20 Most Recent Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200W, 12-Cup 12-Cup Coffee Maker Questions & Answers

brew light is off

I bet it leaks from the back, right? If it does, it has the same problem as my dad's.
You have a leak in the back of the holding tank. Fill it up, turn it around, without plugging it in, and watch for the water leak. If it's in a spot that you can see, then use some caulking to seal the leak. That should work. If not, it is leaking out from inside the plastic holding tank. Not much you can do but buy a new one.

Hello renniemackie,
This is a common problem with this unit but it is fixable.
I recently had this similar problem. If you still have you machine try the following.
Your described problem may be one of two problems. Let's start with the easier solution first. In the DCC 1200 there is a filter "stick or column" in the left rear. Pull it out and remove the clogged carbon filter(s) that are in there. Shine a light into the receptacle and remove the debris in the bottom. It is likely that this is causing the problem with you machine needing to be started on multiple times or dripping too slowly. See if this solution works. If it does, you might run 8 cups of water and 4 cups of vinegar through to help decalcify the units plumbing. Do this once or twice and then rinse with at least one pot run-through of clean water. If this works then you are good to go.
Next, if this does not solve your problem we can do the following: unplug the unit and lay it on its back. You will need a #10 torx driver (hardware store if you don't have one) to remove the bottom cover plate. There are 4 torx screws holding it on. When removed, you will find 2 orange hoses. Carefully attempt to remove the left hose without splitting. I used a eyeglas screwdriver to loosen it up. If it splits, just cut off the split and stretch it to reconnect when time comes. As you look into the hose you will find a little black valve inside as well a some gunk. Clean it all out with a fine wire as best you can. Rinse well. Attempt to reconnect the hose back onto the pipe. Slip the pipe clamp back into place. Replace the cover and screws and you should be good to go again. This is not as daunting as it may seem. You can do it. :o) Good luck! If this answer helps, please leave positive feedback for me. Much appreciated. Regards, NormanZ

Hello myrna287,
This is really a common problem with this unit that is fixable.
I recently had this similar problem. If you still have your machine try the following.
Your described problem may be one of two problems. Let's start with the easier solution first. In the DCC 1200 there is a filter "stick or column" in the left rear. Pull it out and remove the clogged carbon filter(s) that are in there. Shine a light into the receptacle and remove the debris in the bottom. It is likely that this is causing the problem with you machine needing to be started on multiple times. See if this solution works. If it does, you might run 8 cups of water and 4 cups of vinegar through to help decalcify the units plumbing. Do this once or twice and then rinse with at least one pot run-through of clean water. If this works then you are good to go.
Next, if this does not solve your problem we can do the following: unplug the unit and lay it on its back. You will need a #10 torx driver (hardware store if you don't have one) to remove the bottom cover plate. There are 4 torx screws holding it on. When removed, you will find 2 orange hoses. Carefully attempt to remove the left hose without splitting. I used an eyeglass screwdriver to loosen it up. If it splits, just cut off the split and stretch it to reconnect when time comes. As you look into the hose you will find a little black valve inside as well a some gunk. Clean it all out with a fine wire as best you can. Rinse well. Attempt to reconnect the hose back onto the pipe. Slip the pipe clamp back into place. Replace the cover and screws and you should be good to go again. This is not as daunting as it may seem. You can do it. :o) Good luck! If this answer helps, please leave positive feedback for me. Much appreciated. Regards, NormanZ

Hello jimmarsh,
You are right, there is a way to fix this. This is really a common problem with this unit that is fixable.
I recently had this similar problem. If you still have your machine try the following.
Your described problem may be one of two problems. Let's start with the easier solution first. In the DCC 1200 there is a filter "stick or column" in the left rear. Pull it out and remove the clogged carbon filter(s) that are in there. Shine a light into the receptacle and remove the debris in the bottom. It is likely that this is causing the problem with you machine needing to be started on multiple times. See if this solution works. If it does, you might run 8 cups of water and 4 cups of vinegar through to help decalcify the units plumbing. Do this once or twice and then rinse with at least one pot run-through of clean water. If this works then you are good to go.
Next, if this does not solve your problem we can do the following: unplug the unit and lay it on its back. You will need a #10 torx driver (hardware store if you don't have one) to remove the bottom cover plate. There are 4 torx screws holding it on. When removed, you will find 2 orange hoses. Carefully attempt to remove the left hose without splitting. I used an eyeglass screwdriver to loosen it up. If it splits, just cut off the split and stretch it to reconnect when time comes. As you look into the hose you will find a little black valve inside as well a some gunk. Clean it all out with a fine wire as best you can. Rinse well. Attempt to reconnect the hose back onto the pipe. Slip the pipe clamp back into place. Replace the cover and screws and you should be good to go again. This is not as daunting as it may seem. You can do it. :o) Good luck! If this answer helps, please leave positive feedback for me. Much appreciated. Regards, NormanZ

