User Manual Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker, with 4 Brew Styles

• User Manual - (English, French, Spanish)

Table of contents

• PARTS
• CONTROL PANEL
• PREPARING YOUR NINJA® SPECIALTY COFFEE MAKER FOR USE
• BREW VOLUMES & MEASUREMENTS
• USING THE BREW BASKET
• USING THE DRIP STOP
• INTELLIGENT WARMING PLATE & STAY WARM BUTTON
• TIME & TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT
• CUSTOM BREWS
• SPECIALTY BREW & FROTHING MILK
• DELAY BREW
• CARE & MAINTENANCE
• CLEANING & DESCALING
• TROUBLESHOOTING

Owner's Guide Coffee Maker

PARTS

a. Coffee Maker (power cord & storage not shown)
b. Showerhead
c. Integrated Frother
d. Frother Whisk
e. Swinging Brew Basket
f. Control Panel
g. Single-Serve Cup Platform
h. Ninja Smart ScoopTM
i. Flip-Top Water Reservoir Lid
j. Removable Water Reservoir
k. Removable Filter Holder
l. Permanent Filter
m. Ninja® Glass Carafe
n. Brew-Through Lid
o. Intelligent Warming Plate

CONTROL PANEL

1. Programmable Digital Clock
2. Hour & Minute Buttons
3. Stay Warm Indicator/Button
4. Delay Brew Button
5. Multi-Serve Dial
a. Cup
b. XL Cup
c. Travel Mug
d. XL Multi-Serve
e. Half Carafe
f. Full Carafe
6. Custom Brews

• Classic Brew
• Rich Brew
• Over Ice Brew

7. Signature Brew

• Specialty Brew

8. Drip Stop Indicator
9. Intelligent Clean Cycle

• Indicator/Button

10. Power Button

PREPARING YOUR NINJA® SPECIALTY COFFEE MAKER FOR USE

Remove all packaging material and stickers from the coffee maker.
Wash the water reservoir, carafe, removable filter holder, and permanent filter in warm, soapy water with a soft cloth. Rinse parts and dry thoroughly.
Before first use, prime the system by running two Full Carafe, Classic brew cycles with water only. After each cycle is complete, discard the water. For detailed instructions, refer to the Priming Your Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker section.
PLEASE KEEP THIS IMPORTANT SAFEGUARD IN MIND WHEN USING THE APPLIANCE:
DO NOT run the appliance without water.

SETTING THE CLOCK

1. When the unit is plugged in, the clock will flash on the control panel to indicate that the time has not been set.
2. Press the hour (H) or minute (M) button until you reach the current time. The AM or PM indicator will illuminate on the left side of the display as you are setting the time.
3. After 5 seconds, the clock will stop flashing and the clock will be set.

NOTE:

• If the clock stops flashing and does not display the correct time of day, pressing the hour (H) or minute (M) button at any time will cause the clock to flash again. You can now reprogram the correct time by following the previous steps.
• If you unplug the coffee maker or in the event of an extended power loss, you will need to reset the clock the next time the coffee maker is plugged in.

HIGH-ALTITUDE CALIBRATION BREW

(OPTIONAL, BUT RECOMMENDED FOR USERS IN HIGH-ALTITUDE AREAS)
Because water boils at lower temperatures at higher altitudes, running a calibration cycle before your first brew allows the unit to detect the boiling point of water at your location. Running a calibration cycle will help deliver a consistent brew each time.

1. Fill the water reservoir up to, but not exceeding, the Max Fill line.
2. Place the empty filter holder into the brew basket, and an empty vessel in the machine.
3. Press and hold both CLASSIC and OVER ICE until clock displays CAL.
4. A calibration cycle will begin. When complete, the unit will beep and End will appear on the clock display. Discard the water in the vessel.

NOTE: Pressing the CLASSIC, OVER ICE, or Power button will cancel the calibration cycle.

PRIMING YOUR NINJA SPECIALTY COFFEE MAKER

NOTE: We recommend fresh, cool, filtered water. Well water is not recommended.

1. Lift the Water Reservoir to the right and up off the coffee maker. Flip the Reservoir Lid open or remove the entire lid. Add water up to, but not exceeding, the Max Fill line. Return the water reservoir to the coffee maker. DO NOT fill water reservoir with anything other than water, as other liquids may damage your coffee maker.

2. Insert the Filter Holder into the Swinging Brew Basket. Close the brew basket until you hear a slight click.

NOTE: DO NOT place any ground coffee in the brew basket for the first 2 cycles.

3. Twist the Brew-Through Lid clockwise onto the Carafe to lock into place and center the carafe below the brew basket.

4. With everything securely in place and the unit powered on, select the Full Carafe size and press CLASSIC. When the cycle is complete, discard the water in the carafe. Then repeat the cycle a second time from the beginning. You are now ready to use your Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker.

