Tchibo 280997 Instructions For Use Manual

Welcome to

Instructions for use and guarantee
for Cafissimo COMPACT

Find it only at Tchibo

Experience the world of coffee
with Cafissimo

Thank you for choosing Cafissimo. Only Cafissimo offers
you Tchibo’s supreme coffee quality in combination with
an easy-to-use capsule machine. You can now enjoy your
coffee when ever and however you like – with perfect
espresso, caffè crema and filter coffee.

Just press a button and your Cafissimo COMPACT will
take care of the rest. Our team of experts have perfectly
harmonised machine and capsules to bring out the full
aroma of your coffee.

Thank you for choosing us.
Your Cafissimo team

Contents

5 The features of your Cafissimo

COMPACT at a glance

6 The unique three pressure level

system

6 The Cafissimo aroma capsules

7 At a glance (features)

8 About these instructions

8 Intended use and location

9 Safety warnings

11 First-time use (Initial operation)

13 Rinsing the machine

14 The finest aroma –

the finest flavour

14 Drip grid height / Positioning a

large or small cup beneath the
spout

15 Brewing coffee

18 Standby mode

18 Releasing pressure

19 Adjusting the strength of the

coffee

19 Adjusting the strength for the

current brewing procedure
(without saving the setting)

19 Setting the strength permanently

(saving the setting)

19 Restoring factory settings

20 Cleaning

20 Cleaning the water tank
20 Cleaning the used capsule

container and drip tray/grid

20 Cleaning the casing

21 Descaling

21 Descaling agent
21 Descaling
23 Rinsing phase

24 After a long period of non-use

26 Fault / Remedy

28 Technical specifications

28 Disposal

29 Guarantee

4 Contents

The features of your Cafissimo COMPACT at a glance

• Unique three pressure level system:
Intelligent interaction between machine and capsule means
every coffee is automatically perfect, because each type of coffee
is prepared at the correct pressure.

• Automatic capsule ejection and integrated used capsule container:
When you lift up the lever after brewing, the capsule drops into
the container automatically.

• Individually programmable beverage size:
Adapt the strength of the coffee to your own personal
taste.

Page

• Save energy with the standby mode
and descaling reminder

Page

18

21

• We are there for you:
To show you that we are completely convinced
of the quality of our products, we provide
a full 40-month guarantee for our machines.

Page

29

Page

6

Page

17

Page

19

5 The features of your Cafissimo COMPACT

The unique three pressure level system

The Cafissimo COMPACT has a unique three pressure level
system, making it perfect for brewing your favourite type
of coffee. Using an individual brewing pressure allows the
respective types of coffee to unfold their full taste and
aroma.

The Cafissimo aroma capsules

You will find the unique Tchibo Arabica quality in each
and every Cafissimo aroma capsule. Sealed airtight, the
capsules preserve their full aroma until they are brewed.
This means you can enjoy perfect coffee, cup after cup.

All capsules can be purchased from Tchibo.

The three coffee selection buttons each represent a differ­ent brewing pressure. The colour of the cups matches the
colour of the capsules. You can tell by just the colour of
the capsule which button to press for the preparation:

white cup = espresso

yellow cup = caffè crema

blue cup = filter coffee

The advantages of the capsules:

• the airtight seal ensures aromatic, fresh coffee

• a variety of different tastes

• individual portions

• quick and clean preparation

•

immediately ready for use (insert capsule just as it is)

In addition to the large variety offered in our permanent
range, why not try our Grand Classés? These limited,
exclusively selected espresso varieties are available
several times a year.

6 Pressure level system / The Cafissimo aroma capsules

At a glance

Lever for opening and closing

the capsule compartment

Capsule compartment

Control panel and
indicator lights

Coffee
spout

Used capsule
container

On/Off switch

Drip grid

Drip tray

water tank opening

Hinged

Water tank

7 At a glance

Intended use and locationAbout these instructions

The machine is equipped with safety features. Never­theless, read the safety warnings carefully and only use
the product as described in these instructions to avoid
accidental injury or damage.

Keep these instructions for future reference.
If you pass the machine on to someone else, remember to
give them these instructions.

Symbols in these instructions:

This symbol warns you of the danger of injury.

This symbol warns you of the danger of injury
caused by electricity.

