Cuisinart Bread Maker Troubleshooting

Unit Will Not Turn on

First, ensure that the unit is plugged in. Check the outlet for power. If the power is off at the outlet, check the fuse box for a blown fuse or the circuit breaker for a tripped breaker. Reset the breaker or replace the fuse if necessary.

Dough Does Not Rise Properly

Yeast, a living organism, produces the gas bubbles that make dough rise. If the yeast is old or injured in some way, the dough will not rise properly. Check the expiration date on the yeast you are using. Make sure you are using fresh yeast that has been kept in a cool, dark place. Also, if the liquid used to make the dough is too hot, it will kill the yeast. Ensure that the temperature of any liquid is 75 to 90 degrees F.

Short Loaves

This usually means there was not enough sugar in the bread mixture for the yeast to feed on, or enough yeast wasn't added. Salt will also kill yeast. If too much salt is added to the mixture or if it comes in direct contact with the yeast, the loaf may be short. Also, make sure the ingredients are added in the proper order when using the Delay Start function. Remember, loaves made of whole-grain flour will not rise as much as more refined flours.

Sunken, Uneven Tops

This is usually caused by too much humidity or too much warmth in the room. On high-humidity days, try to dry out the dough by adding an extra tablespoon of flour for each cup added. Also, ensure that the bread maker is not placed in a sunny window.

Gummy Bread or Collapsed Loaf

In this situation, the dough may be too wet. Watch the dough as the machine kneads it, and add more flour, one to two teaspoons at a time, if necessary. Too much whole-grain flour or grain itself can also produce a gummy texture.

Open Texture

This can be caused by dough that is too wet. Add more flour, as needed. Open texture can also occur if the dough has too much yeast or does not have enough salt or no salt. Adjust the amounts in the next loaf.

Dense, Heavy Texture

This occurs when the dough is too dry. On the next loaf, be sure to add more liquid, a teaspoon at a time. Low-fat ingredients such as skim milk, egg substitutes or fat-free cream cheese can also yield dense bread. Make sure you use enough yeast and sugar.

Kneading Paddle Embedded in Loaf

Sometimes the kneading paddle will get stuck in the dough. If you are near the bread baker when the signal for the last rise sounds, remove the kneading paddle, reshape the dough and replace it in the bread maker.

Smoke or Burning Smell

This usually occurs when ingredients have been spilled into the bread maker. Unplug the machine, allow it to cool down and thoroughly clean it. Once the machine is clean, plug it in and continue the baking cycle.

Other Problems

If your unit will not function properly after these steps are taken, it will need to be repaired by an authorized service representative. Contact a Cuisinart customer service representative.