BREW VOLUMES & MEASUREMENTS

HOW MUCH DO YOU GET IN YOUR CUP?

Each size and brew style produces a different amount of coffee to optimize strength and taste.

APPROXIMATE BREW VOLUMES

You don’t need to adjust the size for Specialty Brew—it always yields 4 oz.

NOTE: The coffee grounds will absorb some of the water that is brewed, resulting in slightly less brewed coffee than water used.

MEASURING YOUR COFFEE GROUNDS

For best results, use the measurements on the Ninja Smart ScoopTM or in the chart to the right to determine how much ground coffee to use for each brew size. The amount of ground coffee for each size will remain the same for any brew type you select. For example, if you select Cup and CLASSIC, you will use the same amount of coffee grounds as if you select Cup and OVER ICE.

NOTE: Measurements are based on level scoops—adjust to your preferred taste.
Use a medium-sized grind if grinding whole beans. Exceeding the recommended medium grind size for whole beans may cause the brew basket to overflow.

USING THE BREW BASKET

1. Open the brew basket by swinging it out of the coffee maker. Insert the Filter Holder in the brew basket.

2. Place the Permanent Filter or a #4 paper cone filter in the filter holder.

NOTE: If using a paper filter, first ensure the permanent filter is removed from the filter holder. Then fold the paper filter along the seams, open it fully, and firmly press it into the filter holder, making sure it is fully seated.

3. Use the Ninja Smart ScoopTM and follow the measurements on the scoop to fill the filter.

4. Slide the brew basket back into the coffee maker until it clicks into place.

USING THE DRIP STOP

CAN'T WAIT FOR FIRST CUP?

When brewing a carafe, close the Drip Stop to pause the brew cycle and pour a cup. Promptly replace the carafe and open the Drip Stop to complete the brew. If you forget to open the Drip Stop, the coffee maker will pause the brew, and after 20 seconds it will give you a friendly audible reminder. After 6 minutes, the brew will be canceled.

NOTE: If the Drip Stop is closed before you begin a brew, the coffee maker will notify you with 5 beeps and the Drip Stop indicator will illuminate. Set the Drip Stop to the open position and select your brew type.

CLOSING THE DRIP STOP AFTER A BREW

When the brew cycle is complete, set the Drip Stop to the closed position to stop dripping from the brew basket. While the Drip Stop is closed, the Drip Stop indicator will illuminate.

NOTE: Remember to open the Drip Stop when you are ready to brew again. If you forget, your coffee maker will give you a friendly audible reminder.

INTELLIGENT WARMING PLATE & STAY WARM BUTTON

INTELLIGENT WARMING PLATE

The Intelligent Warming Plate will automatically turn on during a Half or Full Carafe size of Classic or Rich brew. The Intelligent Warming Plate will adjust the heat it produces to avoid burning the coffee over time.

IMPORTANT: The HOT SURFACE indicator will illuminate when the warming plate is hot.

STAY WARM BUTTON

Press STAY WARM after the brew to turn the Intelligent Warming Plate off. You can turn the Intelligent Warming Plate back on by pressing STAY WARM again.

IMPORTANT: The HOT SURFACE indicator will remain illuminated until the warming plate has cooled to a safe temperature.

TIME & TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT

You can adjust how long the Intelligent Warming Plate remains on (up to 4 hours) and/or set the temperature to High or Low. By default, the Intelligent Warming Plate is set to remain on for 2 hours, and is set to High to keep your coffee hot. The Low setting keeps your brew at a slightly lower temperature to preserve flavor longer.
To change the time/temperature settings of your warming plate, follow these instructions:

1. Press and hold STAY WARM until the clock begins to flash the current warming time.

2. Quickly press the hour (H) and/or minute (M) buttons to increase the time up to 4 hours or decrease the time to 0 hours. Press STAY WARM to set the new time. Or wait 5 seconds, and the unit will beep, signifying the new time has been set.

3. Next, the clock will display the current warming plate temperature. To keep the same temperature, press STAY WARM, or wait 5 seconds for the same temperature to lock in. To change the temperature, press the hour (H) or (M) buttons, then press STAY WARM, or wait 5 seconds for the temperature to lock in.

NOTE: If you set the warming time to 0 hours, it will skip the warming temperature menu.

CUSTOM BREWS

NOTE: For single cup, lower the Single-Serve Cup Platform and set your vessel in the center of it. Ensure you are using at least a 12 oz. cup for the Cup size, 14 oz. cup for the XL Cup size, 16 oz. travel mug for the Travel Mug size, and 20 oz. travel mug for the XL Multi-Serve size.