Signal words:
DANGER warns you of potential severe injury and
danger to life,
WARNING warns you of injury and severe material
damage,
CAUTION warns you of minor injury or damage.

This indicates additional information.

The coffee machine has been designed for the following
use:

• brewing filter coffee, caffè crema and espresso with
Tchibo capsules.

It is intended for use in households or similar environ­ments such as

• staff kitchens in shops, offices or similar work areas,

• agricultural buildings,

• by customers in hotels, motels, bed and breakfast
establishments or other places offering accommodation.

Set up the machine in a dry indoor room. Avoid rooms
with high air humidity or high dust content.

8 About these instructions / Intended use and location

Safety warnings

DANGER to children and people with restricted
capability of operating appliances

• Children must not be allowed to play with the appliance.
Keep the appliance and mains cord away from children
under the age of 8.

• This appliance can be used by children aged 8 and over,
or those who lack the physical, sensory or mental capa ­bilities, or the experience and/or knowledge, provided
they are supervised or have been trained in the safe use
of the appliance and understand the potential dangers.

• Children must not be allowed to clean the appliance
unless they are over 8 years old and supervised by an
adult. This appliance is maintenance free.

• Set up the machine out of the reach of children.

• Keep packaging material out of children’s reach. There
is a risk of suffocation!

DANGER due to electricity

• Never immerse the coffee machine, mains plug or mains
cord in water, as this could cause an electric shock. Never
touch the mains plug with wet hands. Do not use the
machine outdoors.

• Never leave the machine to operate unattended.

• Only connect the machine to a properly installed,
grounded wall socket. The mains voltage must comply
with the requirements stated in the machine’s technical
specifications.

• The mains cord must not be kinked or squeezed. Keep it

away from sharp edges and sources of heat.

• Do not use if the machine, mains cord or mains plug is
damaged or if the machine has been dropped.

• Do not make any modifications to the appliance, mains
cord or any other parts. Electrical appliances must only
be repaired by qualified electricians, as improper repair
can cause considerable damage. Only have repairs car­ried out by a specialist workshop or the customer care
service.

• Remove the mains plug from the wall socket, ...
... if a fault occurs,
... if the machine will not be used for a long time,
... before cleaning the machine.
Pull the mains plug, not the mains cord.

9 Safety warnings

WARNING – risk of scalds/burns

• Do not touch the coffee spout during or immediately
after use. Avoid contact with coffee emerging from the
spout.

• Do not raise the lever while the machine is being used.
Keep the capsule compartment opening closed and do
not pull out the used capsule container.

CAUTION – risk of injuries or material damage

• Only use original Tchibo capsules. Never use damaged or
misshapen capsules. Never fill capsules with ground
coffee or coffee powder.

• Only use the machine with the used capsule container
and drip grid inserted.

• Always pour fresh, cold drinking water into the water
tank (tap water may only be used if it is potable). Do not
use carbonated mineral water or any other liquid.

• Descale the machine as described in this booklet as soon

as the machine indicates that this is necessary.

• The capsule compartment contains two capsule

punchers. These pierce both sides of the capsule when

the lever is pressed down. Never reach into the capsule
compartment. Keep your fingers and any objects away
from the capsule compartment while pushing the lever

down.

• Do not lift the machine by the lever. To move the
machine, hold it by the outer casing.

• Place the machine on a solid, level surface which is
water- and heat-resistant.

• To ensure the casing does not melt, do not place the
machine on a hob, immediately next to a hot oven,
radiator or anything similar.

• Lay the mains cord in such a way that it is not a trip
hazard.

• The machine is equipped with non-slip feet. Work sur­faces often have varnished or plastic finishes and are
treated with a variety of substances. Some of these
products may contain substances that react adversely
with the rubber feet and soften them. If necessary, place
a non-slip mat under the machine.

• The machine must not be exposed to temperatures
below 4°C. Residual water in the heating system could
freeze and cause damage.

10 Safety warnings

MAX

First-time use (Initial operation)

1. Setting up the machine

Place the machine on a solid, level surface that is

m

water- and heat-resistant.
Check that the used capsule container is pushed in as

m

far as it will go and that the drip grid is in place.

