Introduction of Cuisinart DCC3400 PerfecTemp 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker

The Cuisinart DCC3400 PerfecTemp 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker is a popular choice for coffee connoisseurs who want to brew large quantities of coffee in the comfort of their own homes. This coffee maker features a stainless steel thermal carafe that effectively preserves the coffee's temperature for a long duration.

Detailed Specifications

The Cuisinart DCC3400 has several key features that make it a popular choice among coffee drinkers. 12-cup thermal carafe, a brew-strength control that allows you to choose regular or bold flavor, a 24-hour programmability feature, a self-clean function, and an adjustable temperature control. The coffee maker also has an automatic shutoff feature that turns off the machine after two hours of inactivity.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CONTROL PANEL

1. Ready Tone Button
   Lets you turn an audible “Brew Cycle Finished” alert on or off.
2. Blue Backlit Display
   Displays time of day and Auto On time. Ready Tone off icon appears when Ready Tone is off.
3. Hour and Minute Buttons
   Use to set hours and minutes for time of day and Auto On time.
4. Program Button
   Lets you program your coffeemaker to automatically begin brewing up to 24 hours in advance. To activate the setting, hit the AUTO ON button.
5. Clean Button
   Red indicator appears when it is time to decalcify your coffeemaker.
6. Bold Flavor Strength Button
   Lets you choose bold or regular coffee flavor; blue indicator appears when bold is selected.
7. Brew/Off Button
   Turns coffeemaker on and off.
8. Auto On Button
   Once an AUTO ON time is set using the Program button, the AUTO ON button will illuminate blue, indicating the function is on and brewing will start automatically at the preset time.
9. 1–4 Cup Button
   Adjusts brew process to maximize coffee flavor when brewing fewer than 5 cups. Blue indicator appears when the function is selected.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

1. Coffeemaker Lid
   Opens to access filter basket, water filter, and water reservoir.
2. Water Reservoir with Water Level Indicator Window
3. Showerhead (not shown)
   Distributes water evenly over coffee, reducing temperature loss as water passes through grounds.
4. Charcoal Water Filter Holder
   Holds water filter firmly in place.
5. Charcoal Water Filter
   Eliminates chlorine, bad tastes, and odors from tap water.
6. Filter Basket
   Holds a #4 paper filter OR a gold-tone filter.
7. Filter Basket Holder
8. Cuisinart Permanent Gold-Tone Commercial-Style Filter
   Eliminates the need for paper filters.
   NOTE: Some fine grounds may flow through the filter and appear as sediment in the carafe.
9. Control Panel
10. Brew Pause
    Stops the flow of coffee from the basket when the carafe is removed (20 seconds max) from the heater plate, so a cup can be poured mid-brew.
11. 12-Cup Thermal Carafe
    The easy-pour double-wall insulated carafe has an ergonomic handle and is designed to keep your coffee hot for hours. No need to turn or adjust lid to pour.
12. 60-Second Reset (not shown)
    One-minute protection in case a breaker trips, the unit is unplugged, or the power fails. It holds all programmed information, including time of day, Auto On time, and Auto Off time.
13. Measuring Scoop
14. BPA Free (not shown)
    All parts that come in contact with coffee or liquids are BPA free.

BEFORE BREWING YOUR FIRST POT OF COFFEE

Rinsing your coffeemaker: During the manufacturing process, dust can get trapped in the unit. We recommend flushing out the system before brewing your first pot of coffee. Simply fill the reservoir, power on the unit, and follow steps 1, 3 and 5 on page 8 under MAKING COFFEE. Do not add coffee!

Charcoal Water Filter 

Your coffeemaker comes with a charcoal water filter that eliminates chlorine, bad tastes and odors from tap water.

Inserting the Water Filter

• Remove the filter from polybag and soak it, fully immersed, in cold tap water for 15 minutes.
• Lift the water filter holder out of the water reservoir.
• Press down on the filter compartment and pull toward you to open.
• Place filter into the holder and snap it closed. Be careful – improper placement can tear the filter skin.
• Flush filter by running cold tap water through holes in bottom of compartment for 10 seconds.
• Allow the filter to drain completely.
• Slide the water filter holder back into the channel in the water reservoir, pushing it down to the base of the unit.

NOTE: We recommend changing the water filter every 60 days or after 60 uses, and more often if you have hard water.

Description

The Cuisinart DCC3400 PerfecTemp 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker is a premium coffee maker specifically engineered to deliver consistently hot and flavorful coffee for an extended period of time. The thermal carafe is made of stainless steel and has two walls, which are vacuum-sealed. This design guarantees that your coffee will remain hot and fresh. The brew-strength control enables you to select the desired taste intensity of your coffee, while the programmability feature allows you to schedule the coffee maker to brew at a certain time. The self-cleaning feature simplifies maintenance, while the adjustable temperature control allows you to customize the coffee temperature to your preference.

