Using the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker
Quick answer
- Use the included brew basket and reusable filter.
- Fill the water reservoir to the desired mark for your coffee strength.
- Add your favorite coffee grounds to the filter.
- Place your mug or pitcher under the drip.
- Press the “Brew” button.
- Let it brew directly over ice for a chilled, ready-to-drink coffee.
- Always clean after use.
Who this is for
- Anyone who loves iced coffee but wants a quick, home-brewed option.
- Campers and dorm dwellers needing a simple, compact coffee solution.
- Folks who want to save money compared to buying iced coffee daily.
For anyone looking for a quick and easy way to make iced coffee at home, the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker is an excellent choice.
- BREW BY THE CUP OR CARAFE: Brews both K-Cup pods and coffee grounds.
- MULTISTREAM TECHNOLOGY: Saturates the grounds evenly to extract full flavor and aroma in every cup, hot or cold.
- BREW OVER ICE: Adjusts temperature for maximum flavor and less ice melt for single-cup iced coffees and teas.
- STRONG BREW & EXTRA HOT FUNCTIONALITY: Brews a stronger, more intense-flavored cup and the extra hot feature brews a hotter single cup.
- MULTIPLE BREW SIZES: Brew 6, 8, 10, or 12oz single cups or 6, 8, 10, or 12-cup carafes. 12-cup glass carafe specially designed to limit dripping.
What to check first
Brewer type and filter type
You’ve got the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker. That’s the key. It’s designed specifically for this. It uses a reusable mesh filter, which is great. No need to buy paper filters. Just make sure that mesh filter is clean and seated properly before you start.
Water quality and temperature
Good coffee starts with good water. If your tap water tastes off, your coffee will too. Consider filtered water. For iced coffee, the machine brews hot, so the water temp is handled. But the ice is what cools it down. Make sure you have plenty of ice.
Grind size and coffee freshness
For this machine, a medium grind is usually your best bet. Think table salt. Too fine, and it might clog. Too coarse, and you’ll get weak coffee. Freshly ground beans always win. Grind them right before brewing if you can.
Coffee-to-water ratio
This is where you dial in your strength. The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker has markings on the reservoir. For a single serving, you might use the “1 cup” mark for water. Then add coffee grounds. The manual usually suggests a starting point. For a stronger brew, use more grounds or less water. For weaker, do the opposite. Experiment to find your sweet spot.
Cleanliness/descale status
This is non-negotiable. If your machine is grimy, your coffee will taste bad. Run a cleaning cycle if it’s been a while. The manual will tell you how to descale it. Usually, it involves vinegar or a descaling solution. Do this regularly, especially if you have hard water.
Step-by-step (brew workflow)
1. Fill the water reservoir: Pour cold, filtered water into the reservoir up to the desired strength marking (e.g., “1 cup,” “2 cups”).
- What “good” looks like: Water level is clear and matches the desired brew size.
- Common mistake: Overfilling or underfilling. This messes with the brew strength and can cause overflow.
- Avoid it: Double-check the markings before pouring.
2. Insert the brew basket and filter: Slide the brew basket into place, ensuring it’s fully seated. Place the reusable mesh filter inside the basket.
- What “good” looks like: The basket and filter are secure and level.
- Common mistake: Not seating the brew basket correctly. This can lead to leaks or grounds getting into your coffee.
- Avoid it: Give the basket a gentle push to make sure it clicks into place.
3. Add coffee grounds: Measure your coffee grounds and add them to the reusable filter.
- What “good” looks like: Grounds are evenly distributed in the filter.
- Common mistake: Using too many or too few grounds. This directly impacts taste.
- Avoid it: Start with the manufacturer’s recommendation or your usual ratio and adjust from there.
Don’t forget to use your favorite coffee grounds; a quality blend like this one can make all the difference in your iced coffee.
- Contains one (1) 28 Ounce Bag of Peet's French Roast Ground 100% Arabica Coffee
- Flavor and Roast: Medium Roast. Flavor notes of citrus and hints of brown sugar and cocoa.
- Brewing Methods: Our ground coffee is perfectly suited to make drip or a pour over in your Chemex. For other brewing methods - espresso, cold brew, or French press - consider our whole bean coffees and griding at home
- Sourcing With Impact: The coffee you buy can impact the welfare of the people and planet. Peet’s is actively engaged in driving positive impact in communities where our coffees are grown
- Rich. Complex. Incomparable. Masters of our craft for over 50 years, we hand roast the very best coffees in the world.
4. Place your mug or pitcher: Position your chosen vessel directly under the brew spout.
- What “good” looks like: The mug/pitcher is centered and stable.
- Common mistake: Not placing the vessel correctly. This leads to coffee spills.
- Avoid it: Make sure it’s pushed in as far as it can go and doesn’t wobble.
5. Add ice to your mug/pitcher: Fill your vessel with ice cubes. This is crucial for making iced coffee.
- What “good” looks like: Plenty of ice to chill the coffee quickly.
- Common mistake: Not enough ice. The coffee won’t be cold enough, or it’ll be watered down.
- Avoid it: Fill the vessel about halfway or two-thirds with ice.
6. Close the lid: Securely close the lid of the coffee maker.
- What “good” looks like: The lid is shut firmly.
- Common mistake: Leaving the lid ajar. This can affect brewing temperature and steam release.
- Avoid it: Press down gently until it clicks or feels secure.
