Cuisinart CHW-12 Manual

The Cuisinart CHW-12 is a 12-cup programmable coffee maker with a stainless steel carafe, 24-hour programmability, auto-shutoff, brew pause, charcoal water filter, and digital clock. It features a 1-4 cup setting for optimal flavor, adjustable keep-warm plate, and a cleaning indicator. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Cleaning & Maintenance 7. Programming the Clock 8. Using the Charcoal Filter 9. Care & Cleaning 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Stainless steel carafe, Charcoal water filter, Digital display with clock, Programmable timer, Brew pause function, 1-4 cup setting, Adjustable keep-warm plate.

FeatureDescription
Stainless steel carafe12-cup capacity, double-wall insulated
Charcoal water filterReduces chlorine and impurities for better taste
Digital displayShows time, program settings, and cleaning indicator
Programmable timerSet brew time up to 24 hours in advance
Brew pausePour a cup while brewing
1-4 cup settingAdjusts brew strength for smaller batches
Adjustable keep-warm plateMaintains coffee temperature for up to 4 hours
Auto-shutoffTurns off automatically after 4 hours
Cleaning indicatorAlerts when descaling is needed
Power120V AC, 60Hz

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable, dry surface.

  1. Remove all packaging materials from carafe and filter basket.
  2. Wash carafe, lid, and filter basket with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry.
  3. Insert charcoal water filter into filter holder (soak filter first for 15 minutes).
  4. Place empty carafe on keep-warm plate.
  5. Plug into AC power outlet.

WARNING! Do not immerse base, cord, or plug in water. Keep away from heat sources.

First-Time Setup

Plug in coffee maker; digital display will flash.

  1. Set the clock: Press and hold HOUR and MINUTE buttons to set current time.
  2. Prime the filter: Run a cycle with water only (no coffee) to activate charcoal filter.
  3. Adjust keep-warm plate: Use dial on front to set desired temperature.
  4. Test brew: Add water and ground coffee to brew a test batch.

CAUTION! Ensure carafe is properly seated before brewing to avoid spills.

Specifications

Controls and Settings

Front Panel: POWER, PROGRAM, HOUR, MINUTE, 1-4 CUP, CLEAN indicator.

Display: Shows time, program status, and cleaning alert.

Brewing: Press POWER to start manual brew. Programming: Press PROGRAM, then HOUR/MINUTE to set brew time. 1-4 Cup: Press button before brewing for smaller batches. Keep-Warm: Adjust dial to LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH. Cleaning: CLEAN indicator lights when descaling is needed.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Daily: Empty grounds, rinse carafe and filter basket. Weekly: Wash removable parts with soapy water. Monthly: Descale with vinegar solution when CLEAN indicator lights.

  1. Turn off and unplug coffee maker.
  2. Fill reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
  3. Run brew cycle without coffee or filter.
  4. Rinse by running 2-3 cycles with clean water.
  5. Replace charcoal filter every 60 days or as needed.

Tip: Never use abrasive cleaners on stainless steel carafe.

Programming the Clock

Allows you to set brew time in advance.

  1. Ensure coffee maker is plugged in and clock is set to correct time.
  2. Press PROGRAM button; "PROG" will appear on display.
  3. Use HOUR and MINUTE buttons to set desired brew time.
  4. Press PROGRAM again to confirm.
  5. Add water and ground coffee to reservoir; coffee maker will brew at set time.
  6. To cancel program, press and hold PROGRAM for 3 seconds.

WARNING! Program will not function during power outage; reset clock after power restoration.

Using the Charcoal Filter

Improves taste by reducing chlorine and impurities.

  1. Soak new filter in cold water for 15 minutes before first use.
  2. Insert filter into filter holder in reservoir.
  3. Replace filter every 60 days or after 60 brew cycles.
  4. Without filter, coffee maker operates normally but water is not filtered.

Note: Filter is not required for operation but recommended for best taste.

Care & Cleaning

Unplug before cleaning. Wipe exterior with damp cloth; dry immediately.

CAUTION! Do not use abrasive pads or cleaners; avoid getting water in controls.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits for residential use. Copyright © Cuisinart; trademarks of Conair Corporation. For support, visit www.cuisinart.com or contact 1-800-726-0190.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Coffee maker won't turn onPower/plugEnsure plugged in; check outlet; press POWER firmly.
Coffee tastes badOld filter/groundsReplace charcoal filter; use fresh coffee; clean carafe.
Leaking waterMisaligned partsEnsure carafe is seated; check filter basket placement.
Program not workingClock reset/powerReset clock after power outage; reprogram brew time.
CLEAN indicator onMineral buildupDescale with vinegar solution; run rinse cycles.

Reset: Unplug for 1 minute to reset electronics.

Service: 1-800-726-0190; www.cuisinart.com

Cuisinart CHW-12 Manual © - All Rights Reserved 2025