limited Capabilities

• Keep children (under 8) and pets away from the appliance and power cord.
• Children over 8 and persons with reduced capabilities may use the appliance under supervision or if instructed on safe usage.
• Children over 8 may clean the appliance only under supervision.
• Place the appliance out of reach of children.
• Keep packaging materials away from children to prevent suffocation hazards.
• Be cautious of magnets in the drip tray; keep magnetic stripe cards (credit cards, bank cards) away to prevent damage.

Electrical Safety

• Never immerse the machine, plug, or cord in water.
• Do not clean with a water jet.
• Do not handle the plug with wet hands.
• Never leave the machine unattended when switched on.
• Connect only to a properly installed socket with protective contact, matching the machine's voltage.
• Do not kink, crush, or expose the power cord to sharp edges or heat sources.
• Do not use if the appliance, cord, or plug is damaged.
• Do not place beverages or other objects on the machine.
• Unplug the machine during anomalies, prolonged non-use, before cleaning, or before removing parts. Do not pull by the cord.
• Do not modify the appliance. Repairs must be performed by qualified electricians. Contact customer service for repairs.
• If the power cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, service agent, or a similarly qualified person.

Burn, Scald, and Fire Hazards

• Do not cover the machine during operation.
• Ensure adequate ventilation; do not place directly against walls, in corners, or inside cabinets.
• Avoid touching the beverage spout during or immediately after use.
• Do not open the lever during operation or remove the capsule collector.

Injury and Material Damage Precautions

• Use only original Qbo capsules. Do not use damaged or third-party capsules, or loose coffee grounds, as this will damage the machine and void the warranty.
• Ensure the drip tray, its cover, and the cup rest are correctly inserted.
• Use only fresh tap water or cold potable water. Do not use mineral water with CO2 or other liquids.
• Descale the machine when indicated.
• Do not use the lever to lift the machine; use the side of the housing.
• Place the machine on a flat, stable, well-lit surface, insensitive to humidity and heat.
• Do not place the machine on or near hot surfaces (stoves, ovens, radiators).
• Route the power cord to prevent tripping hazards.
• Keep magnetic media away from the drip tray magnets.
• Be aware that anti-slip feet may interact with certain countertop finishes. Consider using an anti-slip mat.
• Do not expose the machine to temperatures below 4°C to prevent freezing and damage.
• The machine is tested with capsules and water; minimal coffee/water residue may remain.

Overview and Components

The coffee machine consists of the following main parts:

• Water tank lid
• Water tank
• Capsule insertion slot
• Handle (for removing water tank)
• Lever for opening capsule slot
• Control panel
• Beverage spout
• Capsule collector
• Cup rest
• Drip tray
• Drip tray cover

Control Panel Functions

• Power Button [⏻]: Turns the machine on/off.
• Care Button [⚙️]:
  • Flashes white: Water tank is empty.
  • Lights blue for 3 seconds after power-on: Machine requires cleaning.
  • Lights red: Machine requires descaling.
• Beverage Buttons:
  • Caffè Grande
  • Caffè
  • Espresso

Getting Started: Setup and First Use

Removing Packaging

1. Remove the machine from its packaging.
2. Peel off all protective films and remove all packaging materials.
3. Remove the transport protection from under the water tank.

Keep packaging for transport or returns.

First Use (Without Capsule)

1. Place the cup rest onto the drip tray cover.
2. Insert the drip tray until it clicks into place.
3. Remove the water tank and clean it as described in the "Machine Care" section.
4. Fill the water tank with fresh tap water up to the handle mark.
5. Reinsert the water tank, ensuring the alignment guides engage at the rear.
6. Lower the lever.
7. Insert the power plug into an easily accessible socket.
8. Place an empty cup under the beverage spout.
9. Press any button to turn on the machine. The Care button will flash.
10. Press the Care button [⚙️]. The pump will start, fill the tubes, and stop automatically. A small amount of water will dispense into the cup. Two beeps will sound.
11. The machine will heat up; the beverage buttons will flash.
12. Once heated, a beep will sound, and all beverage buttons will light up.
13. Discard the water from the cup and rinse the machine twice as described in the "Rinsing the Machine" section. The machine is now ready for use.

