Cuisinart PerfecTemp DCC-3200P1

The Cuisinart PerfecTemp® 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, model DCC-3200, is a sophisticated kitchen appliance designed to brew coffee with precision and convenience. Its primary function is to prepare up to 14 cups of coffee, offering various features to customize the brewing process and ensure optimal flavor.

Function Description

The coffeemaker operates by heating water and passing it through ground coffee held in a filter basket, extracting the coffee's flavor, and dispensing the brewed coffee into a glass carafe. It incorporates a charcoal water filter to purify the water, removing chlorine, bad tastes, and odors, which is crucial for achieving the purest coffee flavor. The unit features a showerhead design that distributes water evenly over the coffee grounds, minimizing temperature loss during brewing.

A key function of this coffeemaker is its programmability. Users can set the current time using the Hour and Minute buttons, and then program an "Auto On" time up to 24 hours in advance, allowing the coffeemaker to automatically begin brewing at a desired time. This is particularly useful for waking up to freshly brewed coffee. Additionally, an "Auto Off" feature can be programmed to shut off the coffeemaker anywhere from 0 to 4 hours after the brew cycle is completed, enhancing safety and energy efficiency.

The coffeemaker also offers options for flavor customization. The "Bold Flavor Strength Button" allows users to select between bold or regular coffee flavor, catering to individual preferences. For smaller batches, the "1-4 Cup Button" adjusts the brew process to maximize coffee flavor when brewing fewer than 5 cups, ensuring that even small quantities are brewed to perfection. The "Carafe Temperature Button" provides control over the warming plate temperature, allowing users to choose between Low, Medium, or High settings to keep the freshly brewed coffee at their preferred serving temperature.

A "Brew Pause™" feature is included, which temporarily stops the flow of coffee from the basket when the carafe is removed from the heating plate. This allows users to pour a cup of coffee mid-brew, though it's noted that this might slightly weaken the flavor strength of the finished pot if the carafe is removed for more than 20 seconds.

Usage Features

Using the Cuisinart PerfecTemp® 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker involves a straightforward process. Before the first use, it's recommended to rinse the coffeemaker by running a cycle with just water to clear any manufacturing dust. The charcoal water filter needs to be inserted into its holder and soaked in cold tap water for 15 minutes before being placed in the water reservoir. This filter should be changed every 60 days or after 60 uses, or more frequently in areas with hard water.

To brew coffee, the user first lifts the coffeemaker lid and pours the desired amount of water into the reservoir, guided by the water level indicator. Next, a #4 paper filter or the included gold-tone permanent filter is placed in the filter basket. The manual advises ensuring the paper filter is fully open and inserted correctly, suggesting folding and flattening the seams beforehand. Ground coffee is then added to the filter basket, with a recommendation of one level scoop per cup, adjustable to taste. The maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 tablespoons, and exceeding this amount or using too finely ground coffee may cause overflow.

After adding water and coffee, the carafe is placed on the heating plate, and the coffeemaker lid is closed. The unit is then plugged into an electrical outlet. Before starting the brew, users can select their preferences: pressing the 1-4 Cup button for smaller brews, the Bold button for stronger coffee, and the Carafe Temp button to set the warming plate temperature. Finally, pressing the Brew/Off button initiates the brewing process.

The coffeemaker provides audible alerts; five beeps will sound when the brewing cycle is completed. A "Ready Tone Button" allows users to turn this audible alert on or off. The blue backlit display shows the time of day, Auto On, and Auto Off times, along with indicators for warming plate temperature (L, M, H) and when the ready tone is off.

Maintenance Features

Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for the longevity and optimal performance of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp® coffeemaker. After each use, the coffeemaker should be turned off and unplugged from the electrical outlet before cleaning. The coffeemaker lid can be lifted to 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 a dishwasher. All parts should be dried after washing. It's important not to put water into the unit once the filter basket has been removed; instead, the area under the filter basket should be wiped with a damp cloth.

The glass carafe and its lid can also be washed in warm, soapy water, rinsed thoroughly, or placed on the upper rack of a dishwasher. Abrasive materials, cleansers, or steel wool pads should not be used on the carafe, heating plate, or any part of the coffeemaker. The base unit should never be immersed in water or other liquids; it can be cleaned by wiping with a clean, damp cloth and drying before storage. Fingerprints and blemishes on the housing can be cleaned with soap and water or a nonabrasive cleaning solution. The inside of the water reservoir should not be dried with a cloth to avoid leaving lint.

Decalcification is a crucial maintenance task to remove calcium deposits that accumulate over time on the metal parts of the coffeemaker, especially in areas with hard water. The coffeemaker features a "Clean Button" with a red indicator that illuminates when it's time to decalcify. Before decalcifying, the charcoal water filter must be removed from the reservoir. The cleaning process involves filling the water reservoir to capacity with a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. The user then presses and holds the CLEAN button until the LED indicator flashes, signaling that the coffeemaker is in Clean mode. Once the cycle is completed, five beeps will sound, and the unit will shut off. If the CLEAN indicator remains illuminated, the procedure should be repeated with a fresh solution. After decalcification, a cycle with a full reservoir of fresh, cold water should be run to rinse the unit before returning the charcoal water filter.

Any servicing beyond routine cleaning and decalcification should be performed by an authorized service representative.

Cuisinart PerfecTemp DCC-3200P1 Specifications

General

Color	black/stainless, multi
Coffee Preparation Method	combination
Coffee Type	grounds
Coffee Strength Control	yes
Built-In Grinder	no
Removable Water Tank	no
Serving Size	4
Single / Multi Serve	multi serve
Water Filter	yes
Programmable	yes
Carafe	yes
Carafe Capacity	14 cups
Warming Plate	no
Removable Drip Tray	no
Frother	no
Filter	permanent
Control Type	analog, button
Voltage	120 volts