The water-hardness setting is particularly important on this machine because it influences the descale reminder.

Dip the supplied test strip completely into your water for 5–10 seconds, remove it and gently shake away excess water. Leave it on a dry, flat surface for one minute.

Count the purple squares from 0–5 and enter the corresponding hardness level when the machine requests it.

To change the setting later:

Hold SIZE for 3 seconds → select _h08 → choose hardness level → hold SIZE for 3 seconds to exit.

The ES601UK uses an integrated 25-setting conical burr grinder and weight-based dosing.

Choose the required drink and the machine displays a recommended grind setting. Turn the grind dial on the left-hand side until the current grind setting matches the recommendation, then select START GRIND.

Barista Assist learns from previous espresso extractions. With new beans, allow approximately two espresso brews for it to calibrate.

The recommended number can subsequently change as the beans age or the machine gathers additional extraction information.

Don't put water into the grinder while the bean hopper is fitted to the machine.

When the CLEAN light illuminates:

1. Empty the main drip tray.
   
2. Fit the double basket into the portafilter.
   
3. Position the cleaning disc over the basket.
   
4. Put one cleaning tablet in the centre of the disc.
   
5. Install the portafilter into the group head.
   
6. Press CLEAN.
   
7. Allow the approximately six-minute programme to finish.
   
8. Carefully remove the portafilter and drip tray and wash them appropriately.
   

The programme is designed to remove accumulated coffee oils and grounds from the brewing system.

When DESCALE illuminates, empty the drip tray before starting because water from the programme is discharged into it.

Ninja's procedure uses its descale powder dissolved in 1.1 litres of water. The official instructions also specify an alternative mixture of 500 ml white vinegar topped up with water to the Descale line.

Fit the double basket and portafilter, place the milk jug on its platform with the steam wand inside, and put a container of at least 500 ml beneath the portafilter.

Press DESCALE, then the centre dial.

The cycle takes approximately 90 minutes and passes solution through both the portafilter and steam wand. After completion, wash the relevant removable components, run an M+ CLASSIC water-only brew through the group head and use PURGE to flush the steam wand.

Immediately after frothing, remove the milk jug and wipe the steam wand with a clean damp cloth.

Lower the wand. The ES601UK should automatically flush the inside of the wand.

If this automatic purge doesn't occur, the PURGE control illuminates. Remove the milk jug, make sure the wand is lowered and select PURGE manually.

Doing this immediately after milk preparation helps prevent milk residue building up inside the steam system.

The ES601UK provides three brew-temperature settings.

Hold SIZE for 3 seconds → select _h06 → choose LO, M or HI → confirm with the centre dial.

M is the default.

Temperature adjustment isn't available for Over Ice, Cold Brew or Cold-Pressed drinks.

This setting is worth checking before diagnosing a machine for coffee that seems cooler than expected.

The Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601UK is rated at 1650 W and measures approximately 34 cm wide × 33 cm deep × 37 cm high. It has a 1-metre power cable, an integrated non-removable conical burr grinder with 25 grind settings, stainless-steel grinder burrs and built-in weight-based dosing.

The machine supports espresso-style drinks including Espresso, Americano, Quad and Cold-Pressed, alongside filter-coffee styles including Classic, Rich, Over Ice and Cold Brew. Filter-coffee sizes extend from approximately 175 ml to 530 ml. Its Dual Froth system provides Steamed Milk, Thin Froth, Thick Froth and Cold Froth, with separate dairy and plant-based milk selection.