Introducing the Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12

Experience the perfect cup of coffee every time with the Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12. This versatile and elegant coffee maker not only brews delicious coffee but also includes a hot water system for preparing tea, hot chocolate, and oatmeal. With an estimated price range of $100 - $150 and a launch date of 2021, the CHW-12 is a must-have for coffee lovers seeking convenience and quality.

Cuisinart Specifications

The Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12 offers the following key features:

12-cup carafe with stainless steel handle
Brew Pause feature
Fully automatic 24-hour programmability
Adjustable heater plate with high, medium, and low settings
Hot water system with separate hot water spout
Charcoal water filter and gold-tone coffee filter
3-year limited warranty

Getting to know your Control Panel

Detailed programming and use instructions are on pages 7 and 8.

Cuisinart Coffee maker Controls

On/Off Button
Use to turn your Coffeemaker on and off.
Works in tandem with the Function knob.
Clock Display
Displays time of day, Auto On, and Auto Off times.
Hour and Minute Buttons
Use to set hours and minutes for time of day, Auto On, and Auto Off times.
1–4 Cup Setting with Indicator
Improves extraction, flavor and temperature when brewing fewer than 5 cups.
Clean Indicator
Indicates time to clean Coffeemaker to remove calcium buildup.
Carafe Temperature Knob
Set the heater plate to Low (L), Medium (M), or High (H) to keep coffee in the carafe at the temperature you prefer
Function Knob
PROG
Select to program Auto On time.
Coffeemaker can be programmed to automatically start brewing up to 24 hours in advance.
AUTO ON
Select to automatically start brewing coffee at the time you’ve programmed.
AUTO OFF
Select to program your Coffeemaker to automatically shut off up to 4 hours after brewing.
BREW
Select to begin brew cycle when On button is pressed.
CLOCK
Select to program time of day
HOT WATER System Controls
On/Off Button
Use to turn your Hot Water System on and off.
Water Ready Indicator
Indicates when water is heated.’
Add Water Indicator
Indicates when water should be added.
Safety Feature
(Shown in the locked position)

Enjoy the 2-in-1 coffee plus
Your Coffee PLUS system is designed to let you use the Coffeemaker and Hot Water System separately, or at the same time. Perfect for every occasion.

BEFORE FIRST

We recommend flushing out both the Coffeemaker and Hot Water System before first use.

Coffeemaker: Fill the reservoir with cold water and follow the directions for Brewing Coffee. Do not add coffee!
Hot Water System: Fill the reservoir to the Max fill line and follow directions for Using the Hot Water System.
Once the system flush is complete, your Coffee PLUS system is ready to brew and heat water so you can enjoy Cuisinart at its best!

Features & Benefits of Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12

Coffeemaker Reservoir Cover Flips back for easy filling.
Coffeemaker Water Reservoir (not shown) With water level indicator window.
Showerhead (not shown) Distributes water evenly over coffee, reducing temperature loss as water passes through grounds.
Coffeemaker Charcoal Water Filter Holder Holds filter firmly in place.
Charcoal Water Filter Eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes and odors from tap water.
Filter Basket (not shown) Holds a #4 paper filter or a permanent filter.
Filter Basket Holder (not shown)
Coffeemaker Control Panel See detailed illustration.
Cord Storage (not shown)
Brew Pause Stops flow of coffee from basket when carafe is removed from the heater plate, so a cup can be poured in mid-brew.
Carafe
The easy-pour, no-drip 12-cup carafe has an ergonomic handle and brewed coffee markings.
Adjustable Heater Plate Keeps brewed coffee at desired temperature. Scratch-resistant with nonstick coating.
Ready Tone (not shown) Signals the end of the brew cycle with five beeps.
Power Loss Back-up System (not shown)
One-minute protection if a breaker trips, unit is unplugged, or power fails. Holds all programmed information, including time of day, Auto On time and Auto Off time.
HOT WATER system:
Hot Water Reservoir Cover
Flips back for easy filling.
Hot Water Charcoal Water Filter Holder Holds filter firmly in place.
Charcoal Water Filter
Eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes and odors from tap water.
Hot Water Reservoir (not shown)
With Max fill line
Dispensing Lever
For dispensing hot water.
Safety Lock
Prevents hot water from being dispensed when in the locked position.
Drip Tray
Removable tray with grate.
Hot Water Release Tab (not shown)
Located underneath the unit.

Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12 Description

The Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12 combines style and functionality in one sleek package. With its 12-cup capacity, you can brew enough coffee for the whole family or save some for later with the adjustable heater plate. The hot water system allows for easy preparation of various beverages and oatmeal, making this coffee maker a versatile addition to any kitchen. The CHW-12 also boasts a Brew Pause feature, allowing you to enjoy a cup even before the brewing cycle is complete.

UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

Place the box on a large, sturdy, flat surface.
Remove the instruction book and any other literature.
Turn the box so that the back side of the Coffeemaker is down and slide the Coffeemaker from the box.
After the Coffeemaker has been removed, place the box out of the way and lift off the packing material.
Grasp the carafe by its handle, remove it from the heating plate, and remove the polybag.
Remove the polybag covering the Coffeemaker. Save all packing materials in case you have to ship the machine in the future.
KEEP ALL PLASTIC BAGS AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

QUEST FOR THE PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE

Water
Coffee is 98% water. The quality of that water is as important as the quality of your coffee. If water doesn’t taste good from the tap, it won’t taste good in your coffee. Cuisinart includes a charcoal water filter to remove chlorine, bad tastes and odors, for the purest coffee flavor, every time you brew.
Coffee
While coffee is 98% water, all of the flavor comes from the beans. To achieve the same great taste you enjoy at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality of coffee. If you choose to grind your own beans, buy them fresh and whole. Buy only about a two-week supply at a time, because once the bean is broken, its flavor degrades quickly.
Grind
The grind is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, over-extraction and bitterness will result.
Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the maximum flavor will not be extracted. When grinding your own beans, we recommend a medium-fine grind.
Proportion
Coffee that is too strong or too weak is always a disappointment. Follow the recommended portions of ground coffee in the instructions under Brewing Coffee, and later adjust the amount to suit your taste.

Programming Your Coffeemaker CHW-12

Setting the Clock
When the Coffeemaker is plugged in, 12:00 will appear.
Turn the Function knob to CLOCK
Hold down the Hour or Minute button until the clock begins flashing. Press either button to select the desired time. Hold buttons down to scroll through the digits, or press and release to advance one digit at a time. When scrolling, the numbers will advance slowly and then speed up. When the number displayed approaches the desired time, press and release to advance one digit at a time. Be sure the PM indicator is on if a PM time is desired.
To finish setting the clock, turn the Function knob to any other setting or simply wait until the numbers stop blinking.

SETTING THE AUTO ON TIME

When you turn the Function knob to PROG, it displays a previously selected Auto On time, or the default time (12:00pm).

Turn the Function knob to PROG Use the Hour and Minute buttons as above to program your start-brew time.
Turn the Function knob to AUTO ON LCD will display the current time.
Press and release On/Off button
A blue light indicates that the Coffeemaker is in AUTO ON mode. The blue light around On/ Off will come on when brew cycle begins.

Charcoal Water Filter

Your Coffeemaker comes with two charcoal water filters that eliminates chlorine, bad tastes and odors from tap water.

Inserting the Water Filter

Remove the filters from the polybag and soak them, fully immersed, in cold tap water for 15 minutes.
Lift the water filter holder out of the water reservoirs from both the Coffeemaker side and Hot Water System side (see diagram, page 5).
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. Replacement filters can be purchased in stores, by calling Cuisinart Customer Service, or at https://www.cuisinart.com/

Hot Water Charcoal Water Filter

Brewing COFFEE

Follow instructions in Before First Use on previous page.

