KEURIG K-Café Essentials Single Serve Coffee User Guide

KEURIG K-Café Essentials Single Serve Coffee

Get the most from your new Keurig® coffee maker

Button Overview

How to Froth Like a Pro: A few simple tips to help ensure a fantastic frothing experience every time.

Fresher is Better
Using fresh milk delivers the richest, frothiest foam possible. Opened milk will still froth, but may lose effectiveness over time as the fats inside break down.

Milk Matters
Different types of milk produce different results. Depending on which milk you use, here’s what you can expect:

•  Fat-Free/Skim Milk: Easy to froth, it creates a light, airy foam.
•  2% Milk: Easy to foam like skim milk, but with a creamier consistency.
•  Whole Milk: Higher fat content creates the richest-tasting foam.
•  Lactose-Free Milk: Less reliable, due to its different properties.
•  Dairy Alternatives: Results will vary depending on type; loses its bubbles quicker than dairy milk.

Not All Brands Are the Same
Even individual brands of milk can froth differently, so experiment with different brands to see what works best.

Before You Brew

Plug & Place
Remove the packing tape from the coffee maker. Plug into an outlet. Place a large mug on the drip tray.

Rinse & Fill
Remove the water reservoir lid, then lift the reservoir straight up to remove it. If you have a Keurig® Water Filter (sold separately), install it now. Refer to your Water Filter Starter Kit for instructions. Rinse the reservoir with fresh water and fill it to the MAX FILL line. Replace the water reservoir, making sure the tank is seated properly in the base. Replace lid.
NOTE: Do not use distilled water.

Clean the Frother
Remove the lid and whisk from inside the frother. Wash the interior of the frother, and lid, and whisk with warm, soapy water. Dry all parts thoroughly using a soft, nonabrasive
cloth, then reassemble.
NOTE: Frother is not dishwasher safe. Do not submerge the frother in water. Only use nonabrasive cleaning materials to prevent damage to the inner surface of the frother. Dry the interior of the frother and base with a soft cloth after cleaning.

Lift & Lower 
Lift and lower the handle. Do not insert a K-Cup® pod. The coffee maker will power on automatically.

Cleansing Brew
The cup sizes will blink. Press the 8 oz button to start a cleansing brew. Pour the hot water into the sink. Do not remove the water reservoir or lift the handle once the brew button has been pressed until the brew ha completed. The one-time setup process is now complete, and you are ready to brew!

Make Your First Latte

1. Froth Milk
   Remove the lid and add milk to the MAX line marked in the frother (for cappuccino, fill to MIN line). Replace the lid and place the frother on the frother base. Press the power button on the frother. The button will illuminate while heating – up to three minutes. Frothing is complete when the button flashes and then turns off
   CAUTION : Frother is not microwave or dishwasher safe.
   NOTE: Do not under or overfill frother. Do not operate before adding milk.

2. Queue Your Brew
   While frothing, lift the handle of your coffee maker and place a K-Cup® pod in the K-Cup® pod holder. Lower the handle completely to close the lid, then place a mug on the drip tray. The brew selections will blink. Press the SHOT* button. When frothing is completed, the shot will automatically brew next.
   NOTE: The coffee maker cannot brew coffee and froth milk at the same time.
   CAUTION: While brewing, there is extremely hot water in the K-Cup® pod holder. To avoid injury, do not lift the handle during the brewing process. Do not remove the foil lid on the K-Cup® pod before brewing. Can also queue any cup size, but SHOT is recommended for coffeehouse beverages.

3. Create Your Latte
   When a shot is complete, remove the K-Cup® pod and recycle it (see instructions above). K-Cup® pods are recyclable in select locations; they may not be recyclable in your area. Remove the frother from the base. Remove the lid and pour the frothed milk over your shot of coffee.
   NOTE: Clean the frother immediately after use. For cleaning instructions, see the Caring For Your Cofee Maker section in this guide

Why Queue Your Brew
Since the coffee maker and frother cannot run at the same time, queueing your brew allows you to set up frothing and coffee brewing so they automatically run back-to-back.

Coffee Maker Features

STRONG BREW
For a bolder, more intense cup. Select STRONG before or after your cup size is selected. Cannot be used with the SHOT button.

FAST & FRESH-BREWED
Coffee made in minutes.

BACK-TO-BACK BREWING
Immediately brew a second cup; no need to wait for reheating.

TRAVEL-MUG FRIENDLY
Accommodates travel mugs up to 18.4 cm (7.25”) tall.

