Brewing Hot and Iced Coffee With Mr. Coffee

Quick answer

• Always use fresh, cold water.
• Measure your coffee grounds. Don’t eyeball it.
• Use the right grind size for your machine.
• Clean your Mr. Coffee regularly.
• For iced coffee, use double the grounds.
• Let hot coffee brew fully before adding ice.
• Experiment with ratios to find your sweet spot.
• Don’t overfill the water reservoir.

Who this is for

• Anyone who just got a Mr. Coffee Iced + Hot Coffee Maker and wants to make a solid cup.
• Folks who are tired of weak or bitter coffee from their current setup.
• People looking to save some cash by brewing at home instead of hitting the coffee shop.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

This machine is pretty straightforward, but it’s good to know what you’re working with. It’s an automatic drip machine. You’ll be using a standard basket-style paper filter for hot coffee. For iced coffee, you’ll use a reusable brew basket that comes with the machine. Make sure you’ve got the right filter for the job.

For hot coffee, you’ll be using a standard basket-style paper filter. Make sure you have a good supply on hand, as using the right filter is key to a clean brew.

Water quality and temperature

This is huge. Stale or bad-tasting water makes bad coffee. Use filtered water if your tap water isn’t great. Cold water is what you want to start with. The machine heats it up. Never use hot water from the tap; it can contain minerals that aren’t good for your coffee or the machine.

Grind size and coffee freshness

For most drip machines like this Mr. Coffee, a medium grind is your best bet. Think sea salt. Too fine, and you’ll get sludge and bitterness. Too coarse, and your coffee will be weak. Freshly roasted and ground beans are king. Coffee starts losing flavor the moment it’s ground. Grind right before you brew if you can.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is where a lot of people go wrong. Too little coffee means weak, watery stuff. Too much coffee, and it’s a bitter mess. A good starting point for hot coffee is around 1 to 2 tablespoons of grounds for every 6 oz of water. For iced coffee, you’ll want to double that. More on this later.

Cleanliness/descale status

A dirty machine makes dirty coffee. Seriously. If you haven’t cleaned it in a while, you’re probably brewing with old coffee oils and mineral buildup. Give the brew basket, carafe, and water reservoir a good wash regularly. Descale it every few months, depending on your water hardness. Check the manual for specific instructions on descaling.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

For Hot Coffee:

1. Add water to the reservoir.

• What to do: Pour cold, filtered water into the water reservoir, using the measurement lines for the amount of coffee you want.
• What “good” looks like: Water level is clear and matches your desired cup count.
• Common mistake: Overfilling the reservoir. This can cause overflow or uneven brewing. Stick to the marked lines.

2. Place the filter and grounds.

• What to do: Put a paper basket filter into the brew basket. Add your medium-ground coffee.
• What “good” looks like: Filter is seated properly, and grounds are distributed evenly.
• Common mistake: Not using a filter, or using a filter that doesn’t fit. This makes a huge mess.

3. Add coffee grounds.

• What to do: Measure your coffee. For a standard 12-cup pot, start with about 8-10 tablespoons for a balanced flavor. Adjust to taste.
• What “good” looks like: The amount of coffee looks right for the amount of water.
• Common mistake: Guessing the amount of coffee. This is the fastest way to bad coffee. Use a scoop or a scale.

4. Close the lid and place the carafe.

• What to do: Make sure the brew basket lid is closed securely. Place the carafe on the warming plate.
• What “good” looks like: Everything is aligned and ready to go.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to put the carafe in place. Coffee will go everywhere.

5. Select “Hot Coffee” and press Start.

• What to do: Ensure the selector is on “Hot Coffee.” Press the power button.
• What “good” looks like: The machine powers on, and brewing begins shortly.
• Common mistake: Leaving the selector on “Iced” for hot coffee. It won’t brew correctly.

6. Wait for the brew cycle to complete.

• What to do: Let the machine finish its cycle. Most have an indicator light or sound.
• What “good” looks like: No more dripping, and the machine is quiet.
• Common mistake: Trying to pull the carafe too early. You’ll get a weak first cup and a mess.

For Iced Coffee:

1. Add water to the reservoir.

• What to do: Fill the water reservoir with cold, filtered water. Use the iced coffee lines.
• What “good” looks like: Water level is correct for iced coffee.
• Common mistake: Using the hot coffee water lines. Your iced coffee will be way too weak.

2. Fill the ice bin.

• What to do: Fill the dedicated ice bin with fresh ice cubes.
• What “good” looks like: The bin is full of ice.
• Common mistake: Not filling the ice bin enough. The coffee won’t chill properly.

3. Place the reusable brew basket and grounds.

• What to do: Insert the reusable brew basket. Add your medium-ground coffee.
• What “good” looks like: Basket is in place, and grounds are ready.
• Common mistake: Using a paper filter here. The machine is designed for the reusable basket for iced coffee.

4. Add coffee grounds (double the amount).

• What to do: Measure your coffee. For a full pitcher, use about 12-16 tablespoons of grounds. This is crucial for strong iced coffee.
• What “good” looks like: A generous amount of coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Using the same amount of coffee as for hot. This makes weak, watery iced coffee.

