Coffee is very bitter, harsh, or tastes burnt.

Safety first: Let the machine cool before cleaning. Unplug before removing internal parts.

Step-by-step:

• 1. Adjust grind coarser: While the grinder is running, move the grind selector one or two steps coarser to reduce extraction time.
• 2. Reduce strength/volume: Lower the coffee strength setting and/or cup volume in the Siemens menu.
• 3. Clean brew path: Remove and rinse the brew unit, coffee spouts, and outlet channels to ensure smooth flow and avoid overlong contact with coffee grounds.
• 4. Descale: Run a descaling cycle to normalize temperature control and flow through the thermoblock.
• 5. Check beans: Avoid very dark or oily beans, which naturally taste more bitter and can overheat in the grinder.