Cuisinart Thermal Coffee Center SS-20 Series Manual

The Cuisinart Thermal Coffee Center SS-20 Series is a versatile coffee brewing system featuring a 12-cup glass carafe, a 10-cup thermal carafe, a 24-hour programmable clock/timer, auto shut-off, a charcoal water filter, a brew pause & serve function, and a 1-4 cup setting. It includes a stainless steel finish, a warming plate, a removable drip tray, and indicator lights. 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. Safety Features 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Dual carafe system (glass & thermal), Control Panel, Water Reservoir, Charcoal Filter Holder, Warming Plate, Removable Drip Tray.

Feature	Description
12-Cup Glass Carafe	For brewing and serving with warming plate
10-Cup Thermal Carafe	Stainless steel, keeps coffee hot without warming plate
24-Hour Programmable Timer	Set brew time in advance
Auto Shut-Off	Turns off warming plate after 2 hours
Brew Pause & Serve	Pause brewing to pour a cup
1-4 Cup Setting	Optimizes brewing for small batches
Charcoal Water Filter	Removes impurities for better taste
Indicator Lights	Power, Brew, Program, Auto Off
Removable Drip Tray	For easy cleaning
Stainless Steel Finish	Durable and easy to clean

Installation

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

Remove all packaging materials and stickers.
Wash carafes, filter basket, and charcoal filter holder with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry.
Insert charcoal water filter into holder and soak in cold water for 15 minutes.
Place filter holder into the water reservoir.
Plug power cord into a 120V AC outlet.

WARNING! Do not immerse the Coffee Center base, cord, or plug in water or other liquids.

First-Time Setup

Before first use, run a brewing cycle with water only to clean the system.

Fill water reservoir to the 12-cup mark with fresh, cold water.
Place a paper filter in the filter basket and place the empty glass carafe on the warming plate.
Press the POWER button to turn the unit on.
Press the BREW button to start the cycle. Discard the water after brewing.
Set the clock by pressing and holding the PROGRAM button, then use HOUR and MIN buttons.

CAUTION! The warming plate and carafes will become hot during use. Handle with care.

Specifications

Model: SS-20 Series.
Capacity: Up to 12 cups (glass carafe) or 10 cups (thermal carafe).
Power: 120V AC, 60Hz, 900W.
Carafes: 12-cup glass, 10-cup stainless steel thermal.
Features: Programmable 24-hour clock/timer, Auto Shut-Off, Brew Pause & Serve, 1-4 Cup Setting.
Filter: Permanent charcoal water filter included.
Finish: Brushed stainless steel.
Dimensions: (Approx.) 14" W x 9" D x 15" H.
Weight: (Approx.) 8 lbs.

Controls and Settings

Control Panel: POWER, BREW, PROGRAM, HOUR, MIN, AUTO OFF, 1-4 CUP.

Indicator Lights: POWER (green), BREW (orange), PROGRAM (red), AUTO OFF (red).

Programming: Press and hold PROGRAM, then use HOUR/MIN to set time. Press PROGRAM again to set brew time. Auto Shut-Off: Press AUTO OFF to turn feature on/off (default ON). 1-4 Cup Setting: Press 1-4 CUP button when brewing small amounts for optimal flavor.

Brewing Coffee

For best results, use fresh, cold water and medium grind coffee.

Fill water reservoir to desired cup level.
Place a paper filter (or gold tone filter) in the filter basket.
Add coffee grounds (1 tablespoon per cup, adjust to taste).
Place empty carafe (glass or thermal) in position.
Press POWER to turn unit on.
Press BREW to start brewing cycle.
Use BREW PAUSE & SERVE to pour a cup during brewing (pause for more than 20 seconds may affect flavor).
When brewing is complete, the warming plate (for glass carafe) will keep coffee hot. Auto Shut-Off turns plate off after 2 hours.

Tip: For thermal carafe, brew directly into it. It will keep coffee hot without a warming plate.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Unplug unit and allow to cool before cleaning.

Wipe exterior with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
Wash carafes, filter basket, and lid in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly.
Clean water reservoir and charcoal filter holder monthly. Replace charcoal filter every 60 brew cycles or 2 months.
Descale every 3-6 months using a commercial descaling solution or white vinegar solution (run brew cycle with solution, then run 2 cycles with clean water).
Wipe warming plate with a damp cloth after it has cooled.

CAUTION! Never immerse the base, cord, or plug in water. Do not use harsh chemicals.

Safety Features

Auto Shut-Off: Turns off warming plate after 2 hours to prevent overheating. Brew Pause & Serve: Allows safe pouring during brew cycle. Thermal Carafe: No external heating element, reduces burn risk. Overheat Protection: Internal safety cut-off.

Regulatory Information

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Coffee maker won't turn on	No power/plug	Ensure unit is plugged in; check outlet; press POWER button.
Coffee is not hot enough	Carafe/Warming plate	Preheat carafe with hot water; ensure warming plate is on (glass carafe).
Water does not flow	Clogged filter/water path	Check and clean filter basket; ensure charcoal filter is installed correctly; descale.
Coffee tastes bad	Old coffee/water/filter	Use fresh coffee and cold water; clean carafe and filter basket; replace charcoal filter.
Leaking water	Misaligned components	Ensure filter basket is seated properly; carafe is correctly positioned; reservoir is not overfilled.
Clock resets	Power interruption	Reset time after a power outage; plug into a dedicated outlet.

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

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