Cuisinart Buona Tazza EM-300 SERIES Manual

The Cuisinart Buona Tazza EM-300 SERIES is a premium automatic espresso and cappuccino maker designed for home use. It features a 15-bar Italian pump, built-in conical burr grinder with adjustable settings, a 64-ounce removable water tank, a stainless steel frothing jug, programmable settings for coffee strength and temperature, a cup warming tray, and an automatic cleaning cycle. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First-Time Use 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Brewing Guide 7. Milk Frothing 8. Cleaning & Maintenance 9. Safety Information 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Main unit with integrated grinder, Removable water tank, Portafilter with single and double baskets, Stainless steel milk frothing jug, Drip tray with grounds container, Control panel with LCD display.

Feature	Description
15-Bar Italian Pump	Professional pressure for optimal espresso extraction
Conical Burr Grinder	Adjustable grind settings from fine to coarse
64 oz Removable Water Tank	Easy filling and cleaning
Programmable Settings	Customize coffee strength, temperature, and volume
Cup Warming Tray	Keeps cups at ideal temperature on top of machine
Automatic Cleaning Cycle	One-touch descaling and cleaning program
Milk Frothing System	Steam wand with panarello attachment for cappuccino and latte
LCD Display	Shows settings, status, and step-by-step instructions
Energy Saving Mode	Auto shut-off after 30 minutes of inactivity
Stainless Steel Housing	Durable and easy to clean construction

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect all components. Place on a clean, stable, and level surface near a power outlet.

Remove all packaging materials and stickers from the unit.
Wash the water tank, portafilter, baskets, and frothing jug with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Fill the water tank with fresh, cold water and insert it into the back of the machine.
Plug the power cord into a 120V AC outlet.
Turn the machine on using the POWER button. The LCD will light up.

WARNING! Ensure the drip tray and grounds container are properly installed before first use. Do not operate without water in the tank.

First-Time Use

Before brewing your first coffee, run a water cycle through the machine to clean the internal system.

Ensure the water tank is full and the portafilter is NOT inserted.
Place a large cup under the brew head.
Press the PROGRAM button, then use the arrow keys to select "Water Cycle" and press OK.
The machine will run hot water through the system for about 30 seconds. Discard this water.
Your machine is now ready for programming and brewing.

CAUTION! The steam wand and brew head will become very hot during use. Do not touch with bare hands.

Specifications

Model: EM-300 Series
Power: 1500 Watts
Pressure: 15 Bar Pump Pressure
Water Tank Capacity: 64 oz (1.9 L) Removable
Grinder: Integrated Conical Burr, 18 Adjustable Settings
Programmable Settings: Coffee Strength (Mild/Medium/Strong), Temperature (Low/Medium/High), Cup Volume (1-4 oz espresso, 4-12 oz coffee)
Dimensions: 14.5" W x 11" D x 15.5" H
Weight: 22 lbs
Cord Length: 3 feet
Warranty: 3-Year Limited Warranty

Controls and Settings

Access all functions via the front control panel and LCD screen.

Control Panel Buttons: POWER, PROGRAM, GRIND (Fine/Coarse), BREW (1 Cup, 2 Cup), STEAM, HOT WATER, MENU, Arrow Keys (Up/Down), OK.

Programmable Menu: Access via PROGRAM button. Set default coffee strength, brew temperature, cup volume, auto-start timer, and language (ENGLISH/ESPAÑOL/FRANÇAIS). Grind Settings: Adjust via GRIND button (1=Finest for espresso, 18=Coarsest for French press). Brew Settings: Use BREW button for single or double shot. Steam/Hot Water: STEAM button activates frothing wand; HOT WATER dispenses hot water for tea or Americano.

Brewing Guide

For optimal espresso, use freshly roasted beans and filtered water.

Ensure water tank is full and machine is powered on and heated (READY light illuminated).
Add whole beans to the bean hopper on top.
Select grind size (start with setting 4 for medium roast).
Insert portafilter into the grinder cradle and press the GRIND button. It will dispense a pre-set amount.
Remove portafilter, tamp grounds evenly with provided tamper.
Lock portafilter firmly into the brew head.
Place pre-warmed cup(s) under the portafilter.
Press 1 CUP or 2 CUP button to start brewing.
When finished, unlock and empty the portafilter immediately.

Tip: Rinse the portafilter and steam wand immediately after each use to prevent coffee oil buildup.

Milk Frothing

Create microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes.

Fill the stainless steel frothing jug with cold milk (do not exceed MAX line).
Press the STEAM button. Wait for STEAM READY light.
Position the steam wand just below the milk surface and open the steam valve (turn knob).
Lower the jug as foam develops to keep the wand tip just below the surface.
Heat milk to desired temperature (approx. 150°F). Do not boil.
Close steam valve and remove jug. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth immediately.
Purge the wand by briefly opening the valve over the drip tray to clear any milk residue.

WARNING! Steam is extremely hot. Keep hands and face away from the steam wand outlet. Always use the handle of the frothing jug.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Regular cleaning ensures great taste and machine longevity.

Daily: Empty drip tray and grounds container. Rinse portafilter and baskets. Wipe steam wand and housing with a damp cloth. Weekly: Run the cleaning cycle (press PROGRAM, select "Cleaning Cycle"). Backflush the brew group with a cleaning tablet (sold separately). Monthly: Descale the machine using Cuisinart descaling solution (press PROGRAM, select "Descale Cycle").

CAUTION! Always unplug the machine before performing any maintenance other than programmed cleaning cycles. Never immerse the main unit in water.

Safety Information

Read all instructions before use. This appliance is for household use only.

Do not operate with a damaged cord or plug.
Do not immerse cord, plug, or main unit in water or other liquid.
To reduce risk of fire or electric shock, do not disassemble the appliance.
Place on a dry, level surface. Do not use outdoors.
Allow the machine to cool before cleaning or storing.
Keep out of reach of children.

Regulatory Information

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. Copyright © Cuisinart 2025. Cuisinart is a registered trademark of Conair Corporation. For support, visit www.cuisinart.com or contact customer service at 1-800-726-0190.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Machine won't turn on	No power	Check that unit is plugged in and outlet is working. Ensure power switch is ON.
No water flow	Empty tank/clog	Fill water tank. Run a water cycle without coffee to clear possible clog.
Espresso is weak/watery	Grind too coarse	Adjust grinder to a finer setting. Use fresher beans. Tamp more firmly.
Machine leaks water	Loose parts	Ensure water tank, portafilter, and drip tray are properly seated and locked.
Steam wand not frothing	Blocked tip	Clean steam wand tip with a pin. Purge wand before and after each use.
"Descale" light is on	Mineral buildup	Run the descaling cycle following instructions in section 9.
Grinder is noisy/not working	Foreign object/jammed	Unplug machine. Check bean hopper for stones or foreign objects. Clear any jammed beans.

Reset: Unplug machine for 2 minutes, then plug back in to reset the electronic control.

Service: For repairs not covered in this guide, contact Cuisinart Customer Service: 1-800-726-0190 or www.cuisinart.com.