DeLonghi Dedica Maestro Plus EC950 Coffee Maker

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical machines, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:

• Read all instructions.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles and knobs.
• To protect against fire, electrical shock and personal injury, do not immerse cord, plug or appliance in water or other liquid.
• Never allow the appliance to be used by children.
• Unplug from the outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before fitting or taking off parts, and before cleaning the appliance.
• Do not operate with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions, or has been damaged in any manner. Return the appliance to the nearest authorized service facility for examination, repair or adjustment.
• The use of accessory attachments or spare parts not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may result in fire, electrical shock or personal injury.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Do not let the cord hang over the edge of the table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electrical burner, or in a heated oven.
• Plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to "off", then remove plug from wall outlet.
• Do not use the appliance for other than the intended use. This appliance is to be utilized for domestic use only. Any other use is to be considered improper and therefore, dangerous.
• WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not remove the cover or the exterior of the unit. Do not attempt to repair or modify the machine, doing so will void the warranty. Repair should be done by authorized service personnel only!

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

THIS MACHINE IS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

SHORT CORD INSTRUCTIONS

• A short power cord is provided to reduce risks resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.
• Longer, detachable power supply cords or extension cords are available and may be used if care is exercised in their use.
• If an extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance. If the appliance is provided with a 3-wire, grounding type cord, the extension should be a GROUNDING TYPE 3-WIRE CORD. The longer cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the counter-top or table top where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over.
• Your product is equipped with a polarized alternating current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.

Before using the appliance, always read the safety warnings.

1. DESCRIPTION OF APPLIANCE

A1. Water tank lid

A2. Water tank

A3. Accessory door

A4. Steam lever

A5. Steam wand

A6. On/Off switch

A7. Coffee spout

A8. Drip tray

A9. Brush

A10. Cleaning needle

A11. Tamper

A12. Descaler (some models only)

A13. Small cup tray

A14. Portafilter

A15. 2-cup filter (single wall filter basket)

A15a. 2-cup filter (double wall filter basket)

A16. 1-cup filter (single wall filter basket)

A16a. 1-cup filter (double wall filter basket)

A17. Milk jug

A18. Measuring scoop

A19. Water hardness test indicator paper

1.1 Control panel

B1. Infusion temperature button

B2. Water tank indicator light

B3. Descale indicator light

B4. Milk temperature button

B5. 2x Espresso button

B6. Espresso button

B7. Froth level button

2. FIRST USE

• Wash and dry all accessories, including the water tank (A2) with warm water and soap. The drip tray, milk jug and small cup tray, are dishwasher safe.
• Extract the water tank by pulling it upwards (see Figure 1).
• Open the water tank lid (A1) and fill the water tank (A2) with fresh clean water, taking care not to exceed the MAX level (see Figure 2).
• Put the water tank back in the machine, pressing lightly to open the valves located on the bottom of the tank.
• Connect the appliance to a mains socket. Turn the machine on by pressing the On/Off switch (A6) (see Figure 3).
• The water tank indicator light (B2) blinks and the Espresso button (B6) is lit.
• Press the Espresso button (B6) (see Figure 4). Delivery begins and automatically stops. Empty the drip tray.

Before using the coffee maker, the internal circuits of the machine must be rinsed. Proceed as follows:

• Place the cup filter (A15), (A15a), (A16) or (A16a) in the portafilter (A14).
• Attach the portafilter to the machine aligning the portafilter handle with "INSERT", then turn the handle to the right until it is aligned in the "CLOSE" position (see Figure 5).
• Place a container under the portafilter.
• Press the Espresso button (B6). The appliance delivers water from the portafilter. Repeat this operation 5 times.
• Put a jug with cold water under the steam wand (A5) and do an 'autosteaming' (see Figure 6) (see the Autosteaming section).

Please note: Never operate the machine with the water tank empty, or without the tank. The appliance has a water level sensor. If, while brewing the selected beverage, the water tank indicator light (B2) blinks, the water in the water tank is running out. It will be possible to finish delivering the selected beverage. The water tank indicator light (B2) turns on when the water tank is empty. Fill the water tank with fresh water. It is normal for there to be water in the space under the tank. This should therefore be dried regularly with a clean sponge.

3. MAKING ESPRESSO COFFEE

• Turn the machine on by pressing the On/Off switch (A6) (see Figure 3). If the machine is in stand-by mode, press any button on the control panel.
• The Espresso and 2x Espresso indicator lights blink to indicate the machine is heating up (see Figure 7).

