How to Troubleshoot a Cuisinart DCC-1200
The Cuisinart Brew Central Coffeemaker is popular because of options such as pre-programmed brewing times, a filter that improves water quality and even a self-cleaning feature. But when the machine doesn’t do what it’s supposed to, you can troubleshoot the problem on your own.
Things You Will Need
- Clean filters
- Coffee
- Vinegar
- Water
Tip
Replace the water filter after 60 days of use or after 60 coffee-making cycles, and more frequently if you must use hard water in the appliance. You may take the carafe off the hot plate for up to 30 seconds while the coffee is brewing; the coffee will continue to brew but the liquid will stop flowing.
Warning
Carefully place the charcoal filter in its holder to avoid tearing the filter’s outer skin.
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Unplug the coffeemaker so the water inside can cool before you try to identify problem areas. Wait 10 minutes before opening the cover.
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Open the top of the machine and check for correct placement of the filter. If water is not draining out of the filter basket and into the coffeepot, a misplaced filter may be the cause.
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Other causes of waterflow blockage to the coffeepot are coffee that is ground too finely, too much coffee added to the filter or coffee that has worked its way under the filter. Try grinding your coffee to a coarser texture, reduce the amount of coffee that you put in the filter, and check for ground coffee beneath the filter basket.
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Press the button for Self Clean if the coffeemaker has turned itself off instead of functioning according to your programming, because Self Clean cancels any other setting.
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To improve the taste of your coffee and to allow the machine to run more efficiently, clean out built-up calcium when the Self Clean light flashes on. Use a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water, and fill the water reservoir with it.
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Operate the Self Clean button and wait for its light to glow, then turn on the coffeemaker from its flip switch.
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Listen for five beeps and the machine to turn off, at which point you can restart the coffeemaker. Watch to see if the Self Clean indicator blinks again, which means that you should repeat the cleaning procedure. If that light does not come on, cycle cold water through the appliance and return to using it normally.
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If the machine produces less coffee than expected, use a slightly larger amount of water in the next cycle, to compensate for the minor loss of water trapped in the grounds and for that released as steam during operation,
The Drip Cap
- The Cuisinart Brew Central Coffeemaker is popular because of options such as pre-programmed brewing times, a filter that improves water quality and even a self-cleaning feature.
- But when the machine doesn’t do what it’s supposed to, you can troubleshoot the problem on your own.
- If water is not draining out of the filter basket and into the coffeepot, a misplaced filter may be the cause.
- Try grinding your coffee to a coarser texture, reduce the amount of coffee that you put in the filter, and check for ground coffee beneath the filter basket.
References
Writer Bio
Based in New Jersey, Susan Raphael has been writing technology-related articles since 1991. Her work has appeared in “Wired” magazine, and “Mac Addict” magazine. Raphael received the Janet B. Smith Literary Award in 2002. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from New York University.
Photo Credits
- ecoulement couleur ebene image by rachid amrous-spleen from Fotolia.com
- ecoulement couleur ebene image by rachid amrous-spleen from Fotolia.com
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