Hello handkrobbins,
Yes, you can buy the heater elements but not from Cuisinart directly. You will need to find a small appliance repair shop to order it for you. I hope this was helpful to you. Positive feedback is appreciated. Good luck and regards, NormanZ

Coffee overflowing onto the counter is a common complaint found in response to many automatic drip coffee makers. The following are potential solutions that can be used to rule out "operator error" vs. a defect or malfunction:

1. Do not "pack" or otherwise overfill the cone/basket with grinds.
2. Ensure you are using the correct grind for an automatic drip coffee maker, neither too fine nor too course. (See instruction manual.)
3. Do not overfill with water. Use the carafe to pour water into the reservoir. This is because a "cup" in coffee terms is defined as 6 oz, not 8 oz. Note: Some coffee makers define as little as 5 oz as a cup.
4. Make sure the filter cone/basket clicks into place and that the carafe is centered and pushed all the way in.
5. Try a permanent filter rather than a paper filter or vice versa.
6. Only use the correct permanent or paper filter (see manual).
7. Verify that the Pause 'n Serve button isn't sticking. If it is activated too long the brew will escape over the top of the cone/basket. This may be more apt to happen if the alignment of the carafe and the basket is incorrect.
8. Clean your machine with vinegar or as instructed by your user manual at least three times per year, more if your water supply is hard. A properly cleaned machine is less likely to suffer a burned out heating element, to take too long to brew, to produce "off" tasting coffee, or to clog and overrun the filter basket as the water runs through the grinds.
9. Ensure that the coffee machine is sitting level on the counter.

Hello FloydBob, The Cuisinart DCC-1200 has the ability to program the auto-off function that keeps your coffee warmer plate on after brewing is complete.

The unit lets you select the time increments from zero up to 4 hours.

See page 6 of the attached manual for the full instructions for reprogramming the coffee maker.

To program the Variable Auto Off:
1. Turn the FUNCTION KNOB to the “Auto Off”
position. Press and hold the “Hour” button
for 2 seconds. The clock display will start
blinking.
2. Program the coffeemaker to shut off from
zero to four hours after brew cycle is
finished by using the “Hour” and “Minute”
push-buttons.

I figured you might also like to have a complete instruction/owners manual so you can have access for any other questions you might have about your coffee maker, in the future.

http://www.cuisinart.com/share/pdf/manuals/dcc-1200.pdf

I hope you find this Very Helpful and best regards!

Hello evc622,
This is a really common problem with the cuisinarts. I am most familiar with the DCC-1200, but you may be able to solve the problem. The may be an indication that something is plugged up. Open the top of the unit and in one of the corners you should find a filter stick or column that is removable. Pull it out and open it up to clean out the clogged up carbon filter in there. (You can later buy a new filter on Amazon.) Clean out the debris from the bottom of the cavity. Replace the stick into the cavity once cleaned. Now it's time to run through a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Do this once or twice with fresh solutions, then with a pot of fresh water. When the filter stick is plugged up the sensor says its time to clean it or shuts the unit down, but most people don't know about this fix. I hope this is helpful to you, evc. Positive feedback is appreciated. Good luck. NormanZ

