Use and Care Manual

7
Cleaning and Maintenance
**** Caution: Always unplug the appliance before cleaning****
1. Clean all detachable parts in hot, soapy water.
2. Never wash the steel carafe in the dishwasher, Hand-wash only.
3. Wipe down the exterior surface with a soft, damp cloth. Never use abrasive cleaner.
4. Remove the filter basket and use a clean cloth to wipe off the spray head area above where the filter basket sits.
5. It is recommended to run a coffee maker cleaner such as citric acid (Dezcal) through your brewer at a minimum
on a quarterly basis, sooner if chalky residue from minerals forms in your reservoir. Do NOT use Vinegar!
6. If flow is reduced or outlet seems clogged, clean the reservoir with a coffee machine cleaner or descaling product
following the manufacturer’s instructions for product.
7. Calibrate brewer every 6 months for optimum performance.
Important Tips for Great-Tasting Coffee
Coffee: The quality of the coffee and water used is directly related to the quality of the coffee brewed. We highly recommend using
freshly ground coffee or commercially packed coffee that is sealed for freshness. The proper amount of ground coffee and water is
critical to the finished brew. A ratio of 2 Tablespoons of coffee for every 6 oz. of water is recommended. See SCAA’s Gold Cup
Ratio on Page 9 for various quantities of water and coffee.
Grind: Grind consistency is one of the most overlooked requirements for a great cup of coffee. It is recommended you use the drip
coffeemaker grind coarseness in your brewer. Freshly grinding your coffee before brewing can also help brew a great tasting cup of
coffee.
Filters: The Brazen Plus comes with a permanent filter included. This filter will tend to give the brewed coffee more body and
mouth feel. Paper filters can also be used, which will give your coffee a cleaner taste. For paper filters, a 10 cup size basket filter is
recommended. Bunn’s 10 cup paper filter is the proper size and height. Paper filter should not be used together with the permanent
filter.
Water: Coffee is over 98% water. Wherever possible use high quality filtered or bottled water. Regular unfiltered tap water can
impart flavors such as chlorine, salts and other minerals to your finished cup. Tap water with high mineral content WILL also require
the user to perform more frequent cleaning cycles as noted in the “Cleaning and Maintenance” section and should be avoided.
Pre-Soak: This cycle allows the user to determine how long a pre-soak portion of the brewing water should rest on the grounds prior
to the staggered release of the remaining water. The fresher the roast, the longer the pre-soak should be. This allows for the “bloom”
or degassing of fresh coffee to dissipate before full the brewing cycle. Less fresh roasts do not generally require as long of a pre-soak
time. Fresh roasts under 3 days old may benefit from a pre-soak of 1 ½ minutes. Pre-ground coffee or coffee without a roast date can
use a shorter or no pre-soak time.
Cleaning: A clean coffee brewer is essential for making great-tasting coffee. Regularly clean the coffee brewer as directed in the
“Cleaning and Maintenance” section. Do NOT use Vinegar
Find Your Preferences: Coffee offers many flavor elements. Coffee origins have different flavor characteristics and roast
profiles, the freshness of the roast date, water temperature, and pre-soak time are just a few of the attributes that go in to the flavor of a
brewed cup of coffee. It’s a journey, each offering a different result. Experiment with the grind, brew temperature, pre-soak times
and the coffee itself. With the capabilities of the Brazen Plus brewer and your preferences, you will enjoy coffee at a whole new level
not experienced at home before!