Q: I turned the warming plate off by pressing the Stay Warm button, but the Hot Surface light is still on.
A: Just looking out for you (and your fingers). The Hot Surface indicator is a safety feature to warn you the surface is currently hot. This may stay on for a few minutes after turning the Precise Temp Warming Plate off because the surface is still hot. The light will turn off when the warming plate cools off.
Q: How long does the Precise Temp Warming Plate keep coffee hot?
A: The Precise Temp Warming Plate is designed to keep your coffee hot for two hours. After that, the warming plate will turn off automatically. But if you want to turn it off sooner, you can—just press the Stay Warm button.
Q: Where is the on/off button?
A: Trick question–there isn't one. After your brew is complete and the warming plate turns off, the Ninja Coffee Bar brewer goes into standby. So it is ready to brew at any time.
Q: Is it normal for the lights to stay on for brew selection and vessel size?
A: Sure is. In fact, the Ninja Coffee Bar doesn't have an off button. So after the brew is complete and the warming plate turns off, the brewer goes into standby. The clock and brew size selection remain illuminated.
Q: The brew will not start.
A: Did you check to make sure the brewer is plugged in and water is in the water reservoir? Sounds obvious, but anything is possible if you haven't had your first cup. Also, if the Drip Stop is in the open position, the brew basket may need to be pushed all the way into the brewer. If you hear five beeps, check that the Drip Stop is in the open position. NOTE: 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 your coffee grounds.
Q: Why is my Ninja Coffee Bar beeping?
A:There are multiple reasons why your Ninja Coffee Bar brewer may be beeping. Fortunately, we have multiple solutions. See below.
When starting a brew:
If the Drip Stop is closed OR the brew basket is not inserted all the way into the brewer and you press a brew button, the Ninja Coffee Bar will begin beeping. Check if the brew basket is inserted all the way and make sure the Drip Stop is open.
When using Delay Brew:
After or during a brew:
Q: How do I remove or insert the brew basket?
A: The brew basket can be removed from the brewer by lifting the brew basket at a slight upward angle (similar to a cabinet drawer). To reinsert, align the brew basket with the tracks on the brewer and insert at a downward angle.
Q: Why is there water left in the reservoir?
A: There may be water left in the reservoir after a brew. This is normal since the water is automatically metered based on your brew selection.
Q: How do I set the clock?
A: To set the clock, simply press the H button for hours and the M button for minutes until your desired time appears.
Q: How do I set up for single cup, travel, half carafe, full carafe, and Drip Stop?
A: To brew a half carafe or full carafe, place your carafe below the brew basket and fill the water reservoir with water. Then insert a #4 paper filter or the permanent filter in the brew basket, and add your favorite coffee using the Ninja Coffee Scoop. After adding the water and coffee, choose a size and brew type. If you want to pour a cup of coffee before the brew is complete you can close the Drip Stop and remove your carafe to pour a cup. Remember to replace the carafe and open the Drip Stop when you're done. You can also use the Drip Stop to stop the brew basket from dripping coffee at the end of the brew. If you want to brew a travel mug, you can place larger cups and travel mugs directly on the base of the unit. Don't worry—the warming plate won't turn on when brewing on the travel mug or cup setting. If you want to brew a cup, lower the cup platform below the brew basket and place your cup on the platform, following the same instructions above.
Q: How do I clean after a brew?
A: Cleaning your Ninja Coffee Bar is easy.
1. Before cleaning, close the Drip Stop.
2. After each brew is complete and the coffee grounds have cooled, carefully remove the paper filter and discard. Then remove the brew basket from the brewer. Rinse and wash with soap and warm water.
3. Wash the carafe and brew-through lid with soap and warm water. Use a bottle brush or a cloth to clean the inside of the carafe. Do not use a wire brush.
4. Allow the warming plate to cool, then wipe the machine down with a warm cloth, soap, and water. Do not immerse the base in water. For best results, use a bottle brush. This will allow you to scrub all of the inside with soap and hot water.
Q: What parts of the Ninja Coffee Bar are dishwasher-safe?
A:Parts that are top-shelf dishwasher-safe: brew-through lid, glass carafe, and water reservoir. The brew basket is not dishwasher safe.
Q: What do I do if the Clean Light Indicator comes on?
A: The Clean button should illuminate when your Ninja Coffee Bar senses there is a calcium buildup in your machine. Follow procedures for Clean and Descale. Be sure to allow the brewer to cool before cleaning. Do not immerse the coffeemaker into water or any other liquid. To keep your brewer brewing hot rich and smooth coffee, cleaning is recommended before or as soon as the Clean button is lit.
Q: How do I clean and descale?
A: Instructions for cleaning and descaling your Ninja Coffee Bar are below.
1. Set the carafe in place beneath the brew basket.
2. Follow the directions on the descaling solution package. Or, fill the water reservoir to the travel mug line (16-oz) with only white vinegar. Then fill the rest of the water reservoir with water up to the full carafe line (43-oz).
