Hamilton Beach 2-Way FlexBrew 49976 Coffee Maker Manual

READ BEFORE USE
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• Fill reservoir with cup or travel mug of water into which the coffee will be brewed.
• Fully insert cup or travel mug on drip tray.
• Do not lift lid during the brewing process.
• If brew process is stopped early, the water must be drained from the unit. Place a large mug on drip tray/cup rest. Press the BREW NOW button. Failure to drain the unit can cause the next cup brewed to overflow.

How to Brew Single-Serve Ground Coffee

If overflow occurs, unplug and allow coffee maker to cool. To avoid hot coffee overflowing:

• Fill reservoir with cup or travel mug of water into which the coffee will be brewed.
• Fully insert cup or travel mug on drip tray.
• Remove single-serve pack holder before adding coffee grounds to brew basket.
• To avoid overflow, keep ground coffee below MAX fill line.
• Do not lift lid during the brewing process.
• If brew process is stopped early, the water must be drained from the unit. Place a large mug on drip tray/cup rest. Press the BREW NOW I/ button. Failure to drain the unit can cause the next cup brewed to overflow.

Cut Hazard. Piercing needle on underside of lid is sharp. Use caution when handling.

NOTES:

• Use only cold water in reservoir. Do not use hot water.
• Do not reheat coffee in the machine.
• Do not use creamer or nondairy creamer in reservoir.
• Do not use hot cocoa powder or mix in the brew basket.
• Coffee maker brews all the water added.
• If finer ground coffee is used, coffee will continue to drip after the light has gone off.
• Press the BREW NOW button again to STOP brewing midcycle. Remaining water must be removed. See warning statement above.
• If brew indicator light flashes three times, the lid is not closed. Lower lid until it clicks to lock. Press BREW NOW button.
• Do not brew coffee without brown removable brew basket and funnel in place.
• If you have sediment from the coffee, add a #1 paper cone coffee filter to the brown removable brew basket.
• Do not brew coffee without removable needle holder locked into place.

1. Plug into outlet.
2. Lift lid latch until lid clicks into place.
3. Insert funnel in opening. Open brew basket lid; then place brown removable brew basket on counter top.
   
   
4. Add ground coffee to brown removable brew basket (3 tablespoons [44 ml]) maximum.
   
   
5. Close brew basket lid. Place brew basket in funnel, aligning handle with funnel handle.
6. Close lid and snap in place to latch lid closed.
7. Lift water reservoir lid.
8. Fill cup or travel mug (14 oz/ 414 ml MAX) into which the coffee will be brewed and add water to the water reservoir.
   
   
9. Close water reservoir lid.
10. Use cup rest for a cup/mug OR remove cup rest for a travel mug.
11. Press BREW NOW button to start brewing. The brew indicator light will light up to show that coffee maker is brewing. The coffee maker will shut off automatically when brewing is complete.
12. Press BREW NOW button to turn off. Unplug.
13. Funnel and brew basket should be rinsed after every use.

How to Brew a Carafe

If filter basket overflow occurs, unplug coffee maker and allow coffee in filter basket to cool before removing filter basket. To avoid hot coffee overflowing:

• When using decaffeinated coffee, do not exceed the coffee manufacturer's recommended serving amount. Use only the carafe supplied with your unit or its exact replacement.

1. Plug into outlet.
2. Press the carafe button.
3. Lift the lid. Remove the carafe brew basket.
   
   
4. Place a paper coffee filter in the carafe brew basket. For each cup of coffee being made, place one level tablespoon (15 ml) of grounds into paper filter.
5. Place carafe brew basket back into carafe brew basket holder.
   
   
6. Fill carafe with up to 12 cups of cold water and pour into the carafe water reservoir.
7. Close lid.
8. Place carafe, with carafe lid attached, on warming plate.
9. Press BREW STRENGTH button to change strength to BOLD.
10. Press BREW NOW button to start brewing. The brew indicator light will light up to show that the coffee maker is on.
11. Press BREW NOW button to turn off. Unplug.
12. Carafe brew basket holder and carafe should be rinsed after every use.

AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF: shuts off the coffeemaker two hours after brew cycle begins.
NOTE: The unit will only brew on one side at a time.
PAUSE AND SERVE: To serve coffee during the brewing cycle, remove carafe and pour a cup. By removing the carafe, the flow of coffee from the bottom of the filter basket will stop.

The carafe must be replaced within 20 seconds of being removed to prevent overflow.

