Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Brew And Serve Coffeemaker Manual

The Cuisinart DTC-975BKN is a programmable 12-cup coffeemaker with a stainless steel thermal carafe, 24-hour programmability, auto shut-off, brew pause, charcoal water filter, adjustable brew strength, and self-cleaning function. It features a digital clock, programmable settings, and a sleek black finish. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Brewing Coffee 7. Programming & Timer 8. Cleaning & Maintenance 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Stainless steel thermal carafe, Charcoal water filter, Digital clock with programmable timer, Brew strength selector, Brew pause feature, Auto shut-off, Self-cleaning indicator.

FeatureDescription
Thermal CarafeStainless steel, double-wall insulation to keep coffee hot
Programmable Timer24-hour advance setting for automatic brewing
Auto Shut-OffTurns off automatically after brewing (0-4 hours selectable)
Brew PausePause brewing to pour a cup before cycle completes
Charcoal Water FilterRemoves chlorine and impurities for better tasting coffee
Brew Strength SelectorChoose regular or bold flavor
Self-CleaningIndicator light prompts for cleaning cycle
Digital ClockDisplays time and programming settings
Power On/OffMain power switch
Water WindowShows water level in reservoir

Installation

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

  1. Remove all packaging materials from coffeemaker and carafe.
  2. Wash carafe lid and filter basket with warm, soapy water; rinse thoroughly.
  3. Insert charcoal water filter into filter holder in water reservoir (soak filter 15 minutes first).
  4. Place empty carafe on warming plate.
  5. Plug into 120V AC outlet.

WARNING! Do not immerse coffeemaker, cord, or plug in water. Ensure hands are dry when handling.

First-Time Setup

Power on coffeemaker; set clock and preferences.

  1. Fill water reservoir to MAX line with fresh cold water.
  2. Press POWER to turn on; digital display will light.
  3. Set clock: Press and hold CLOCK, then HOUR and MINUTE buttons to set current time.
  4. Set auto shut-off: Press AUTO OFF to select duration (0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours).
  5. Perform cleaning cycle: Run a brew cycle with vinegar solution (see Cleaning section).

CAUTION! Use only cold water in reservoir. Do not use without water filter installed.

Specifications

Controls and Settings

Front Panel: POWER, CLOCK, HOUR, MINUTE, PROGRAM, AUTO OFF, BREW STRENGTH, CLEAN.

Display: Shows time, program time, auto off setting, clean indicator.

Clock Setting: Hold CLOCK, adjust HOUR/MINUTE. Program Timer: Press PROGRAM, set brew time with HOUR/MINUTE. Auto Off: Press AUTO OFF to cycle through 0,1,2,3,4 hours. Brew Strength: Press BREW STRENGTH for Regular or Bold. Clean: CLEAN light indicates when cleaning is needed.

Brewing Coffee

For manual or programmed brewing.

  1. Fill reservoir with cold water to desired cup level.
  2. Place filter in basket; add ground coffee (1 tbsp per cup).
  3. Place empty carafe on warming plate.
  4. Press POWER to turn on.
  5. Press BREW STRENGTH to select Regular or Bold.
  6. Press BREW NOW to start immediate brewing.
  7. Use BREW PAUSE to pour a cup during brewing.
  8. When brewing complete, auto shut-off activates per setting.

Tip: Use fresh, cold water and medium grind coffee for best results.

Programming & Timer

Set coffeemaker to brew automatically at a specific time.

  1. Ensure clock is set to correct time.
  2. Press PROGRAM; display shows "PROG" and program time.
  3. Press HOUR and MINUTE to set desired brew start time.
  4. Press PROGRAM again to confirm.
  5. Fill reservoir with water and add coffee grounds as usual.
  6. Coffeemaker will automatically brew at set time.
  7. To cancel program, press and hold PROGRAM until display shows current time.

Note: Programmed brew will use current brew strength setting.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and longevity.

  1. Daily: Wash carafe, lid, and filter basket with warm soapy water.
  2. Monthly: Replace charcoal water filter (soak new filter 15 minutes before inserting).
  3. Descaling: When CLEAN light illuminates, run cleaning cycle with vinegar solution:
    1. Fill reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
    2. Place empty carafe on warming plate.
    3. Press CLEAN button; brewing cycle will start.
    4. After cycle, discard vinegar solution.
    5. Run 2-3 cycles with fresh water to rinse.
  4. Exterior: Wipe with damp cloth; do not use abrasive cleaners.

CAUTION! Unplug before cleaning. Never immerse coffeemaker in water.

Regulatory Information

UL listed; complies with FCC Part 15 for home use. Copyright © Cuisinart. For support, visit www.cuisinart.com or contact 1-800-726-0190. This appliance is for household use only.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Coffeemaker won't turn onNo powerCheck outlet; ensure plug is secure; press POWER button.
Water doesn't brewClogged filter/water linesClean filter basket; descale coffeemaker; check water reservoir.
Coffee tastes badOld filter/waterReplace charcoal water filter; use fresh cold water; clean carafe.
Program timer not workingIncorrect clock settingReset clock; ensure PROGRAM time is set correctly.
Auto shut-off not functioningSetting at 0 hoursPress AUTO OFF to select 1-4 hour setting.
Leaking waterMisaligned carafeEnsure carafe is properly seated; check for cracks in carafe.

Reset: Unplug for 10 minutes, then plug back in to reset electronics.

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

Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Brew And Serve Coffeemaker Manual © - All Rights Reserved 2025