2. Filling the tank with water

Fill the water tank with fresh, cold tap water or drinking

m

water up to the MAX mark:

- Either pour the water into the water tank through
the hinged opening or

- pull the water tank upwards at an angle to remove it
and then fill it with water. When reinserting it, press
the water tank down slightly to ensure that the
valve in the base connects with the casing.

3. Pushing down the lever

The lever must be down. If necessary, push it down.

m

11 First-time use (Initial operation)

4. Positioning the cup

Place a cup beneath the coffee spout.

m

5. Connecting and switching on the machine

Plug the mains plug into an easily accessible wall

m

=

=

socket.
Press the On/Off switch to switch the machine on.

m

The coffee selection buttons will flash and the right-hand
indicator light will flash red.

6. Pressing the coffee selection button

Press any coffee selection button.

m

The pump will start. As soon as the pipes are filled with
water the pump will stop automatically. A small quantity of
water will run into the cup beneath the spout. The right­hand indicator light will go off.

Only the three coffee selection buttons will continue to
flash and the machine will heat up to prepare the coffee.

12 First-time use (Initial operation)

MAX

Rinsing the machine

+

7. Rinsing the machine

Pour away the water that is in the cup and rinse the

m

machine twice as described in the next section. The
machine is then ready for use.

After switching the machine on for the first time or if you
have not used the machine for more than two days, rinse
the machine by allowing two cups of water to flow through
it (without a capsule).

1. Fill the water tank with fresh, cold tap water or drinking
water up to the MAX mark.

2. Place an empty cup underneath the spout.
The lever must be down.

3. As soon as the three coffee selection buttons remain
permanently lit, press the middle one.

The pump will flush water through the pipes which will
then run into the cup underneath.

4. Pour away the water that is in the cup.

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4.

6. Finally, empty the drip tray. To do this, pull out the
entire unit and remove the grid.

13 First-time use (Initial operation) / Rinsing the machine

The finest aroma – the finest flavour

One capsule per cup

Each capsule is a single portion for one cup.

Full aroma

Only insert a capsule when you intend to use the machine.
The capsule is pierced as it is inserted. If it is not used
immediately, the aroma will fade.

Drip grid height / Positioning a large or small cup beneath the spout

Preheating the cup

Espresso tastes best when served in a preheated cup.
Fill the cup with hot water and pour it away shortly before
using the cup.

Coffee strength

Adjust the strength of the coffee to suit your personal
taste by changing the quantity of water. This is very easy
to do, and is described in the section “Adjusting the
strength of the coffee”.

For small cups, simply turn the drip grid over.
The proximity of the cup to the coffee spout will help to
avoid excessive splashing.

14 The finest aroma - the finest flavour / Drip grid height

Brewing coffee

1. Heating up the machine

Press the On/Off switch to switch the machine on.

m

If the machine is in standby mode (see “Standby

=

mode”), press a coffee selection button or move the
lever.

The three coffee selection buttons will flash as the

machine heats up. The machine loses pressure as it heats
up.
A little residual water may also escape from the coffee
spout at the same time.

If the right indicator light flashes (a signal will also
sound) fill the tank with water.

2. Positioning the cup

Place a cup beneath the coffee spout.

m

3. Insert a capsule and push the lever down

Push the lever back as far as it will go and insert a

m

capsule as illustrated with the lid facing forwards.

The capsule must be intact: do not pierce it and do not
remove the capsule lid or insert a misshapen capsule!

Push the lever fully down.

m

This action pierces the base and lid of the capsule.

15 Brewing coffee

Espresso

= black capsule
= white coffee selection button

Caffè crema

= yellow capsule
= yellow coffee selection button

4. Pressing the coffee selection button

As soon as the three coffee selection buttons remain
permanently lit the machine is ready.

Press the coffee selection button that corresponds to

m

the capsule you have inserted.
The brewing procedure will start and stop automati ­cally.

Press the flashing button if you would like to stop the
brewing procedure prematurely.

Filter coffee

= blue capsule
= blue coffee selection button

As with professional espresso machines, when pre­paring espresso and caffè crema a small amount of
water is pre-brewed to ensure that the coffee can
develop its full aroma. This pre-brewing is indicated
by a short interruption when the brewing process
begins. Filter coffee is prepared without pre­brewing as with standard coffee machines.

