Smeg ECF12: set water hardness from the supplied test strip

Smeg ECF12: the ECF12 stores Soft, Medium or Hard water and includes a hardness test strip, so the setting should reflect measured local water. Use the exact model and light or message pattern before changing a setting. The checks stay within removable brewing, milk, water and drip-tray items described by the manufacturer. What this exact symptom means: the ECF12 stores Soft, Medium or Hard water and includes a hardness test strip, so the setting should reflect measured local water. What to distinguish first: Confirm that the displayed or observed condition exactly matches “set water hardness from the supplied test strip” before changing anything. 1. Confirm the model and signal — Confirm that the displayed or observed condition exactly matches “set water hardness from the supplied test strip” before changing anything. 2. Prepare the appliance safely — Complete the normal shutdown, unplug the machine, let hot parts cool and empty the drip tray before removing user-accessible parts. 3. Carry out the official user check — Test fresh tap water with the supplied strip, enter the ECF12 settings and save Soft, Medium or Hard before the next descaling interval is calculated. 4. Interpret one controlled retest — Reassemble every part in its documented position and run one short rinse or one beverage. A repeated signal after the stated check requires service rather than repeated resets. The official Smeg page documents this model-family symptom and the user-level procedure above. Keep water out of the bean hopper, grinder and electrical openings. Never force a brew unit, valve, grinder control or hot steam part. Stop and contact the manufacturer if the same signal returns after one correct cycle, a grinder contains a foreign object, a hot-water leak appears or the machine trips power.