How To Clean A Cuisinart Coffee Maker (Step-by-Step Guide)
If your coffee maker hasn’t been cleaned in a long while, brace yourselves because soon you’ll get coffee that smells horrible and tastes even worse! That’s right. Even if you use a Cuisinart coffee machine, it needs to be cleaned regularly if you want some high-quality coffee daily.
You’ll have to decalcify the coffee maker’s reservoir with white vinegar and clean other removable pieces with hot soapy tap water. That is all!
Here’s a complete guide to cleaning a Cuisinart coffee maker. Read on! In addition, don’t forget to clean your waffle maker as well so you can enjoy a nice, scrumptious breakfast!
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How To Clean A Cuisinart Coffee Maker
Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning the coffee machine effectively:
Wash The Water Reservoir
Step 1: Decalcify Coffee Maker Once A Month
If you use the coffee machine several times a day, make sure to clean its water reservoir every month to remove mineral deposits that are caused by hard water. Learn more about hard water and hard water stains here.
However, if the coffee maker is used less frequently, then you can get away with cleaning it once every six months. In any case, water hardness will decide how often the machine needs to be cleaned.
Other than that, when you feel your coffee has started to taste ‘off’ or bitter, it means the water reservoir needs cleaning.
Pro tip: Most Cuisinart coffee machines include a clean push button; press it, and the appliance will decalcify automatically.
Step 2: Empty The Carafe
Inspect the carafe to see if there’s any coffee inside. If you find some coffee remains, drain, and wash the carafe thoroughly. Also, take out the basket and empty any paper filters or coffee grounds in it.
Step 3: Refill Reservoir With Water And Vinegar
Now, fill your coffee machine’s water reservoir with one-part vinegar and two-parts tap water. Use a coffee carafe so that you can easily pour and measure the solution.
Pro tip: The amount of water and vinegar depends on the volume of the Cuisinart coffee maker. But, for a 12-cup machine, you need four cups of white vinegar and eight cups of tap water to fill the reservoir.
Step 4: Press The Clean Button Of Your Cuisinart Coffee Maker If It Has One
When you see the Clean button on the coffee maker glow, press it gently to start the cycle. You’ll see the Clean button light up, which means the coffee maker is in a Clean mode. When the cycle is complete, you’ll hear five consecutive beeps from the machine until it turns off.
Pro tip: The coffee machine’s Clean cycle will take more time than the standard brew, that’s because it will pause for a couple of seconds after every two or three cups.
Step 5: Turn On The Machine And Run A Manual Brew Cycle
If the coffee maker doesn’t have a Clean button function, then run a manual brew cycle. For that, fill up the water reservoir completely, and turn on the machine; do it just like you would when making a regular pot of coffee.
However, if you want a deep clean, then switch off the maker halfway through the cycle, and wait for 60 minutes. After that, turn on the machine again and complete the manual brew cycle.
Step 6: Repeat The Brew Cycle To Clean From Any Remaining Build Up
One cycle with two-parts tap water and one-part white vinegar is enough to clean the Cuisinart coffee maker. But, if the machine carries more dirt than usual, run a second cycle.
When the water-vinegar cycle gets complete and the maker cools down, check the insides of the water tank thoroughly. If you see any remaining build up, wait for the machine to cool down completely, and run a second brew cycle with fresh white vinegar and tap water.
Pro tip: If your maker has a Clean button, turn it on. If you see the Clean button light flashing continuously, then repeat the brew cycle with fresh tap water and white vinegar.
Step 7: Time To Run A Brew Cycle With Cold Water
Once the water-vinegar cycle is completed, drain the solution from the coffee pot. After that, wait for a while so that the carafe and the coffee maker cool down, particularly if you have a glass coffee maker. As it gets cooled, fill it up again with chilled water without the white vinegar. Then run the brew cycle one last time.
Pro tip: To wash out the vinegar and remove all its traces, run two to three brew cycles with water only.
Cleaning The Remaining Coffee Maker
Step 1: Turn Off And Plug Out The Coffee Maker
It has electrical heating equipment at the base, so it can be dangerous to wash the machine while it’s plugged in; there’re high chances you can get an electric shock or damage the coffee maker.
In terms of cooling, many Cuisinart coffee makers usually take about 30 minutes to cool after they’re turned off and unplugged from the wall outlet. However, some coffee machines can take longer times.
To make sure it’s thoroughly cooled, test it by touching the body of the reservoir after half an hour.
Step 2: Take Out The Carafe And Filter Basket
On many Cuisinart coffee makers, you can either slide out or lift its filter basket. Drain out all the remaining coffee if you see any in the carafe; also, empty coffee grinds or filters you may see in the basket.
Pro tip: In case you have a Cuisinart model with an embedded grinder, remove the basket out also. Besides, many other models include a removable water reservoir lid, which you can also remove.
Step 3: Clean The Removable Objects With Hot Detergent Water
Once you remove all items, wash them like your other regular dishes in the sink using a sponge, hot tap water, and a soft detergent. You need to ensure that you use light cleansers only and not something abrasive like steel wool.
Wash the pieces deep and let them dry completely before you put them back.
Pro tip: If you’ve mineral build-up on these components, you can always wash them on the top shelf of your dishwasher. In case your dishwasher requires repairing, give this guide a read.
Step 4: Clean The Body Of Your Coffee Maker
Now, grab a moist dishcloth to wash the rest of the coffee machine. While cleaning, make sure to wash where the basket is placed.
Pro tip: If your Cuisinart machine includes a coffee grinder, you need to be extra careful while washing so you don’t splash water on its motor.
Step 5: Wipe The Heating Plate
Use a wet cloth and a dishwashing detergent to clean the part where its carafe is placed. Make sure to remove all coffee stains so it looks brand spanking new by the time you are done with it.
After that, wash the cloth and clean the heating plate one more time with tap water to wash off the detergent.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to make sure the coffee machine is unplugged and cool before you touch its heating plate.
Step 6: Put The Removable Objects Back Together
Since you’ve cleaned all removable items thoroughly and even dried them perfectly, you can reassemble the Cuisinart coffee maker. To replace the basket, just slide it back and put the coffee carafe back on its heating plate.
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Related Questions
Is Descaling Solution Better Than White Vinegar To Clean The Cuisinart Coffee Maker?
The descaling solution is similar to the vinegar solution, no matter what product you decide to use. However, vinegar is readily available in the market and less expensive than a descaler. Descaler is specially designed for descaling pots and keeping the coffee machine running successfully.
How To Wash A 4 Cup Cuisinart Coffee Machine?
Many times, one brew cycle is sufficient to wash the coffee machine. So, turn it off first, and then run one cycle of fresh cold water through the unit before brewing your daily coffee in the pot.
Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead White Vinegar To Clean My Coffee Maker?
Yes, you can. Just fill the tank with two parts tap water and one part apple cider vinegar. Then run a cycle. If the coffee maker allows for a pause in between, then pause for a while so that the apple cider vinegar can deep clean the coffee machine.
See Our Other Cleaning Guides For Coffee & Tea Appliances
Ian Haynes is a digital marketing specialist and has successfully written hundreds of home improvement guides. Outside of his work, Ian likes fixing old bikes and exploring Brooklyn with his Labrador.
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