Brew Central™ Coffeemaker
DCC-1200 Series
For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product, always read the instruction book carefully before using.
Caution: Never open the top cover 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 the top cover 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 are available and
may be used if care is exercised in their use.
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.
IMPORTANT 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.
4. After the coffeemaker has been removed,
place the box out of the way and lift off the
top two polyfoam inserts.
5. Remove the cardboard insert between the
carafe lid and Brew Pause™ mechanism by
sliding it out of the unit.
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 in a polarized
outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit
fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still
does not fit, contact a qualified electrician.
Do not modify the plug in any way.
6. Grasp the carafe by its handle, remove it
from the heater plate and remove the
polybag.
7. Lift the coffeemaker off the remaining two
inserts and remove the polybag covering
the coffeemaker.
We suggest you save all packing materials
in the event that future shipping of the
machine is needed. Keep all plastic bags
away from children.
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 or
not properly cleaning coffee grounds from the
gold tone filter, or allowing coffee grounds to
spill over the filter.
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
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Element 2: Coffee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Safeguards . . . . . . . . . . .Page 1
Unpacking Instructions . . . . . . . . . .Page 2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3
The Quest for the
Perfect Cup of Coffee . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5
Programming Your Coffeemaker . . .Page 6
Setting the Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6
Programming the Auto On . . . . . . . .Page 6
Programming the Variable Auto Off .Page 6
Making Coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7
Inserting the Water Filter . . . . . . . . .Page 7
Cleaning and Maintenance . . . . . . .Page 8
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9
While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the
flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve
the same great quality cup of coffee you
receive at a coffee bar, you need to use the
same quality beans. If you choose to grind
your own beans, buy the beans fresh and
whole, only about a two week supply at a time
for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean
is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly.
If it is not practical to buy small supplies, we
recommend you separate larger amounts of
beans into one to two week portions
immediately after purchasing, and freeze
them in airtight containers. The best way to
maximize freshness is to minimize exposure to
air, light and moisture. So, once removed from
the freezer, beans should be maintained in a
sealed container at room temperature, since
damaging condensation occurs every time
the beans are removed from the freezer or
refrigerator. Note that some coffee experts
advise against freezing dark-roast beans
because this can cause the oils to coagulate,
while other experts disagree. We suggest you
experiment and decide for yourself.
INTRODUCTION
Cuisinart introduces a coffeemaker with retro
styling and the latest high tech features,
making it the centerpiece of any kitchen.
The Cuisinart® Brew Central™ Coffeemaker
is reminiscent of the days of classic styling
and durable materials. A brushed stainless
steel exterior with retro-style controls houses
the finest coffeemaking technology. This
coffeemaker even includes a charcoal water
filter. The water filter ensures great tasting
coffee by removing all of the impurities from
the water. The Brew Central™ Coffeemaker
also comes with advanced features such as
a programmable digital clock with 24-hour
advanced-brew setting, an automatic shutoff,
a self-cleaning function, and an audible beep
that signals the end of the brew cycle, which
makes brewing the best tasting coffee easy.
Element 3: Grind
The grind is critical for proper flavor extraction.
If the grind is too fine, overextraction and
bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also
clog your filter. If grind is too coarse, the water
will pass through too quickly and the desired
flavors will not be extracted. We recommend
a medium-fine grind.
Element 4: Proportion
The cups on the Cuisinart® coffeemaker are
5 ounces. Add the amount of ground coffee
that corresponds 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 using 1 tablespoon of ground
coffee per cup, but use more or less to suit
your taste.
THE QUEST FOR THE
PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE
It is generally agreed that there are four basic
elements critical to the perfect cup:
Element 1: Water
Coffee is 98% water. Often overlooked, the
quality of the water is as important as the
quality of the coffee. A good rule of thumb is
that if your water doesn’t taste good from the
tap, it won’t taste any better in your coffee.
That’s why Cuisinart has added a water filter to
the Brew Central™ Coffeemaker. The charcoal
water filter removes chlorine, calcium, bad
tastes and odors, for the purest cup of coffee
every time.
NOTE: The maximum capacity for ground
coffee is 15 tablespoons for this 12-cup
coffeemaker. Exceeding these amounts
may cause overflow if the coffee is too
finely ground.
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cycle, we recommend allowing the
brewing cycle to finish before pouring
the coffee.
FEATURES
AND BENEFITS
11. Ready Tone
1. Reservoir Cover
Flips back for easy filling.
Signals the end of the brew cycle with
five beeps.
