How To Clean Cuisinart Coffee Maker Models: A Complete Guide

Just like any other coffee maker, Cuisinart brewers need basic cleaning at the end of each day, or at least once a week. In addition, a deep cleaning is needed every few months. This will remove minerals that can otherwise have a negative impact on the flow, temperature and performance of your Cuisinart coffee maker. Keep reading to learn how to clean Cuisinart coffee maker models.

How To Clean Cuisinart Coffee Maker On A Daily Basis

You should do regular basic cleaning for your Cuisinart the same way you would clean any other drip coffee maker and coffee pot. Ideally at the end of each day you would clean the filter area, the coffee pot and wipe down the exterior of the unit. If you don’t want to do this daily, I would suggest you do it weekly. Don’t let it go longer than that.

Lift the coffee maker reservoir cover. Remove and discard the paper filter. Wipe the area under the filter basket with a damp cloth. Wash the filter basket in warm, soapy water and rinse well. You can also wash it in the top rack of the dishwasher. Dry it fully before returning it to the brewer.

Remove the carafe from the heating plate. Empty any coffee inside. You can wash the coffee pot and lid either by hand with warm, soapy water or in the top rack of the dishwasher. If washing by hand, be sure to only use a soft sponge or brush. You never want to use stainless steel wool or other abrasive cleaning tools because they can scratch the pot.

To clean the base and the heater plate, wipe them with a clean, damp cloth. If there are fingerprints or other blemishes you want to remove, try using warm soapy water.

How Often To Deep Clean A Cuisinart Coffee Maker

Cuisinart says that you should deep clean your coffee maker every 3 to 6 months. This process is called descaling. If your coffee maker starts making unusual noises, or if your coffee starts to taste bitter, it’s a sign that you need to clean. Regular deep cleaning is needed whether you are using filtered, bottled or tap water with a low to normal mineral count. If your tap has “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals, then you should deep clean your brewer more often. If you are not sure about the mineral content of your water, you can get a low-cost water testing kit.

The Cuisinart Coffee Maker Clean Light

Some Cuisinart coffee maker models will have a CLEAN light. These alerts will be triggered by sensors that detect that mineral buildup is interfering with performance. When you see this warning you should clean as soon as possible. Even though you can still make coffee, ignoring this will ultimately damage your brewer. Other Cuisinart coffee maker models, like the SS10, will have a DESCALE message on the display instead a CLEAN light.

Cuisinart Cleaning Solutions

The best way to clean your coffee maker is with one of these solutions. They contain safe and effective types of cleansing acids that won’t damage your machine.

Impresa Cleaner

Impresa is a top selling coffee machine cleaner. It has citric and sulfamic acids. Both are gentle on metal. A pack has two bottles. Each bottle has enough solution to use twice.

Essential Values Coffee Machine Cleaner

The Essential Values cleaning solution contains a concentrated citric acid that is both odorless and powerful. Each bottle is good for two uses. A two pack will provide four doses. That’s a year supply if you clean every three months. 

Can You Clean A Cuisinart Coffee Maker With Vinegar?

If you look at your user manual, you will likely see that Cuisinart’s instructions include steps on how to prepare a cleaning solution with vinegar. Most coffee machine manufacturers do not recommend this. That’s because vinegar contains harsh acids that can wear down metal components inside the unit. This can eventually cause leaks. Vinegar is also not as effective as commercial solutions in removing coffee residue and oils. It can also leave a lingering odor and affect the taste of your coffee.

That said, if you are comfortable using vinegar then go ahead and do it. You can still follow the same steps below. To prepare the solution fill the water tank with 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 fresh water. You may have to run the rinse cycle a few extra times until the vinegar smell is gone.

How To Clean Cuisinart Coffee Maker SS15 when the CLEAN light is on

When the SS15 clean light is on, it means the 12-cup carafe brewing part of the machine needs to be cleaned.

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder
2. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
3. Press and hold both the CLEAN button to start the cycle. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the carafe.
4. When it completes, 5 beeps will sound and the machine will shut off. Discard the water-solution mix.
5. Turn the machine on. If the CLEAN light is still on, repeat steps 2 and 3.
6. Turn the machine on again. If the CLEAN light is off, you need to rinse your machine. Rinse the tank thoroughly and fill it with fresh drinking water only.
7. Press the CLEAN button to start the rinse cycle.
8. Return the water filter holder to the tank, fill the reservoir with clean water, and turn the machine on.

How To Clean Cuisinart Coffee Maker SS15 when all lights flash in sequence

When all of the lights on the SS15 flash in sequence, it means the single serve K-cup brewing part of the machine needs to be cleaned.

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder.
2. Remove any capsule from the brewing chamber.
3. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
4. Place a large 16 oz cup on the drip tray.
5. Press and hold both the 6 oz and 8 oz buttons to start the cleaning mode. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the mug or bowl.
6. When it completes, discard the water-solution mix. Then repeat step 5 until the machine prompts you to ADD WATER.
7. Cleaning is complete when all lights turn on.
8. Remove the water reservoir and rinse it thoroughly. Fill it with fresh drinking water only.
9. Next, you will want to run three rinse cycles to rid the machine of any solution residue. Just repeat steps 5 and 6 three times with only fresh water in the tank.

How To Clean Cuisinart Coffee Maker PerfectTemp DCC-3200C

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder
2. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
3. Press and hold both the CLEAN button to start the cycle. When the light starts flashing, release the button. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the carafe.
4. When it completes, 5 beeps will sound and the machine will shut off. Discard the water-solution mix.
5. Turn the machine on. If the CLEAN light is still on, repeat steps 2 and 3.
6. Turn the machine on again. If the CLEAN light is off, you need to rinse your machine. Rinse the tank thoroughly and fill it with fresh drinking water only.
7. Press and hold the CLEAN button to start the rinse clean cycle.
8. Return the water filter holder to the tank, fill the reservoir with clean water, and turn the machine on.