CLASSIC AND RICH BREWS

NOTE: Rich brew will yield slightly less brewed coffee than Classic brew.

Use the Multi-Serve Dial to select the brew size. Place the empty vessel you would like to brew into under the brew basket.

Press CLASSIC or RICH and the brew will begin. Press CLASSIC or RICH again to cancel the brew. The brew will begin, stop, and be quiet for a short period of time before it begins again. This process is used to evenly saturate the coffee grounds. The unit will beep to signal a completed brew.

OVER ICE BREW

Use the Multi-Serve Dial to select the brew size. Fill your desired vessel to the top with ice cubes and place the vessel below the brew basket.

NOTE: DO NOT use glassware. However, the provided Ninja® glass carafe is safe to use due to its specialized glass material.

IMPORTANT: Always fill the desired vessel to the top with ice before placing it below the brew basket. DO NOT add ice to the water reservoir.

Press OVER ICE and the brew will begin.
Press OVER ICE again to cancel the brew.
The brew will begin, stop, and be quiet for a short period of time before it begins again. This process is used to evenly saturate the coffee grounds.
The unit will beep to signal a completed brew.

SPECIALTY BREW & FROTHING MILK

SPECIALTY BREW

NOTE: You don’t need to adjust the size for Specialty Brew—it always yields 4 oz.

Place the empty vessel you would like to brew into under the brew basket.

NOTE: If brewing an iced blended drink, fill the desired vessel with the amount of ice recommended in the recipe before brewing.

Press SPECIALTY and the brew will begin.
Press SPECIALTY again to cancel the brew.
The brew will begin, stop, and be quiet for a short period of time before it begins again. This process is used to evenly saturate the coffee grounds.
The unit will beep to signal a completed brew.

FROTHING MILK

Pour milk into cup, until it is about 1⁄3 full. (Use more or less milk depending on your preference.) For hot froth, microwave 45 to 60 seconds.
Move the frother into the ready position by swinging the arm toward the front.

Hold the cup under the frother and submerge the whisk just below the surface of the milk. This allows air to fold into the milk for the frothiest results.
Press and hold the frothing button for 30 to 45 seconds.

You can easily remove the frother whisk by twisting it clockwise.
To avoid spills, keep your cup below the whisk and carry it to your sink or dishwasher for cleaning.

DELAY BREW

NOTE: The unit must remain on for the Delay Brew function to work. DO NOT power off after setting Delay Brew.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the Drip Stop is in the open position.

1. Turn the unit on by pressing the Power button.
2. After filling the water reservoir and adding ground coffee to the filter holder, be sure the reservoir and brew basket are securely in place. Place the appropriate-size vessel under brew basket.
3. Press DELAY BREW. DELAY BREW will illuminate and the clock will begin to flash “12:00” or the last Delay Brew time that was set.
4. Once the proper time has been set, select the size of the vessel that you would like to brew into.
5. Select the brew style that you desire from the 4 flashing buttons. The selected brew style will remain illuminated.
6. Once the time, brew size, and brew style have been set, allow DELAY BREW to stop flashing, or press DELAY BREW to activate. When activated, the unit will beep and DELAY BREW and your selected options will remain illuminated. To cancel, press DELAY BREW again.

NOTE: If you attempt to change your selections while Delay Brew is set, the unit will beep and DELAY BREW will flash. To change your selections, cancel DELAY BREW.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

AFTER EACH BREW

NOTE: For best results, we recommend rinsing the reservoir after brewing and refilling with fresh water for the next brew.

1. After the unit has cooled, remove the filter holder from the brew basket. If using a paper filter, discard it. If using the permanent filter, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water or place on top rack of dishwasher.
2. Clean the frother whisk after each use. Hand-wash thoroughly or place on top rack of dishwasher.
3. Wash the carafe and brew-through lid with soap and warm water. Use a bottle brush or a cloth to wash the inside of the carafe. DO NOT use a wire brush.

NOTE: The glass carafe, brew-through lid, permanent filter, removable filter holder, water reservoir, flip-top lid, frother whisk, and scoop are top-rack dishwasher safe.

4. After the coffee maker has cooled, wipe down the main unit, showerhead, and water reservoir shelf with a cloth and warm water. DO NOT immerse the coffee maker in water.

CLEANING THE WATER RESERVOIR

Empty the water reservoir and hand-wash or place in your dishwasher.

CLEANING THE CARAFE

We recommend cleaning your carafe with warm, soapy water.

If you want to clean the carafe more thoroughly, we recommend using a soft foam brush. DO NOT use a wire brush.

CLEANING & DESCALING

The CLEAN button will illuminate when a cleaning cycle is recommended for your unit, as calcium scale buildup could be affecting the flavor of your coffee.
To clean and descale your Ninja® Specialty Coffee Maker:

NOTE: The clean cycle takes approximately 60 minutes. If you cancel the clean cycle, your machine will not be properly descaled.

