Test:New-User

Machine Set-Up/New Users

There are some key differences in how Super-Automatic machines work in comparison to semi-automatic/manual units to be aware of before the first use. Having a working knowledge of the machine before using it will help ensure a satisfying experience, increase the longevity of the unit, and prevent possible issues/damage that can result from misuse. This information in this section will cover machine set up and basic use. To start, the video below provides five useful tips to help you understand your super-automatic machine:

Bean Compatibility

Before going into the set up of the machine it's best to review this topic because of its importance. The most important thing to understand about Super-Automatic machines is that they do not accept oily, caramelized, or flavored beans. The video below discusses what beans are compatible, and what beans are not:

First Time Use

The machine manual provides a thorough walk-through of the set-up of the unit, but there's so much information it can be mystifying. In this section we will walk you through the most important points of the machine setup.

Initial Setup/Priming

When the machine is first unpacked there are several things to consider before even powering the unit on. When first unpacking the unit you may notice water or grounds in the machine. This is normal as all machines are manufacturer tested before leaving the factory.

1. First, make sure all of the components are fully inserted into the machine.
2. If the machine came with an Intenza filter do not install it at this time. This should be installed after the machine has been fully primed and set-up.
3. Plug the machine directly into an outlet. Because this is a high power unit it should not be plugged into surge protectors, extension cords, or timers. The cord of the machine can be removed from the machine itself. Please make sure the cord is secure on the end attached to the machine.
4. Fill the water tank and firmly reinsert it.
5. Power the unit on. The machine should now go through an initial start-up/priming cycle. If the machine does not complete the priming cycle successfully make sure the Intenza filter is removed and the tank is firmly inserted. If the machine continues not to prime then the machine may need to be force primed. Contact Technical Support for more information if this happens -- force priming is normal and expected as the machines are drained to prevent leaking/freezing damage during shipping of the product.
6. Once the machine has completed the automatic priming you will want to manually prime the unit to ensure the system is properly filled with water. To do this activate the machine's hot water function and pull 3-4 oz. of liquid through. The machine should now be fully primed, proceed to the next section.

Beans/Grinder Set-Up

After the machine has been successfully primed it is important to set the grinder for initial use. The grinder fineness setting should only be adjusted while the grinder is running if it is being adjusted in the finer direction. The finer direction is indicated by smaller dots or lower numbers.

1. For initial use the grinder should be set to the coarsest grind setting, which will be the largest number/dot on the grinder knob. Once the dial is set you can add the beans in; make sure to only add dry beans as prescribed in the Bean Compatibility section.
2. Set the aroma to the maximum setting using the aroma adjustment button. This increases how much the grinder grinds each time. This will help the grinder mechanism fill with beans/grounds faster for the next step.
3. Next choose one of the brewing options. The first few shots of the machine may come out watery/weak -- this is to be expected since the beans need to feed into the grinder, and the bypass chamber needs to fill. Depending on the machine/type of bean used it can take up to 5-10 attempts.
4. Once shots are pouring through consistently then settings can be adjusted. Adjustments are covered in the next section.

Drink Adjustment

The machine is now ready to brew for drinks, but the startup settings may not match the drink you are trying to brew. For the demonstration purposes this section will walk through brewing a single shot espresso from the machine.

1. Set the machine to the three bean aroma setting using the aroma/preground button. This full aroma setting is typically best for espresso extraction, but can be lowered if the coffee is too strong.
2. Adjust the fineness dial down to the finest grind setting, which is the smallest dot on the unit. This adjustment must be done while the grinder is running. In order to do this press one of the brewing functions to activate the grinder. When you hear the grinder activate the knob can be turned. Turn the knob gradually to prevent jamming. If you cannot get the knob all the way down to the finest setting you can always run another shot to adjust further.
3. Most Super-Automatic machines come programmed to 1.5-2 oz. for the espresso option despite being single shot machines. For best results we suggest reprogramming the shot size to 1 oz. Shot sizes can be easily reprogrammed on this unit by pressing and holding the drink button you would like to reprogram. Hold the button for at least 5 seconds until the grinder activates and then let go. Use a measuring device to measure the liquid volume being dispensed. Once you have 1 oz. in the measuring device press the same brew option to stop the brewing and save the new amount.
4. One really important thing to consider for this machine is that it uses a smart grinder. Smart grinders make gradual adjustments to how the beans are ground and how much coffee is dosed each shot. After an adjustment is made the machine will typically take 10-15 shots for best results. The grinder will make gradual changes based on the new adjustment to improve the flavor of the coffee each time. For this same reason constant adjustments should not be made to the machine, as the smart grinder will not have enough time to respond to the adjustments.
5. The video below discusses how to adjust for other types of drinks. The general rule of thumb is that the more liquid volume passed through the grinds the coarser the grind should be set in order to get a balanced extraction.

