Cuisinart DCC-450BK DCC-450BK Manual - Page 6

MAKING COFFEE Before making the first pot of coffee in your new Cuisinart® 4-cup Coffeemaker, we recommend operating the coffeemaker once using only water and a filter paper. This will remove any dust or residues in the system which remain from the manufacturing process. 1. Fill the water reservoir Remove the carafe from the warming plate. Open the carafe cover and fill with cold water to just over the amount of coffee you are making. Close the carafe cover. Lift the water reservoir lid and pour the water from the carafe into it. Replace the carafe on the warming plate. 2. Add the ground coffee Remove the filter basket by grasping the handle and lifting straight up, and place it on the counter top. Insert a #2 paper filter or permanent filter. Be sure that the paper filter is completely open and fully inserted into the basket. It may help to fold and flatten the seams of a paper filter beforehand. Add the desired amount of ground coffee, corresponding to the number of cups being brewed. Many coffee bars and the Specialty Coffee Association of America recommend adding 2 rounded tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. Some coffee manufacturers recommend using one tablespoon per cup. We recommend 1 to 1½ tablespoons of ground coffee per cup, but use more or less to suit your taste. Replace the filter basket in the filter basket holder and flip the water reservoir lid closed. Be sure that it closes securely in place. Before brewing coffee Make sure you have replaced the carafe into its position on the warming plate. Plug the cord into an electrical outlet. 3. Power unit: Push the rocker switch to on. The indicator will light. 4. During and after brewing The Brew Pause™ feature allows you to remove the carafe from the warming plate during mid brew. The brewing process does not stop during this period; only the flow of coffee from the basket stops. Do not remove the carafe for longer than 30 seconds or the coffee may overflow the basket. While we offer this feature, we do not recommend you pour the coffee before the cycle has reached completion, since the coffee brewed at the beginning of the cycle has a flavor profile which is very different from the flavor at the end of the cycle. Removing a cup during the brewing cycle will alter the flavor of the finished pot. Caution: During and after brewing, hold carafe by handle only. Stainless steel will be hot. Once the coffee has finished brewing, stir it before serving to blend the flavors. The coffee at the bottom of the carafe will be somewhat stronger than the coffee at the top. After brewing, the warming plate will keep the coffee at about 180-185°F. We recommend transferring the coffee to a thermal carafe preheated with hot water if the coffee is not going to be consumed within 20 minutes. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE COMPLETELY CLEAN AND DRY ALL PARTS AFTER EVERY USE. Always turn the coffeemaker off and remove the plug from the electrical outlet before cleaning it. Lift up the 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. 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. Remove the carafe from the warming plate. Discard any remaining coffee. The carafe and lid should be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly. Do not use any scouring agents or harsh cleansers on any part of the coffeemaker. Never immerse base unit in water or other liquid. To clean base, simply wipe with a clean, damp cloth and dry before storing. Wipe warming plate with a clean, damp cloth. Never use rough, abrasive materials or cleansers to clean the warming plate. Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.