Insert charcoal water filter
Follow directions for the preparation and insertion of the filter on page 7.
Fill the water reservoir
Open the Coffeemaker reservoir cover by lifting it up. Pour in the desired amount of water using the water level indicator located at the side of the coffeemaker.
Set preferences
a. Push the 1–4 cup button if you are brewing fewer than 5 cups.
b. Turn the Carafe Temperature dial to Low (L), Medium (M), or High (H) and heater plate will keep coffee at the temperature you select.
Add the ground coffee
Remove the filter basket by grasping the handle and lifting straight up. Insert a #4 paper filter or permanent filter. Be sure that a 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.
Replace the filter basket in the filter basket holder and press firmly on cover to be sure it closes securely.
Before brewing coffee
Make sure the glass carafe is in position on the heater plate and the top cover is closed. Plug the cord into an electrical outlet.
Power unit
Turn the Function knob to brew, press the On/Off button, and the blue indicator light will turn on. Or, set the Auto On function (see page 7) and the Auto On indicator will light.
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.

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 towards 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 may cause filter basket to overflow.

Using the hot water system Coffeemaker CHW-12

Follow instructions in Before First Use on previous page.

Insert charcoal water filter
Follow directions for the preparation and insertion of the filter on page 7.
Fill the water reservoir
Open the Hot Water reservoir cover by lifting it up. Fill the reservoir with water, making sure not to fill above the Max fill line.
Heating
Press the On/Off button on the Hot Water side of your unit. The blue On indicator around the On/Off button will light. The Water Ready indicator will flash while the unit is heating. Once the unit has heated, the Water Ready indicator will become solid.
Dispensing water
To dispense water, be sure the safety switch, which is located below the lever, is in the unlocked position. Simply slide the safety switch to the left to unlock. Then place a cup on the drip tray and press the lever down the unit dispenses up to 13 ounces of hot water at a time. If desired, return the safety lock to the locked position (to the right) after dispensing water.
NOTE: You can remove the drip tray to accommodate tall mugs.
After dispensing
The heater will immediately begin heating more water. The Water Ready indicator will again flash until water reaches serving temperature.
NOTE: The red Add Water indicator will light if more water is needed.
Turning off Hot Water System
To turn off your Hot Water System at any time, press the On/Off button. The On indicator will turn off, but the Water Ready indicator will remain lit until water has cooled below serving temperature.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Always turn unit off and remove the plug from the electrical outlet before cleaning.
Lift up the Coffeemaker reservoir cover.
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 heating 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 base unit in water or other liquids. To clean 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 heater plate with a clean, damp cloth. Never use rough, abrasive materials or cleansers to clean the heater plate. Do not dry the inside of the water reservoir with a cloth, as lint may remain.

EMPTYING THE HOT WATER RESERVOIR

If your Hot Water System has not been used for more than one week, or if you plan to store your Coffee PLUS unit, we suggest emptying the reservoir completely. Place it over the sink, and pull the water release tab from the bottom of the unit to drain the Hot Water System reservoir. Once empty, replace the release tab.

NOTE: Hot water reservoir should be emptied only when the unit is cool. To avoid injury, do not empty the reservoir when there is hot water in the unit.

Decalcification
Decalcification refers to the removal of calcium deposits that form over time on the metal parts of the coffeemaker.

To Decalcify Your Coffeemaker
For best performance from your Coffeemaker, decalcify the unit from time to time. The frequency depends upon the hardness of your tap water and how often you use the Coffeemaker. The flashing Clean light will indicate when unit should be cleaned.

If the Clean light begins to flash when the Coffeemaker is turned on, it is telling you that the calcium buildup is interfering with the functioning of your Coffeemaker and the flavor of your coffee. To clean, fill the water reservoir to capacity with a mixture of ¹⁄³ white vinegar and ²⁄³ water. Press the Clean button. When the Clean light glows, turn the Coffeemaker on by pressing the On/Off button. The Clean light will shine steadily.
The Coffeemaker is now in clean mode. One cycle should be sufficient to adequately clean the Coffeemaker. When the cycle is completed and the five beeps sound, the Coffeemaker will shut off. Turn the Coffeemaker on to see if the Clean light continues to flash. If it does, turn it off and then repeat the cleaning procedure with a fresh solution of vinegar and water.
If the Clean light no longer flashes, turn the Coffeemaker off and then run one cycle of fresh cold water through the unit before using the unit again to brew coffee.

Notes on the Clean Function
Pressing the Clean button cancels all other settings. If it is pressed accidentally, press it again to return the Coffeemaker to all its previous settings. Pressing On/Off will also exit the clean mode and turn the Coffeemaker off.

