Cuisinart Grind & Brew DGB-550 Series Manual

The Cuisinart Grind & Brew DGB-550 Series is a fully automatic coffee maker with a built-in burr grinder. It features programmable settings, a 24-hour advance brew start timer, an auto-shutoff function, a charcoal water filter, a permanent gold-tone filter, and a thermal carafe to keep coffee hot. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, cleaning, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First-Time Use 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Programming & Operation 7. Grinder Function 8. Cleaning & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Built-in burr grinder, Thermal carafe, Charcoal water filter, Permanent gold-tone filter, Programmable clock/timer, Grind control selector, Strength selector.

FeatureDescription
Built-in Burr GrinderGrinds coffee beans directly into the filter basket
Thermal CarafeStainless steel, double-wall insulated to keep coffee hot
Charcoal Water FilterRemoves impurities for better tasting coffee
Permanent Gold-Tone FilterReusable, eliminates the need for paper filters
Programmable TimerSet to brew up to 24 hours in advance
Grind Control SelectorAdjustable from coarse to fine grind
Strength SelectorChoose regular or bold brew strength
Auto Shut-OffAutomatically turns off after brewing is complete
LCD DisplayShows time, programming status, and alerts
Pause & ServeAllows you to pour a cup during the brew cycle

Installation & Setup

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

  1. Remove all packaging materials and tape from the unit and carafe.
  2. Wash the carafe lid, filter basket, and permanent filter with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
  3. Insert the charcoal water filter into the filter holder in the water reservoir (soak filter first for 15 minutes as per instructions).
  4. Fill the water reservoir completely with clean, cold water and run a brewing cycle without coffee to clean the internal system. Discard this water.

WARNING! Ensure the unit is unplugged during initial cleaning and setup. Handle the glass carafe with care.

First-Time Use

After initial setup, you are ready to program and brew your first pot of coffee.

  1. Set the Clock: Press and hold the HOUR and MINUTE buttons until the correct time is displayed.
  2. Add Coffee Beans: Fill the bean hopper with your preferred whole coffee beans.
  3. Select Grind & Strength: Turn the GRIND CONTROL knob to your desired setting (1-18). Slide the STRENGTH selector to REGULAR or BOLD.
  4. Program Auto Brew (Optional): Use the PROGRAM button to set a future brew time.
  5. Brew Now: To brew immediately, ensure the carafe is in place and press the BREW button.

CAUTION! Do not add water to the bean hopper. Only use whole coffee beans in the grinder.

Specifications

Controls and Settings

Front Panel: LCD Display, BREW Button, PROGRAM Button, HOUR & MINUTE Buttons, GRIND CONTROL Knob, STRENGTH Selector, ON/OFF Power Switch.

LCD Display: Shows current time, programmed brew time, and "ADD WATER" or "CLEAN" alerts.

GRIND CONTROL Knob: Adjusts the grind size from coarse (1) to fine (18).

STRENGTH Selector: Slide switch for REGULAR (standard extraction) or BOLD (slower extraction for stronger flavor).

PROGRAM Function: Allows you to set the machine to automatically grind and brew at a specific time.

Programming & Operation

To set the Auto Brew function for a future time:

  1. Ensure the clock is set to the correct current time.
  2. Press the PROGRAM button. The "PROG" light will illuminate.
  3. While "PROG" is lit, press the HOUR and MINUTE buttons to set the desired brew time.
  4. Press PROGRAM again to confirm. The "AUTO ON" light will illuminate, indicating the machine is programmed.
  5. To cancel, press and hold PROGRAM until the "AUTO ON" light turns off.

Tip: Fill the bean hopper and water reservoir the night before for fresh, automatic morning coffee.

Grinder Function

The integrated burr grinder provides consistent grounds for optimal flavor extraction.

  1. Add Beans: Fill the bean hopper with whole beans. Do not exceed the MAX line.
  2. Select Grind Size: Turn the GRIND CONTROL knob. Lower numbers for coarse (e.g., French Press), higher numbers for fine (e.g., Espresso). A medium setting (8-12) is recommended for most coffee makers.
  3. Automatic Operation: When the brew cycle starts, the grinder will automatically run for the precise amount of time needed for the selected number of cups.
  4. Manual Grind (Clean Cycle): You can run the grinder alone by pressing and holding the BREW button for 3 seconds without starting a full brew cycle. Use this to clear old grounds.

WARNING! Never put ground coffee, water, or any objects other than whole coffee beans into the bean hopper.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Regular cleaning ensures best performance and longevity.

Daily: Discard used grounds. Rinse the permanent filter and filter basket. Wash the carafe and lid with warm, soapy water.

Monthly/As Needed: Descale the unit by running a brewing cycle with a mixture of half water and half white vinegar. Follow with 2-3 cycles of clean water to rinse. Clean the burr grinder by running old, cheap beans through it or using a dry brush.

Charcoal Filter: Replace the water filter every 60 days or as indicated, or after approximately 60 brew cycles.

CAUTION! Always unplug the unit before cleaning. Never immerse the base unit, cord, or plug in water or any liquid.

Regulatory Information

This appliance complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. Copyright © Cuisinart. For support, visit www.cuisinart.com or contact customer service at 1-800-726-0190.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Machine won't turn onNot plugged in / Power switch offEnsure unit is plugged into a working outlet. Flip the power switch on the side to ON.
Coffee doesn't brewEmpty water reservoir / Clogged filterFill reservoir with water. Clean the permanent filter and check for blockages.
Grinder doesn't workHopper empty / Grind knob not setAdd whole beans to hopper. Ensure GRIND CONTROL knob is not set to OFF.
Coffee is weak or coldIncorrect grind / strength settingsUse a finer grind setting. Select BOLD strength. Ensure carafe lid is sealed.
"CLEAN" light is onMineral buildupDescale the unit following the cleaning instructions.
Leaking waterMisaligned components / OverfilledEnsure filter basket and carafe are correctly seated. Do not exceed max water line.

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

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

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