INSTRUCTION BOOKLET

Compact Single-Serve Coffeemaker

SS-5C Series

INSTRUCTION BOOKLET

For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product,

always read the instruction book carefully before using.

IMPORTANT

SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety

precautions should always be taken to reduce

the risk of fire, electric shock and/or injury to

persons, including the following:

1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles

and knobs.

3. To protect against electric shock and

injury to persons, do not place cord, plug,

or base unit in water or other liquids.

4. Close supervision is necessary when any

appliance is used by or near children or

individuals with certain disabilities.

5. 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.

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,

or electrical or mechanical adjustment.

7. The use of accessory attachments not

recommended by Cuisinart may cause

injuries, fire, electric shock or other injury

to persons.

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,

turn controls to Off, then remove plug

from wall outlet.

12. Scalding may occur if the water filter

compartment cover is removed during

the brewing cycle.

13. Do not use appliance for other than its

intended use.

14. Do not lift handle to open the lid of the

brewer while brewing is in progress.

15. Do not overfill the water reservoir with

water. Use ONLY WATER in this appliance!

Do not put any other liquids or foods in

the water reservoir except as instructed

in the cleaning instructions in this guide.

16. Do not clean drip tray with cleansers,

steel wool pads, or other abrasive

materials.

17. WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF

FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT

REMOVE THE BASE PANEL. NO USER-

SERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE.

REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE ONLY BY

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.

18. 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.

SAVE THESE

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR HOUSEHOLD

USE ONLY

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 are available and

may be used if care is exercised in their use.

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.

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

IMPORTANT UNPACKING

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the box on a large, sturdy, flat surface.

2. Remove the instruction book and any

other literature.

3. Turn the box so that the back side of the

brewer is down and slide the brewer from

the box.

4. After removing the brewer, place the

box out of the way and take the side

pulp-molded inserts away.

5. Remove the polybag covering the brewer.

We suggest you save all packing materials in the

event that future shipping of the machine is

needed. Keep all plastic bags away from children.

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.

Important Safeguards .......................................... 2

Important Unpacking Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Quest for the Perfect Cup of Coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Features and Benefits.......................................... 6

Buttons and Indicators ......................................... 8

Setting Up Your Brewer ........................................ 8

Charcoal Water Filter .......................................... 9

Brewing.....................................................10

Brewing with a Reusable Capsule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Cleaning and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Cleaning External Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Cleaning the Capsule Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Cleaning the Piercing Needle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Cleaning the Water Reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

De-Scaling Your Brewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Troubleshooting ..............................................14

Warranty ....................................................15

Contents

The Quest

for the Perfect

Cup of Coffee

Element 1

WATER

Any hot beverage is made up primarily of water.

Often overlooked, the quality of the water is as

important as the quality of the coffee, tea or cocoa.

A good rule of thumb is that if your water doesn’t

taste good from the tap, it won’t taste any better

in your beverage. That’s why the Cuisinart

Compact

Single-Serve Brewer has added a charcoal water

filter that removes chlorine, bad tastes and odours,

for the purest cup of coffee every time.

Element 2

COFFEE

While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavour

should be from the coffee, tea or cocoa. To achieve

a great quality beverage, you need to use the same

quality ingredients. By using the best single serve

coffee capsules, you can be assured that you’re

getting the finest product with every cup you brew. If

you choose to use your own coffee in a reusable

coffee capsule (not included), make sure all your

ingredients are at their freshest.

Element 3

GRIND

The grind of coffee and cocoa, or the refinement of

your tea leaves, is critical for proper flavour

extraction. With the pre-measured, pre-ground

ingredients found in every single serve coffee

capsule, you can rest easy knowing that it’ll brew

perfectly each and every time, locking in maximum

flavour and freshness.

Element 4

PROPORTION

No matter which cup size you choose, the Cuisinart

Compact Single-Serve Brewer, working in

conjunction with a single-serve capsule, will always

produce the perfect cup every time. When grinding

your own coffee and using it in a reusable coffee

capsule (not included), remember to add the

amount of ground coffee that corresponds to the

number of ounces being brewed.

Features and Benefits

1a. Charcoal Filter Holder

1b. Charcoal Water Filter

2. Reservoir Lid

3. 40-ounce (1.2 L)

Water Reservoir

4. Brewer Handle

5. Brew Head

6. Brewing Chamber

holds Removable Capsule holder

or reusable coffee capsule

(not included)

7. Housing

8. Removable Drip Tray Plate

9. Drip Tray

10. Drip Tray Base

11. Removable Capsule Holder

12. Add Water Indicator

13. Power Button

14. Brew Buttons

6 oz. (177 ml) button; 8 oz. (236 ml)

button; 10 oz. (295 ml) button

15. Power Cord (not shown)

16. Auto-off Function (not shown)

Unit will automatically turn of after

30 minutes of being idle. To

reactivate, press the Power button.

