Cuisinart DCC-500 Series 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Manual

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and/or injury to persons, including the following:

1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Always unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning the appliance.
3. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles and knobs.
4. To protect against electric shock, do not place cord, plug, or base unit in water or other liquids.
5. This appliance should not be used by or near children or individuals with certain disabilities.
6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Return appliance to the nearest Cuisinart Repair Center for examination, repair, and electrical or mechanical adjustment.
7. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by Cuisinart may cause injuries.
8. Do not use outdoors.
9. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
10. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
11. Always fill water reservoir first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, push the Brew/Off button, then remove plug from wall outlet.
12. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
13. Snap lid securely onto carafe before serving any beverages.
14. Scalding may occur if the lid is removed during the brewing cycle.
15. The glass carafe is designed for use with this coffeemaker only. It must never be used on the range top.
16. Do not set a hot carafe on a wet or cold surface.
17. Do not use a cracked carafe or a carafe with a loose or weakened handle.
18. Do not clean carafe or heating plate with cleansers, steel wool pads, or other abrasive materials.
19. 
    TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE BASE PANEL. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE. REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE ONLY BY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.
20. Do not place cloth beneath coffeemaker or otherwise restrict airflow.
21. Use only the Cuisinart commercial style filter or standard basket paper filter with this unit.
    OTHER PERMANENT FILTERS MAY CAUSE THE COFFEEMAKER TO OVERFLOW.
22. Do not operate your appliance in an appliance garage or under a wall cabinet. When storing in an appliance garage, always unplug the unit from the electrical outlet. Not doing so could create a risk of fire, especially if the appliance touches the walls of the garage or the door touches the unit as it closes.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of fire or electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

SPECIAL CORD SET INSTRUCTIONS

A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the risks resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.

Extension cords may be used if care is exercised in their use.

If an extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating of the extension cord must be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance, and the longer cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over.

NOTICE

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug will fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not modify the plug in any way.

OPERATING NOTICE

Clogging and backing up of water and/or coffee in the filter basket can occur under any or a combination of any of the following conditions:
The use of too finely ground coffee, using two or more paper filters, using the nylon filter in conjunction with a paper filter or not properly cleaning coffee grounds from the nylon filter, or allowing coffee grounds to spill over the filter.

Never open the filter basket during the brewing cycle, even if no water is draining from the filter basket, because extremely hot water/ coffee can spill out from the filter basket and cause injury. If water/coffee is not draining from the filter basket during the brewing cycle, unplug the unit and wait 10 minutes before opening and checking the filter basket.

RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE BY AUTHORIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY

IMPORTANT UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the box on a large, sturdy, flat surface.
2. Remove the instruction book and any other literature.
3. Turn the box so that the back side of the coffeemaker is down and slide the coffeemaker from the box.
4. After the coffeemaker has been removed, place the box out of the way and lift off the packing material.
5. Grasp the carafe by its handle, remove it from the heating plate and remove the polybag.
6. Remove the polybag covering from the coffeemaker and lift the coffeemaker off the remaining inserts.

Save all packing materials in case you have to ship the machine in the future.

KEEP ALL PLASTIC BAGS AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE

WATER

Coffee is 98% water. The quality of that water is as important as the quality of your coffee. If water doesn't taste good from the tap, it won't taste good in your coffee. Cuisinart includes a charcoal water filter to remove chlorine, bad tastes and odors, for the purest coffee flavor, every time you brew.

COFFEE

While coffee is 98% water, all of the flavor comes from the beans. To achieve the same great taste you enjoy at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality of coffee. If you choose to grind your own beans, buy them fresh and whole. Buy only about a two-week supply at a time, because once the bean is broken, its flavor degrades quickly.

GRIND

The grind is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, overextraction and bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the maximum flavor will not be extracted. When grinding your own beans, we recommend a medium-fine grind.

PROPORTION

Coffee that is too strong or too weak is always a disappointment. Follow the recommended portions of ground coffee in the instructions under Brewing Coffee, and later adjust the amount to suit your taste.

NOTE: The maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 scoops (15 tablespoons) for this 60-oz. (twelve 5-oz. cups) coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