2. Water Reservoir
12. Carafe
3. Showerhead (not shown)
Distributes water evenly over coffee,
reducing temperature loss as water
passes through grounds.
The easy pour, no drip carafe has an
ergonomic handle and brewed coffee
markings for two to twelve cups.
13. Heating Plate
4. Water Filter (not shown)
Charcoal water filter eliminates
chlorine, calcium and bad tastes and
odors from tap water.
Scratch resistant with black,
nonstick coating.
1
6
7
5. Filter Basket (not shown)
Holds a #4 paper filter or a
permanent filter.
2
6. Filter Basket Holder
7. LCD Digital Clock
Displays time of day and set time
for automatic functions.
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8. Hour and Minute Buttons
Used to set time of day and
automatic functions.
9c
9b
9. Function Knob and Flip Switch
Used to initiate programming of
automatic functions.
9a
9
10
a. Heater Plate Control Knob
For controlling the temperature
of the coffee after brewing. There
are three temperature settings.
b. 1-4 Cup Setting
For brewing smaller pots of coffee.
It provides ‘double’ heating of the
water, so coffee is piping hot.
12
c. Self-Clean Setting
Tells you when it’s time to clean
your coffeemaker. Remove built-
up calcification from the water
reservoir, to help extend the life of
your coffeemaker.
13
10. Brew Pause™
Stops flow of coffee from basket when
carafe is removed (30 seconds max)
from the heater plate, so a cup can
be poured in mid-brew. Since the
extraction rate varies during the brew
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CONTROL PANEL
e. Clock Set
Used to program the time of day.
f. Audible Tone (not shown)
The Brew Central™ Coffeemaker is
equipped with an audible tone which will
sound 5 times when the coffee has com-
pleted brewing (coffee will continue to
stream from the filter for a few seconds
after tone).
1
5
7
8
3. Flip Switch
2e
2a
Retro-style flip switch is used to turn your
coffeemaker on and off and works in tandem
with the function knob.
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2d
4. Heater Plate Control Knob
For controlling the temperature of the coffee
after brewing. It has high, medium and low
settings.
4
3
2c
2b
5. Hour and Minute Buttons
1. Clock Display
For use in setting hour and minute for time
of day, auto on time, and auto off time.
Displays time of day and auto on and off
times.
2. Function Knob
For setting time of day, and auto on and auto
off times.
6. On and Auto On Indicator Lights
7. Self Clean Setting
Used for removing calcium buildup.
a. Auto On
The Auto On feature is used to program the
start time of the brew cycle. The auto on
time can be set for any time, day or night.
The “PM” indicator is displayed on the LCD
for nighttime program times.
8. 1-4 Cup Setting
For brewing smaller pots of coffee –
it provides ‘double’ heating of the water, so
coffee is piping hot.
b. Auto Off
The Auto Off feature is used to shut off the
coffeemaker at a preset time, anywhere
from 0 to 4 hours.
c. Program Set
The Program Set function is used to set the
time for the Auto On function.
d. Brew
The Brew function is used to start the brew
cycle directly.
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2. Turn the FUNCTION knob to the “Auto On”
position. LCD will display the current time.
PROGRAMMING YOUR
COFFEEMAKER
3. Lift and release the FLIP SWITCH. The
green indicator light will come on to remind
you that the programming function is in use.
At the programmed time, the red light will
come on as well, indicating that the brew
cycle is starting. Both lights will go off when
keep warm cycle ends.
TO BREW COFFEE
1. Turn the FUNCTION KNOB to the “Brew”
position.
2. Lift the FLIP SWITCH up to the “On” posi-
tion and release. The red “On” indicator
light will illuminate and brew cycle will begin.
NOTE: To reactivate the auto-on feature to
start brew cycle at the same time another day,
simply lift and release the FLIP SWITCH. The
green “auto-on” light will illuminate.
TO TURN THE COFFEEMAKER OFF
Simply press the FLIP SWITCH down to the
“Off” position and release.
Note: To program the coffeemaker to shut off
automatically, see To program the Variable
Auto Off instructions below.
To program the Variable Auto Off:
1. Turn the FUNCTION KNOB to the “Auto Off”
position. Press and hold the “Hour” button
for 2 seconds. The clock display will start
blinking.
PROGRAMMING YOUR COFFEEMAKER
FOR DELAYED BREW TIME
To set the Time:
2. Program the coffeemaker to shut off from
zero to four hours after brew cycle is
finished by using the “Hour” and “Minute”
push-buttons. (see “To set the time”)
1. Turn the FUNCTION KNOB to “Clock”.
a. Hours: Press and hold the “Hour” button
to scroll through numbers quickly. When
number displayed approaches the desired
setting, press and release (pulse) the but-
ton to advance one digit at a time. After
setting the correct hour, the default will be
the last time set unless power is shut off.