Hello felicia24,
This is a common problem with this unit.
I recently had this similar problem. If you still have you machine try the following.
Your described problem may be one of two problems. Let's start with the easier solution first. In the DCC 1200 there is a filter "stick or column" in the left rear. Pull it out and remove the clogged carbon filter(s) that are in there. Shine a light into the receptacle and remove the debris in the bottom. It is likely that this is causing the problem with you machine needing to be started on multiple times or backing up. See if this solution works. If it does, you might run 8 cups of water and 4 cups of vinegar through to help decalcify the units plumbing. Do this once or twice and then rinse with at least one pot run-through of clean water. If this works then you are good to go.
Next, if this does not solve your problem we can do the following: unplug the unit and lay it on its back. You will need a #10 torx driver (hardware store if you don't have one) to remove the bottom cover plate. There are 4 torx screws holding it on. When removed, you will find 2 orange hoses. Carefully attempt to remove the left hose without splitting. I used a eyeglas screwdriver to loosen it up. If it splits, just cut off the split and stretch it to reconnect when time comes. As you look into the hose you will find a little black valve inside as well a some gunk. Clean it all out with a fine wire as best you can. Rinse well. Attempt to reconnect the hose back onto the pipe. Slip the pipe clamp back into place. Replace the cover and screws and you should be good to go again. This is not as daunting as it may seem. You can do it. :o) Good luck! If this answer helps, please leave positive feedback for me. Much appreciated. Regards, NormanZ

Hello carrie_peter,
This a common problem with this unit.
I recently had this similar problem. If you still have your machine try the following.
Your described problem may be one of two problems. Let's start with the easier solution first. In the DCC 1200 there is a filter "stick or column" in the left rear. Pull it out and remove the clogged carbon filter(s) that are in there. Shine a light into the receptacle and remove the debris in the bottom. It is likely that this is causing the problem with you machine needing to be started on multiple times. See if this solution works. If it does, you might run 8 cups of water and 4 cups of vinegar through to help decalcify the units plumbing. Do this once or twice and then rinse with at least one pot run-through of clean water. If this works then you are good to go.
Next, if this does not solve your problem we can do the following: unplug the unit and lay it on its back. You will need a #10 torx driver (hardware store if you don't have one) to remove the bottom cover plate. There are 4 torx screws holding it on. When removed, you will find 2 orange hoses. Carefully attempt to remove the left hose without splitting. I used an eyeglass screwdriver to loosen it up. If it splits, just cut off the split and stretch it to reconnect when time comes. As you look into the hose you will find a little black valve inside as well a some gunk. Clean it all out with a fine wire as best you can. Rinse well. Attempt to reconnect the hose back onto the pipe. Slip the pipe clamp back into place. Replace the cover and screws and you should be good to go again. This is not as daunting as it may seem. You can do it. :o) Good luck! If this answer helps, please leave positive feedback for me. Much appreciated. Regards, NormanZ

I had the same problem, cleaning light coming on, etc, lots of "steam" coming out the tip. The problem is constriction by lime deposits at the top of the tube leading to the "coffee chamber" We used "Better Brew", available from Environmental Care Products in Norwalk CT. With this product, the problem gradually disappeared. We had previously cleaned the system with vinegar, but this didn't work. Now we have nice coffee again!

Hello sudyealf,
This is a common problem with this unit.
I recently had this similar problem. If you still have your machine try the following.
Your described problem may be one of two problems. Let's start with the easier solution first. In the DCC 1200 there is a filter "stick or column" in the left rear. Pull it out and remove the clogged carbon filter(s) that are in there. Shine a light into the receptacle and remove the debris in the bottom. It is likely that this is causing the problem with you machine needing to be started on multiple times. See if this solution works. If it does, you might run 8 cups of water and 4 cups of vinegar through to help decalcify the units plumbing. Do this once or twice and then rinse with at least one pot run-through of clean water. If this works then you are good to go.
Next, if this does not solve your problem we can do the following: unplug the unit and lay it on its back. You will need a #10 torx driver (hardware store if you don't have one) to remove the bottom cover plate. There are 4 torx screws holding it on. When removed, you will find 2 orange hoses. Carefully attempt to remove the left hose without splitting. I used an eyeglass screwdriver to loosen it up. If it splits, just cut off the split and stretch it to reconnect when time comes. As you look into the hose you will find a little black valve inside as well a some gunk. Clean it all out with a fine wire as best you can. Rinse well. Attempt to reconnect the hose back onto the pipe. Slip the pipe clamp back into place. Replace the cover and screws and you should be good to go again. This is not as daunting as it may seem. You can do it. :o) Good luck! If this answer helps, please leave positive feedback for me. Much appreciated. Regards, NormanZ