Tip: You can adjust the strength of the coffee by adjusting

the quantity of water. Please refer to the section
“Adjusting the strength of the coffee” for information
on how to do this.

16 Brewing coffee

5. Ejecting a capsule

Before removing the cup, push the lever back as far as

m

it will go.

The machine loses pressure and a little more coffee will
escape. The capsule then falls into the used capsule con­tainer.

6. Emptying the used capsule container and drip tray

After use ...

... pour away the water that is in the drip tray. Due to

m

the way the machine operates there will always be
water and a small residue of coffee grounds collected
inside the tray.

... empty the used capsule container daily or whenever

m

it is full. It can hold approx. 8 capsules.

17 Brewing coffee

Standby mode

Standby

15 minutes after the brewing procedure the machine
automatically switches to standby mode. The three coffee

selection buttons go off. The machine now uses only a
very small amount of electricity but is ready for use at any

time.
Press one of the coffee selection buttons or move the

lever to reactivate the machine.

Releasing pressure

Switching off completely

If you are not using the machine for any length of time,
e.g. overnight, switch it off completely using the On/Off
switch on the side of the machine. This means that it will
not use any electricity.

Always push the lever back after each brewing procedure:
the capsule will fall out and the pressure in the system will
subside. A little more coffee will drip from the spout.

Push the lever down again when you are not using the
machine in order to close the capsule compartment.

18 Standby mode / Releasing pressure

Adjusting the strength of the coffee

Adjust the strength of the coffee to suit your personal
taste by adjusting the quantity of water. You can do this
for one single brewing procedure or save the setting.

Adjusting the strength for the current brewing
procedure (without saving the setting)

If the coffee is too weak, you can stop the water flow

m

prematurely by pressing the flashing coffee selection
button.

If the coffee is too strong, start the brewing procedure

m

again without inserting a new capsule. Press the button
as soon as sufficient water has run through.

Default settings:

Espresso approx. 40 ml
Caffè crema approx. 125 ml
Filter coffee approx. 125 ml

The water quantity can be set between approx.
30 and 300 ml.

Setting the strength permanently (saving the setting)

You can change the factory settings for the water flow
permanently. This enables you to make your favourite
coffee every time at exactly the strength you prefer.

You can customise the setting for each type of coffee:

one setting for espresso (white cup), another for caffè
crema (yellow cup) and another for filter coffee (blue cup).

1. Proceed in the same way as for brewing coffee:
fill the water tank, insert a capsule and place a cup
beneath the spout.

2. Press and hold the relevant coffee selection button
until the required quantity of coffee has run into the
cup.

3. When you release the button, the machine will save
that quantity.

If the settings are not to your taste, simply repeat the
procedure to change them again.

Restoring the factory settings

You can restore the original settings for the water
quantity.

1. Press the On/Off switch to
switch the machine off.

2. Press and hold the upper

+

The factory settings for the water quantity have been
restored.

and lower coffee selection
buttons and switch the
machine on.

3. Release the buttons.

19 Adjusting the strength of the coffee

Cleaning the water tank

The water tank should be cleaned once a week.

Wash the water tank with water and a mild washing-

m

up liquid.
Rinse it out thoroughly under running water and dry it.
The tank is not dishwasher safe.

Cleaning

CAUTION

• Never use caustic chemicals, or aggressive or abrasive
products for cleaning.

m

Cleaning the used capsule container and
drip tray/grid

m
m

m

The plastic parts are not dishwasher safe.
Only the drip grid can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

Cleaning the casing

m
m

Press the On/Off switch to switch the machine off and
unplug the mains plug from the wall socket.

Pull the unit out of the machine by the drip tray.
Take out the drip grid and used capsule container and

wash the individual parts with water and washing-up
liquid.

Dry the parts thoroughly.

Wipe the casing with a soft, damp cloth.
Also wipe the compartment for the used capsule

container with a soft, damp cloth as required.

20 Cleaning

Descaling

CAUTION – damage to the

machine due to
limescale deposits

• Descale the machine as soon

as the machine indicates that
this is necessary (after approx.

50 litres). This increases its
service life and saves energy.

• Do not use any descaling agents

containing formic acid.