Decalcification:
Decalcification refers to the removal of calcium
deposits which form over time on the metal
parts of the coffeemaker.
For best performance from your Brew
Central™ Coffeemaker, decalcify the base unit
from time to time. The frequency depends
upon the hardness of your tap water and how
often you use the coffeemaker. The flashing
Self Clean light will indicate when you should
clean your coffeemaker.
Note: When the number count passes 12, the
PM light will be displayed on the LCD.
b. Minutes: Press and hold the “Minute”
button to scroll through numbers quickly.
When number displayed approaches the
desired setting, press and release (pulse)
the button to advance one digit at a time.
After setting the correct minute, the
default will be the last time set unless
power is shut off. To finish setting time,
turn the FUNCTION KNOB to any other
setting or simply wait until the numerals
stop blinking.
Self Cleaning:
If the Self 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
to capacity with a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar
and 2/3 water. Press the Self Clean button.
When the self clean light glows, turn the
coffeemaker on by pressing the flip switch to
ON. The Self Clean light will shine steadily.
The coffeemaker is now in Self Clean mode.
One cycle should be sufficient to adequately
clean the coffeemaker. When the cycle is
completed and the five beeps sound, the cof-
feemaker will shut off. Turn the coffeemaker
To program the Auto On
1. Set the desired Brew-Start time.
a. Turn the FUNCTION KNOB to “Prog”.
b. Set the time you want coffee to begin
brewing by using the minute and hour
push-buttons. Follow the same instruc-
tions you used to set the time of day, in
the To set the time section above.
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ON to see if the Self Clean light continues to
flash. If it does, turn it to OFF and then repeat
the cleaning procedure with a fresh solution of
vinegar and water.
the reservoir area with your thumb
and forefinger.
c. Grasp stem in one hand. Using thumb of
other hand, gently press down and pull
toward you. Compartment will flip open.
If the Self Clean light no longer flashes, turn
the coffeemaker to OFF and then run one
cycle of fresh cold water through the unit
before using the unit again to brew coffee.
d. Place the filter in the holder and close the
water filter holder; you will hear a snap
indicating it is in place.
Notes on the Self Clean Function
Pressing the Self 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 Self Clean Mode and turn the
coffeemaker OFF.
NOTE: Caution must be used when inserting
the charcoal filter. Improper placement in the
holder can cause tearing of the filter skin.
e. Hold the filter under cold running tap
water for 10 seconds to flush. You should
place the hole openings in the side of the
unit directly under the water stream.
1-4 Cup Setting:
f. Allow the filter to drain completely.
The 1-4 cup setting button is used when
you make small amounts of coffee. Normal
coffeemakers will produce a colder batch of
coffee when smaller amounts are made,
because the heater doesn't have enough time
to properly ‘warm up’ to heat a small amount.
g. Replace the water filter holder in the
reservoir area of the coffeemaker, pushing
it all the way down to the base of the unit,
along the reservoir wall.
The 1-4 setting basically ‘double heats’ the
water, making your smaller amount as piping
hot as a full pot would be.
Note: We recommend changing the water filter
every 60 days or 60 uses, more often if you
have hard water.
To use: When making a smaller amount, press
the 1-4 button on the control panel after
turning on the unit.
Heater Plate ‘Keep Warm’ Control:
The knob on the right of the control panel
is the heater plate control setting for after
brewing temperature. You can choose one of
three heat settings to keep your coffee warm:
low, medium, or high.
MAKING COFFEE
Before you make the first pot of coffee
in your new Cuisinart® Brew Central™
Coffeemaker, we recommend operating
the coffeemaker once using only water and a
paper filter. This will remove any dust or
residues that remain in the system from the
manufacturing process.
1. Insert the Water Filter:
a. Remove the filter from polybag and soak
in cold tap water for 15 minutes.
Replacement water filters can be purchased
in stores or by calling customer service or
through the Cuisinart web site.
b. Remove the water filter holder from
the coffeemaker by lifting it out of
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2. Fill the water reservoir:
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 that
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.
When filling the coffeemaker with water,
refer to the carafe height markings and fill to
the desired number of cups. Be sure to add
a small amount of extra water to account for
the amount of water lost in wetting the
grounds and lost as steam during the
brewing process.