Rinsing the Machine

After initial setup, or if the machine has not been used for more than 2 days, rinse it by running 2 cups of water through without a capsule.

Conditions:

• The power plug is inserted.
• The machine is switched on.
• No capsule is in the capsule insertion slot.

1. Remove the water tank, fill it with fresh tap water up to the handle mark, and reinsert it.
2. Place an empty cup under the beverage spout.
3. If necessary, lower the lever completely.
4. Press the central beverage button (Caffè) [☕]. The pump will dispense water into the cup. A beep will sound upon completion.
5. Discard the water.
6. Repeat steps 4-6.
7. Empty the drip tray and capsule collector.
8. Reinsert all components.

Aroma and Cup Placement

Aroma

Each capsule provides one serving. Insert a capsule only when brewing. The capsule is pierced upon insertion. Aroma is lost if the capsule is left unused.

Preheating the Cup

Fill the cup with hot water and discard it just before brewing to achieve a more intense taste.

Beverage Strength

The intensity can be adjusted by regulating the water quantity. This can be done for each brew or saved as a preference.

Cup Placement

• For large cups, tall glasses, and mugs: Place the cup rest in the higher position as shown in the diagram.
• For small cups: Rotate the cup rest to the lower position as shown.

Powering On/Off and Standby Mode

Turning the Machine On

Press any button or lift the lever. The beverage buttons [☕☕☕] will flash while the machine heats up. Once ready, a beep sounds, and all beverage buttons will be illuminated.

Turning the Machine Off

Press the power button [⏻].

Standby Mode (Pause Mode)

After use, return the machine to standby mode using the power button. The machine consumes very little power in standby. It automatically enters standby after 9 minutes of inactivity. You can configure the auto-shutoff time (2, 9, 30, or 120 minutes) by holding the power button for approximately 5 seconds when the machine is on. The selected button will remain lit to indicate the set time.

Filling the Water Tank

1. Remove the water tank by pulling it upwards.
2. Fill the tank with fresh tap water or cold potable water up to the handle mark.
3. Reinsert the water tank from above, ensuring the alignment guides engage at the rear.
4. Press the water tank down firmly until it sits flush with the housing.

Preparing a Beverage

Conditions:

• The machine is on and ready.
• The water tank is full.

1. Lift the lever fully.
2. Insert a Qbo capsule into the machine, with the "Q" facing forward. Ensure the capsule is intact (do not perforate or remove its lid, and do not insert deformed capsules).
3. Lower the lever completely. This pierces the capsule top and bottom.
4. Place an empty cup or glass under the beverage spout.
5. Press the button corresponding to the inserted capsule (Caffè Grande, Caffè, or Espresso) [☕]. The brewing process starts and stops automatically. A beep sounds at the end.

To interrupt brewing: Press the same beverage button again during the process.

Espresso Pre-infusion: For espresso, a small amount of coffee is brewed first to enhance aroma. A brief pause at the start indicates this process. Standard Caffè and Caffè Grande do not have pre-infusion.

Pre-set Beverage Volumes: Espresso approx. 40 ml, Caffè approx. 125 ml, Caffè Grande approx. 180 ml. Volumes can be adjusted between 25 ml and 280 ml.

6. Lift the lever fully to drop the used capsule into the capsule collector.

After Use

Regularly empty the drip tray and capsule collector.

1. Remove the drip tray.
2. Remove the capsule collector, cup rest, and drip tray cover.
3. Empty the drip tray and capsule collector (holds approx. 6 capsules).
4. Reinsert all components into the machine.

Adjusting Beverage Strength (Volume)

You can adjust the beverage intensity by regulating the water quantity. This can be done for each brew or saved as a preference.

Current Strength Adjustment (No Memory)

• If the beverage is too weak, stop the flow early by pressing the flashing beverage button.
• If the beverage is too strong, restart the brewing process without a new capsule. Press the flashing button again until the correct water quantity has flowed.

The beverage volume can be adjusted between approx. 25 ml and 280 ml.

Setting Beverage Strength (With Memory)

You can permanently change the factory water quantity settings to create your preferred coffee. You can set a personalized volume for each beverage button (Espresso, Caffè, Caffè Grande).