• Only use the specified descaling
agents. Other agents may
damage materials in the appli­ance and/or have no effect.

When the left and right-hand indicator lights flash alter ­nately, the machine must be descaled. Do this within the
next couple of days. Do not wait any longer, otherwise so
much limescale may collect that a descaling agent will no
longer have any effect.

Descaling takes about 45 minutes.

Descaling agent

• Use a standard, liquid, descaling agent suitable for coffee
and espresso machines. We achieved very good results
using durgol®swiss espresso®– a special descaling agent
for coffee machines. durgol®swiss espresso®is available
from any Tchibo branch and from specialist retailers.
Please observe the manufacturer’s instructions.

• The machine can also be descaled in a more environ-

mentally friendly manner, using a solution of citric acid
and water.

Descaling

1. Press the On/Off switch to switch the machine off.

Using durgol®swiss espresso®:

m

+

Take the water tank out of the machine and pour one
portion (125 ml) of durgol®swiss espresso®into the
empty water tank. Add water up to the MAX mark.
Replace the tank.

Using citric acid:

m

Mix the citric acid with water and pour the solution into
the water tank. Ratio: 4 parts water to 1 part citric acid.

21 Descaling

250 ml

2. Push the lever down.

3. Place a container with a capacity of at least 250 ml

under the spout.

You will need to empty the container several times during
the descaling procedure.

4. Press and hold the upper and middle coffee selection

buttons and press the On/Off switch to switch

+

=

=

22 Descaling

the machine on. Release the buttons.
The middle coffee selection button, the left and the

right-hand indicator lights will flash alternately.

5. Press the flashing (middle) coffee selection button to
start descaling.

The descaling procedure will begin. The left and right-hand
indicator lights will flash alternately.

The procedure takes 45 minutes.

The machine will pump descaling liquid through the pipes
several times at 10-minute intervals. Each time approx.
175 ml will run into the container.

6. Throw the water away after every pumping cycle so
that the container does not overflow.

When the process has finished, the middle coffee selection
button and the left and right-hand indicator lights will
again flash alternately.

250 ml

MAX

7. Clean the water tank, used capsule container, drip tray
and grid as described in the section “Cleaning”.

Rinsing phase

8. To start the rinsing phase, rinse out the water tank
using fresh water and fill it with cold tap water to the
MAX mark.

9. Place an empty container with a capacity of at least

250 ml under the spout.

10. Press the flashing (middle) coffee selection button to
start rinsing.

2x

The left and right-hand indicator lights will each flash

=

twice alternately.

11. Approx. 500 ml will be rinsed through. Keep an eye on
the container and empty it, before it overflows.

When it has finished, the middle coffee selection button,
and the left and right-hand indicator lights will again flash
alternately.

12. Press the flashing (middle) coffee selection button.
Descaling is finished. All three coffee selection buttons

will flash. The machine will heat up to prepare coffee.

23 Descaling

250 ml

After a long period of non-use

If you will not be using the machine for a prolonged
period, e.g. when you go on holiday, we recommend, for
reasons of hygiene, that you remove the water from the
machine’s pipes. To do this:

1. Press the On/Off switch to switch the machine off.

2. Place a container beneath the coffee spout.

3. Push the lever down if applicable.

4. Empty the water container and reinsert it.

5. Press and hold the three coffee selection buttons
simultaneously and, in addition, press the On/Off
switch to switch the machine on. Release the buttons

+

=

again.
The right-hand indicator light will flash red.

24 After a long period of non-use

250 ml

250 ml

The pump transports the remaining water out of the
machine’s pipes. It will stop automatically as soon as
there is no more water inside. The residual water runs
into the container beneath the spout.

An acoustic signal will sound and the right-hand indi­cator light will continue to flash red.

6. Press the On/Off switch to switch the machine off.

7. Push the lever back to allow the pressure in the system
to subside. A little more water will drip from the spout.

Then push the lever down again to close the capsule
compartment.

If you wish to use the machine again at a later time, pro­ceed as described in the section “First-time use (Initial
operation)”.

25 After a long period of non-use

Fault / Remedy

The right-hand indicator light
flashes red and an acoustic
signal sounds.

No coffee or only a little coffee
is coming out.

Water is dripping out of the
coffee spout.