1. Reservoir Cover
   Flips back for easy filling.
2. Water Reservoir
   With water level indicator window.
3. Showerhead (not shown)
   Distributes water evenly over coffee, reducing temperature loss as water passes through grounds.
4. Charcoal Water Filter Holder
   Holds filter firmly in place.
5. Charcoal Water Filter
   Eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes and odors from tap water.
6. Filter Basket
   Holds a #4 paper filter OR a permanent filter.
7. Filter Basket Holder
8. Permanent Nylon
   Commercial-Style Filter
   Eliminates the need for paper filters.
   NOTE: Some fine grounds may flow through the filter and appear as sediment in the carafe.
9. Brew Pause^™
   Stops flow of coffee from basket when carafe is removed (20 seconds max) from the heater plate, so a cup can be poured mid-brew.
10. 12-Cup Glass Carafe
    The easy-pour, no-drip 12-cup carafe has an ergonomic handle and brewed coffee markings for two to twelve cups.
11. Heating Plate
    Scratch resistant with black, nonstick coating.
12. Ready Tone (not shown)
    Signals the end of the brew cycle with five beeps.
13. Power Loss Back-up System (not shown)
    One-minute protection if a breaker trips, unit is unplugged, or power fails. Holds all programmed information, including time of day, auto on time and auto off time.
14. Measuring Scoop1

CONTROL PANEL

1. Clock Display
   Displays time of day and auto on time.
2. Hour and Minute Buttons
   For use in setting hour and minute for time of day and auto on time.
3. Brew/Off and Auto Off Button with Indicator
   Used to turn your coffeemaker on and off and set the Auto Off time.
4. Clean Button with Indicator
   Use to clean your coffeemaker to remove calcium buildup.
5. 1–4 Cup Setting
   For brewing smaller pots of coffee – it provides double heating of the water, so coffee is piping hot.
6. Program Button with Indicator
   Used to set/select the time for the Auto On function.
7. Audible Tone (not shown)
   The Cuisinart^® 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker is equipped with an audible tone that will sound 5 times when the coffee has completed brewing (coffee will continue to stream from the filter for a few seconds after tone).

BEFORE BREWING YOUR FIRST POT OF COFFEE

We recommend flushing out the system before brewing your first pot of coffee. Simply fill the reservoir and power on the unit, following steps #2, #4 and #6 in BREWING COFFEE instructions on the next page.
DO NOT ADD COFFEE!
Once you've done that, brew a pot of real coffee and get ready to enjoy Cuisinart at its best!

PROGRAMMING YOUR COFFEEMAKER

TO SET THE TIME

Press and hold the Hour or Minute button. The clock will begin flashing.

1. Set Hour: Press and hold the Hour button to scroll through numbers quickly. When desired number approaches, press and release the button to advance one digit at a time.
   NOTE: When the number count passes 12, PM will be displayed on the LCD. Be sure the PM indicator is on if a PM time is desired.
2. Set Minutes: Press and hold the Minute button to scroll through numbers quickly. When desired number approaches, press and release the button to advance one digit at a time. To finish setting time, simply wait until the numbers stop flashing.

TO PROGRAM THE AUTO ON TIME

1. Press and hold the PROG button until clock begins to flash.
2. Set the time you want coffee to begin brewing by using the Minute and Hour buttons. Follow the same instructions you used to set the time of day, in the To Set the Time section.
3. Once desired Auto On time is set, Auto On setting mode will be exited automatically.
4. To activate Auto On mode press the PROG button and release. The green indicator light will come on to remind you that the programming function is in use. At the programmed time, the green indicator light will trun off and the red indicating light will turn on, indicating that the brew cycle is starting. The red light will go off when keep Warm cycle ends.
   NOTE: To reactivate the Auto On feature to start brew cycle at the same time another day, simply press the PROG button and release. The green Auto On light will illuminate.

TO PROGRAM THE VARIABLE AUTO OFF TIME

1. Press and hold the Auto Off button until clock begins to flash.
2. Program the coffeemaker to shut off from zero to four hours after brew cycle is finished by using the Hour and Minute buttons (see To Set the Time).
3. Once Auto Off time is set, Auto Off mode will be exited automatically.

1–4 CUP SETTING

The 1–4 cup setting button is used when you make small amounts of coffee. The 1–4 cup setting double-heats the water, making your smaller amount piping hot.

1. When making a smaller amount, press the 1–4 button on the control panel after turning on the unit. The indicator will light when selected.

POWER LOSS BACK-UP SYSTEM

One-minute protection in case a breaker trips, the unit is unplugged, or the power fails. It holds all programmed information, including time of day, auto on time and auto off time.

CHARCOAL WATER FILTER

Your coffeemaker comes with a charcoal water filter that eliminates chlorine, bad tastes and odors from tap water.

Inserting the Water Filter

• Remove the filter from the polybag and soak it, fully immersed, in cold tap water for 15 minutes.
• Lift the water filter holder out of the water reservoir.
• Press down on the filter compartment and pull toward you to open.
• Place filter into the holder and snap it closed. Be careful – improper placement can tear the filter skin.
• Flush filter by running cold tap water through holes in bottom of compartment for 10 seconds.
• Allow the filter to drain completely.
• Slide the water filter holder back into the channel in the water reservoir, pushing it down to the base of the unit.