When the lights stop blinking and all the indicator lights on the control panel stay steadily lit, the machine is ready for use.

• Place the cup filter (A15), (A15a), (A16) or (A16a) in the portafilter (A14) (see Figure 8).

Single wall filter baskets (A15) (A16), also known as non-pressurized filter baskets, are recommended for more experienced baristas when using high quality grinders with fine espresso grinding capabilities. They require optimal precision over grind size, dose and tamping and are less forgiving than double wall filter baskets. Barista Tips: Expert baristas prefer to use single wall filter baskets because they allow more control and precision over extraction, to create a full body espresso and richer flavor.

Double wall filter baskets (A15a) (A16a), also known as pressurized filter baskets, are recommended when using pre-ground coffee, or when the grind size is too coarse. They are easier to use, more forgiving and can help mask inconsistency in the user preparation such as incorrect grind size, dosing or tamping. Barista Tips: If you are just at the beginning of your espresso journey, we suggest starting with these baskets until you build your expertise and feel comfortable to upgrade to the single wall filter baskets.

• Fill the cup filter with ground coffee using the measuring scoop (A18). Make sure to use a fine grind, specifically for espresso coffee. Before filling the coffee filter with ground coffee, make sure there is no coffee residue left in the filter from the last time a coffee was made.
• Tap the portafilter several times to distribute the coffee evenly in the cup filter.
• Press down firmly with the tamper (A11). Make sure the coffee is at the recommended dose level after tamping (see Figure 9). You may need to add some coffee. Correct tamping of the ground coffee is essential to obtain a good espresso. If tamped too firmly, the coffee will be delivered slowly and will be strong. If tamped too lightly, the coffee will be delivered quickly and will be weak. Barista Tips: Before inserting the portafilter in the machine, run a short flow of water through the coffee spout (A7). This will stabilize the temperature before the extraction.
• Remove any excess coffee from the rim of the portafilter and attach the portafilter to the machine (see Figure 5).
• Place one cup or two cups on the drip tray (A8) under the portafilter spouts. Use the small cup tray (A13) for smaller cups.

3.1 Coffee preparation temperature

The water temperature is controlled during the entire preparation process to ensure its stability during extraction. The machine has 3 infusion temperatures. The temperature effectively utilized will typically depend on the bean variety and the roast: Robusta beans require a lower temperature, and Arabica beans a higher temperature. The same applies for dark or light roasted beans respectively.

• Press the Infusion temperature button (B1) to set the desired infusion temperature level:

• Press the Espresso button (B6) or the 2x Espresso button (B5). The machine will make the coffee and delivery will automatically stop. While the machine is making coffee, delivery can be stopped at any time by pressing the button previously pressed.
• To remove the portafilter, shift the handle from right to left. To avoid splashes, never remove the portafilter while the machine is delivering coffee. Always wait for a few seconds after delivery.

Please note: It is recommended to warm the cups before making coffee: Rinse them with a little hot water, or else attach the portafilter (A14) to the machine with the cup filter (A15), (A15a), (A16) or (A16a) in place but without adding coffee, using the same cup that will be used to make the coffee, then press the Espresso button (B6) and deliver hot water into the cup to heat it.

3.2 Programming the quantities of coffee in the cup

The machine is set by default to automatically deliver standard quantities. To change these quantities, proceed as follows:

• Press the Espresso or 2x Espresso button and hold for at least 3 seconds, until the indicator light for the selected drink starts to blink, indicating that the machine is in programming mode.
• The coffee maker starts delivering coffee.
• When the desired quantity has been reached, press the Espresso or 2x Espresso button again: the quantity is programmed.

To restore the default quantities, see the instructions in section 5.4.

4. MAKING MILK BEVERAGES

4.1 Automatic steaming

• Fill a milk jug (A17) with fresh cold milk (between the MIN and MAX position). The milk will increase by up to triple in volume. For a denser, more consistent froth, refrigerated milk must be used (about 41°F / 5°C).
• Press the Milk temperature button (B4) to set the desired milk temperature:
  • (1) ? Min temperature (140°F / 60°C)
  • (1) ? Med temperature (149°F / 65°C) (default)
  • (1) ? High temperature (158°F / 70°C)
• Press the Froth level button (B7) to set the desired milk texture:
  • (1) ? LatteArt - Microfoam texture
  • (1) ? Fine texture
  • (1) ? Dense texture (default)
• Lift the steam wand (A5) in position "M" (see Figure 10) to make it easier to position the milk jug (A17) under the steam wand.
• Position the steam wand in position "A" (autosteaming). Turn the steam lever (A4) into position (see Figure 11).
• The 2x Espresso indicator light blinks. The machine starts making the froth and delivery stops automatically. Remove any milk residue from the steam wand with a soft damp cloth. Place the steam wand in the "OFF" position after each use to start automatic rinsing.