17. BPA Free (not shown)

All materials that come in contact

with water or coffee are BPA free

Buttons and Indicators

Power Button

Press to turn the brewer on and off.

Add Water Indicator LED

Indicator will illuminate blue and flash when

water level is low. Fill the water reservoir with

cold water up to 40 oz.

Brew Buttons

When all buttons are illuminated blue it indicates

that a selection needs to be made. Once

selected, button flashes blue, indicating water

is heating, and dispensing of beverage will

begin within seconds.

Your Next Brew

When the brewing process is complete, all

buttons illuminate blue indicating you can begin

making the next beverage, or you can power

off.

Automatic Shut-Off

As a safety feature, your brewer will

automatically shut off when it is idle for longer

than 30 minutes. Press the Power button

to restart.

Setting Up Your Brewer

Initial Cleaning

Perform an initial cleaning before

making your first beverage. Follow

these instructions, without inserting a

capsule

1. Remove water reservoir from the unit.

2. Fill the reservoir in sink and put back

on unit.

3. Plug the power cord into an independent

outlet. Press the Power button to turn the

unit on.

4. Open and close the brew head. Do not

add a capsule.

5. Place mug on the drip tray.

6. Press the 10 oz. (295 ml) cup button. Light

will start flashing and the hot water will

start to dispense momentarily.

7. The one-time cleaning process is complete.

Discard hot water. Your brewer is ready to

use.

Charcoal Water Filter

Your brewer comes with a charcoal water filter

that eliminates chlorine, bad tastes and odors

from tap water.

Inserting the Water Filter

1. Remove the filter and filter holder from the

polybag.

2. Soak the filter, fully immersed in cold tap

water, for 15 minutes.

3. Place the charcoal water filter in the holder

and snap the holder cover closed. Be

careful – improper placement can tear the

filter skin (see figure below).

4. Flush the filter and holder by running fresh

water through the hole in the bottom of

the compartment for

10 seconds.

5. Allow the filter to drain completely.

6. Place the assembled water filter holder

into the water reservoir, pushing it down to

fit into place.

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, or by calling Cuisinart Consumer

Service, or at www.cuisinart.ca

Brewing

1. Remove water reservoir to fill.

2. Add water into the 40-ounce (1.2 L) water

reservoir. Replace on unit.

3. Press the Power button.

4. The Power and Brew buttons will

illuminate.

5. Place mug on the drip tray. The drip

tray can be removed to accommodate

travel mugs.

6. Select a capsule.

Note: Do not remove the foil lid or

puncture the capsule

7. Open the brew head and place a capsule

in the brewing chamber.

Caution: There are two sharp

needles in the brewing chamber

that puncture the capsule, one

above and one below. To avoid risk

of injury, do not put your fingers in

the capsule brewing chamber.

8. Press the desired brew button

(6, 8, or 10 oz.). The beverage will start to

dispense momentarily. Selected brew

button will flash while brewing.

Note: To cancel brewing, simply press the

selected brew size once again and the

brewing process will be stopped.

Caution: There is very hot water in

the capsule chamber during the

brewing process. To avoid risk of

injury, do not lift the handle or open

the capsule chamber or remove

water tank during the brewing

process.

9. Once fully dispensed, all lights will

illuminate. Lift the handle, then remove

and dispose of the used capsule.

Close the brewing head.

Caution: Capsule will be hot.

10. Enjoy your cup of coffee! Your brewer

is ready to use again or you can power it

off.

Note: When Add Water LED starts to

flash, no brewing can be done. Once you

refill the reservoir, your unit is ready to

brew.

Brewing with a

Reusable Coffee

Capsule

The Cuisinart

Compact Single-Serve Brewer

can be used with a reusable coffee capsule

(not included), which allows you to use your

own ground coffee. (MAX 2.5 scoops or 15 g.)

1. Fill the filter basket within the reusable

capsule with ground coffee, making sure

not to fill past the max indicator. Adjust the

amount to your personal preference. Do

not tamp the grounds. Make sure there are

no grounds remaining on the upper rim of

the filter basket. Close lid.

2. Remove the capsule holder from the

brewing chamber by pulling toward you.

2a. Drop the reusable coffee capsule into

the brewing chamber. There is no

need to snap it into place.

2b. Follow brewing instructions on

page 10.

Note: To cancel brewing, simply press the

selected brew size once again and the

brewing process will be stopped.

