The Best Way to Descale and Clean a Cuisinart Coffee Maker

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An easy guide to deep cleaning your machine & washing it daily

Co-authored by Marcus Shields and Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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Descaling & Deep Cleaning

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Daily Cleaning

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How Often to Clean Your Machine

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With regular use, your Cuisinart coffee maker starts to form mineral deposits that can cause it to not work as well or your coffee to taste off. Luckily, it’s super easy to deep clean your coffee maker with simple household products like white vinegar. Whether your Cuisinart has a self-cleaning option or a simple “On/Off” switch, we’ll show you how to descale your machine and give it daily cleanings to keep it in tip-top condition. Keep reading to learn how to maintain your Cuisinart coffee maker!

Cuisinart Coffee Maker Cleaning

To descale your machine, fill the water reservoir with 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water. Press and hold the “Clean” button, or start a regular brew cycle. Then, run a brew cycle with water to flush out the vinegar. For daily cleanings, wash the carafe and filter basket with warm water and dish soap.

Section 1 of 3:

Descaling & Deep Cleaning a Cuisinart Coffee Maker

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If you have any coffee remaining in the carafe, discard it and rinse the carafe with water. Remove the basket from the machine and dump out the paper filter and any coffee grounds.^{[1]
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Remove the charcoal water filter if your machine has one. Open your coffee maker’s water reservoir and look for the long, black water filter holder on the side of the machine. Then, pull it out of the reservoir and set it on a clean cloth or paper towel while you descale your machine.^{[2]
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- Keeping the charcoal filter in the machine can affect its ability to filter your water. It can also get soaked with the descaling solution, making your coffee taste vinegary.
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Fill the water reservoir with 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} Use the carafe to measure and pour enough white vinegar and regular tap water to completely fill the reservoir. The exact amount of vinegar and water you use depends on the size of your coffee maker.^{[4]
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- For a standard 12-cup coffee maker, use 4 cups (0.9 l) of vinegar and 8 cups (1.9 l) of water to fill the reservoir.
- Vinegar removes calcium deposits and other mineral buildup inside the reservoir and the brewing components. It also helps prevent mold and bacteria from growing.^{[5]
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  Marcus Shields
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
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Press the “Clean” button if your coffeemaker has one. For Cuisinart coffee makers with the self-cleaning feature, simply press and hold the “Clean” button until it glows. Then, press the “On/Off” button to start the descaling process. The “Clean” light shines steadily to indicate that the machine is in CLEAN mode.^{[6]
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- When the clean cycle is finished, the machine beeps 5 times and then turns off.
- The cleaning cycle usually takes 3 to 4 times longer than your normal brew. The machine pauses between every few cups it makes to allow the vinegar solution to soak and remove the mineral deposits.^{[7]
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Run a brew cycle if your machine doesn't have a “Clean” button. For Cuisinart coffee makers without a self-cleaning feature, simply turn on the machine and run a regular brewing cycle just as if you were making a pot of coffee.^{[8]
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- For a deeper clean, turn off the coffee maker halfway through the brew cycle and let it sit for 1 hour.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} This gives the vinegar solution time to soften the mineral deposits. Then, turn the coffee maker on again and let the brew cycle finish.^{[10]
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Repeat the cleaning process if you still see build-up in the reservoir. One cycle of the vinegar-water mixture is usually all you need to clean the machine. However, you may need to run it again if you have a particularly dirty coffee maker. Inspect the inside of the tank for any remaining buildup. Then, let the machine cool fully before adding fresh white vinegar and water to the reservoir and starting the cleaning cycle.^{[11]
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- If your machine has a self-cleaning feature, turn it back on after the cleaning cycle finishes. If the “Clean” light is flashing, your machine is still dirty and needs another cleaning cycle.
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Run a brew cycle with water to rinse out the vinegar solution. Discard the vinegar-water solution inside the carafe. Then, fill the water reservoir with plain fresh water. Simply run a regular brew cycle to flush out the vinegar and any loosened mineral deposits.^{[12]
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- Optional step: Repeat the water-only cycle 2 to 3 times to ensure all of the vinegar is rinsed out.^{[13]
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  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Otherwise, your coffee may have a tangy, vinegary taste.^{[14]
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  Marcus Shields
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- Let the coffee maker and the carafe cool slightly before running a brew cycle after the cleaning process, especially if you have a glass pot.

