"Way too much coffee. But if it weren't for the coffee, I'd have no identifiable personality whatsoever." ~David Letterman
Every time you brew coffee there is residual coffee left behind inside the machine. The Blank Shot allows you to remove any residual coffee and flush the machine with hot water quickly and efficiently.
Locate the Pre-ground coffee option button on your espresso machine. For Example, the Saeco Incanto Sirius uses the bottom-middle touch switch for this option, by pressing until the Pre-ground coffee option is displayed. (left)
Do not place any coffee in the PreGround coffee shute.
Using any of the three brew keys (Small Shot, Medium Shot, Café Crema shot), brew 1oz.
Brew Group Rinsing and Maintenance
TIP: Every three to six months, it may be necessary to lubricate the brew group with the brew group maintenance kit, it keeps all moving parts moving freely and squeak free! Available in our Accessories section.
The quality of your coffee and the condition of your Espresso Machine are affected by the brew group. Keeping your brew group clean and lubricated will yield only the finest results from your SuperAutomatic.
Open the door on your espresso machine. Door release button is generally on the left hand side.
Remove the Drip Tray & Dump Box. Place a paper towel in place of the drip tray to catch any coffee debris that may drop from the brew group prior to removing the brew group.
Remove the brew group from your machine by pressing on the black tab (on the brew group) and pulling outwards from the machine. Rinse the brew chamber under warm water in a sink. Wipe brew screens (steel) with paper towel or wash cloth to remove residual coffee oils.
Run warm water through the brew chamber and across the brew head. Locate your brew group "key" for the next step.
Place your finger on the brew head while turning counter-clockwise to remove brew screen. Clean Brew Screen with paper towel.
Return screen to brew group. Do not over tighten the brew screen. When you feel any resistance, stop and remove the brew group key from the brew group.
Using and Cleaning your Steam Wand
Clearing the Steam Wand: Choose a suitable frothing receptacle (like a frothing jug) or you may froth directly into your cup. Before you begin frothing, expel any residual water into an unused cup to avoid a watery beverage. When steam flows from the wand, close the steam wand.
Before using your steam wand, it is a good idea to have:
- Unused Cup
- Frothing Jug
(optional)
- Paper Towels
- Thermometer
(optional)
Steaming/Frothing Milk: Froth / Steam your milk prior to brewing your coffee / espresso. This keeps your beverage hot. To begin steaming, raise your frothing jug (or) cup to the steam wand and immerse steam wand in your receptacle. Turn Steam Knob to the open (on) position. To heat milk, lower wand into receptacle (almost all the way to the bottom) and move the receptacle around. If you have a thermometer handy, do not exceed 172 degrees or your milk will scald. To Froth, move the wand towards the top of the receptacle, but not outside of the receptacle (you do not want to get hot milk on you). When finished steaming / frothing, brew your espresso / coffee and pour into your cup.
CLEAN YOUR WAND: Fill an unused cup 2/3 full of water from a faucet. Press the "Steam/Hot Water" button on your machine to switch from steaming to hot water. Immerse your steam wand into the cup of water and open the steam knob. Wait about 15 seconds, or until there is no obvious sign of steam being expelled from the wand. Remove cup and wipe steam wand with a wash cloth or a paper towel. CAREFUL: Steam Wand is Very Hot. If you do not clean your steam wand after using it, milk will dry inside your wand and cause your steam wand to fail. This could cause severe damage to the machine. Always rinse steam wand after even light usage. This procedure only takes a few moments to complete.
Cleaning your Drip Tray and Emptying your Dreg Drawer
Each Time you must empty the dreg drawer, empty the drip tray. It should be filled with water after so many extractions!
Your machine will let you know when it is time to empty the dreg drawer. The dreg drawer is the compartment located inside your espresso machine which contains the used coffee grounds.
Start by pressing the button on the side of the machine to release the door panel.
Remove the drip tray and dump box by lifting slightly upward and pulling outward (towards you).
Rinse drip tray with soapy water and scrub lightly.
Dry drip tray and empty dregs in the dreg drawer (the spent coffee grounds). Rinse the dreg drawer.
Return dreg drawer to the drip tray (or inside back inside the machine for some models). A folded paper towel keeps spent coffee grounds dry. Place paper towel at the bottom of the dreg drawer.
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