1. Before First Use & Initial Setup

Before brewing your first cup, it is important to understand how your Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine ( coffee makers with coffee grinders) arrives from the factory and how to prime its internal components.

1. Factory Settings Notice

Grind Size Setting: Out of the box, the built-in grinder is set to its coarsest setting ("-"). You will need to adjust this to achieve the ideal fine grind required for rich espresso extraction.

2. Initial Setup & Priming Cycle

Can you use this machine directly for the first time? Yes, but it is highly recommended to perform a quick initial priming cycle to flush out manufacturing and packaging residues.

2. Initial Setup & Priming Cycle

Critical Caution

You must remove the yellow plug located at the bottom of the water tank before use. If skipped, the water tank will not feed water, and the low water warning icon will illuminate.

Unpack & Prep Steps

1

Fill the Tank

Fill the 1.0L water tank with fresh, room-temperature drinking water past the minimum line to prevent the low-water indicator from buzzing. Make sure it does not exceed the "MAX" mark.

2

Install Components

Insert the drip tray, water tank, and milk container. Push firmly until you hear a distinct "click", confirming they are securely locked in.

3

Insert the Brewing Unit

Place the brewing unit into the right-side brew chamber and press down the tamping lever.

4

Power On & Thermal Preheating

Plug in the power cord and press the Power button. The advanced PID and NTC thermal system will begin an initial 40-second preheating cycle, during which the machine icon blinks. Once the indicator light stops blinking and remains steady, the system is safe and ready to brew.

5

Flush & Final Rinse

Place a cup under the brewing unit spout and insert the steam wand into the cup. Run the Hot Water and Milk Froth functions in sequence (repeat this several times) to clear out internal piping. Afterwards, rinse the brewing unit under the tap.

Water Selection Guide

✓ Best Choice

Use filtered tap water or still mineral water with moderate hardness. Balanced mineral content protects flavor and minimizes limescale.

✕ Avoid

Distilled or demineralized water (leads to flat-tasting coffee), sparkling water (contains CO₂), or highly hard tap water (causes severe scale buildup).

3. Customizing Your Grind & Dosage Settings

To get the perfect professional-quality extraction, you must actively adjust the grind size and timing based on the roast level and freshness of your coffee beans.

1. Adjusting the 6-Gear Conical Burr Grinder

The built-in conical burr grinder produces uniform particles while generating minimal heat, preserving the coffee's natural aroma.

• Turn the dial toward "-" for a coarser grind.
• Turn the dial toward "+" for a finer grind.

2. Adjusting Ground Coffee Quantity (Target Dose: ~13g)

Quick Customization: Long-press the "Grind" button to automatically set a new default duration based on your preference.

Precise Adjustment Mode:

1. In standby mode, press and hold the "Grinding" and "Power" buttons together for 3 seconds until you hear a "beep".
2. Press the "Espresso" button to decrease grinding time or the "Lungo" button to increase it. Each press changes the time by 0.5 seconds (up to a maximum of 60 seconds).
3. Tap the "Grinding" button once to confirm, and tap again to start. The machine will remember this setting.

 Coffee & Milk Outlet Temperature & Volume

Default Temperatures & Adjustable Ranges by Function

	Function / Mode	Operational Sequence / Parameters	Target Ranges & Specifications
1	Cappuccino	Dispenses milk first, then coffee Milk Volume: ≥ 120 ml Coffee Volume: 40 - 60 ml	In-Cup Milk Temp: 45 - 65°C In-Cup Coffee Temp: 65 - 80°C
2	Latte	Dispenses coffee first, then milk Milk Volume: ≥ 130 ml Coffee Volume: 50 - 70 ml	In-Cup Milk Temp: 45 - 65°C In-Cup Coffee Temp: 65 - 80°C
3	Hot Milk	Dispenses milk only Milk Volume: ≥ 120 ml	In-Cup Milk Temp: 45 - 65°C
4	Single Espresso	Coffee Volume: 30 - 50 ml	In-Cup Coffee Temp: 65 - 80°C
5	Espresso Lungo	Coffee Volume: 60 - 90 ml	In-Cup Coffee Temp: 65 - 80°C
6	Americano	Coffee Volume: 140 - 160 ml	In-Cup Coffee Temp: 65 - 80°C
7	Grinder Mode	Default Dose Weight: 13g	Grinding profile preset
8	Hot Water Mode	Outlet Water Temp: 82 - 92°C Water Output Volume: ~130 - 150 ml	Hot water dispensing

4. Step-by-Step Coffee Making Guide

1

Grinding

Place the brewing unit funnel on top of the brewing unit, position it under the grinder on the left, and tap the Coffee Grinding button.

Pro Tip: After grinding, lightly tap the left side of the machine so loose grounds fall in. Shake gently to distribute evenly.

2

Tamping

Insert the brewing unit into the right-side brew chamber and press down the coffee tamping lever. You will feel distinct pressure and hear a "click."

3

Setting Up Milk (For Lattes & Cappuccinos)

Fill the container with whole milk and lock the lid. Insert the assembly at a slight angle into the right side port until it clicks, then rotate it into place. Adjust foam volume via the top knob.

4

Brewing

Place your cup on the drip tray below the spout and tap your desired beverage program. The 15-bar electromagnetic pump and heating system will automate extraction.

