Cuisinart Coffee PLUS CHW-14 Manual

The Cuisinart Coffee PLUS CHW-14 is a 14-cup programmable coffee maker with a built-in hot water system, thermal carafe, 24-hour programmability, auto shut-off, adjustable brew strength, charcoal water filter, and a hot water on-demand function. It features a stainless steel housing, illuminated control panel, and a pause & serve function. 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. Using the Hot Water System 7. Programming & Brewing 8. Cleaning & Maintenance 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Stainless steel housing, Thermal carafe, Hot water dispenser, Charcoal water filter, Programmable control panel, Removable water reservoir.

FeatureDescription
Thermal Carafe14-cup capacity, double-wall stainless steel to keep coffee hot
Hot Water SystemDedicated hot water dispenser for tea, instant foods, etc.
Programmable Timer24-hour advance programming for automatic brew start
Brew Strength ControlSelect regular or bold brew strength
Auto Shut-OffTurns off automatically after brewing (0-4 hours selectable)
Pause & ServeInterrupt brewing to pour a cup
Charcoal Water FilterRemoves chlorine and impurities for better tasting coffee
Illuminated ControlsEasy-to-read LCD display and buttons
Hot Water Ready LightIndicates when hot water system is heated
Power120V AC, 60Hz

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on a clean, dry, stable, and heat-resistant surface away from edges.

  1. Remove all packaging materials and stickers from the unit and carafe.
  2. Wash the carafe lid, filter basket, and charcoal water filter holder with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry.
  3. Insert the charcoal water filter into the holder and soak it in cold water for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
  4. Place the filter holder into the water reservoir at the back of the unit.
  5. Plug the power cord into a standard 120V AC outlet.

WARNING! Do not immerse the base, cord, or plug in water or any other liquid. Ensure the unit is on a stable surface to prevent tipping.

First-Time Setup

Before first use, perform a cleaning cycle to remove any manufacturing residues.

  1. Fill the water reservoir to the MAX line with fresh cold water. Do not add coffee.
  2. Place a paper filter or the permanent filter in the filter basket. Place the empty carafe on the warming plate.
  3. Press the POWER button to turn the unit on. The ON light will illuminate.
  4. Press and hold the CLEAN button for 3 seconds. The CLEAN light will blink, and the cycle will begin.
  5. After the cycle completes (approx. 10 minutes), discard the water from the carafe. The unit is now ready for programming.
  6. Set the clock: Press and hold the CLOCK button. Use the HOUR and MIN buttons to set the correct time. Press CLOCK again to confirm.

CAUTION! The hot water dispenser and carafe will become very hot during use. Handle with care.

Specifications

Controls and Settings

Control Panel: POWER, PROGRAM, CLOCK, HOUR, MIN, BREW STRENGTH, AUTO OFF, HOT WATER, CLEAN.

Functions: POWER: Turns unit on/off. PROGRAM: Sets automatic brew time. CLOCK/HOUR/MIN: Sets clock and program time. BREW STRENGTH: Toggles between Regular and Bold. AUTO OFF: Selects auto shut-off delay (0-4 hrs). HOT WATER: Activates the hot water dispenser. CLEAN: Initiates cleaning cycle.

LCD Display: Shows current time, program time, brew strength icon, and auto-off setting.

Using the Hot Water System

The hot water system provides near-boiling water on demand for beverages or instant foods.

  1. Ensure the unit is plugged in and powered ON (POWER button lit).
  2. Fill the water reservoir with cold water.
  3. The HOT WATER READY light will illuminate when the water is heated (approx. 5-10 minutes after power on).
  4. Place a heat-resistant cup or carafe under the hot water dispenser spout (left side).
  5. Press and hold the HOT WATER button. Water will dispense. Release the button to stop.

Tip: The hot water system operates independently of the coffee brewing cycle. You can brew coffee and dispense hot water simultaneously.

Programming & Brewing

To program for automatic brewing:

  1. Set the Clock: Press and hold CLOCK. Use HOUR/MIN to set time. Press CLOCK to exit.
  2. Set Auto Brew Time: Press PROGRAM once. The PROGRAM light will blink. Use HOUR/MIN to set the desired brew time. Press PROGRAM again to confirm. The PROGRAM light will stay lit.
  3. Prepare the night before: Add water to reservoir, add coffee to filter, place empty carafe on base.
  4. The unit will automatically begin brewing at the set time. The PROGRAM light turns off when brewing completes.

Manual Brewing: Add water and coffee. Press POWER, then press the BREW button (if equipped) or ensure no program is set—it will brew immediately.

Pause & Serve: During brewing, you can lift the carafe to pour a cup. Brewing pauses and resumes when the carafe is replaced.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Daily: Discard used grounds and rinse filter basket and carafe. Wash carafe lid.

Weekly/Descaling: Mineral buildup can affect performance. Run a descaling cycle every 2-3 months or as needed.

  1. Fill reservoir with a mixture of 1/4 cup white vinegar and water to MAX.
  2. Place a paper filter in the basket and the empty carafe on the base.
  3. Press POWER, then press and hold CLEAN for 3 seconds to start the cleaning cycle.
  4. After cycle completes, discard vinegar solution. Run 2-3 cycles with fresh water only to rinse.

Charcoal Filter: Replace every 60 brew cycles or every 2 months for optimal water filtration.

CAUTION! Unplug before cleaning exterior. Use a damp cloth only. Never use abrasive cleaners or immerse the unit.

Regulatory Information

This appliance complies with FCC Part 15, Subpart B, Class B digital device limits. Copyright © Cuisinart. For support, visit www.cuisinart.com or contact customer service at 1-800-726-0190. This product is for household use only.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Unit does not turn onNo powerEnsure plug is firmly in outlet; check circuit breaker.
Coffee is not hotCold carafe, weak thermal sealPreheat carafe with hot water; ensure lid is closed tightly.
Hot water not dispensingSystem not ready, low waterWait for HOT WATER READY light; ensure reservoir is filled.
Auto brew does not startProgram not set correctly, clock wrongVerify program time and that clock is set to AM/PM correctly.
Slow brewing/drippingClogged filter, mineral buildupClean or replace filter; descale the unit.
Water leaksOverfilled reservoir, misaligned componentsDo not fill past MAX line; ensure filter basket and carafe are properly seated.

Reset: Unplug for 2 minutes, then plug back in to reset the control panel.

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

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