Puck Consistency

A large misconception is that super-automatic machines should have a dry coffee puck after the machine is finished brewing. While this is true of other styles of espresso machine, this is not true of a super-automatic unit. Super-automatic machines utilize heat and pressure as part of the brewing process, which is key to espresso brewing. The machine achieves this through a device called a brew unit. The brew unit uses a similar but different brewing process to a semi-automatic or prosumer style machine. As a result the pucks will not always come out firm and dry. They may come out muddy or broken. This is perfectly normal; the machine will still produce a good extraction that contains crema and tastes good.

Bypass Doser

If you plan on using the bypass doser function on the machine to brew with pre-ground coffee there are a few things to consider for the best brewing experience:

1. The bypass doser will only accept 8-9 grams of coffee at a time. The scoop that comes with the machine is merely for transferring coffee grinds, it is not a measurement tool. To prevent overfilling the bypass doser we suggest using a level scoop, and then taking a large pinch out of it. A little bit less than a full scoop is the perfect amount.
2. Make sure to use the aroma button to activate the preground mode before beginning the brew, otherwise the machine will also grind coffee, which will result in too much coffee going into the brew unit and the machine will abort the brew.
3. If the coffee is ground too coarsely the resulting shot is going to taste sour, weak or watery. Coarsely ground coffee also does not compact well, so the machine may dump the coffee if the grind is to coarse. Coffee ground for espresso should be slightly finer than table sugar or sand.
4. Alternatively it is also possible to have coffee that is ground too fine. Extremely fine grinds can result in little or no flow from the machine, and very bitter shots. Coffee that is ground too finely can cause blockages in the system that can only be resolved through deep cleaning or a repair.

Do not add whole beans, or entire bags of preground coffee into this chamber. It can cause irreversible damage to the machine's brewing assembly.

One useful trick the the bypass function allows for is that you can do a quick rinse of the brew circuit by simply running a bypass cycle and not adding any preground coffee. This will let plain water flow through the brew circuit which will remove old coffee flavors, oils, and grounds. You may want to do this if you've recently switched beans to remove some of the old flavors.

Brew Unit/Pump Noises

When Super-Automatic machines are in operation the brew unit will make a few different noises which are normal. The brew unit will make several loud clicking noises through the duration of the brewing cycle. These loud clicking noises are perfectly normal and will not harm the machine. The brew unit function is monitored by sensors to prevent it from being overloaded, so it cannot break itself apart.

The brew unit can also make squeaking noises during its operation. The squeaking could be from o-rings sealing on the brew unit, or the brew unit parts sliding along the tracks. If you are hearing more squeaking than normal it may be a sign that the brew unit needs to be cleaned and lubricated. Some squeaking is also normal on very new units as there are o-rings/seals that need some time to wear in.

When the pump of the machine activated for brewing, refilling, and hot water dispensing it is going to make a loud humming noise. The machine utilizes a vibration style pump. This style pump produces high pressures despite being compact. The pump achieves this through rapid vibration of internal parts, which produces a loud humming noise.

Mavea Intenza Filter

Once set-up has been fully completed the filter can be installed. Installing the filter beforehand could cause the machine to become vapor locked and require manual priming. Follow the instructions on the filter packaging before installing it. The instructions will indicate the filter needs to be activated by soaking in water before it is installed. If the machine gives a priming error when the filter is installed simply remove the filter and soak in warm water upside down for at least an hour and then reinstall it.