SIMPLE BUTTON CONTROLS
Just insert any K-Cup® pod and use the button controls to brew a delicious cup.

MAINTENANCE ALERT

Reminds you to descale after every 250 brews. To DISABLE DESCALE notifications: Power off the coffee maker and press and hold the 10 oz and 12 oz buttons for three seconds. STRONG will illuminate to confirm that alerts have been disabled. To turn maintenance alerts back on, repeat the same steps; SHOT will illuminate to confirm that alerts are enabled.

NOTE: Regular descaling enhances the taste of your coffee and the long- term performance of your coffee maker; it is highly recommended to continue this practice even if alerts are turned off.

COMPATIBLE WITH THE MY K-CUP® UNIVERSAL REUSABLE COFFEE FILTER
Brew your own ground coffee (sold separately).

AUTO OFF
Automatically turns your coffee maker off five minutes after the last brew for energy savings, but will be ready to brew as soon as it is powered on again.

HIGH ALTITUDE
To ensure your coffee maker works properly at higher altitudes (1,500 metres/5,000 feet), please enable the High Altitude Brewing Mode on your coffee maker.

1.  Begin with the coffee maker plugged in and powered off.
2.  Press and hold the STRONG button and 10 oz button for three seconds. The 12 oz button will illuminate to confirm that the High Altitude Brewing Mode has been enabled.
3.  High Altitude Mode will remain enabled until steps 1-2 are repeated; the 12 oz light will turn on and the 8 oz light will turn on to confirm that the High Altitude Brewing mode is disabled.

HIGH ALTITUDE BREWING
While holding the coffee maker handle up, push down slowly on the K-Cup® pod in the pod holder until the bottom of the K-Cup® pod is punctured by the exit needle.

Caring For Your Coffee Maker
Regular cleaning keeps your coffee maker running smoothly. Always be sure to turn off and unplug your coffee maker before cleaning.

Coffee Maker Exterior Keep your Keurig® coffee maker looking its best by cleaning the exterior from time to time. Just clean with a damp, soapy, lint- free, nonabrasive cloth. Never immerse the coffee maker in water or other liquids.

Drip Tray
The drip tray overflow should be emptied and cleaned occasionally. To remove, lift up the coffee maker base, keeping it level to avoid spilling. Rinse and clean with a damp,
soapy, lint-free, nonabrasive cloth. Handwash only.

Water Reservoir The water reservoir should be cleaned periodically by wiping the inside of the reservoir and the underside of the lid with a damp, nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. Do not dry
the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain. Allow the reservoir to dry completely. Hand-wash only.

Caring for Your Frother Clean immediately after each use and before first use.
To Clean

1.  Remove the frother from the base, remove the silicone ring from the lid and remove the whisk from inside the frother.
2.  Wash the silicone ring, and lid, and whisk with warm, soapy water.
3.  Clean the interior of the frother with soap and rinse with warm water. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge to prevent damaging the inner coating.
4.  Wipe the exterior with a soft, damp cloth.
5.  Dry all parts thoroughly and reassemble for next use.

Note: Frother is not dishwasher safe. Do not submerge the frother in water. Only use nonabrasive cleaning materials to prevent damage to the inner surface of the frother.

K-Cup® Pod Holder

Remove the K-Cup® pod holder from the coffee maker, lift the handle and grasp the top of the K-Cup® pod holder with one hand while pushing up on the bottom of the K-Cup® pod holder from underneath with the other until it releases. After cleaning, align the K-Cup® pod holder with the opening, using the two front ribs as a guide, and snap it into place from the top.

Funnel
Washing the funnel ensures a fresh beverage experience. The funnel is removed from the K-Cup® pod holder by pulling on it until it pops off. To replace it, orient the snaps to the indent and just snap it back onto the K-Cup® pod holder.

Exit Needle
Remove the pod holder assembly and detach the funnel. Locate the exit needle on the inside bottom of the K-Cup® pod holder. Insert a straightened paper clip into the exit needle to loosen any coffee grounds.

Entrance Needle
Lift the coffee maker handle and locate the entrance needle on the underside of the lid. To clean the holes in the needle, hold the coffee maker handle in the upward position; with your other hand, carefully insert a straightened paper clip into all the holes. Gently move it around to loosen any coffee grounds. Lower the handle completely and run a cleansing brew two times. Do not insert a K-Cup® pod.