NOTES:

• BOLD mode will require additional time to complete a brewing cycle. Coffee maker remembers last brew option selected. If unplugged, coffee maker defaults to REGULAR.

Tips for Best-Tasting Coffee

• All coffees are made from either arabica beans or robusta beans, or some combination of both. Arabica beans are slightly more expensive, but tend to produce better-tasting coffee.
• Ground coffee will become stale much faster than whole beans. If buying preground coffee, choose a package with the latest expiration date or a smaller quantity.
• If grinding whole beans, set your coffee grinder on a fine/medium grind. This will yield the best-tasting grounds. Try to use freshly ground coffee within about a week of grinding.
• Using a water filter, filtered water, or bottled water will yield bettertasting coffee than tap water.
• Use approximately 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of grounds for each cup of coffee being made. To avoid overflow, use slightly less grounds (3/4 tablespoon [11.3 ml]) when brewing decaf or flavored coffees. Also, be aware that using coffee that is ground too finely may also cause the filter basket to overflow.
• Make sure your coffee maker is clean. See "Care and Cleaning" section.

Programming

For Carafe Side Only

NOTE: The unit will only brew on one side at a time. Single-serve side cannot be used while Carafe side is programmed.

1. Time must be set before coffee maker can be programmed. Press and pulse SET TIME button for correct hour in AM or PM. Wait 3 seconds. Pulse or hold to set minutes.
2. To program, press and hold PROG button. Start Time is visible in display and 19:99 flashes as default.
3. While continuing to hold PROG button, pulse SET TIME button to set desired brewing hour in AM or PM. Wait 3 seconds; minutes will flash. Pulse to set minutes. Release PROG button. Press and release PROG button again to activate automatic brew. PROG light will illuminate.

TIP: To check the start time, press and hold the PROG button. The time you set will be displayed and can be changed by repeating the steps above. Press PROG button to reactivate automatic brew and the light will illuminate.

Care and Cleaning

Shock Hazard. Do not immerse cord, plug, or coffee maker in any liquid.

Failure to allow coffee maker to cool down may cause hot water or coffee to spray from the piercing nozzle. Use caution when cleaning.

Cut Hazard. Removable single-serve pack holder has a sharp needle. Piercing needle on underside of lid also is sharp. Use caution when handling.

General Cleaning

1. Unplug and allow to cool.
2. Hand wash all removable parts in hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry or wash in TOP RACK only of dishwasher. DO NOT use the "SANI" setting when washing in the dishwasher. "SANI" cycle temperatures could damage your product.
3. Wipe outside of coffee maker with a soft damp cloth.

Clogged Needle

1. Unplug and allow to cool.
2. Remove the gray removable needle holder in the lid by turning the arrow from the locked icon to the unlocked icon .
   
   
3. Bend a small paper clip. Insert the tip of the paper clip through the hole of the piercing needle and up into the shaft of the piercing needle to ensure grounds have been removed.
4. To replace the gray removable needle holder, insert the tab between the lock icon and unlock icon and turn to the right to lock.

Routine Cleaning
All coffee makers should be cleaned at least once a month (once a week for areas with hard water).

To Clean Carafe Side:

1. Plug into outlet.
2. Press the carafe button.
3. Pour 1 pint (2 cups/473 ml) of plain white vinegar into the carafe water reservoir. Place carafe underneath to catch the vinegar.
4. Press the BREW NOW button once. After 30 seconds, press the BREW NOW button again to stop the brewing and allow the vinegar to clean. After 30 minutes, press BREW NOW button and allow it to finish the brew cycle. When brew cycle is finished, empty carafe and rinse. Run 2 to 3 cycles of cold tap water. The carafe side is cleaned and ready to brew coffee.
5. Unplug.

To Clean Single-Serve Side:

1. Plug into outlet.
2. Press the single-serve button.
3. Pour 1 cup (273 ml) of plain white vinegar into the single-serve water reservoir. Place a 14-oz. (414-ml) or larger cup or travel mug underneath to catch the vinegar.
4. Press BREW NOW button once. When solution starts dispensing, press BREW NOW button again to stop brewing and allow vinegar to clean. After 30 minutes, press BREW NOW button and allow it to finish brew cycle. When brew cycle is finished, empty cup and rinse. Run 2 to 3 cycles of cold tap water. The unit is cleaned and ready to brew coffee.
5. Unplug.