PROGRAMMING YOUR COFFEEMAKER

SETTING THE CLOCK 

When the coffeemaker is plugged in, 12:00 will flash in the display for 10 seconds, indicating the unit is in Clock Set mode. If 12:00 stops flashing, simply press and hold Hour or Minute button to return to flashing Clock Set mode.

Setting Hours and Minutes 

Press either button to select the desired time. Hold buttons down to scroll through the digits quickly, or press and release to advance one digit at a time. Be sure the PM indicator is on if setting a PM time.

SETTING THE AUTO ON TIME

1. Press the Program button. The digital display will flash the default (12:00) or previously selected time. Follow directions under SETTING THE CLOCK (above) to program your start-brew time. Five seconds after finishing, the unit will automatically exit Auto On Setup mode and the Auto On light will illuminate, letting you know Auto On is activated.

NOTE: To exit Auto On Setup mode, you can also just press Program button again. 2. To activate Auto On using previously selected time: Press the Auto On button. Previously set time will appear and indicator will light up. Display will return to clock setting. 3. To deactivate Auto On: Press illuminated Auto On button; light will go off, indicating mode is turned off.

TURNING OFF READY TONE 

Your coffeemaker features a Ready Tone that beeps 5 times when coffee is finished brewing. To turn this alert off, press Tone button; an icon will appear in display to indicate tone is off. To turn tone back on, press Tone button again; icon will disappear.

MAKING COFFEE 

1. Fill the water reservoir
   Lift the coffeemaker lid to open. Pour the desired amount of water into the water reservoir using the water level indicator located at the side of the coffeemaker.

   

2. Add the ground coffee
   Insert a #4 paper filter OR the gold-tone filter. Be sure that the paper filter is completely open and fully inserted in the basket. It may help to fold and flatten the seams of a paper filter beforehand. Add 1 level scoop of ground coffee per cup. Adjust the amount according to taste.

   

   
   NOTE: The maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 tablespoons for this coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow if the coffee is too finely ground.

3. Position carafe and plug in unit
   Place carafe in unit and be sure coffeemaker lid is closed. Plug coffeemaker into an electrical outlet.
4. Set preferences
   a. Press the 1–4 cup button if you are brewing fewer than 5 cups. The indicator light will illuminate.
   b. Press the Bold button to select stronger coffee flavor, if desired. The button’s indicator light will illuminate. Press again to turn off light and brew at regular strength.
5. Start Brewing
   Press the Brew/Off button to begin brewing.
6. After brewing
   When the brewing cycle has been completed, five beeps will sound. Coffee will continue to stream from the filter for several seconds.

Note: Reservoir cover may be hot during and directly after brewing. Wait at least 10 minutes before opening.
Helpful Hint: Using cold water in the carafe can affect brewed coffee temperature. “Preheat” your carafe by rinsing it out with hot water before brewing.

Brew Pause Feature 

This feature interrupts the flow of coffee from the basket to let you pour that first cup mid-brew. Because the flavor profile of coffee brewed at the start of a cycle differs from that brewed toward the end, be aware that using this feature will weaken the flavor strength of the finished pot.
NOTE: Removing carafe for more than 20 seconds during brew cycle may cause filter basket to overflow.

Setup Guide

The installation process for the Cuisinart DCC3400 PerfecTemp 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker is straightforward. Prioritize cleaning all detachable components before operating the machine. To prepare coffee, place a filter in the basket, measure the appropriate amount of coffee grounds, and pour water into the reservoir. The brew-strength control allows you to select either the ordinary or robust flavor. Configure the programmability function to the specific time you choose, and the coffee maker will commence the brewing process automatically. After the coffee has been brewed, the machine will automatically shut off after two hours of no activity.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

• Always turn the coffeemaker off and remove the plug from the electrical outlet before cleaning. Lift up the coffeemaker lid. 
• Remove and discard the paper filter and ground coffee. The filter basket can be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly, or cleaned in the upper rack of the dishwasher. Dry all parts after use. 
• Do not put any water in the unit once the filter basket has been removed. 
• Wipe the area under the filter basket with a damp cloth. 
• Remove the carafe from the resting plate. Discard any remaining coffee. The carafe and lid can be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly, or placed in a dishwasher. The carafe and carafe lid should be placed on the upper rack only. Do not use any scouring agents or harsh cleansers on any part of the coffeemaker. 
• Never immerse the base unit in water or other liquids. To clean the base, simply wipe with a clean, damp cloth and dry before storing. 
• Fingerprints and other blemishes on the housing can be washed off with soap and water or a nonabrasive cleaning solution. Wipe the resting plate with a clean, damp cloth. 
• Never use rough, abrasive materials or cleansers to clean the resting plate. Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.