Regular Maintenance

For great-tasting coffee, keep your coffee maker running at peak performance by following the recommended maintenance schedule:

To turn off Descale notification, follow the full descaling procedure as outlined in this guide. If the coffee maker has been in storage or hasn’t been used in days, run a cleansing brew before brewing your beverage. Periodically hand-wash the water reservoir and lid and drip tray with warm, soapy water and rinse clean.
CAUTION: Parts are not dishwasher safe.
NOTE: Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.

Descaling Procedure

Note: The full descaling procedure must be completed to turn off the Descale light. To opt-out of descale notifications, see instructions under Coffee Maker Features.
You will need A large ceramic mug (296 ml/ 10 oz minimum), fresh water, Keurig® Descaling Solution, and access to a sink. Do not use a paper cup. Ensure that there is no beverage pod in the K-Cup® pod holder. The descaling procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.

STEP 1: Prepare the Coffee Maker
Pour the entire bottle of Keurig® Descaling Solution into the empty water reservoir. Then fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the water reservoir. Do not insert a K-Cup® pod. Place a large mug on the drip tray.

STEP 2: Descaling the Coffee Maker
To activate Descale Mode, begin with the coffee maker plugged in and powered off, then press and hold the 8 oz and 12 oz buttons together for three seconds. When flashing, press the 12 oz button to start the descaling process. Once the brew is complete, pour the hot liquid into the sink. Continue to brew until the ADD WATER light illuminates.

STEP 3: Fresh Water Rinse
Empty and rinse the water reservoir and refill to the MAX fill line with fresh water. When flashing, press the 12 oz button to start the rinsing process. Once the brew is complete, pour the hot liquid into the sink. Continue to brew until the DESCALE notification turns off. The coffee maker has now exited Descale Mode and is ready for use!NOTE: The cleaning action of Keurig® Descaling Solution may result in a “foam” dispensed from the coffee maker. This is natural, as the solution is reacting with the scale inside. For a coffee maker that is heavily scaled, the coffee maker may not fill properly after the descaler is added. If this occurs, you may see only a small or no output dispensed, followed by the sound of air blowing out. If this occurs:

•  Turn off and unplug the coffee maker.
•  If there is Keurig® Descaling Solution in the water reservoir, discard the contents, rinse the water reservoir thoroughly, and refill it with water.
•  Plug the coffee maker back in, power on, and repeat the Step 3 Fresh Water Rinse cycle.

The coffee maker should begin to function normally as the solution is rinsed out and the scale is removed. If the problem persists, allow the coffee maker to sit unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing with the rinse.

Troubleshooting

•  If you are brewing coffee, you will not be able to use the frother at the same time. Wait until your brew has been completed before pressing the frother button.
•  For best froth performance, be sure the whisk is seated properly on the post in the bottom of the frother.
•  Some separation of milk and froth can occur, especially if the froth is not poured right away. Pour the milk and scoop the froth into your beverage with a spoon if needed.
•  If you are not satisfied with how your milk is frothing, please reference the How to Froth Like a Pro section of this guide for helpful hints. If you are still unsatisfied with your milk froth, please call Customer Service.
•  If you are frothing the same milk twice, you may experience a shorter froth time, as the milk will have already reached the target temperature.
•  If your milk frother is overflowing, be sure you are filling below the MAX fill line inside the frother.
•  If your milk frother is scalding or burning the milk, be sure you are filling above the MIN fill line inside the frother. Additionally, be sure to clean residual milk at the bottom of the frother after each froth to avoid scalded milk.
• If the milk frother is not turning on, unplug your coffee maker, wait 30 seconds, plug back in, and try again. If it still does not work, call Customer Service.

Note: Froth time will vary depending on the temperature of the milk.

Grounds in Your Coffee
Grounds may have gathered in the exit or entrance needles and can be cleaned using a straightened paper clip or similar tool.

•  Clean the exit needle of the K-Cup® pod holder. Refer to the exit needle care instructions.
•  Clean the coffee maker entrance needle. Refer to the entrance needle care instructions.
• For optimal enjoyment and to limit grounds in your cup during hot water brews or when transitioning from brewing a coffee pod to a non-coffee pod (e.g., tea or cocoa), clean the exit and entrance needles per the instructions provided and perform two cleansing brews.

The coffee Maker Will Not Brew

•  The water must be at a minimum level to brew. Add water to the MAX line, open and close the handle, and try to brew again.
•  Lift up and replace the reservoir to ensure a secure fit on the base. Brewing a Partial Cup
•  Unplug and plug the coffee maker back in. Remove and replace the water reservoir, ensuring a proper fit on the base.
•  Clean the K-Cup® pod holder and unclog the needles, following the K-Cup® pod holder care instructions.
•  The coffee maker may need to be descaled. If you have repeated the descaling procedure on your coffee maker two times and it is still only brewing a partial cup, contact Customer Service.