4.2 Manual steaming:

Please note: The milk froth and temperature setting cannot be selected for this function.

• Fill a milk jug (A17) with fresh cold milk (between the min and max position). The milk will increase by up to triple in volume. For a denser, more consistent froth, refrigerated milk must be used (about 41°F / 5°C).
• For manual frothing, place the steam wand in position "M" (manual steaming), place the milk jug under the steam wand and turn the steam lever into position (see Figure 12).
• To froth the milk, rest the steam wand on the surface of the liquid. This will allow air to mix with the milk and steam. Keep the steam wand in contact with the surface, taking care not to let in too much air and create excessively large bubbles.
• Immerse the steam wand below the surface of the milk, this creates a vortex in the liquid.
• During Manual steaming, the milk temperature indicator light will inform you when the milk temperature is reached (140°F - 149°F - 158°F / 60-65-70°C).
• Once the milk is heated to the desired temperature, turn the steam lever back to position OFF.
• Wait until the steam completely stops before removing the milk jug.
• Place the steam wand in the "OFF" position after each use to start automatic rinsing.

Barista tips: Fresh milk is recommended. Always use fresh milk straight from the fridge. For best results, always put the milk jug back in the fridge when not in use. Whole milk is recommended. The appearance and texture of froth depends on the nature of the dairy milk or vegetable beverages used. After frothing the milk, eliminate unwanted bubbles by swirling the jug gently.

Please note: During normal operation of the machine, some water will be discharged in the drip tray to ensure optimal performance. After every use, remove any milk residue from the steam wand with a soft damp cloth and place it in the "OFF" (auto clean) position. The appliance delivers water from the steam wand. A rinse is automatically performed when the appliance switches off if the steam wand is left in position "A" (autosteaming). If the wand is left in position "M" after steaming, the Espresso and 2x Espresso indicator lights will blink to inform you of the need to place the wand in the OFF position for automatic rinsing to be carried out.

5. SETTINGS MENU

Press and hold the Infusion temperature button (B1) and the Milk temperature button (B4) for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu. After a few seconds of inactivity, the machine automatically exits the menu. The Water tank indicator light (B2) and Descale indicator light (B3) blink.

The following settings will be saved after a few seconds, when the appliance automatically exits the settings menu.

5.1 Delay time between preinfusion and infusion

Increasing the delay changes the contact time between the water and the coffee, thus changing the flavor profile.

To set the delay time, press the Infusion temperature button (B1):

• ( No preinfusion delay
• (1 second (default)
• (2 seconds

5.2 Descale

To set the descale function, press the Espresso button (B6); the Descale indicator light (B3) blinks and the Espresso indicator light turns on. Press and hold the Espresso button (B6) for 3 seconds to start descaling (see instructions in the Descaling section).

If descaling is accidentally activated, it can be stopped by pressing and holding the Espresso button (B6) for at least 10 seconds.

5.3 Auto-off

To set the Auto-off time, press the Froth level button (B7):

• (5 minutes (default)
• (1.5 hours
• (3 hours

If the machine is in Auto-off mode, press any button on the control panel to turn the appliance on.

5.4 Default values

To reset the default values press the 2x Espresso button (B5); the indicator light blinks. Press and hold the 2x Espresso button (B5) for 3 seconds to reset all the settings.

All settings will be restored to the factory default.

5.5 Water hardness

To set one of the 3 water hardness levels, press the Milk temperature button (B4):

5.6 Measuring water hardness

The Descale indicator light (B3) comes on following a preset period of operation that depends on the water hardness setting. The machine can also be programmed according to the actual hardness of the local water supply, in which case descaling may be required less frequently.

• Remove the water hardness test indicator paper (A19) from its pack.
• Fully immerse the paper in a glass of water for one second.
• Remove the paper from the water and shake lightly. After about a minute, 1, 2, 3, or 4 red squares form, depending on the hardness of the water.

6. CLEANING

Important: Before servicing or cleaning the appliance, turn it off, unplug it from the mains socket and allow it to cool. Do not use solvents, abrasive detergents, or alcohol to clean the coffee machine. Do not use metal objects to remove encrustations or coffee deposits as they could scratch the metal or plastic surfaces. The drip tray, milk jug and small cup tray, are dishwasher safe. If the machine is not used for more than one week, before using it again, we strongly recommend running a rinse cycle.