Maintenance 
Any other servicing should be performed by an authorized service representative.

12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker DECALCIFICATION

Decalcification refers to the removal of calcium deposits that form over time on the metal parts of your coffeemaker. The mineral content of the tap water in your area and the frequency of use affect the rate of the calcium buildup, which can affect the functioning of your coffeemaker and the flavor of your coffee. For best performance from your PerfecTemp® coffeemaker, we recommend cleaning it whenever the CLEAN LED indicator lights up.

NOTE: Before decalcifying your unit, remove the charcoal water filter from the water reservoir.

To clean:

1. Fill the water reservoir to capacity with a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water.
2. Press and hold the CLEAN button. When the CLEAN LED indicator flashes, the coffeemaker is in Clean mode. Release the button.
3. When the cycle is completed, 5 beeps will sound and the coffeemaker will shut off.
4. If the CLEAN indicator illuminates once more, repeat the cleaning procedure with a fresh solution of vinegar and water.
   NOTE: One cleaning cycle is usually sufficient.
5. When the CLEAN indicator remains off, run one cycle with a full reservoir of fresh, cold water to rinse the unit.
6. Return the charcoal water filter to the holder inside the water reservoir and your coffeemaker is ready to brew!

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and/or injury to persons, including the following:

1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Always unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning the appliance.
3. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles and knobs.
4. To protect against electric shock, do not place cord, plug, or base unit in water or other liquids.
5. This appliance should not be used by or near children or individuals with certain disabilities.
6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Return appliance to the nearest Cuisinart Repair Center for examination, repair, and electrical or mechanical adjustment.
7. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by Cuisinart may cause injuries.
8. Do not use outdoors.
9. Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
10. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
11. Always fill water reservoir first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, push the Brew/Off button, then remove plug from wall outlet.
12. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
13. Make sure carafe lid is secure before serving any beverages.
14. Scalding may occur if the lid is removed during the brewing cycle.
15. The thermal carafe is designed for use with this coffeemaker only. It must never be used on the range top.
16. Do not set a hot carafe on a wet or cold surface.
17. Do not use a cracked carafe or a carafe having a loose or weakened handle.
18. Do not clean carafe or resting plate with cleansers, steel wool pads, or other abrasive materials.
19. WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE BASE PANEL. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE. REPAIRS SHOULD BE DONE ONLY BY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.
20. Do not place cloth beneath coffeemaker or otherwise restrict airflow.
21. Use only the Cuisinart Gold-Tone Commercial Style Filter or standard cone-shaped paper filter with this unit. OTHER GOLD-TONE PERMANENT FILTERS MAY CAUSE THE COFFEEMAKER TO OVERFLOW.
22. Do not operate your appliance in an appliance garage or under a wall cabinet. When storing in an appliance garage, always unplug the unit from the electrical outlet. Not doing so could create a risk of fire, especially if the appliance touches the walls of the garage or the door touches the unit as it closes.

Troubleshooting

If you experience any difficulties with the Cuisinart DCC3400 PerfecTemp 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker, the subsequent troubleshooting measures can be beneficial. Ensure that the coffee maker is operational by verifying the presence of water in the reservoir and the correct positioning of the carafe. To ensure that the coffee is sufficiently hot, please verify the temperature control setting. Ensure proper alignment of the carafe and basket if the coffee maker is experiencing leakage. To troubleshoot a non-operational machine, verify the integrity of the power cord and ensure that the coffee maker is securely connected to a power source.

WARRANTY

Three-Year Warranty

This warranty is available to U.S. consumers only. You are a consumer if you own a Cuisinart PerfecTemp 12-Cup Programmable Thermal Coffeemaker that was purchased at retail for personal, family or household use. Except as otherwise required under applicable law, this warranty is not available to retailers or other commercial purchasers or owners. We warrant that your Cuisinart® PerfecTemp® 12-Cup Programmable Thermal Coffeemaker will be free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal home use for 3 years from the date of original purchase.

12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker Pros & Cons

Pros

• Stainless steel thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
• Programmability feature lets you set the coffee maker to brew at a specific time
• Brew-strength control allows you to choose the flavor intensity of your coffee
• Self-clean function makes maintenance easy
• Adjustable temperature control lets you set the temperature of your coffee to your liking

Cons

• May be too large for some kitchen counters
• Some users may find the carafe difficult to pour

Customer Reviews 

Customers who have purchased the Cuisinart DCC3400 have generally given it positive reviews. Many users have praised the coffee maker's ability to keep coffee hot for hours, while others have appreciated the programmability and brew-strength control features. The self-clean function has also been a popular feature among users. However, some users have reported issues with leaking and the difficulty of pouring from the carafe. Overall, customers have rated the Cuisinart DCC3400 an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.