How to Clean a Cuisinart Coffee Maker (Easy-to-Follow Guide)

Your cuisinart coffeemaker works tirelessly with each use to bring you great-tasting coffee. If you want to keep getting that perfect cup every morning, put some love back in your coffee maker by keeping it clean. your beer will thank you.

In this article, we’ll walk you through an easy-to-follow guide on how to clean a cuisinart coffee maker to keep your machine and your coffee high-quality.

Reading: Cleaning cuisinart k cup coffee maker

additional notes:

if you have a cuisinart self-clean coffeemaker, a self-clean light will begin to flash on the front of the machine to alert you when internal cleaning is needed. If you don’t have a self-clean button, assume you need to descale your coffee maker every 4-6 months.
for single serve k-cup brewers, all lights will flash in sequence upon power up to indicate descaling is required.
If you drink several coffees a day, you will need to clean your machine more often than if you only make coffee once a day or even less often.
How often you need to descale will also depend on the hardness of your brewing water. using filtered water means much less frequent descaling.

6 steps: how to clean the cuisinart coffee maker

Ensuring your coffee maker is clean internally and externally is vital to the long-term maintenance of your machine. Taking care of your coffeemaker is the first step in preparing high-quality coffee. It starts with an initial cleaning procedure before you brew your first cup and continues with regular descaling (1).

This coffeemaker cleaning process applies to all Cuisinart models on the market. If you’re interested, check out some of the best Cuisinart coffee makers available. There will only be slight modifications to the procedure depending on whether you are using a cuisinart 4-14 cup coffee maker with a percolator, a cuisinart single cup k-cup coffee maker, or a cuisinart two-in-one double brewer.

1. initial cleaning of a cuisinart coffee maker

The initial cleaning you do when setting up your cuisinart coffeemaker is different from each subsequent cleaning. Within this step are seven minis to help you prepare before your first cup of coffee. go ahead and skip this section if your cuisinart is already up and running.

step 1: insert the carbon water filter

all cuisinart coffeemakers include a charcoal water filter. insert it into the reservoir.

step 2: fill the water tank

For 4-14 cup brewers, hold reservoir in place and pour water into reservoir until full. For single serve k-cup brewers, remove the reservoir to fill with water and replace when full.

step 3: plug in the coffee maker and turn it on

The power button is on the side of the machine. if you are using a cuisinart 4-14 cup coffee maker, put the carafe in its place.

step 4: start the first infusion

for 4-14 cup coffee machines, turn the function knob to the brew position and press brew. for single serve k-cup brewers, open and close the brew head without a k-cup coffee pod and place a cup on the drip tray. press the 10 oz. set so that a flashing light comes on. both processes produce a jet of running hot water.

step 5: dispose of the resulting hot water

You are now ready to use your coffee maker.

Let’s dive into how cleaning changes after the first brew.

2. unmount your machine

Disassemble your machine by removing all removable parts: the charcoal filter, filter basket and carafe, if any. removing the filters is important to avoid damage and lingering odors from the descaling process.

The carbon filter is crucial to keep it clean. otherwise, mineral deposits and other mineral buildup build up with use and cause it to clog. the same goes for the water reservoir, so keep an eye out for any dirt that accumulates from frequent long-term use.

the filter basket lifts or slides out of most cuisinart coffee makers. empty any remaining coffee into the carafe and discard any coffee grounds, basket paper filters or k-cup coffee pods.

3. create a vinegar mixture to descale the water tank

Cleaning a coffee maker with a vinegar solution can be surprising, but it prevents you from making weird brews. Make a vinegar mixture to decalcify the water tank of your coffee maker with two parts of fresh water and one part of white vinegar.

There should be enough vinegar solution to completely fill the water reservoir. For example, a standard 12-cup Cuisinart coffeemaker will need 4 cups of vinegar and 8 cups of water to fill the water reservoir and effectively remove any built-up calcium deposits (1). This homemade vinegar blend maintains the same ratio for both 4- to 14-cup and single-cup brewers.

4. press clean to run the machine

To descale a single-serve k-cup brewer, place a cup on the drip tray. hold down the 6 oz buttons. and the 8 oz. buttons for two seconds to start the descaling process.

If these buttons continue to flash at any time during this process, your coffeemaker has overheated. this will require cleaning the piercing needle before continuing to use it.

discard the contents of the cup and repeat this process three times with a fresh mixture in the water reservoir each time. the add water light will come on if there is not enough tap water. all led lights will remain on throughout the descaling process.

for 4-14 cup machines, press and hold the clean button on the cuisinart coffeemaker and release when the clean button light begins to flash. After the Cuisinart Coffeemaker’s cleaning cycle is complete, it will beep five times before automatically shutting off. wait for the clean button light to stop flashing before continuing. if the clean button comes back on, you may need to repeat this step twice.

5. let the machine cool down and wash

Unplug the coffee maker and let it cool down after completing a cycle or two. it should be safe to touch the machine about half an hour after unplugging it.

For single-serve k-cup brewers, use warm soapy water with dish soap and a soft, damp sponge or cloth to clean the drip tray and plate. keep them level when moving to avoid spilling excess liquid. avoid aggressive cleaning fluids.

Remove the capsule holder by opening the brewing chamber and wash it by hand. twist and remove the funnel from the capsule holder. use a paper clip to clean the exit needle, which is located inside the base of the headshell, and do the same for the piercing needle. Use warm, soapy water and a soft, damp cloth to hand wash the funnel, filter, and filter cup.

For 4- to 14-cup machines, hand wash the filter, filter cup, and filter basket in soapy water, and wash the pitcher and lid. Wipe under the filter basket and base unit with a soft, damp cloth to remove any remaining smudges or fingerprints. however, do not use a cloth to clean the water tank or you risk getting lint from the cloth stuck in the water tank.

never immerse the base unit or brewer in liquid, and do not use harsh, abrasive cleaners such as steel wool or cloths on the heating plate, as this may damage it.

6. let everything dry and reassemble the rest

Let everything air dry or gently wipe the machine and its parts with a soft cloth. reassemble all components when ready. refill the water reservoir last and return the charcoal filter to its proper place to successfully complete the regular cleaning process for your cuisinart coffee maker.

The steps outlined here are similar to those required to clean any generic coffee maker.

For a good summary, check out this youtube video:

final thoughts

cleaning a cuisinart coffee machine is easy with five simple steps: take apart your machine, create a vinegar solution, descale internally, let your machine cool before washing externally, and let everything dry before reassembling .

The initial cleaning process should be performed once in the lifetime of your machine. it also involves five steps: insert the charcoal water filter, fill the water reservoir, turn on your machine with the first brew, and dispose of the resulting hot water. clean, prepare, enjoy!

We hope you found this article useful! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or contact cuisinart support.