The following parts of the machine must be cleaned and dried regularly:

• Drip tray (A8): the drip tray should be emptied and cleaned after each use or when the level indicator (red) rises through the metal grid. Remove the drip tray, empty the water and clean the drip tray with a cloth, dry and then reassemble the drip tray until you hear a 'click'.
• Cup filter (A15), (A16): After using the appliance, always rinse the filters under plenty of running water. Use the brush (A9) to clean (see Figure 13).
• Cup filters (A15a) (A16a): Extract the perforated filter by pulling the tab and rinse the filters under running water. Make sure the holes are not blocked. If necessary, clean with a needle (see Figure 13). Wipe dry with a cloth. Reposition the perforated filter in its seat and push fully home.
• Coffee spout (A7): After every 200 coffees, rinse the coffee spout by delivering about 16.9 fl oz / 0.51 of water from the coffee spout (press the Espresso button (B6) without using ground coffee).
• Water tank (A2): Clean the water tank regularly (about once a week) and whenever the water softener filter is replaced (if present), using a damp cloth and a little mild soap especially internally in the sensor area (see Figure 14); rinse with running water.
• Steam wand (A5): After every use, remove any milk residue from the steam wand with a soft damp cloth. Lift the steam wand and place it in the "OFF" (auto clean) position (see Figure 10). The appliance delivers water from the steam wand. Wait for the steam wand to cool down and free the hole of the nozzle with the cleaning needle (A10) (see Figure 15).

7. DESCALING

Before use, read the instructions and the labeling on the descaler pack. It is important to use only the De'Longhi descaler. Using an unsuitable descaler and/or performing descaling incorrectly may result in faults not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Descaler liquid could damage delicate surfaces. If the product is accidentally spilled, dry immediately.

• Descale the machine when the Descale indicator light (B3) turns on.
• Remove and empty the drip tray (A8), then reposition it in the machine.
• Empty the water tank (A2) (if present, remove the water softener filter).
• Pour the descaler into the water tank up to the level 'A' marked on the inside of the tank (corresponding to the contents of one 3.38 fl oz / 100 ml pack).
• Add water (33.81 fl oz / 1 liter) up to level 'B'. Now reposition the water tank in the machine.
• Make sure the portafilter (A14) is not attached and position a recipient under the hot coffee spout (A7) and steam wand (A5).
• Press and hold the Infusion temperature button (B1) and the Milk temperature button (B4) for 3 seconds.
• Press the Espresso button (B6); the Descale indicator light (B3) blinks and the Espresso indicator light turns orange.
• Press and hold the Espresso button (B6) for 3 seconds to start descaling. The indicator light (B6) starts blinking.
• The descale program starts and the descaler liquid comes out of the steam wand and coffee spout. The descale program removes limescale deposits from inside the appliance by automatically performing a series of rinses and pauses until the water tank is empty.
• Delivery stops and the Water tank indicator light (B2) turns on, the Espresso indicator light turns white.
• Empty and rinse the water tank.
• Fill the water tank to the MAX level with fresh water and empty the recipient used to collect the descaler solution, then put it back empty.
• Press the Espresso button (B6) to start the rinse cycle.
• When the rinsing process is over, the Descale indicator light (B3) turns off and descaling is complete; the appliance is ready to use.

Please note: If descaling is accidentally activated, it can be stopped by pressing and holding the Espresso button (B6) for at least 10 seconds.

8. TECHNICAL DATA

Voltage: 120V 60Hz

Input power: 1450W

Max. water tank capacity: 54.1 fl oz / 1.61 L

Size WxDxH: 8.15 x 13.62 x 12.91 in / 207 x 346 x 328 mm

Weight: 11.02 lbs / 5 kg

9. STATISTICS

This mode provides all statistical data.

• Make sure the machine is turned off.
• Press and hold the 2x Espresso button (B5) for 3 seconds and simultaneously press the On/Off switch (A6) to enter the Statistics settings.
• Press the following buttons to select the appliance's data:

9.1 Indicator light:

• (1) ? number of blinks to indicate units (from 1 to 9)
• (1) ? number of blinks to indicate tens (from 10 to 90 )
• Espresso
• (1) number of blinks to indicate hundreds (from 100 to 900 )
• 2xEspresso
• (1) number of blinks to indicate thousands (from 1000 to 9000 )
• (1) number of blinks to indicate tens of thousands (from 10000 to 90000 )

10. TROUBLESHOOTING