NOTE: We recommend changing the water filter every 60 days or after 60 uses, and more often if you have hard water.

Replacement filters can be purchased in stores, by calling Cuisinart Customer Service, or at www.cuisinart.com.

BREWING COFFEE

Follow instructions in Before First Use on previous page.

1. Insert charcoal water filter
   Follow directions for the preparation and insertion of the filter in previous section.
   
2. Fill the water reservoir
   Open the coffeemaker reservoir cover by lifting it up. Pour in the desired amount of water using the water level indicator located at the side of the coffeemaker.
   
3. Insert filter and add the ground coffee
   Remove the filter basket by grasping the handle and lifting straight up. Insert a #4 paper filter OR permanent nylon filter. Be sure that a paper filter is completely open and fully inserted in the basket. It may help to fold and flatten the seams of a paper filter beforehand. Add 1 level scoop (1 tablespoon) of ground coffee per cup. Adjust the amount according to taste.
   

NOTE: The maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 scoops (15 tablespoons) for this coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow if the coffee is too finely ground.

Replace the filter basket in the filter basket holder and press firmly on cover to be sure it closes securely.

BREW PAUSE FEATURE
This feature interrupts the flow of coffee from the basket to let you pour that first cup mid-brew. Because the flavor profile of coffee brewed at the start of a cycle differs from that brewed toward the end, be aware that using this feature will weaken the flavor strength of the finished pot.
NOTE: Removing carafe for more than 20 seconds may cause filter basket to overflow.

4. Before brewing coffee
   Make sure the glass carafe is in position on the heating plate and the top cover is closed.
   Plug the cord into an electrical outlet.
5. Cup preference
   Push the 1–4 cup button if you are brewing fewer than 5 cups.
6. Begin Brewing
   Press the Brew/Off button, and the red indicator light will turn on. Or, set the Auto On function and the Auto On indicator will light.
   NOTE: Press and release the Brew/Off button again to turn off at any time during brewing.
7. After brewing is complete
   When the brewing cycle has been completed, five beeps will sound. Coffee will continue to stream from the filter for several seconds.
   NOTE: Reservoir cover may be hot during and directly after brewing. Wait at least 10 minutes before opening.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Always turn coffeemaker off and remove the plug from the electrical outlet before cleaning.

Remove and discard the paper filter and ground coffee. The filter basket can be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly, or cleaned in the upper rack of the dishwasher. Dry all parts after use.

Do not put any water in the unit once the filter basket has been removed. Wipe the area under the filter basket with a damp cloth.

Remove the carafe from the heating plate. Discard any remaining coffee. The carafe and lid can be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly, or placed in a dishwasher. The carafe and carafe lid should be placed on the upper rack only.

Never immerse base unit in water or other liquids. To clean base, simply wipe with a clean, damp cloth and dry before storing. Fingerprints and other blemishes on the housing can be washed off with soap and water or a nonabrasive cleaning solution.

Wipe heating plate with a clean, damp cloth. Never use rough, abrasive materials or cleansers to clean the heater plate or any part of the coffeemaker. Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.

Maintenance

Any other servicing should be performed by an authorized service representative.

DECALCIFICATION

Decalcification refers to the removal of calcium deposits that form over time on the metal parts of the coffeemaker.

For best performance from your coffeemaker, decalcify the base unit from time to time. The frequency depends upon the hardness of your tap water and how often you use the coffeemaker.

NOTE: Before decalcifying your coffeemaker, remember to remove the charcoal water filter from the water filter holder located in the water reservoir.

If the Clean LED indicator light begins to flash when the coffeemaker is turned on, it is telling you that the calcium buildup is interfering with the functioning of your coffeemaker and the flavor of your coffee.

To clean, fill the water reservoir to capacity with a mixture of ¹⁄_³ white vinegar and ²⁄_³ water. Press the Clean button. When the Clean LED indicator glows, turn the coffeemaker on by pressing the Brew/Off button. The Clean LED will shine steadily. The coffeemaker is now in Clean mode. One cycle should be sufficient to adequately clean the coffeemaker. When the cycle is completed and the five beeps sound, the coffeemaker will shut off. Turn the coffeemaker on to see if the Clean LED continue to flash. If it does, turn coffeemaker off and then repeat the cleaning procedure with a fresh solution of vinegar and water.

If the Clean LED no longer flashes, turn the coffeemaker off and then run one cycle of fresh, cold water through the unit before using the unit again to brew coffee.

Notes on the Clean Function
Pressing the Clean button cancels all other settings. If it is pressed accidentally, press it again to return the coffeemaker to all its previous settings. Pressing Brew/Off button will also exit the Clean mode and turn the coffeemaker off.

Documents / Resources

References

• Cuisinart's Kitchen Appliances for Professional and Home Chefs

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