5. Close the lid and place the pitcher.

• What to do: Secure the brew basket lid. Place the included pitcher on the drip tray.
• What “good” looks like: Everything is set up correctly.
• Common mistake: Not having the pitcher under the spout. Coffee will pour onto the machine.

6. Select “Iced Coffee” and press Start.

• What to do: Ensure the selector is on “Iced Coffee.” Press the power button.
• What “good” looks like: The machine starts brewing, and hot coffee drips over the ice.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to switch the selector to “Iced.” The machine won’t brew into the pitcher.

7. Wait for the brew cycle to complete.

• What to do: Let the machine finish brewing.
• What “good” looks like: The brewing stops, and the coffee is chilled.
• Common mistake: Trying to rush the process. Let it do its thing.

8. Stir and serve.

• What to do: Give the brewed iced coffee a good stir to ensure it’s evenly chilled.
• What “good” looks like: Well-mixed, cold coffee.
• Common mistake: Not stirring. You might have a layer of warmer coffee at the bottom.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using stale coffee beans	Flat, dull, or bitter taste	Buy freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing.
Using pre-ground coffee that’s old	Lack of aroma and flavor, stale taste	Buy whole beans and grind them yourself. Store beans in an airtight container.
Incorrect grind size (too fine)	Bitter coffee, grounds in your cup	Use a medium grind, like coarse sand or sea salt.
Incorrect grind size (too coarse)	Weak, watery coffee	Use a medium grind.
Using tap water with bad taste/smell	Off-flavors in your coffee	Use filtered or bottled water.
Not cleaning the machine regularly	Rancid coffee oils, mineral buildup, bad taste	Wash the brew basket and carafe after each use. Descale monthly.
Using the wrong ratio of coffee to water	Weak or overly strong/bitter coffee	Start with 1-2 tbsp grounds per 6 oz water for hot; double for iced.
Rushing the brew cycle (pulling carafe early)	Weak first cup, overflow, messy counter	Wait for the brew cycle to finish completely.
Using hot water from the tap	Can introduce minerals, affect taste	Always use cold, filtered water.
Forgetting to switch brew mode (Hot/Iced)	Incorrect brewing temperature/strength	Always double-check the selector switch before pressing start.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your hot coffee tastes weak, then increase the amount of coffee grounds because you’re likely under-extracting.
• If your hot coffee tastes bitter, then decrease the amount of coffee grounds or check your grind size because you might be over-extracting.
• If your iced coffee tastes watery, then use more coffee grounds or ensure you used the “Iced Coffee” setting because it needs to be brewed stronger.
• If you see grounds in your cup, then use a coarser grind or ensure your filter is seated correctly because the grounds are passing through too easily.
• If your coffee tastes “off” or has a metallic tang, then it’s time to descale your machine because mineral buildup is affecting the taste.
• If you’re brewing hot coffee and it’s taking a really long time, then check for clogs in the brew basket or showerhead, or it might be time to descale.
• If you’re brewing iced coffee and it’s not cold enough, then make sure the ice bin is full and the machine is set to “Iced Coffee” because it needs ice to chill.
• If the machine is making strange noises, then check the water reservoir to ensure it’s not empty or overfilled because low water can cause pump issues.
• If your coffee carafe has a persistent stain, then use a good coffee carafe cleaner or try a baking soda paste because coffee oils can be stubborn.
• If you want a bolder hot coffee without bitterness, then try using slightly more coffee grounds and a slightly coarser grind.

FAQ

Q: How much coffee should I use for iced coffee?

A: For iced coffee, you need to brew it stronger to account for the dilution from the ice. Use about double the amount of coffee grounds you would use for the same amount of hot coffee.

Q: Can I use a paper filter for iced coffee?

A: No, the Mr. Coffee Iced + Hot Coffee Maker is designed to use its reusable brew basket for iced coffee. Paper filters are for the hot coffee function only.

Q: How often should I clean my Mr. Coffee maker?

A: It’s best to wash the brew basket and carafe after each use. Descale the machine every 1-3 months, depending on how often you use it and the hardness of your water.

Q: My coffee tastes burnt. What’s wrong?

A: This usually means the coffee is over-extracted. Try using a coarser grind, less coffee, or ensure your machine isn’t overheating. Also, make sure the machine is clean.

Q: Can I brew directly into a travel mug for hot coffee?

A: This model is designed to brew into the carafe. Trying to brew into a travel mug directly might not work well and could cause spills.

Q: What kind of water is best for brewing?

A: Cold, filtered water is ideal. If your tap water tastes good, it’s probably fine, but filtering removes any impurities that can affect coffee flavor.

Q: How do I get rid of mineral buildup (descale)?

A: You’ll typically use a mixture of white vinegar and water or a commercial descaling solution. Follow the specific instructions in your Mr. Coffee manual for the descaling process.

Q: My iced coffee is weak even when I use more grounds.

A: Double-check that the selector is firmly set to “Iced Coffee.” If it is, ensure you’re using enough ice in the bin and that the brew cycle is completing fully.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Advanced brewing techniques like pour-over or AeroPress.
• Specific recommendations for coffee bean origins or roast profiles.
• Troubleshooting complex electrical issues with the machine.
• Comparisons to other brands or types of coffee makers.