3. Once the water reservoir is filled with your cleaning solution and water mixture, press the Clean button to activate the clean cycle. This process will take about eight minutes to complete.
4. Once the clean cycle is complete, empty and rinse the carafe and water reservoir. Please take special care to thoroughly clean the carafe and water reservoir of any cleaning solution that could affect the flavor of your coffee.
5. Once the clean light turns off, fill the water reservoir with fresh water and run two or three clean cycles to rinse. Discard the water in the carafe after each cycle.
6. If the Clean light illuminates on the next brew after a clean cycle, repeat the steps above.
7. Be sure to allow the brewer to cool before cleaning and do not immerse the brewer into water or any other liquid. To keep your Ninja Coffee Bar brewing hot, rich, and smooth coffee, cleaning is recommended before or as soon as the Clean button is illuminated.
Q: Can I add more water while brewing?
A: We don't recommend adding water to the water reservoir while the Ninja Coffee Bar brewer is in use.
Q: How do I change the vessel size?
A: It's easy. Just turn the size dial to Cup, Travel Mug, Half Carafe, or Full Carafe. The Ninja Coffee Bar will dispense the following amounts on Classic Brew:
Q: Why did my cup or travel mug overflow?
A: If your cup overflowed, please be sure that the cup can hold over 10 ounces of liquid. NOTE: On Rich Brew, Over Ice Brew, and Specialty Brew there will be less volume dispensed.
Q: How do I set the Delay Brew?
A: Setting the Delay Brew is easy. First, be sure the clock is set, then press the Delay Brew button. The clock will begin to flash. Immediately press the H (Hour) or M (Minutes) buttons to set the clock to your desired time. Then select your desired size and press the brew button. Wait a moment for the Delay Brew light to illuminate and you're all set.
Q: The coffee is not hot enough.
A:Try this: Rinse your mug or carafe with hot water from the tap. If you're using a microwave-safe mug with cream or milk, try preheating the cream or milk in a microwave for 30 seconds. NOTE: Never place your carafe in the microwave.
Q: Why is the second cup that I brewed hotter than the first brew?
A: Once the Ninja Coffee Bar has brewed the first cup, the brewing system is prewarmed. This enables any following brews to be slightly hotter. For a hotter first cup, try prewarming your mug.
Q: Why is there is sediment in my coffee?
A: This could be due to finely ground coffee in the permanent filter. To reduce the amount of sediment in your coffee, try using a slightly coarser grind or a paper filter.
Q: Why are there are grounds in my coffee?
A: If there are grounds in your coffee, check to make sure the brew basket did not overflow. If there are too many grounds in the brew basket, the grounds will flow into an overflow channel designed to make sure overflow is captured in the brew vessel.
Q: Does the Ninja Coffee Bar take coffee pods?
A: Nope. This brewer is designed to brew coffee grounds only.
Q: Why is the brew cycle slow?
A: A carafe brew normally takes about eight minutes and a single cup takes about four minutes. If your brew cycle is taking longer, run a clean cycle with descaling solution.
Q: Can I change brew setting once coffee has started to brew?
A: Once you press the brew button, your size and brew selections are locked in. However if you want to change the size or brew type, you can cancel your brew by pressing the same brew button. Once the brew is canceled, select your new desired size and brew type.
Q: How can I pause the brew cycle to pour a cup before it has finished?
A: It's as simple as flipping the Drip Stop switch to the right. This stops the flow of coffee from the brew basket. After pouring your cup, just place the carafe back under the brew basket and flip the Drip Stop switch to the left.
Q: Are special coffee beans required?
A: No, but a medium grind coffee is recommended for all brew sizes and styles.
Q: How do I make coffee that's stronger or milder?
A: Many factors can contribute to the strength and taste of your coffee. For a stronger coffee, try adding more grounds or using rich brew. If you prefer milder coffee, try less coffee or a coarser grind.
If your coffee is too strong, try using less coffee grounds. If your coffee is still too strong, try using a coarser grind.
If your coffee is weak, try adding more coffee grounds to the brew basket for your next brew. If your coffee is still weak, try Rich Brew for a richer, more concentrated cup.
Q: What kind of ice is recommended when brewing Iced Coffee?
A: We suggest using normal sized ice cubes from a freezer tray. But any ice cube size will do, as long as it's not crushed ice.
Q: Is it okay to brew iced coffee in the glass and thermal?
A: Sure is. As a matter of fact, the glass and thermal carafes were specially designed for both hot and iced coffee. When making iced coffee in the carafe, fill it to the top with ice cubes and let your Ninja Coffee Bar do the rest.
Q: Why does the brew basket drip after brewing?
A: Is the Drip Stop toggle set to the closed/no drip position? If it is and the brewer continues to drip, run a clean cycle or wash the brew basket thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
Information provided by Ninja.