--- title: "Smeg EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER: the built-in wants its grounds bin cleared" description: "What EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER means on Smeg EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER: the built-in wants its grounds bin cleareds, what to check before booking, and when it is not…" url: "https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-empty-ground-container/" --- # Smeg EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER: the built-in wants its grounds bin cleared The grounds bin fills with one puck per coffee. ## What EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER actually means. The grounds bin fills with one puck per coffee. When the count is reached, or 72 hours after the first coffee, the display asks for the bin and drip tray to be emptied, and no coffee is made until that is done. Smeg coffee machine display What to do when EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER shows on the coffee machine ### Kind of code Grounds and drip tray The machine thinks the grounds container is full or missing, or the drip tray is full or out of place, and it will not brew until that changes. Most machines count the pucks rather than weigh them, so the message returns if the container is emptied while the power is off or put back too quickly. When it stays after a proper emptying, the tray contacts, the sensor or the counter on the board is checked at the visit. ### Usually leads to Coffee machine diagnostic visit A visit that brews and froths with you watching, reads the machine's own counters, then tests grinder, brew unit, pump and heater until one part is named. ### Shows up as What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means A coffee machine error code may show as a short string of letters and numbers, a flashing symbol for water, grounds or the brew unit, a short sentence on a text display, or a machine that stops with one light blinking. ### Make Smeg A Smeg espresso machine is repaired at the owner's kitchen counter after a single test shot shows where the trouble begins. ### Source Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages) Smeg US built-in automatic coffee machines CMSU4303X (Classic, listed as retiring), CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G (Linea). All three link the same instruction manual, and the message appears on the full-touch display in capitals. ## Before you book, in this order. Each step comes from Smeg's own guidance for EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER on its coffee machines. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit. 01 With the machine on, open the bottom door by rotating it down, then open the inner door. 02 Take out the drip tray and the grounds container, empty and clean both, using the spatula on the brush for grounds stuck to the bottom. 03 Refit both and close the doors; if the message stays with a clean bin, book a visit. ### Still there? It usually turns into [coffee machine diagnostic visit](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/services/diagnostic-visit/). Book with the code and the model number. ### What not to do A little water in the grounds bin after cleaning cycles is normal on this machine. The message is a service prompt and not a sign of a problem. ## What you may notice with it. The coffee machine problems EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER tends to arrive with. Answer these at the coffee machine before anyone is booked. [All problems](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/) Before you call ### [What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-error-code/) [All 7 causes, cheapest first](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-error-code/) It also comes with - [**Coffee Machine Empty Grounds Message Will Not Clear**](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-grounds-message-wont-clear/) - [**Coffee Machine Drip Tray Filling Up Too Fast**](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-drip-tray-filling-fast/) Problem ### What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means 7 causes, cheapest first Where EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER usually leads ## Coffee machine diagnostic visit. Book a visit [What the job involves](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/services/diagnostic-visit/) ## Smeg coffee machines. A Smeg espresso machine is repaired at the owner's kitchen counter after a single test shot shows where the trouble begins. [Smeg coffee machine repair](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/brands/smeg/) More Smeg codes [FILL WATER TANK WITH FRESH WATER](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-fill-water-tank-with-fresh-water/) [GROUND TOO FINE. ADJUST GRIND LEVEL 1 CLICK WHILE IN OPERATION](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-ground-too-fine/) [INSERT BREWING UNIT](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-insert-brewing-unit/) [WATER CIRCUIT EMPTY PRESS OK TO START FILLING PROCESS](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-water-circuit-empty/) [DESCALING NEEDED PRESS OK TO START (~45MIN)](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-descaling-needed/) [GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-general-alarm/) [CLEANING PLEASE WAIT](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-cleaning-please-wait/) [TURN THE MILK FROTH ADJUSTMENT KNOB TO START CLEANING](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-turn-milk-froth-knob-to-clean/) [LED 30](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-led-30/) [LED 31](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-led-31/) [LED 29](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-led-29/) [All buttons flash simultaneously](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-all-buttons-flash/) [All 15 Smeg codes](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/#codes-smeg) Grounds and drip tray on other makes [Bertazzoni Empty grounds container](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bertazzoni-empty-grounds-container/) [Bosch Please empty drip tray and reinsert.](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bosch-please-empty-drip-tray/) [Fisher & Paykel EMPTY GROUNDS CONTAINER](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-empty-grounds-container/) [Fulgor Milano EMPTY WASTE COFFEE CONTAINER](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fulgor-milano-empty-waste-coffee-container/) [Gaggenau Clean trays and replace](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/gaggenau-clean-trays-and-replace/) [JennAir EMPTY GROUNDS CONTAINER](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/jennair-empty-grounds-container/) [Jura Empty grounds](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/jura-empty-grounds/) [Thermador EMPTY DRIP TRAYS](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/thermador-empty-drip-trays/) [All 19 codes of this kind](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/#family-grounds) Smeg builds this ### Built-in coffee system The coffee machine set flush into a tall kitchen cabinet, filled from a water tank behind its front, grinding beans and brewing each cup on its own before sliding out on rails for service. Smeg builds this ### Countertop espresso machine The fully automatic bean-to-cup machine that stands on the counter, grinding, tamping, brewing and frothing at the touch of a key, with its tank, hopper and grounds drawer all reached from the top and the front. Smeg builds this ### Manual espresso machine The home espresso machine with a portafilter you fill and lock in by hand, a pump and a boiler or thermoblock inside, and a steam wand for milk you froth yourself. ## In Smeg's own words > The appliance cannot be used to make coffee until the grounds container (A4) has been cleaned. [Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages)](https://doc.smeg.it/qr/914779197/EN) [Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages)](https://doc.smeg.it/qr/914779197/EN) [Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages)](https://doc.smeg.it/qr/914779197/EN) Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Smeg US built-in automatic coffee machines CMSU4303X (Classic, listed as retiring), CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G (Linea). All three link the same instruction manual, and the message appears on the full-touch display in capitals. ## Smeg EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER coffee machine repair, where we come out. The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered. 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With the machine on, open the bottom door by rotating it down, then open the inner door. If it comes back, it needs a visit. ### Why does my Smeg ask me to empty the grounds when there are only a few in it? The count also runs on a 72-hour timer from the first coffee. Old grounds should not sit in the machine for days. ### Should I empty the Smeg grounds bin with the machine on or off? On. Smeg's steps for this job start with the machine on so it can register that the bin was cleared. ### Why is there water in my Smeg grounds bin? Rinse and cleaning cycles send water through the brew path, and Smeg calls some water in the bin normal. Standing water that fills the tray between uses deserves a visit. --- **[Read on the site: Smeg EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER: the built-in wants its grounds bin cleared](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-empty-ground-container/)** **[Book a visit with CoffeeMachineRepair.center](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/schedule/)**