Cuisinart illy Buona Tazza EM-400C Series Manual

The Cuisinart illy Buona Tazza EM-400C Series is a premium single-serve espresso and coffee machine designed in collaboration with illy. It features a high-pressure pump (up to 19 bars), a removable 40oz water reservoir, compatibility with illy iperespresso capsules and ground coffee (using the included filter), a cup warming tray, a descaling alert system, and programmable beverage size. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First Use & Priming 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Indicators 6. Brewing Guide 7. Using illy Capsules & Ground Coffee 8. Cleaning & Maintenance 9. Descaling Procedure 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: High-pressure pump system, Removable water tank, Capsule holder (iperespresso), Ground coffee filter, Drip tray with adjustable cup support, Cup warming tray, Power button, Brew button, Program button, Indicator lights.

Feature	Description
High-Pressure Pump	19-bar pressure for optimal espresso extraction
Water Reservoir	Removable 40oz (1.2L) tank with handle
Brewing System	Compatible with illy iperespresso capsules and ground coffee
Cup Warming Tray	Heated surface to pre-warm cups
Programmable Volume	Customize espresso (1-2oz) and coffee (3-8oz) beverage size
Descaling Alert	Indicator light prompts when descaling is needed
Drip Tray	Adjustable height to accommodate different cup sizes
Power Button	Turns machine on/off; enters standby mode
Brew Button	Starts brewing process for selected beverage
Program Button	Used to set custom beverage volume

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.
Wash the water reservoir, drip tray, and capsule holder with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Fill the water reservoir with fresh, cold water and reinsert into the machine.
Plug the power cord into a 120V AC outlet.
Ensure the drip tray is correctly positioned.

WARNING! Do not use the machine without water in the reservoir. Place away from heat sources and edges of counters.

First Use & Priming

Before first brew, prime the machine to fill the internal water circuit.

Turn the machine ON using the Power button. The Power light will illuminate.
Place a large cup under the brew head.
Without inserting a capsule or ground coffee, press the Brew button. The machine will run water through the system for about 30 seconds.
Discard this water. The machine is now ready for use.
To program beverage size: Press and hold the Program button while brewing stops at your desired volume. Release to save.

CAUTION! The brew head and cup warming tray will become hot during use. Do not touch with bare hands.

Specifications

Model: EM-400C Series
Power: 1350 Watts
Pressure: 19 bars
Water Tank Capacity: 40 oz (1.2 L), removable
Compatibility: illy iperespresso capsules, ground coffee (with filter)
Programmable Settings: Espresso (1-2 oz), Coffee (3-8 oz)
Dimensions (approx.): 11" W x 13" D x 11" H
Weight: 10.5 lbs
Power Source: 120V AC, 60Hz
Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

Controls and Indicators

Front Panel: POWER button (with light), BREW button, PROGRAM button. Indicator Lights: Power (steady green = on, blinking green = heating/ready), Descaling (red light = requires descaling).

Brew Head: Lever to open/close for inserting capsules or ground coffee filter. Drip Tray: Removable with adjustable cup support. Cup Warming Tray: On top of the machine.

Settings: Use PROGRAM button to set volume for Espresso or Coffee. Machine remembers last setting.

Brewing Guide

For optimal results, use fresh, cold water and pre-warm your cup.

Turn machine ON. Wait for Power light to stop blinking (approx. 45 seconds).
Pre-warm cup: Place empty cup on warming tray or run a short water cycle.
Insert capsule or ground coffee:
- Capsule: Lift brew head lever, insert iperespresso capsule, close lever firmly.
- Ground Coffee: Place filter in holder, add finely ground coffee (approx. 1 tablespoon), level without tamping, insert holder into machine.
Place cup under brew head.
Press BREW button. Brewing will stop automatically at programmed volume.
To stop manually, press BREW button again.
After brewing, open lever to eject used capsule or remove ground coffee filter.

Tip: For best espresso, use illy iperespresso capsules. For coffee, adjust grind size and amount to taste.

Using illy Capsules & Ground Coffee

Machine is optimized for illy iperespresso capsules. Ground coffee use requires the provided permanent filter.

Beverage Type	Capsule/Filter	Recommended Volume	Notes
Espresso	illy iperespresso (red)	1 - 2 oz	Intense aroma, rich crema
Lungo	illy iperespresso (black)	3 - 5 oz	Longer extraction, milder
Decaf	illy iperespresso (blue)	1 - 2 oz	Full flavor, no caffeine
Ground Coffee	Permanent Filter	3 - 8 oz	Use fine grind, do not overfill

WARNING! Do not use third-party capsules not designed for this system, as they may cause damage or poor performance.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Daily: Empty drip tray and capsule container. Wipe exterior with a damp cloth. Weekly: Clean water reservoir, drip tray, and capsule holder with warm soapy water. Monthly: Clean brew head and needle with a soft brush.

Cleaning Brew Head:

Ensure machine is off and cool.
Open the brew head lever.
Use the provided cleaning brush or a soft, damp cloth to wipe the seal and needle.
Close the lever.

CAUTION! Never immerse machine, cord, or plug in water or other liquids. Unplug before cleaning.

Descaling Procedure

The Descaling light will illuminate when mineral buildup requires removal. Use only Cuisinart Descaling Solution or white vinegar.

Empty water reservoir. Fill with descaling solution mixed with water (follow product instructions) or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water.
Place a large container (at least 40oz) under the brew head.
Turn machine ON. Press and hold both BREW and PROGRAM buttons for 5 seconds to enter descale mode.
Press BREW button. The machine will pump the solution through the system. This may take 15-20 minutes.
When reservoir is empty, refill with clean water. Press BREW again to rinse the system thoroughly (repeat 2-3 times).
Descaling light will turn off when process is complete.

WARNING! Descaling solution/vinegar is not for consumption. Ensure thorough rinsing.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits for residential use. Copyright © Cuisinart and illycaffè S.p.A. All rights reserved. illy and iperespresso are registered trademarks. For support, visit www.cuisinart.com or contact 1-800-726-0190. UL Listed.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Machine won't turn on	No power	Check if plugged in; ensure outlet is working; check power button.
No water flow / weak coffee	Clogged brew head, empty tank, need descaling	Clean brew head needle; refill water tank; run descaling cycle.
Coffee is too cold	Machine not preheated, cold cup	Wait for Power light to stop blinking; pre-warm cup with hot water or on tray.
Leaking water	Improperly closed brew head, overfilled tank	Ensure brew head lever is fully closed; do not fill tank past MAX line.
Descaling light is on	Mineral buildup	Perform descaling procedure as outlined in Section 10.
Capsule not pierced	Capsule holder not inserted correctly	Open lever, ensure capsule is properly seated, close lever firmly.

Reset: Unplug machine for 2 minutes, then plug back in.

Service: 1-800-726-0190; www.cuisinart.com