CAUTION: There are two sharp

needles in the brewing chamber

that puncture the capsule, one

above and one below. To avoid risk

of injury, do not put your fingers in

the brewing chamber.

3. After brewing, raise the handle and

remove the reusable coffee capsule. Use

caution as the reusable coffee

capsule will be hot.

4. Replace the capsule holder, ensuring that

the arrow on capsule rim aligns with the

arrow on the brewing chamber. Gently

push the capsule holder to snap into

place.

Cleaning and

Maintenance

Cleaning External Parts

We recommend regular cleaning of

the brewer’s external components.

1. Never immerse the brewer in water

or other liquids. The housing and other

external components may be cleaned

with a soapy, damp, non-abrasive cloth.

2. To remove the drip tray, simply slide it

toward you, keeping it level at all times

in order to prevent spills. The drip tray

and drip tray plate are dishwasher safe.

Do not clean drip tray with cleansers,

steel wool pads or other abrasive

materials.

Cleaning the Capsule Holder

1. The capsule holder is top-shelf

dishwasher safe (use low temperature

cycles). To remove, lift the handle to

open the brewing chamber. Grasp the

top of the capsule holder and pull

toward you. After cleaning, replace the

capsule holder, being sure to align the

arrow on the capsule holder rim with the

arrow on the brewing chamber.

2. Cleaning the Funnel – To remove funnel

from capsule holder, hold funnel in left

hand, twist bottom away from you

slightly and pull away from capsule

holder to remove. The funnel is top-rack

dishwasher safe. To replace, line up tabs

in funnel with notches on capsule

holder, twist towards you until you feel it

lock into place. The capsule holder is

now ready to be used in unit

Note: The funnel may be tight the first few

times you go to remove it, this is normal and

will loosen with continued use.

Cleaning the Exit Needle – The exit

needle is located on the inside bottom

of the capsule holder assembly. Should

a clog arise because of coffee grounds,

it can be cleaned using a paper clip or

similar tool. Remove capsule holder

and

insert the paper clip to loosen the clog

and push it out.

CAUTION: There are sharp needles

that puncture the capsule above

and below. To avoid risk of injury,

do not put your fingers in the

capsule brewing chamber.

Cleaning the Piercing Needle

The piercing needle is located on the inside

of the brewing chamber. Should a clog arise

because of coffee grounds, it can be cleaned

using a paper clip or similar tool. Insert paper

clip to loosen the clog and push it out.

Note: If the 6 oz (177 ml), 8 oz (236 ml) and

10 oz (295 ml) buttons are illuminated at the

same time and the power switch is in the

OFF position, your unit has overheated.

Please follow the instructions above to clean

the piercing needle and resume use.

Cleaning the Water Reservoir

It is normal over time for discoloration,

spotting or staining to appear in the water

reservoir. Results will vary depending on the

mineral content of the water used, but will

not affect the operation of the brewer.

However, be sure to clean the water

reservoir regularly to minimize buildup.

Clean inside the water reservoir with a

damp, lint-free cloth as necessary.

Maintenance

Any other servicing should be performed by

an authorized service representative.

De-Scaling Your Brewer

Mineral content in water varies from place

to place. Depending on the mineral content

of the water in your area, calcium deposits

or scale may build up in your brewer. Though

scale is non-toxic, it can hinder brewer

performance. De-scaling your brewer will

help maintain the heating element and other

parts that come in contact with water.

For optimal performance, de-scale your

brewer every 3 to 6 months. It is possible for

calcium deposits to build up faster, making it

necessary to de-scale more often. When all

the lights flash in sequence upon turning the

unit on, this indicates the need to de-scale.

Note: Before de-scaling your brewer,

remember to remove the charcoal water

filter from the water filter holder located in

the water reservoir.

To begin, you will need the following:

•

13 oz. (384 ml) of distilled white vinegar

• 26 oz. (768 ml) of water

•

16 oz. (472 ml) ceramic mug or

container (do not use paper cup)

•

Access to a sink

Step 1: First Vinegar Rinse

•

Fill water reservoir with 13 oz. (384 ml) of

white vinegar and 26 oz. (768 ml) of water.

•

Place the ceramic mug or container on

the drip tray.

•

Press and hold Power and 6 oz. (177 ml)

buttons for 2 seconds to start de-scale

function.

•

Discard contents of mug into the sink.

•

Repeat until ADD WATER light comes on.

•

When de-scaling is complete, all LED

lights will be on.

• Discard any remaining diluted vinegar

into sink.