Expected Beverage Volumes & Profiles

Single Espresso

30–45g

Double Espresso

60–90g

Americano

140–160g

Latte Coffee

40–50g coffee + 150ml milk
(50°C–70°C Milk Temp)

Cappuccino

50–60g coffee + 150ml milk

5. Understanding Normal Operational Behaviors

Wet Coffee Pucks or Standing Water

When you adjust to a finer grind, fewer grounds come out automatically. Lower powder volume in the filter leaves extra space for residual water to collect rather than being fully purged by pressure release.

Pro Tip to Fix Wet Pucks

Simply press the grinding button again to add more coffee grounds. Filling the chamber properly prevents water from pooling on top.

Tight Tamping Lever

A tighter pull indicates that the manual tamping mechanism is sealing firmly against the coffee bed for maximum extraction pressure.

Delay Before Milk Foam

A brief delay before frothing is normal—the internal thermoblock is ramping up to steam-level temperatures.

6. Maintenance, Warnings & Descaling

1. Standard Warnings

• Lower Tamping Lever Warning: Indicated when the lever is up or improperly pressed. Lower it fully.
• Insufficient Water Warning: Flashes when the tank is low. If this occurs mid-brew, the machine finishes the current cup first.

2. How to Descale the Machine

The descaling indicator illuminates when cumulative water usage reaches ~15 liters.

1. Fill Tank: Add water and descaling solution according to instructions.

2. Launch Cycle: In standby mode, hold "Espresso" + "Americano" together for 5 seconds.

3. Auto-Flush: The cycle runs ~10 minutes (using ~2L water). Do not interrupt or unplug during this process.

3. Daily Cleaning

• Brewing Unit: Eject the puck, rinse under running water, and clear hidden residue.
• Grinder: Never wash the bean hopper with water.
• Milk System: Flush container and rod with clean water after each use.
• Factory Reset: Press "Hot Water" + "Grinding" together for 3 seconds in standby.

FAQs

1. Why Aren't the Milk Coffee Options Showing Up on the Display Screen When I Want to Make a Milk-based Drink?

This occurs because the milk container is not properly installed. Make sure to insert the milk container assembly at a slight angle into the right-side port, push firmly, and confirm it is securely locked into place. Once detected, the milk beverage options will illuminate.

2. What Does the Flashing Red Icon Shaped Like a "Measuring cup" or "Funnel" on the Screen Mean?

This is the Brewing Unit & Tamping Lever Indicator:

• Flashing: The brewing funnel or the tamping lever is not lowered and locked into place. For safety reasons, coffee extraction and hot water functions are disabled while this icon flashes (the buzzer will sound for 1 second each time the status changes).
• Off: The icon turns off once the funnel and tamping lever are fully pressed down and properly locked, signaling that the machine is ready to brew or dispense hot water.

3. Why is the "Water Drop" Icon Lit Up or Flashing on the Display Screen?

This is the Low Water Warning Light. It triggers when:

• The water tank is missing or improperly seated.
• The water level has dropped below the "MIN" line, causing the internal float to drop and trigger the proximity sensor.

Note: Please refill the water tank. If this happens during initial setup, double-check that you have removed the yellow protective plug from the bottom of the water tank.

4. What is the Most Recommended Grinder Setting for Making Coffee?

A: We strongly recommend Setting 6. According to our hands-on testing, this setting produces the most stable flow rate, optimal extraction pressure, and rich, golden crema. You can view our full testing results and yield charts in this guide. → Ciarra Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine Tested: Is It Worth the Hype?

5. Which Froth Setting is Recommended When Making Milk-based Coffee Drinks?

We highly recommend setting the top froth adjustment dial to the Maximum Froth position. This produces the dense, velvety, and micro-foamed milk texture essential for high-quality lattes and cappuccinos.

6. Do I Need to Empty the Milk Container Before Running the Descaling Cycle?

Yes, absolutely. You must empty any remaining milk or liquid and thoroughly rinse the milk container before starting the descaling program. Make sure to reattach the empty milk container securely to the machine so the system can properly detect it and execute the full cycle, even though the descaling water and rinse solution will dispense exclusively through the main coffee brewing outlet.

7. How Large is a Full Cup of Milk Coffee, and What Mug Size Should I Use?

A: When brewing a Cappuccino or Latte, the volume of milk expands significantly once frothed (typically dispensing over 120–150 ml of frothed milk plus 40–60 ml of espresso). We recommend using a cup or mug with a capacity greater than 200 ml (ideally 250–300 ml) to prevent overflow.

8. How Much Milk Should I Pour Into the Milk Container Before Making a Milk-based Drink?

Always ensure there is at least 150 ml of milk in the container before brewing. Fill the container to a level between the MIN and MAX indicators. If the milk level is too low, the machine may run out of liquid mid-cycle and spray hot steam directly, creating a risk of scalding or burns.

9. What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Detaching the Milk Container?

Exercise caution around the metal steam pipe. Immediately after frothing, the stainless steel milk pipe and connecting port remain extremely hot. Allow it a moment to cool or handle the container carefully by its plastic outer body to avoid accidental burns.

You might be interested in:

• The Ultimate Guide to Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines