INSTRUCTION BOOKLET
Coffee PLUS™ 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker & Hot Water System
CHW-12
For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product, always read the instruction book carefully before using.
WARNING: RISK OF FIRE
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.
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.
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 gold tone filter in conjunction with a paper
filter, not properly cleaning coffee grounds
from the gold tone filter, or allowing coffee
grounds to spill over the filter.
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.
Caution: Never open the filter basket during
the brewing cycle, even if no water is draining
from the filter basket, since 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.
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.
Longer extension cords may be used
if care is exercised.
If a long 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.
WARNING
rISK of fIre or eLeCtrIC SHoCK
do not open
WarnIng: 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
3
CONTENTS
THE QUEST
Important Safeguards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Unpacking Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
The Quest for the Perfect Cup of Coffee. . . . .4
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Before First Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Programming Your Coffeemaker . . . . . . . . . . .7
Charcoal Water Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Brewing Coffee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Brew Pause™ Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Using Hot Water System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Cleaning and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
FOR THE PERFECT
CUP OF COFFEE
ELEMENT 1: 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.
ELEMENT 2: 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.
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.
ELEMENT 3: GRIND
The grind is critical for proper
flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine,
over-extraction 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.
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 the Coffeemaker.
Save all packing materials in case you have to
ship the machine in the future.
KEEP ALL PLASTIC BAGS AWAY FROM
CHILDREN.
ELEMENT 4: 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.
4
Coffeemaker FEATURES AND BENEFITS
1. Coffeemaker Reservoir Cover
10. Brew Pause™
Flips back for easy filling.
Stops flow of coffee from basket when
carafe is removed from the heater plate,
so a cup can be poured in mid-brew.
2. Coffeemaker Water
Reservoir (not shown)
With water level indicator window.
11. Carafe
The easy-pour, no-drip 12-cup carafe
has an ergonomic handle and brewed
coffee markings.
3. Showerhead (not shown)
Distributes water evenly over coffee,
reducing temperature loss as water
passes through grounds.
12. Adjustable Heater Plate
Keeps brewed coffee at desired temperature.
Scratch-resistant with nonstick coating.
4. Coffeemaker Charcoal
Water Filter Holder
Holds filter firmly in place.
13. Ready Tone (not shown)
Signals the end of the brew cycle with five
beeps.
5. Charcoal Water Filter
Eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes
and odors from tap water.
14. Power Loss Back-up System
(not shown)
6. Filter Basket (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.
Holds a #4 paper filter or a permanent filter.
7. Filter Basket Holder (not shown)
8. Coffeemaker Control Panel
See detailed illustration, page 6.
9. Cord Storage (not shown)
HoT WaTer sysTem FEATURES AND BENEFITS
15. Hot Water Reservoir Cover
19. Dispensing Lever
Flips back for easy filling.
For dispensing hot water.
16. Hot Water Charcoal
Water Filter Holder
20. Safety Lock
Prevents hot water from being
dispensed when in the locked position.
Holds filter firmly in place.
17. Charcoal Water Filter
21. Drip Tray
Eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes
and odors from tap water.
Removable tray with grate.
22. Hot Water Release Tab (not shown)
18. Hot Water Reservoir (not shown)
Located underneath the unit.
With Max fill line
15
1
8
19
20
UNLOCK
LOCK
10
11
4
16
17
12
21
5
5
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CONTROL PANEL
Detailed programming and use instructions are on pages 7 and 8.
Coffeemaker CONTROLS
1. On/Off Button
7. Function Knob
Use to turn your Coffeemaker on and off.
Works in tandem with the Function knob.
a. PROG
Select to program Auto On time.
2. Clock Display
Displays time of day, Auto On, and Auto Off
times.
Coffeemaker can be programmed to
automatically start brewing up to 24 hours
in advance.
3. Hour and Minute Buttons
Use to set hours and minutes for time
of day, Auto On, and Auto Off times.
b. AUTO ON
Select to automatically start brewing coffee
at the time you’ve programmed.
4. 1–4 Cup Setting with Indicator
Improves extraction, flavor and temperature
when brewing fewer than 5 cups.
c. AUTO OFF
Select to program your Coffeemaker to
automatically shut off up to 4 hours after
brewing.
5. Clean Indicator
Indicates time to clean Coffeemaker
to remove calcium buildup.
d. BREW
Select to begin brew cycle when On button
is pressed.
6. Carafe Temperature Knob
Set the heater plate to Low (L), Medium (M),
or High (H) to keep coffee in the carafe at
the temperature you prefer.
e. CLOCK
Select to program time of day.
4
3
2
5
8
9
10
UNLOCK
LOCK
7
1
6
11
HoT WaTer sysTem CONTROLS
8. On/Off Button
10. Add Water Indicator
Use to turn your Hot Water System on and off.
Indicates when water should be added.
9. Water Ready Indicator
11. Safety Feature
Indicates when water is heated.
(Shown in the locked position)
6
ENjOY THE 2-IN-1 COFFEE PLUS™
Both lights will turn off when the Keep Warm
cycle ends.
Your Coffee PLUS™ system is designed to
let you use the Coffeemaker and Hot Water
System separately, or at the same time.
Perfect for every occasion.
NOTE: To start brew time at the same time
the next day, simply make sure the Function
knob is on AUTO ON and press and release
On/Off button once more. The blue Auto On
light will turn on.
BEFORE FIRST USE
We recommend flushing out both the
Coffeemaker and Hot Water System before
first use.
SETTING THE AUTO OFF TIME
Turn the Function knob to AUTO OFF
Use the Hour and Minute buttons as above to
program your Coffeemaker to shut off from 0 to
4 hours after brew cycle is finished.
Coffeemaker: Fill the reservoir with cold
water and follow the directions for Brewing
Coffee. DO NOT ADD COFFEE!
Hot Water System: Fill the reservoir to the
Max fill line and follow directions for Using
the Hot Water System.
CHARCOAL WATER FILTER
Your Coffeemaker comes with two charcoal
water filters that eliminates chlorine, bad tastes
and odors from tap water.
Once the system flush is complete, your
Coffee PLUS™ system is ready to brew and
heat water so you can enjoy Cuisinart at
its best!
Inserting the Water Filter
• Remove the filters from the polybag and
soak them, fully immersed, in cold tap water
for 15 minutes.
PROGRAMMING YOUR
COFFEEMAKER
SETTING THE CLOCK
When the Coffeemaker is plugged in,
12:00 will appear.
• Lift the water filter holder out of the water
reservoirs from both the Coffeemaker side and
Hot Water System side (see diagram, page 5).
• 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.
Turn the Function knob to CLOCK
Hold down the Hour or Minute button until the
clock begins flashing. Press either button to
select the desired time. Hold buttons down to
scroll through the digits, or press and release to
advance one digit at a time. When scrolling, the
numbers will advance slowly and then speed
up. When the number displayed approaches
the desired time, press and release to advance
one digit at a time. Be sure the PM indicator is
on if a PM time is desired.
• 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.
To finish setting the clock, turn the Function
knob to any other setting or simply wait until
the numbers stop blinking.
Replacement filters can be purchased
in stores, by calling Cuisinart
Customer Service, or at www.
cuisinart.com.
SETTING THE AUTO ON TIME
When you turn the Function knob to PROG,
it displays a previously selected Auto On time,
or the default time (12:00pm).
1. Turn the Function knob to PROG
Use the Hour and Minute buttons as above
to program your start-brew time.
2. Turn the Function knob to AUTO ON
LCD will display the current time.
3. Press and release On/Off button
A blue light indicates that the Coffeemaker is
in AUTO ON mode. The blue light around On/
Off will come on when brew cycle begins.
Hot Water Charcoal
Water Filter
Coffeemaker Charcoal
Water Filter
7
BREWING COFFEE
Follow instructions in Before First Use
on previous page.
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 towards the end, be
aware that using this feature will weaken
the flavor strength of the finished pot.
1. Insert charcoal water filter
Follow directions for the preparation and
insertion of the filter on page 7.
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.
NOTE: Removing carafe for more than 20
seconds may cause filter basket to
overflow.
3. Set preferences
a. Push the 1–4 cup button if you are brewing
fewer than 5 cups.
b. Turn the Carafe Temperature dial to Low (L),
Medium (M), or High (H) and heater plate will
keep coffee at the temperature you select.
USING THE HOT
WATER SYSTEM
Follow instructions in Before First Use
on previous page.
4. Add the ground coffee
Remove the filter basket by grasping the handle
and lifting straight up. Insert a #4 paper filter or
permanent 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
of ground coffee per cup. Adjust the amount
according to taste.
1. Insert charcoal water filter
Follow directions for the preparation and
insertion of the filter on page 7.
2. Fill the water reservoir
Open the Hot Water reservoir cover by lifting
it up. Fill the reservoir with water, making sure
not to fill above the Max fill line.
NOTE: The maximum capacity for ground
coffee is 15 tablespoons for this
coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may
cause overflow if the coffee is too finely
ground.
3. Heating
Press the On/Off button on the Hot Water side
of your unit. The blue On indicator around the
On/Off button will light. The Water Ready
indicator will flash while the unit is heating.
Once the unit has heated, the Water Ready
indicator will become solid.
Replace the filter basket in the filter basket
holder and press firmly on cover to be sure it
closes securely.
4. Dispensing water
5. Before brewing coffee
To dispense water, be sure the safety switch,
which is located below the lever, is in the
unlocked position. Simply slide the safety
switch to the left to unlock. Then place a cup
on the drip tray and press the lever down –
the unit dispenses up to 13 ounces of hot
water at a time. If desired, return the safety
lock to the locked position (to the right) after
dispensing water.
Make sure the glass carafe is in position on the
heater plate and the top cover is closed. Plug
the cord into an electrical outlet.
6. Power unit
Turn the Function knob to BREW, press the
On/Off button, and the blue indicator light will
turn on. Or, set the AUTO ON function (see
page 7) and the Auto On indicator will light.
NOTE: You can remove the drip tray to
accommodate tall mugs.
7. After brewing
When the brewing cycle has been completed,
five beeps will sound. Coffee will continue to
stream from the filter for several seconds.
5. After dispensing
The heater will immediately begin heating more
water. The Water Ready indicator will again flash
until water reaches serving temperature.
NOTE: Reservoir cover may be hot during
and directly after brewing. Wait at least 10
minutes before opening.
NOTE: The red Add Water indicator will
light if more water is needed.
6. Turning off Hot Water System
To turn off your Hot Water System at any time,
press the On/Off button. The On indicator will
turn off, but the Water Ready indicator will
remain lit until water has cooled below serving
temperature.
8
If the Clean 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
CLEANING AND
MAINTENANCE
Always turn unit off and remove the plug
from the electrical outlet before cleaning.
to capacity with a mixture of 1⁄ white vinegar
3
Lift up the Coffeemaker reservoir cover.
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.
and 2⁄ water. Press the Clean button. When the
3
Clean light glows, turn the Coffeemaker on by
pressing the On/Off button. The Clean light 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
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.
Coffeemaker on to see if the Clean light
continues to flash. If it does, turn it off and
then repeat the cleaning procedure with a
fresh solution of vinegar and water.
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.
If the Clean light 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.
Do not use any scouring agents or harsh
cleansers on any part of the Coffeemaker.
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 On/Off will also exit
the CLEAN mode and turn the Coffeemaker off.
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 heater
plate with a clean, damp cloth. Never use
rough, abrasive materials or cleansers to clean
the heater plate. Do not dry the inside of the
water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.
To Decalcify Your Hot Water System
We recommend you clean your Hot Water
System twice a year to remove any calcium
scale residue from the heating element.
1. Dispense and dispose of any water in the
reservoir until the Add Water light flashes.
EMPTYING THE HOT
WATER RESERVOIR
2. Add 32 oz. of white vinegar to the Hot Water
reservoir. Turn the unit on to heat the vinegar.
If your Hot Water System has not been used for
more than one week, or if you plan to store
your Coffee PLUS™ unit, we suggest emptying
the reservoir completely. Place it over the sink,
and pull the water release tab from the bottom
of the unit to drain the Hot Water System
3. Dispense 16 oz. of vinegar and dispose. This
will fill the inner tank.
4. Let the vinegar solution sit in the unit for 20
minutes. Do not dispense during this time.
reservoir. Once empty, replace the release tab.
5. After 20 minutes, turn the unit off and allow hot
vinegar to cool. Then drain the internal reservoir
over a sink by removing the water release tab
from the bottom of unit.
NOTE: Hot water reservoir should be
emptied only when the unit is cool. To
avoid injury, do not empty the reservoir
when there is hot water in the unit.
6. When vinegar has completely drained,
replace tab.