Section 2 of 3:

Cleaning a Cuisinart Coffee Maker After Each Use

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Turn the coffee maker off and unplug it from the wall. If you just used your machine, let it cool fully before removing any pieces and cleaning them. Most machines take at least 30 minutes to completely cool once they are turned off and unplugged, but some can take longer.^{[15]
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- Test if your machine is cool by lightly touching the back of your hand to the body of the water reservoir after 30 minutes.
- Since the base of the coffee maker includes electrical heating equipment, it can be dangerous to get the machine wet while it's plugged in. If you clean the machine while it's plugged in, you might damage your coffee maker or receive an electrical shock.
On most Cuisinart models, lift up the reservoir lid and either pull or slide out the coffee filter basket. Throw out any remaining coffee grounds, or place them in your compost. Then, pour out any remaining coffee in the carafe.^{[16]
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Wash the carafe and filter basket with dish soap and warm water. Fill your sink with warm water and several drops of dish soap. Simply use a soft sponge or cloth to wash out the carafe and coffee filter basket. Then, rinse the pieces thoroughly with clean water to remove the soapy residue.^{[17]
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Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- Set the clean parts on a dish towel to air dry before putting them back in your machine.
- Alternatively, wash the carafe and filter basket on the top rack of your dishwasher.^{[18]
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- To remove stubborn build-up, soak the pieces in the soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes.^{[19]
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  Marcus Shields
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- If you have a model with a built-in coffee grinder or removable reservoir lid, take those pieces out and wash them with soapy water, too.^{[20]
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- Avoid using harsh cleansers or scouring agents, such as steel wool, to clean your coffee maker. They can damage your machine.
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Wipe the filter basket cavity and machine exterior with a damp cloth.^{[21]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Wet a clean, soft cloth with water and wring out the excess moisture. Use it to wipe out the area where the filter basket sits to remove any coffee grounds. Then, wipe down the top, sides, and base of the machine to clean off any dust and debris.
- To remove stubborn stains and fingerprints, wipe the outside of your coffee maker with a damp, soapy cloth.
- If you have a Cuisinart with a built-in grinder, avoid splashing water onto the grinder motor as you clean it. Use only a damp dishcloth.^{[22]
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- Never immerse the base unit (which contains electrical equipment) in water or any other liquid.
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Clean the heating plate with a damp, soapy cloth. Dampen a soft cloth with water and a small amount of dish soap. Then, wipe the heating plate to remove any stubborn coffee stains. Rinse out the cloth and wipe the plate again with clean water to remove the soap.^{[23]
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- Ensure the coffee maker is fully unplugged and cooled before touching the heating plate.
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Reassemble the coffee maker when all the parts are dry. Place the coffee filter basket back into its cavity in the water reservoir. Then, put the lid on the carafe and slide it back onto the heating plate. If you removed and cleaned the reservoir lid, put it back on the machine.
- If you have a model with a built-in grinder, place the hopper back into the machine.

Section 3 of 3:

How Often to Clean a Cuisinart Coffee Maker

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Decalcify your coffee maker every 1 to 6 months.^{[24]
X
Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} If you use your coffee maker more than once a day or you have hard water, you may need to clean your machine once per month to remove mineral buildup.^{[25]
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Research source} If you use it less frequently or have soft water, descale it every 3 to 6 months.
- It’s a sign to descale your coffee maker when it starts to work less quickly or your coffee starts to taste bitter or off.
- If your machine has a “Clean” button, it will begin flashing when the machine needs to be decalcified.
- The hardness of your tap water influences how often you need to clean your machine. Hard water contains more minerals than soft water, which leads to quicker buildup inside your machine.
To keep your Cuisinart coffee maker in great condition, clean it after each pot of coffee you make. Cleaning the carafe, filter basket, and outside of your machine prevents stains from forming and helps ensure each brew tastes fresh.^{[26]
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Tips

If your Cuisinart Coffee Maker has a charcoal water filter, replace it every 60 days or after brewing 60 pots of coffee.^{[27]
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If you have hard water, brew your coffee with distilled water to prevent mineral deposits from building up as quickly. Or, install a water softening system in your home.

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Do not dry the water reservoir with a cloth, as this can leave behind lint that might get into your coffee.

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Warnings

Always unplug the coffee maker from the wall before cleaning the appliance or removing any parts.

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Never immerse the base unit (which contains electrical equipment) in water or any other liquid.

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Avoid using harsh cleansers or scouring agents (such as steel wool) to clean any part of your Cuisinart.

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