KitchenAid KCM222OB Use & Care Guide - Page 8

COFFEE BREWING SUGGESTIONS: ADVICE FOR GREAT TASTE Fresh Coffee Beans Truly great coffee can only come from fresh coffee beans. To preserve the freshness of your beans, keep the beans in an opaque, airtight container and store them in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration is not recommended since condensation tends to form on the beans whenever the container is opened. Freezing can help preserve beans stored for an extended period, but it will also impair flavor. The Right Grind The best cup of coffee comes from coffee beans that are properly ground just before brewing. When grinding, be sure to grind your coffee to a medium grind level, the appropriate grind for automatic drip coffee makers. Look for the KitchenAid® blade or burr coffee grinders at your local retailer or online at www.kitchenaid.com. The Proper Amount of Ground Coffee A good starting point is one scoop of coffee (scoop provided) for every cup of brew water marked on the glass carafe or the water tank. Finer grinds usually require less coffee but may also produce bitterness and clog the filter. For weaker coffee, brew using the suggested ratio of coffee grounds and water, then dilute with hot water. This maximizes flavor and minimizes bitterness. Brew Water Purity Great tasting coffee starts with fresh water. The removable water tank is easy to fill with water to give you great tasting coffee every time. It's also easy to clean so you can always make your coffee with the freshest water. Where local water is extremely poor, you may wish to use bottled water. Do not use distilled water or mineral water since they can damage your coffee maker. Coffee Maker Cleanliness Since the coffee oils that build up on the brew basket and carafe can go stale and impair the flavor of the brewed coffee, it's important that these two items are cleaned daily in order to make the best tasting coffee. PREPARING YOUR COFFEE MAKER FOR USE Pre-Use Cleaning Wash the brew basket, Gold Tone permanent filter, and carafe in hot, soapy water, then rinse with clean water and dry. Do not use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads. Installing the Water Filter Use of the water filter is strongly recommended. Use of the filter is optional. The coffee maker will operate normally without it. 1. The filter consists of a long handle with a filter cartridge at the end. 2. Place the filter cartridge in a separate container filled with fresh, cool water. The cartridge should remain submerged in the water for 10 minutes. Rinse the filter under running water for 2 seconds after soaking. 3. Lift the water tank lid using the tab on the rear of the lid. 8