1. Select the Full Carafe size and set the empty carafe beneath the brew basket.
2. Use a descaling solution specifically formulated for coffee maker cleaning and follow the directions on the package.
Fill the water reservoir up to, but not exceeding, the Max Fill line (50 oz.).

OR

Fill the water reservoir to the Travel Mug line (16 oz.) with white vinegar, then fill the rest of the reservoir with water up to, but not exceeding, the Max Fill line.

IMPORTANT: Use only white vinegar

3. Once the water reservoir is filled, press the CLEAN button.

NOTE: To cancel the clean cycle, press the Power button or CLEAN button once.
The unit will beep and stop brewing through the cleaning mixture. Continue to follow the instructions starting at Step 6.

4. The clock will display and count down the remaining clean cycle time, which takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. Your unit will deliver a small amount of cleaning solution to distribute it through the system. It will then pause, deliver
additional cleaning solution, and continue for 60 minutes. The extended pauses allow for maximum cleaning and descaling.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT remove the carafe at any time throughout the clean cycle.

5. Upon completion, the coffee maker will beep, the clock will display End, and the CLEAN light will turn off.
6. Empty and thoroughly clean the carafe and water reservoir with warm, soapy water to remove any cleaning solution that could affect the flavor of your coffee.
7. Fill the reservoir with fresh water up to, but not exceeding, the Max Fill line and set the empty carafe beneath the brew basket.
8. Flush the system by running a Full Carafe, Classic brew cycle with water only. After the cycle is complete, discard the water and thoroughly clean the carafe.

NOTE: If the CLEAN light illuminates again, then calcium buildup is still present. Repeat the cleaning cycle instructions from the beginning, and the CLEAN light will automatically turn off when your coffee maker is clean.

TROUBLESHOOTING

THERE’S SEDIMENT IN MY COFFEE.

• If using a permanent filter, the sediment at the bottom of the brewed coffee may be due to using finely ground coffee.
• To reduce the amount of sediment in the brewed coffee, use a slightly coarser grind or use a paper filter.

NOTE: We DO NOT recommend using a paper filter in conjunction with the permanent filter, as clogging and backing up of water and/or coffee in the filter basket can occur.

COFFEE IS TOO WEAK.

• For stronger coffee, use the Rich brew setting, try darker roast beans, or use the permanent filter rather than a paper filter. If you want an even bolder flavor, you can add more coffee grinds to the brew basket. Additional grinds do absorb liquid, so you will have a more concentrated, smaller cup of coffee.

COFFEE IS TOO STRONG.

• For milder coffee, use the Classic brew setting, use lighter roast beans, or use a paper filter rather than the permanent filter. If you want an even milder flavor, you can put fewer coffee grinds in the brew basket.

BREW CYCLE IS TOO SLOW.

• Depending on your settings, your brew time will vary from around 4 minutes to 10 minutes.

CUP OR TRAVEL MUG OVERFLOWED.

• Ensure you are using at least a 12 oz. cup for the Cup size, 14 oz. cup for the XL Cup size, 16 oz. travel mug for the Travel Mug size, and 20 oz. travel mug for the XL Multi-Serve size.

BREW BASKET OVERFLOWED.

• The bottom of the filter holder may be clogged. This can happen with finely ground coffee or too many coffee grinds in the brew basket. Medium-ground coffee is recommended

THERE’S WATER LEFT IN THE RESERVOIR.

• The water reservoir markings are minimum fill lines that indicate the amount of water needed for that brew size. However, all brew styles use different amounts of water to create the proper flavor and concentration, leaving some water to remain.

COFFEE MAKER IS LEAKING.

• After removing the water reservoir, there may be a small amount of water in the reservoir valve. This can be easily removed with a dry cloth.
• If the leak is coming from the brew basket, make sure all parts are assembled correctly and securely, and the drip stop is closed.
• If the leak is coming from the bottom of the coffee maker, call Customer Service at 1-877-646-5288.

CLEAN LIGHT IS ON.

• Run a clean cycle. If you have recently completed a clean cycle, you may need to run a second cycle to remove additional mineral buildup that occurs naturally over time.

CLOCK DISPLAY MESSAGES:

• “Add Wtr” The system does not have enough water in the reservoir to complete your brew. Add fresh water to the reservoir, then press your selected brew style to resume the brew.
• “CLn” The system has detected that a clean cycle needs be run immediately to remove calcium scale buildup in the boiler. See ‘Cleaning & Descaling’ for instructions.

ERROR MESSAGES

• “Er” If the clock displays “Er” and then a number (ex. “Er 03”),contact Customer Service at 1-877-646-5288.