Helpful Hints
Water quality varies greatly. If you notice an undesirable taste in your beverage (such as chlorine or mineral tastes), we recommend using bottled or filtered water. Do not use distilled water.

Service
Beyond these recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures, this coffee maker is not user serviceable. For service, please refer to the Warranty section of this guide.

Storage
Empty the water reservoir before storing or transporting and take care to ensure that you store your coffee maker in a safe and frost-free environment. When you prepare to use it after storage, we recommend rinsing the water reservoir with fresh water and descaling the coffee maker as detailed in the Descaling Procedure section. If you plan to move your coffee maker to a different location, turn the coffee maker off, unplug it, and empty the water reservoir. If your coffee maker has been in an environment below freezing, please be sure to let it warm to room temperature for at least two hours before using it.

Click or Call!

• If the coffee maker still doesn’t have power, contact Customer Service.

Have Questions?
We’re here to help. Visit support.keurig.ca for step-by-step videos on cleaning, descaling, and more.

Still, Need Help?
Give us a call at 1-800-361-5628

Warranty

LIMITED ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig) warrants that your coffee maker will be free of defects in materials or workmanship under normal home use for one year from the date of purchase. It is recommended that you register your coffee maker on keurig.ca/welcome so that your purchase information will be stored in our system. Keurig will, at its option, repair or replace a defective coffee maker without charge upon receipt of proof of the date of purchase. If a replacement coffee maker is necessary to service this warranty, the replacement coffee maker may be new or reconditioned. If a replacement coffee maker is sent, a new limited one-year warranty will be applied to the replacement coffee maker.
This warranty only applies to coffee makers operated in the United States and Canada. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state and, in the case of Canada, from province to province.

Only the use of Keurig® K-Cup® brand pods and accessories will guarantee the proper functioning and lifetime of your Keurig® coffee maker. Any damage to or malfunction of your coffee maker resulting from the use of non-Keurig® pods and accessories may not be covered by this warranty or may result in a service fee if the damage or malfunction is determined to be caused by such use.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE LIMITED WARRANTY?
THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SUCH AS PROPERTY DAMAGE AND DOES NOT COVER INCIDENTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, EVEN IF FORESEEABLE. Some states or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you depending on the state or province of purchase.
Nor does this warranty cover damages caused by use of non-Keurig® pods or accessories, services performed by anyone other than Keurig or its authorized service providers, use of parts other than genuine Keurig® parts, or external causes such as abuse, misuse, inappropriate power supply, or acts of God.

OTHER LIMITATIONS THIS WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IS IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL. IN ADDITION, KEURIG HEREBY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO YOUR KEURIG® COFFEE MAKER, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Some states or provinces do not allow disclaimers of such implied warranties or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you depending on the state or the province of purchase.

HOW DO YOU OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE?
Keurig® coffee makers are high-quality appliances and, with proper care, are intended to provide years of satisfying performance. However, should the need arise for warranty servicing, simply call Keurig Customer Service at our toll- free phone number 1-800-361-5628? Please do not return your coffee maker for servicing without first speaking to Keurig Customer Service to obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Keurig® coffee makers returned without an RMA number will be returned to the sender without servicing.

KCafé Essentials
SINGLE-SERVE COFFEE, LATTE & CAPPUCCINO MAKER

•  Handle
•  K-Cup® Pod Holder Assembly
•  Drip Tray Plate
•  Drip Tray
•  Drip Tray Base
•  Milk Frother
•  Frother Whisk
•  Frother Lid
•  Water Reservoir
•  Water Reservoir Lid
•  Frother Base

DOUBLE YOUR FIRST PURCHASE OF 48 K-CUP® PODS
Register your coffee maker and receive a coupon code by email for 2 boxes of 24 K-Cup® pods FREE with an equal or greater value purchase. Restrictions apply. keurig.ca/welcome

Have questions?
We’re here to help. Visit support.keurig.ca for troubleshooting videos, maintenance recommendations, and the full Use & Care Guide.
Still, need help? Give us a call at 1-800-361-5628. Visit keurig.ca/appliances/register-brewer for more information.

References

• Register your Coffee Maker | Keurig CA
• Explore our beverage products | Shop now | Keurig.ca
• Keurig Support
• Discover our coffee makers and K-Cup® pods | Keurig.ca

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