1. Hold down the desired beverage button until the desired amount of beverage has been dispensed into the cup. A beep will sound (for Espresso, the machine briefly pauses for pre-infusion) before the final dispensing.
2. Release the button; the set amount is saved permanently. Two beeps confirm the save.

If five beeps occur, the new setting could not be saved; repeat the process. If the saved setting is not to your liking, simply repeat the procedure to modify it.

Restoring Factory Settings

You can restore the original water quantities.

Conditions:

• The machine is on and ready.

1. Press and hold all three beverage buttons simultaneously for approx. 5 seconds. Two beeps will sound, and the three beverage buttons [☕☕☕] will flash.
2. Release the beverage buttons. The factory water quantities are restored. The machine will restart and initiate the first-time setup process.

Cleaning - Removing Coffee Residues

Regular cleaning ensures optimal taste and machine longevity. The Care button [⚙️] lighting blue indicates cleaning is required (approx. 5-minute procedure).

When to Clean:

The Care button [⚙️] lights blue for approx. 3 seconds after power-on if cleaning is needed. If cleaning is not performed, the button will continue to light blue until it is done. You can also initiate cleaning manually.

Cleaning Procedure:

1. Place an empty container (min. 600 ml) under the beverage spout.
2. Lift the lever fully.
3. Insert a Qbo cleaning capsule into the machine.
4. Lower the lever completely.
5. Briefly press the Care button [⚙️] once. It will light blue.
6. Press and hold the Care button [⚙️] for approx. 5 seconds to start the cleaning cycle. The Care button will flash. The machine will pump cleaning solution through the tubes. Monitor the container to prevent overflow.
7. Upon completion, the machine will automatically go into standby mode. The cleaning procedure is finished.

Decalcification

The Care button [⚙️] lighting red indicates the machine requires decalcification. This should be done within days to prevent excessive limescale buildup.

Procedure Duration:

Approx. 30 minutes.

Conditions:

• The machine is on and ready.

Decalcification Procedure:

1. Place an empty container (min. 600 ml) under the beverage spout. The container will need to be emptied multiple times during the process.
2. Remove the water tank from the machine.
3. Fill the empty tank with a suitable liquid descaler (e.g., Durgol® swiss espresso®) and add water up to the handle mark.
4. Reinsert the water tank into the machine.
5. Press and hold the Care button [⚙️] for approx. 5 seconds to start the decalcification process. The Care button will flash.
6. The lower beverage button will illuminate. Press the Espresso button [☕]. Decalcification begins. The lower button turns off, and the Care button continues to flash. The machine pumps the decalcifying solution through the tubes at intervals.

The procedure lasts approx. 25 minutes. When the water tank is empty, the machine will switch off for approx. 2.5 minutes. After this pause, a beep will sound, the central beverage button will light up, and the Care button will flash.

Rinsing Phase:

1. Remove the water tank from the machine.
2. Wash the water tank with dish soap and dry it thoroughly.
3. Fill the water tank with fresh tap water up to the handle mark and reinsert it.
4. Place an empty container (min. 600 ml) under the beverage spout.
5. Press the central beverage button (Caffè) [☕]. The rinsing phase begins. The central button turns off, and the Care button flashes. This phase lasts approx. 2 minutes. Monitor the container to prevent overflow.
6. Upon completion, the machine will automatically enter standby mode. The decalcification procedure is finished.

Important Notes on Decalcification:

• Decalcify the machine as soon as indicated (approx. every 50 liters) to prolong its life and save energy.
• Do not use descalers based on formic acid.
• Use only liquid descalers suitable for coffee machines.
• The decalcification process cannot be interrupted. If interrupted (e.g., by power loss), it must be completed upon the next power-on. The machine is disabled until then.
• If decalcification is not performed, the Care button [⚙️] will light red each time the machine is switched on until the procedure is completed.
• To perform decalcification proactively, press the Care button [⚙️] repeatedly until it lights red, then follow the described procedure.

Machine Care Schedule

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance and longevity.

Cleaning the Housing

Wipe the housing with a soft, damp cloth. If necessary, also clean the capsule collector compartment and the water tank holder.

