Cuisinart DCC-500 Series Manual

The Cuisinart DCC-500 Series is a programmable coffee maker featuring a 12-cup capacity, 24-hour programmability, auto shut-off, brew pause, charcoal water filter, and a stainless steel carafe. It is designed for convenience and optimal coffee brewing. 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. Brewing Coffee 7. Cleaning & Maintenance 8. Regulatory Information 9. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Programmable control panel, 12-cup glass carafe, charcoal water filter, warming plate, and power cord.

Feature	Description
Programmable Timer	Set brew time up to 24 hours in advance
Auto Shut-Off	Turns off automatically after brewing is complete
Brew Pause	Pause brewing to pour a cup before cycle finishes
Charcoal Water Filter	Removes impurities for better tasting coffee
Stainless Steel Carafe	Keeps coffee hot and fresh
LCD Display	Shows time, program status, and settings
Power Button	Turns coffee maker on/off
Program Button	Sets brew time
Brew Strength Selector	Choose regular or bold brew
Clean Indicator	Alerts when descaling is needed

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on clean, dry, stable surface away from edges.

Remove all packaging materials from carafe and filter basket.
Wash carafe and filter basket with warm, soapy water; rinse thoroughly.
Insert charcoal water filter into filter holder (soak filter first for 15 minutes).
Place empty carafe on warming plate.
Plug into standard 120V AC outlet.

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

First-Time Setup

Power on coffee maker; follow initial setup steps.

Set clock: Press and hold CLOCK button, use HOUR and MIN to set time.
Prime water filter: Run a full cycle of water (without coffee) to activate filter.
Program brew time: Press PROGRAM, set desired brew time using HOUR and MIN.
Select brew strength: Use BREW STRENGTH button to choose regular or bold.

CAUTION! Ensure carafe is properly seated on warming plate before brewing.

Specifications

Capacity: 12 cups (60 oz).
Power: 120V AC, 60Hz, 900W.
Carafe Material: Stainless steel with ergonomic handle.
Filter Type: Charcoal water filter (replace every 60 cycles or 2 months).
Programmability: 24-hour advance brew timer.
Auto Shut-Off: 0-4 hours adjustable.
Warranty: 3-year limited warranty.
Dimensions: 14.5" H x 8.5" W x 9" D.

Controls and Settings

Access settings via control panel buttons. Front Panel: POWER, PROGRAM, CLOCK, BREW STRENGTH, HOUR, MIN, CLEAN.

LCD Display: Shows current time, program time, brew strength, and clean indicator.

Clock: Set current time. Program: Set brew start time. Brew Strength: Regular (standard) or Bold (stronger). Auto Shut-Off: Adjust in settings (0, 1, 2, 4 hours). Clean Indicator: Flashes when descaling is needed.

Brewing Coffee

Supports ground coffee; use paper or permanent filter.

Fill reservoir: Lift lid, pour cold water up to desired cup level.
Add coffee: Place filter in basket, add ground coffee (1 tbsp per cup).
Start brewing: Press POWER to start immediate brew, or wait for programmed time.
Pause and serve: Press BREW PAUSE to pour cup during cycle.
Auto shut-off: Coffee maker turns off after brewing; carafe keeps coffee warm.

Tip: For best taste, use fresh, cold water and clean equipment regularly.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Unplug before cleaning. Wipe exterior with damp cloth; clean carafe and filter basket after each use.

Descale: When CLEAN indicator flashes, run descaling solution or vinegar/water mix through brew cycle.
Replace water filter: Change every 60 cycles or 2 months for optimal performance.
Clean warming plate: Wipe with damp cloth; do not use abrasive cleaners.

CAUTION! Do not use harsh chemicals; avoid immersing unit in water.

Regulatory Information

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Coffee maker won't turn on	Power cord/outlet	Ensure plugged in; check outlet; press POWER firmly.
Coffee tastes bad	Old water/filter	Use fresh water; replace charcoal filter; clean carafe.
No brewing	Water reservoir empty	Fill reservoir with water; ensure lid closed.
Leaking water	Misaligned carafe/filter	Ensure carafe seated properly; check filter basket placement.
CLEAN indicator on	Mineral buildup	Descale with vinegar solution; run clean cycle.

Reset: Unplug for 1 minute, then plug back in to reset electronics.

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