Is the water tank empty?

Fill the water tank.

m

Press one of the coffee selection buttons. The pump will start. As soon as the pipes

m

are filled with water the pump will stop automatically.
Once the coffee selection buttons remain permanently lit, the machine is ready for

m

use again.

Has the lever been raised during the brewing procedure?

WARNING - risk of scalds

If the lever is raised during the brewing procedure, splashes of hot water
may escape.

This will immediately stop the brewing procedure.

Push the lever down again.

m

Press one of the coffee selection buttons to switch off the acoustic signal.

m

If the right-hand indicator light flashes red, the water tank is empty. Fill it and press a
coffee selection button to fill the pipes with water again.

The water in the system expands as the machine heats up and as a result a little water
drips out of the coffee spout.

During brewing, the water is pressed through the capsule at high pressure. If the lever
is moved at the end, the machine loses pressure and coffee escapes. This is a
feature of the system and is not a fault. For this reason, you should not remove the
cup with the freshly brewed coffee from the drip grid until after you have fully pushed
back the lever.

26 Fault / Remedy

There are coffee grounds in the
cup.

A small residue of coffee grounds always remains at the bottom of the cup.
This is a feature of the system and is not a fault.

The coffee is not hot enough. Especially in the case of espresso, the quantity of coffee is so small compared with the

size of the cup that it quickly cools down. Preheat the cup by filling it with hot water
and pouring it away shortly before using the cup.

The left and right-hand indi­cator lights flash alternately.

The machine needs to be descaled. Do this within the next couple of days. Do not wait
any longer, otherwise so much limescale may collect that a descaling agent will no
longer have any effect. A defect caused in this way will not be covered by the
guarantee. Proceed as described in the section “Descaling”.

It is not possible to push the
lever down.

Check whether the used capsule container is full. Empty it if necessary.
If a capsule is trapped in the compartment, push the lever back fully and press the

capsule through from the top to the bottom. Do not reinsert a capsule if it is mis ­shapen.

27 Fault / Remedy

Technical specifications

Disposal

Type / model: 280 997
Product number: You can find the product

number of your Cafissimo on
the type plate on the underside
of the housing.

Before laying your Cafissimo on its side, remove
the water tank and drip tray. Protect the surface
beneath with an underlay, as coffee residue and
water can drip out.

Mains voltage: 220-240 V ~ 50 Hz
Power: 950 Watt
Energy consumption

Switch setting off: 0 watts/hour

Standby: < 0.5 watts/hour
Maximum pump pressure: 15 bar
Capacity of the

water tank: 1.1 litres
Protection class: I
Operating temperature: +10 to +40 °C
Made exclusively for: Tchibo GmbH, Überseering 18,

22297 Hamburg, Germany

In the course of product improvement, we
reserve the right to make technical and optical
modifications to the product.

28 Technical specifications / Disposal

The machine and its packaging have been manufactured
from valuable materials that can be recycled. Recycling
reduces the amount of refuse and helps to preserve the
environment.

Dispose of the packaging at a recycling point which sorts
materials by type. Make use of the local facilities provided
for collecting paper, cardboard and lightweight packaging.

Appliances marked with this symbol must not be
disposed of along with household refuse!
You are legally obliged to dispose of old appliances
separately from household refuse. Information
about collection points where old appliances can
be disposed of free of charge is available from
your local authorities.

Guarantee

We grant a 40-month guarantee from the date of purchase.
This product was manufactured using the latest

production techniques and has undergone thorough
quality control inspection. We guarantee that the product
is in perfect condition.

We will remedy all defects in workmanship or materials
within the guarantee period. In order for the guarantee to
be granted, all warranty claims must be accompanied by
proof of purchase from Tchibo or from an authorised
Tchibo distribution partner.

If, contrary to our expectations, a defect is found, please
contact our customer care service at the following e-mail
address:

[e-mail]

Our customer consultants will be pleased to advise you on
further procedure.

Damage due to improper use, failure to decalcify as well
as worn parts and consumables, are not covered by the
guarantee.

Please have the product number at hand in case of any
queries.

Product number: You can find the product number of

your Cafissimo on the type plate on
the underside of the housing.

29 Guarantee

64232-GS4XMOHBIII-EN004E