Overflowing basket I have a Bunn thermal carafe and when I make coffee it overflows over the basket. This makes a huge mess with the grounds and water going all over the unit and counter. I use Bunn filters so I'm not sure what will solve this. I also have problems pouring from the carafe without it running down the side. This is a messy coffee pot and unit!

I don't suppose you are attempting the cleaning with the basket removed are you? I believe the basket would open the carafe's inlet port to allow water in.

are you sure the sprayhead isnt missing?

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. Don't overfill the 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.
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. Make sure 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.

If water is leaking from the very bottom of the machine, your unit is broke and you need to call Cuisinart. If it is just overflowing the caraffe/basket:
The two most common reasons for overflow or underflow have to do with the carafe lid and the filter basket - they key to smooth flow with this coffee maker is making sure the filter basket and carafe lid are making the proper contact with each other so that the center knob on the carafe lid pushes slightly up on the filter basket spring. Make sure the carafe lid is completely closed. Make sure the filter basket is pushed all the way down. Make sure you are not using the gold tone filter and a paper filter at the same time. For some reason, I get better results when the handle of the carafe is resting against the right side wall. If everything is in place, I would suspect a problem with either the filter basket being clogged or some problem with the carafe lid - call Cuisinart as they should be able to order these parts for you.

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.

Your coffee maker likely has the option where you can remove the carafe while it is brewing so that you can serve yourself in the middle of the brew. When you pull out the carafe in the middle of the brew, a small lever closes off the drip at the end of the basket (to keep the coffee from flowing onto the empty space where the carafe was on onto the burner).

Then when you replace the carafe, the lip of the carafe pushes against that lever and re-opens the valve so that the brew can now drip into the replaced carafe. Simple.

In your case, it appears that when you place the carafe onto the burner plate, it is not engaging that lever and opening up the valve; hence the valve stays closed and the brew fills over the basket and makes a mess, right?

So do this, pull out the carafe and look up where the pointed end of the basket drips into the carafe. You should see a lever, or plate that the carafe top lip hits when the carafe is placed into the burner plate. Once you find that lever, or plate, give it a push (like the carafe would) and see if it moves. if it does not, then that's your problem. It is stuck closed and won't allow the brew to exit the basket into the carafe. Clean it thoroughly if it is stuck and then see if works.

When you are grinding your own beans or use certain types of coffee, you need to use a flow restrictor sprayhead. If you will contact customer service, a flow restrictor sprayhead can be sent out to you at no charge and this will eliminate the problem you are having.

Iam useing the right filter.

My brother has a Bunn that does the same. I think the coffee filters he is using are too short. If you think this might be the problem too, try an internet search for Bunn coffee filters. Hope this helps!