To Decalcify Your Hot Water System
We recommend you clean your Hot Water System twice a year to remove any calcium scale residue from the heating element.

Dispense and dispose of any water in the reservoir until the Add Water light flashes.
Add 32 oz. of white vinegar to the Hot Water reservoir. Turn the unit on to heat the vinegar.
Dispense 16 oz. of vinegar and dispose. This will fill the inner tank.
Let the vinegar solution sit in the unit for 20 minutes. Do not dispense during this time.
After 20 minutes, turn the unit off and allow hot vinegar to cool. Then drain the internal reservoir over a sink by removing the water release tab from the bottom of unit.
When vinegar has completely drained, replace tab.
Refill reservoir with water and drain the internal reservoir again (by removing tab at the bottom of the unit) to flush thoroughly. Replace tab.

NOTE: If water has a vinegar taste or smell, continue to dispense water until taste or smell is gone.

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:

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles and knobs.
To protect against electric shock, do not place cord, plug, or base unit in water or other liquids.
This appliance should not be used by or near children or individuals with certain disabilities.
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.
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.
The use of accessory attachments not recommended by Cuisinart may cause injuries.
Do not use outdoors.
Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
Always fill water reservoir first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, push the Off button, then remove plug from wall outlet.
Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
Snap lid securely onto carafe before serving any beverages.
Scalding may occur if the lid is removed during the brewing cycle.
The glass carafe is designed for use with this appliance only. It must never be used on the range top.
Do not set a hot carafe on a wet or cold surface.
Do not use a cracked carafe or a carafe having a loose or weakened handle.
Do not clean carafe or heating plate with cleansers, steel wool pads, or other abrasive materials.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE BASE PANEL. NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE. REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE ONLY BY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.
Do not place cloth or otherwise restrict airflow beneath Coffeemaker.
Use only the Cuisinart® Gold Tone Commercial Style Filter or standard basket paper filter with this unit. OTHER GOLD TONE PERMANENT FILTERS MAY CAUSE THE COFFEEMAKER TO OVERFLOW.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

WARNING: RISK Of FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of fire or electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

SPECIAL CORD SET INSTRUCTIONS

A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the risks resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.
Longer extension cords may be used if care is exercised.
If a long extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating of the extension cord must be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance, and the longer cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop, where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over.

NOTICE: This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug will fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not modify the plug in any way.

OPERATING NOTICE
Clogging and backing up of water and/or coffee in the filter basket can occur under any or a combination of any of the following conditions: The use of too finely ground coffee, using two or more paper filters, using the gold tone filter in conjunction with a paper filter, not properly cleaning coffee grounds from the gold tone filter, or allowing coffee grounds to spill over the filter.

Caution: Never open the filter basket during the brewing cycle, even if no water is draining from the filter basket, since extremely hot water/coffee can spill out from the filter basket and cause injury. If water/coffee is not draining from the filter basket during the brewing cycle, unplug the unit and wait 10 minutes before opening and checking the filter basket.
WARNING: RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK) NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE BY AUTHORIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY

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Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12 Troubleshooting

Common problems with the Cuisinart Coffee include:

Coffee isn't hot enough: Ensure the heater plate is set to the highest setting or try running the hot water system for a few minutes to warm up the machine.
Dripping or leaking: Make sure the carafe and hot water spout are properly aligned and seated in their respective locations. If the problem persists, check for any blockages in the carafe or hot water spout.
Brewing cycle is too long: Verify the water level and ensure the gold-tone coffee filter is clean and free of debris.

Three-Year Warranty

We warrant that your Cuisinart Coffee PLUS 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker and Hot Water System will be free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal home use for 3 years from the date of original purchase.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Versatile: Includes a hot water system for various hot beverages and oatmeal
Programmable: Allows for 24-hour programming
Adjustable heater plate: Offers high, medium, and low settings for optimal temperature control

Cons

Higher price point compared to some competitors
Larger footprint may not fit all counter spaces

Customer Reviews about Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12

Most customers have praised the Cuisinart Coffee PLUS Coffeemaker CHW-12 for its versatility, ease of use, and consistent performance. Common complaints include malfunctions after a year or two of use and difficulty cleaning certain parts.

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