7. Press the “Brew” button: Turn the machine on. The indicator light should illuminate.
- What “good” looks like: The machine starts brewing, and the light is on.
- Common mistake: Forgetting to press the button. Obvious, but it happens!
- Avoid it: Take a second look to confirm the light is lit.
8. Wait for brewing to complete: The machine will brew hot coffee directly over the ice.
- What “good” looks like: Hot coffee drips steadily, melting the ice and chilling the brew.
- Common mistake: Trying to remove the brew basket too early. This is a mess waiting to happen.
- Avoid it: Wait until the dripping stops completely.
9. Remove your coffee: Carefully take your mug or pitcher out from under the drip spout.
- What “good” looks like: A perfectly chilled cup of coffee.
- Common mistake: Touching hot parts of the machine.
- Avoid it: Be mindful of the hot drip area.
10. Serve and enjoy: Stir your coffee to ensure it’s fully chilled. Add milk, cream, or sugar as desired.
- What “good” looks like: Delicious, cold coffee.
- Common mistake: Not stirring. You might get a lukewarm layer on top.
- Avoid it: Give it a good stir before your first sip.
11. Clean up: Discard used grounds, rinse the brew basket and filter.
- What “good” looks like: All components are clean and ready for the next use.
- Common mistake: Leaving grounds in the filter. This can lead to mold and bad odors.
- Avoid it: Make cleaning a habit right after brewing.
Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)
| Mistake | What it causes | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using tap water with bad taste | Off-flavors in your coffee | Use filtered or bottled water. |
| Not cleaning the reusable filter | Bitter taste, clogs, potential mold growth | Rinse and wash the filter after every use. |
| Using too fine a coffee grind | Over-extraction, bitter coffee, potential overflow | Use a medium grind (like table salt). |
| Using too coarse a coffee grind | Under-extraction, weak and sour coffee | Use a medium grind. |
| Not using enough ice | Weak, lukewarm coffee | Fill your mug/pitcher at least halfway with ice. |
| Overfilling the water reservoir | Coffee overflow, messy countertop | Stick to the marked lines for desired strength. |
| Forgetting to press the brew button | No coffee, obviously | Double-check the indicator light is on. |
| Leaving old grounds in the basket | Stale taste, mold, bad smells | Rinse and clean the basket and filter immediately after brewing. |
| Not stirring the finished coffee | Uneven temperature (warm on top, cold on bottom) | Stir well before drinking to ensure even chilling. |
| Brewing hot coffee directly into a non-iced container | Diluted, lukewarm coffee | Always brew over ice for true iced coffee. |
| Not descaling regularly | Slow brewing, reduced heating efficiency, mineral buildup | Follow the manual’s instructions for descaling (e.g., with vinegar). |
Decision rules (simple if/then)
- If your coffee tastes bitter, then try a coarser grind because too fine a grind can over-extract.
- If your coffee tastes weak, then add more coffee grounds or use less water because the ratio is off.
- If the machine is brewing slowly, then it likely needs descaling because mineral buildup impedes flow.
- If you see grounds in your coffee, then check that the filter is properly seated and not damaged because a loose filter lets grounds through.
- If you’re getting overflow, then check the water level and ensure the brew basket is clear because too much water or a blockage will cause spills.
- If your coffee isn’t cold enough, then add more ice to your mug because the ice is what cools the hot brew.
- If your coffee has a stale or “off” taste, then clean the brew basket and filter thoroughly because residue can spoil the flavor.
- If you want a stronger brew, then increase the amount of coffee grounds for the same amount of water because more coffee equals more flavor.
- If you want a less strong brew, then decrease the amount of coffee grounds or increase the water because less coffee or more water dilutes the flavor.
- If the machine is making strange noises, then check for any obstructions in the brewing path or if it needs cleaning because blockages can cause strain.
- If the coffee tastes sour, then try a finer grind because a grind that’s too coarse can under-extract.
FAQ
Q: Do I need special coffee for this machine?
A: Nope. Use your favorite ground coffee. A medium grind works best.
Q: How much coffee grounds should I use?
A: Start with the amount recommended in your manual. For a single cup, that’s often 1-2 tablespoons. Adjust to your taste.
Q: Can I brew hot coffee instead of iced?
A: This machine is designed for iced coffee. It brews hot coffee directly over ice. You could try brewing without ice, but the result might not be ideal.
Q: How do I clean the reusable filter?
A: Rinse it thoroughly after each use. You can also wash it with warm, soapy water. Make sure it’s dry before storing.
Q: How often should I descale the machine?
A: It depends on your water hardness. If you notice slower brewing or mineral buildup, it’s time. A good rule of thumb is monthly for heavy use.
Q: What if my coffee is too weak?
A: Try using more coffee grounds or slightly less water. Ensure your grind size isn’t too coarse.
Q: What if my coffee is too strong or bitter?
A: Use fewer coffee grounds or a bit more water. A grind that’s too fine can also cause bitterness.
Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee?
A: Yes, you can. However, freshly ground coffee generally offers the best flavor.
What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)
- Specific cleaning solutions or detailed descaling procedures for all Mr. Coffee models. (Check your owner’s manual.)
- Advanced brewing techniques like pour-over or espresso. (Explore dedicated guides for those methods.)
- Comparisons to other iced coffee maker brands. (Look for product reviews and comparison articles.)
- Recipes for flavored iced coffee drinks. (Search for coffee recipe blogs and websites.)
- Troubleshooting electrical issues or internal component failures. (Contact Mr. Coffee customer support.)