Keurig K Cafe Essentials Manual

The Keurig K Cafe Essentials is a single-serve coffee maker with built-in milk frother, designed to brew coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos. It features multiple brew sizes (6, 8, 10, 12 oz), a strong brew option, hot water dispenser, removable drip tray, descale indicator, and compatibility with all K-Cup pods. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First-Time Use 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Brewing Coffee 7. Using the Milk Frother 8. Maintenance & Cleaning 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Brewer with LCD display, Milk Frother (latte & cold froth settings), Water Reservoir, Drip Tray, K-Cup Pod Holder, Power Cord.

FeatureDescription
Brew Sizes6, 8, 10, 12 oz coffee; 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 oz hot water
Strong BrewIncreases coffee strength for bolder flavor
Milk FrotherCreates hot froth for lattes/cappuccinos; cold froth for iced drinks
Hot Water DispenserDispenses hot water for tea, cocoa, oatmeal
Removable Drip TrayAccommodates travel mugs up to 7.2 inches
Descale IndicatorAlerts when descaling is needed
LCD DisplayShows brew size, settings, status messages
Auto-OffTurns off after 2 hours of inactivity
Power ButtonTurns brewer on/off
Brew ButtonStarts brewing process

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on clean, level, stable surface.

  1. Remove packaging materials and stickers.
  2. Wash water reservoir and drip tray with warm, soapy water; rinse and dry.
  3. Fill reservoir with fresh, cold water; place back on brewer.
  4. Plug power cord into 120V AC outlet.
  5. Prime the system: Turn on brewer, run water through without a K-Cup pod.

WARNING! Do not use without water. Keep cord away from heated surfaces.

First-Time Use

Power on brewer; follow on-screen prompts.

  1. Select language: Press MENU to choose ENGLISH (default).
  2. Set time (optional): Use MENU to set clock for auto-off reference.
  3. Prime brewer: Place mug, press BREW without pod to flush system.
  4. Insert K-Cup: Lift handle, place pod, close firmly.
  5. Choose brew size: Press 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz button.
  6. Start brew: Press BREW button.

CAUTION! Hot surfaces! Avoid contact during and after brewing.

Specifications

Controls and Settings

Access settings via MENU button on control panel.

Control Panel: POWER, BREW, STRONG, HOT WATER, 6/8/10/12 oz buttons, MENU, FROTHER (latte/cold).

Brew Settings: Brew size selection, Strong brew (on/off), Hot water dispenser. Frother Settings: Latte (hot froth), Cold (cold froth). System Settings: Language (ENGLISH default), Clock set, Auto-off (2 hrs default), Descaling mode. Display: LCD shows selected brew size, settings, alerts.

Brewing Coffee

Brews coffee using K-Cup pods.

  1. Turn on brewer; wait for READY light.
  2. Place mug on drip tray.
  3. Lift handle, insert K-Cup, close handle firmly.
  4. Select brew size (6, 8, 10, 12 oz).
  5. For stronger coffee, press STRONG before brewing.
  6. Press BREW button; brewing completes in under a minute.
  7. Remove mug; discard used pod.

Tip: Use filtered water for better taste and to reduce descaling frequency.

Using the Milk Frother

Creates froth for lattes, cappuccinos, and cold drinks.

  1. Fill frother with milk up to MAX line (do not overfill).
  2. Select froth type: Press FROTHER button for LATTE (hot) or COLD (cold froth).
  3. Place mug under frother spout.
  4. Press START; frothing completes automatically.
  5. Clean frother immediately after use.

WARNING! Do not run frother without milk. Use dairy or non-dairy milk labeled "barista blend" for best results.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance.

CAUTION! Unplug before cleaning. Never immerse brewer in water.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits for residential use. Copyright © Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. All rights reserved. Keurig, K-Cup are trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. For support, visit www.keurig.com or contact 1-866-901-2739.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Brewer won't turn onPower cord/outletEnsure cord plugged in; check outlet; press POWER firmly.
No water flowClog/air lockDescale; check reservoir seated; prime system.
Weak coffeeStrong setting/waterEnable STRONG brew; use filtered water; check pod freshness.
Frother not workingMilk level/cleanlinessFill to MAX line; clean frother; ensure correct setting.
Descale light onMineral buildupRun descaling cycle with Keurig descaling solution.
Leaking waterLoose reservoirEnsure reservoir fully seated; check for cracks.

Reset: Unplug for 60 seconds, then restart.

Service: 1-866-901-2739; www.keurig.com

Keurig K Cafe Essentials Manual © - All Rights Reserved 2025