3. Add the ground coffee:
Remove the filter basket by grasping the
handle and lifting straight up, and then place
it on the countertop. Insert a #4 paper filter
or permanent filter. Be sure that the 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 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
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.
CLEANING AND
MAINTENANCE
Always turn coffeemaker OFF and remove the
plug from the electrical outlet before cleaning.
manufacturers recommend using
1 tablespoon per cup. We recommend
using 1 tablespoon of ground coffee per
cup, but use more or less to suit your taste.
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.
NOTE: The maximum capacity for
ground coffee is 15 tablespoons for
this 12 cup coffeemaker. Exceeding
this amount may cause overflow if
the coffee is too finely ground.
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.
Replace the filter basket in the filter basket
holder and flip the water reservoir lid
closed. Press firmly on top where it says
"Press to Close". Be sure that it closes
securely in place.
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.
Before brewing coffee:
Make sure you have replaced the glass carafe
in its position on the heating plate and closed the
top cover. Plug the cord into an electrical outlet.
Do not use any scouring agents or harsh
cleansers on any part of the coffeemaker.
4. Power unit:
Turn the function knob to brew, lift flip
switch up to “On” position, and the red
indicator light will turn on. Or, set the Auto
On function and the green indicator will light.
Never immerse base unit in water or other
liquid. To clean base, simply wipe with a
clean, damp cloth and dry before storing.
Fingerprints and other blemishes on the
stainless steel housing can be washed off
with soap and water or a nonabrasive cleaning
solution. Wipe warming plate with a clean,
damp cloth. Never use rough, abrasive
materials or cleansers to clean the warming
5. During and after brewing:
The Brew Pause™ feature allows you to
remove the carafe from the plate during
mid-brew. The brewing process does not
stop during this period – only the flow of
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plate. Do not dry the inside of the water
reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.
NOTE: For added protection and secure han-
dling 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.
Your Cuisinart® coffeemaker has been
manufactured to strict specifications and has
been designed for use with the Cuisinart®
coffeemaker authorized accessories and
replacement parts for your model. These
warranties expressly exclude any defects or
damages caused by accessories, replacement
parts or repair service other than those that
have been authorized by Cuisinart.
WARRANTY
LIMITED THREE-YEAR
WARRANTY
This warranty supersedes all previous
warranties on the Cuisinart® Brew Central™
Coffeemaker.
This warranty is available to consumers only.
You are a consumer if you own a Cuisinart®
Brew Central™ Coffeemaker that was
purchased at retail for personal, family or
household use. Except as otherwise required
under applicable state law, this warranty is not
available to retailers or other commercial
purchasers or owners.
We warrant that your Cuisinart® Brew Central™
Coffeemaker will be free of defects in material
or workmanship under normal home use for
three years from the date of original purchase.
These warranties exclude all incidental or
consequential damages. Some states do not
allow the exclusion of or limitation of incidental
or consequential damages, so the foregoing
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY
We suggest that you complete and return the
enclosed warranty registration card promptly
to facilitate verification of the date of original
purchase. However, return of the warranty
registration is not a condition of these
warranties.
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 which sells Cuisinart
products of the same type. The retail store
shall then, according to its preference, 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 either of the above two
options does 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
If your coffeemaker should prove to be
defective within the warranty period, we will
repair it (or, if we think it necessary, replace
it) without charge to you. To obtain warranty
service, please call our Consumer Service
Center toll-free at 800-726-0190 or write to:
Cuisinart
150 Milford Road
East Windsor, NJ 08520
accomplished. Cuisinart and not the consumer
will be responsible for the reasonable cost of
such service, repair, replacement, or refund for
nonconforming products under warranty.
To facilitate the speed and accuracy of your
return, please also enclose $10.00 for shipping
and handling of the product (California
residents need only supply proof of purchase
and should call 1-800-726-0190 for shipping
instructions). Please also be sure to include
a return address, description of the product
defect, product serial number, and any other
information pertinent to the product’s return.
Please pay by check or money order.
California residents may also, according to their
preference, return nonconforming products
directly to Cuisinart for repair or, if necessary,
replacement by calling our Consumer Service
Center toll-free at 800-726-0190. Cuisinart will
be responsible for the cost of the repair,
replacement, and shipping and handling for
such nonconforming products under warranty.
9
BEFORE RETURNING YOUR
CUISINART PRODUCT
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 Consumer
Service Center to ensure that the problem
is properly diagnosed, the product serviced
with the correct parts, and to ensure that the
product is still under warranty.
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