DECALCIFICATION
7. Refill reservoir with water and drain the internal
reservoir again (by removing tab at the bottom
of the unit) to flush thoroughly. Replace tab.
Decalcification refers to the removal of calcium
deposits that form over time on the metal parts
of the coffeemaker.
NOTE: If water has a vinegar taste or smell,
continue to dispense water until taste or smell is
gone.
To Decalcify Your Coffeemaker
For best performance from your Coffeemaker,
decalcify the unit from time to time. The
frequency depends upon the hardness of your
tap water and how often you use the
Coffeemaker. The flashing Clean light will
indicate when unit should be cleaned.
9
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY:
LIMITED THREE-YEAR
WARRANTY
California law provides that for In-Warranty Service,
California residents have the option of returning a
nonconforming product (A) to the store where it
was purchased or (B) to another retail store that
sells Cuisinart products of the same type.
We warrant that your Cuisinart® Coffee PLUS™
12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker and Hot Water
System will be free of defects in materials and
workmanship under normal home use for 3 years
from the date of original purchase.
The retail store shall then, at its discretion, either
repair the product, refer the consumer to an
independent repair facility, replace the product, or
refund the purchase price less the amount directly
attributable to the consumer’s prior usage of the
product. If the above two options do not result in
the appropriate relief to the consumer, the
consumer may then take the product to an
independent repair facility, if service or repair can
be economically accomplished. Cuisinart and not
the consumer will be responsible for the
We recommend that you visit our website, www.
cuisinart.com for the fastest, most efficient way to
complete your product registration. However,
product registration online does not eliminate the
need for the consumer to maintain the original
proof of purchase in order to obtain the warranty
benefits. In the event that you do not have proof of
purchase date, the purchase date for purposes of
this warranty will be the date of manufacture.
If your Cuisinart® Coffee PLUS™ unit should prove
to be defective within the warranty period, we will
repair it, or if we think necessary, replace it. To
obtain warranty service, simply call our toll-free
number, 1-800-726-0190, for additional information
from our Customer Service Representatives, or
send the defective product to Customer Service at
Cuisinart, 7811 North Glend Harbor Blvd.,
Glendale, AZ 58307.
reasonable cost of such service, repair,
replacement, or refund for nonconforming products
under warranty.
California residents may also, according to their
preference, return nonconforming products directly
to Cuisinart for repair, or if necessary, replacement,
by calling our Customer Service Center toll-free at
1-800-726-0190.
Cuisinart will be responsible for the cost of the
repair, replacement, and shipping and handling for
such products under warranty.
To facilitate the speed and accuracy of your return,
please enclose $10.00 for shipping and handling of
the product.
BEFORE RETURNING YOUR CUISINART
PRODUCT
Please pay by check or money order (California
residents need only supply proof of purchase and
should call 1-800-726-0190 for shipping
instructions).
If you are experiencing problems with your
Cuisinart product, we suggest that you call our
Cuisinart Customer Service Center at 1-800-726-
0190 before returning the product to be serviced. If
servicing is needed, a representative can confirm
whether the product is under warranty and direct
you to the nearest service location.
NOTE: For added protection and secure handling
of any Cuisinart product that is being returned, we
recommend you use a traceable, insured delivery
service. Cuisinart cannot be held responsible for
in-transit damage or for packages that are not
delivered to us. Lost and/or damaged products are
not covered under warranty. Please be sure to
include your return address, daytime phone
number, description of the product defect, product
model number (located on bottom of product),
original date of purchase, and any other
Important: If the nonconforming product is to be
serviced by someone other than Cuisinart’s
Authorized Service Center, please remind the
servicer to call our Customer Service Center at
1-800-726-0190 to ensure that the problem is
properly diagnosed, the product serviced with
the correct parts, and the product is still under
warranty.
information pertinent to the product’s return.
This Cuisinart® Coffee PLUS™ unit has been
manufactured to the strictest specifications and
has been designed for use with the authorized
accessories and replacement parts.
This warranty expressly excludes any defects or
damages caused by accessories, replacement
parts, or repair service other than those that have
been authorized by Cuisinart.
This warranty does not cover any damage caused
by accident, misuse, shipment or other than
ordinary household use.
This warranty excludes all incidental or
consequential damages. Some states do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of these damages, so
these exclusions may not apply to you.
10
NOTES
11
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150 Milford Road
East Windsor, NJ 08520
Printed in China
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