Smeg

Smeg BCC01

Answers and step-by-step fixes from the official Smeg manual.

Which light is on or flashing?

• LED 21 flashing (water tank): Water tank missing or empty. The tank is not in place or the water level is too low for the machine to run.
• LED 22 on steady (no coffee): Coffee beans low or empty. The bean container has reached its minimum level or has no beans at all.
• LED 23 on steady (grounds): Coffee grounds container full. The used coffee grounds container is full and needs emptying.
• LED 23 flashing (grounds): Grounds container or tray missing. The grounds container or the internal drip tray is missing or not fitted correctly, so the machine is locked.
• LED 24 flashing (brewing group): Door open or brewing group missing. The service door is open or the brewing group is missing or wrongly fitted, so the machine is locked.
• LED 24 on steady (brewing group): Brewing group needs cleaning. The machine is telling you it is time to clean the brewing group and its housing.
• LED 25 on steady (descaling): Descaling recommended. Limescale has built up enough that a descaling cycle is strongly recommended, though the machine will still work for a while.
• LED 25 flashing (descaling): Descaling mandatory. Limescale has built up so much that the machine is locked until you descale it.
• All buttons flash together: Hydraulic circuit error. The machine has detected a problem with its water circuit and is trying to reset itself.
• Two beeps, both LEDs turn off: General machine fault. The machine has stopped with a general problem it cannot fix on its own.
• Drawer blocked: Grounds drawer stuck. Incorrect use has left an internal part out of position, blocking the drawer.

Common problems

The machine won't turn on

1. Is the plug connected? Check the plug is pushed all the way into the socket and into the back of the machine.
2. Did you press the ON/OFF button? Press the ON/OFF button to start the machine.
3. Still nothing happens? The ON/OFF button itself may not be working.

The machine is on but won't make coffee

1. Is the water tank alarm light on? Make sure the tank is fitted correctly, or fill it with water.
2. Is the no-coffee alarm light on? Pour fresh coffee beans into the bean container.
3. Is the grounds container alarm on? Empty the used coffee grounds container, keeping the machine switched on while you do it.
4. Is the brewing group alarm on? Check the brewing group is fitted correctly and the service door is closed.

The coffee is weak, cold, or comes out slowly

1. Are your cups cold? Warm the cups first by rinsing them with hot water from the machine.
2. Is the coffee weak with little cream? The grind may be too coarse. Turn the grinding knob anticlockwise to tighten the grinders.
3. Have you run out of beans? Refill the bean container and try dispensing again.
4. Does coffee drip out slowly or the dispenser look clogged? The grind may be too fine, or the dispenser needs cleaning. Loosen the grind or clean the dispenser.

The machine stops mid drink or won't switch off

1. Was the tank removed or is water too low? Make sure the tank is fitted correctly and topped up with water.
2. Was the side door opened while dispensing? Close the side door again to let dispensing continue.
3. Is the tank reading wrong even though it has water? Limescale inside the tank can confuse the level reading. Clean the tank and run a descaling cycle if needed.
4. Does the machine refuse to switch off? It is likely waiting to run its final rinse cycle because the tank is empty.

Step-by-step guides

Descale the machine

1. Place a container of at least 1.4 litres under the dispenser.
2. Select the White program so the keys light white.
3. Fill the tank to MAX with water and the recommended amount of descaler.
4. Press keys 20 and 18 together for at least 3 seconds to start the cycle.
5. Stay near the machine in case it asks you to refill the tank.
6. Wait for the descaling cycle to finish, about 30 minutes.
7. When key 18 turns white, fill the tank with clean water up to MAX for rinsing.
8. Press key 18 to start the rinse cycle.

Clean the brewing group

1. With the machine on, press the lower part of the door until it releases, then slide it out.
2. Press the two release clips on the sides of the infuser and remove it.
3. Wash the brewing group with running water and dry it.
4. Clean the housing and duct using the supplied brush.
5. Dry all parts thoroughly before refitting them.
6. Refit the service door, making sure it sits correctly.

Set the water hardness

1. Remove the test strip from its packaging.
2. Fully submerge the strip in a glass of water for about one second.
3. Remove the strip from the water and shake it gently.
4. Wait about one minute, then read the result against the chart.
5. Press and hold keys 16 and 20 together for at least 3 seconds to open the hardness menu.
6. Press key 16 repeatedly to choose the hardness level matching your test.
7. Save it by pressing keys 16 and 20 together for 3 seconds, or just wait 15 seconds.