Cleaning the Water Tank

Wash the water tank with dish soap, rinse well under running water, and dry. The water tank is not dishwasher safe.

Cleaning Drip Tray, Capsule Collector, and Cup Rest

1. Remove the drip tray and all components (capsule collector, cup rest, drip tray cover).
2. Empty the capsule collector and drip tray.
3. Wash all components with dish soap, rinse, and dry thoroughly. None of these parts are dishwasher safe.

Troubleshooting (Anomalies / Solutions)

Machine stops during operation, Care button flashes white:

Cause: Water tank is empty.

Solution: Fill the water tank with fresh water and reinsert it. Press the Care button [⚙️] to resume the operation.

Care button [⚙️] lights blue after power-on:

Indication: Machine requires cleaning.

Solution: Follow the cleaning procedure described in the "Cleaning" section.

Care button [⚙️] lights red after power-on:

Indication: Machine requires decalcification.

Solution: Follow the decalcification procedure described in the "Decalcification" section.

Beverage buttons [☕☕☕] flash:

Cause 1: Lever was lifted before brewing finished.

Solution 1: Lower the lever, then press a beverage button [☕] to resume and complete the process.

Cause 2: Lever was not fully lowered.

Solution 2: Lower the lever fully.

Beverage not hot enough:

Cause: Especially for espresso, the small volume in the cup can cool down quickly.

Solution: Preheat the cup with hot water, then discard the water just before brewing for a more intense taste.

Declaration of Conformity

Tchibo GmbH declares that this product complies with essential requirements and other relevant provisions of the following directives:

• 2006/42/CE - Machinery Directive
• 2014/30/UE - Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
• 2009/125/CE - Eco-design Directive
• 2012/19/UE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
• 2011/65/UE - Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive

The full declaration of conformity is available at www.tchibo.ch/istruzioni, referencing model number 600 144.

Disposal

The appliance and its packaging are made of high-quality, recyclable materials. Recycling reduces waste and protects the environment.

Appliances marked with this symbol [[Recycle Symbol]] must not be disposed of with household waste. Electrical appliances contain hazardous substances that can harm the environment and health if not disposed of properly. Contact your local municipality for information on collection points for used appliances.

Warranty

Tchibo GmbH provides a 24-month warranty from the date of purchase.

During the warranty period, Tchibo GmbH will remedy any material or production defects free of charge. To claim warranty service, present the purchase receipt issued by Tchibo or an authorized partner. This warranty is valid within the EU, Switzerland, and Turkey.

The warranty does not cover damage due to improper use, inadequate descaling, wear parts, or consumables. Consumables can be ordered from Tchibo Qbo Customer Service. Repairs not covered by warranty can also be performed by Customer Service at the user's expense.

This conventional warranty does not limit statutory consumer rights.

Service and Repair

Should a defect occur, please contact Tchibo Qbo Customer Service. Our staff will assist you and guide you on the next steps.

If the item needs to be shipped, please ensure the machine is cleaned (water tank, drip tray, capsule collector) before packing to prevent further damage during transport.

To Proceed:

• Remove old capsules and liquids.
• Rinse and dry all parts.
• Attach a copy of the purchase receipt and provide the following details:
  • Your address
  • A contact phone number (daytime) and/or email address
  • Date of purchase
  • A precise description of the fault

Pack the Qbo machine securely to prevent damage during transit and ship it to our Customer Service. This ensures optimal repair and timely return of the machine.

The shipping address can be requested from Tchibo Qbo Customer Service. Keep the shipping receipt for any inquiries.

For non-warranty cases, please indicate:

• If you wish to receive a quote for costs exceeding CHF 17,-.
• If the item should be returned unrepaired (at customer's expense).
• If the item should be disposed of (free of charge for the customer).

For information on production, accessory orders, or service status, contact Tchibo Qbo Customer Service. For clarification, please provide the article code.

Tchibo Qbo Customer Service

Phone: 043 88 33 099 (German and French only)

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Email: service@tchibo.ch

Article Code

The article code for your Qbo machine is located on the label on the underside of the machine. Before tilting the machine, remove the drip tray and water tank. Protect the surface underneath to catch any residual coffee or water.