Troubleshooting

Single-Serve Side

Coffee maker will not brew/coffee not dispensing

• The piercing needle may be clogged. Always remove the gray removable needle holder. Clean piercing needle in the lid of the coffee maker.
• Mineral deposits have formed. Clean coffee maker following the directions in the Care and Cleaning section.
• Too little water. Need 6 oz. (177 ml) or more.

Coffee tastes bad

• Too much water was added or too much or too little ground coffee was added. Change the amount of water to coffee grounds or use less water with the coffee packs.
• Poor coffee quality and freshness.
• Poor water quality (use filtered or bottled water).

Coffee sediment in cup

• Try a more coarsely ground coffee or add a #1 paper cone coffee filter to single-serve brew basket. Make sure the hinged lid is closed on the removable single-serve brew basket.

Water on counter under unit

• Overfilled water reservoir. Do not add more than 14 ounces (414 ml) of water. Some mugs/cups do not pour cleanly and can dribble water down the side of the cup and onto the counter.

Control Panel Notifcations:

• CLEAN: Coffee maker needs to be cleaned.
• CLOSE LID: Coffee maker lid is not closed properly. Push lid down to lock into place.
• CLEAN: Coffee maker needs to be cleaned.
• NEEDLE: Needle is clogged. Always remove the gray removable needle holder and follow "Clogged Needle".
• H2O FIL: Not enough water. Add water to water reservoir.

Coffee overflows from brew basket

• Use removable brew basket with lid for ground coffee.
• Use a lesser amount of ground coffee. 3 tablespoons (44 ml) is the maximum amount of grounds to brew.
• When using whole bean coffee, a standard automatic drip coffee grind will yield best results. Be careful not to overgrind, since very finely ground coffee can cause overflow.
• Black seal around the needle in the removable needle holder is missing. Carefully place seal around needle and push until in place.

Coffee overflows from travel mug or regular mug

• To prevent coffee overflowing from a mug/travel mug, use the same mug/travel mug to brew into that was used to fill the water reservoir. Do not add more than 14 ounces (414 ml) of water. There may also be additional water in the system that is causing the overflow. Remove brew basket or single-serve pack holder. Press and hold the BREW NOW button to remove any remaining water.

Water remaining in reservoir.

• Added too much or too little water. Place cup or travel mug on drip tray. Remove single-serve pack and replace brew basket. Repeat brewing cycle. Press and hold the BREW NOW button to remove any remaining water.

Coffee single-serve pack bursts.

• There is variability in the single-serve pack manufacturing process which causes some types of single-serve packs to be weaker at the seams so the foil seal fails. Try a different brand.

Auto-start feature does not work with Single-Serve side.

• Auto-start feature is not designed to work with Single-Serve side. Program mode is for Carafe side only.

Carafe Side

Brew basket overflows or coffee brews slowly.

• Excessive amounts of ground coffee.
• Decaffeinated and/or coffee ground too finely can cause overflow. Use slightly less grounds when brewing decafeinated, flavored, or finely ground coffee. Or use medium ground coffee.
• Coffee maker needs cleaning. See Care and Cleaning.

If using a paper filter:

• Coffee grounds between paper filter and brew basket.
• Paper filter not open and in proper position.
• Rinse brew basket before inserting paper filter so the edges will remain pressed against the sides of the basket.
• Poor-quality paper filter.

Coffee leaks onto base.

• Carafe removed from warming plate for more than 20 seconds during the brewing cycle.

Coffee tastes bad.

• Coffee maker needs cleaning. See Care and Cleaning.
• Coffee ground too coarsely or too finely. Use medium ground coffee.
• Coffee-to-water ratio unbalanced. Adjust for personal preference.
• Poor coffee quality and freshness.
• Poor water quality. Use filtered or bottled water.

Coffee sediment in cup.

• Use a high-quality, basket-style paper filter instead of optional permanent coffee filter.

Coffee not brewing or unit will not turn on.

• Carafe not positioned on warming plate.
• Water reservoir is empty.
• Unit is unplugged.
• Power outage.
• Power surge. Unplug; then plug the unit back in.
• Clock requires reset after power outage.
• BREW NOW button was not pressed. Press the BREW NOW button.

Longer than normal brew time.

• Mineral deposits can build up in the pump of your coffee maker. Periodic cleaning of the inside of the unit is recommended. More frequent cleaning may be necessary, depending on the hardness of your water. See "Care and Cleaning" section.
  NOTE: Do not disassemble the unit.