Step 2: Fresh Water Rinse

• Repeat Step 1 three times, using

fresh water in place of vinegar

•

This will clean the brewer plumbing and

remove any residual vinegar taste.

The brewer is now ready for normal use.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM: SOLUTION

Brewer does not have

power.

Plug brewer into an independent outlet.

Make sure the brewer is securely plugged in.

Plug into a different outlet.

Reset your home’s circuit breaker.

Confirm the power has been turned on and the On/Off and

brew buttons are illuminated.

Brewer will not brew.

Turn off and unplug the brewer for 30 seconds or more. When

you plug the brewer back in, be sure to turn the power back

on.

If the Add Water indicator is illuminated, check to make sure

the water reservoir is properly filled. If not, add at least 11 oz.

(325 ml) of water. If the Add Water indicator is illuminated

even after adding at least 11 oz. (325 ml) of water to the

water reservoir, contact Consumer Service at 1-800-472-

7606.

The piercing needle and/or exit needle may be clogged (see

page 12).

Make sure brew head is fully closed.

Chlorine or mineral

taste in coffee.

Consider using bottled water, filtered water or replacing the

Cuisinart Charcoal Water Filter.

Brewer doesn’t brew a

full cup.

Turn off and unplug the brewer for 30 seconds or more. When

you plug the brewer back in, be sure to turn the power back

on.

The piercing needle and/or exit needle may be clogged

(see page 12).

Clean the brewing chamber

(refer to Cleaning and Maintenance, page 12).

De-scale the brewer (refer to page 13). If you have repeated

the de-scaling procedure two times and it is still brewing only

a partial cup, contact Consumer Service at

1-800-472-7606.

Coffee is too weak or

watery.

Consider brewing a smaller cup size or try an Extra Bold

capsule. It has 30% more ground coffee in each portion pack.

All lights are flashing in

sequence when turning

on unit.

De-scale the brewer (refer to page 13). If you have repeated

the de-scaling procedure two times and it is still brewing only

a partial cup, contact Consumer Service at

1-800-472-7606.

WARRANTY

LIMITED

THREE-YEAR WARRANTY

We warrant that this Cuisinart product will be free

of defects in materials or workmanship under

normal home use for 3 years from the date of

original purchase. This warranty covers

manufacturer’s defects including mechanical and

electrical defects. It does not cover damage from

consumer abuse, unauthorized repairs or

modifications, theft, misuse, or damage due to

transportation or environmental conditions.

Products with removed or altered identification

numbers will not be covered.

This warranty is not available to retailers or other

commercial purchasers or owners. If your

Cuisinart product should prove to be defective

within the warranty period, we will repair it or

replace it if necessary. For warranty purposes,

please register your product online at www.

cuisinart.ca to facilitate verification of the date of

original purchase and keep your original receipt

for the duration of the limited warranty. This

warranty excludes damage caused by accident,

misuse or abuse, including damage caused by

overheating, and it does not apply to scratches,

stains, discolouration or other damage to external

or internal surfaces that does not impair the

functional utility of the product. This warranty

also expressly excludes all incidental or

consequential damages.

Your Cuisinart product has been manufactured to

the strictest specifications and has been

designed for use only in 120 volt outlets and only

with authorized accessories and replacement

parts. This warranty expressly excludes any

defects or damages caused by attempted use of

this unit with a converter, as well as use with

accessories, replacement parts or repair service

other than those authorized by Cuisinart.

If the appliance should become defective within

the warranty period, do not return the appliance

to the store. Please contact our Customer

Service Centre:

Toll-free phone number:

1-800-472-7606

Address:

Cuisinart Canada

100 Conair Parkway

Woodbridge, Ont. L4H 0L2

Email:

consumer_Canada@conair.com

Model:

SS-5C Series

To facilitate the speed and accuracy of your

return, please enclose:

• $10.00 for shipping and handling of the

product to Cuisinart Canada

• Return address and phone number

• Description of the product defect

• Product date code*/copy of original proof of

purchase

• Any other information pertinent to the

product’s return

* Product date code can be found on the

underside of the base of the product. The

product date code is a 4 or 5 digit number.

Example, 90630 would designate year, month

& day (2009 June 30th).

Note: We recommend you use a traceable,

insured delivery service for added protection.

Cuisinart will not be held responsible for in-transit

damage or for packages that are not delivered

to us.

To order replacement parts or accessories,

call our Customer Service Centre at

1-800-472-7606. For more information,

please visit our website at www.cuisinart.ca

100 Conair Parkway,

Woodbridge, ON L4H 0L2

Consumer Call Centre E-mail:

Consumer_Canada@Conair.com

Printed in China

18CC03308

IB-15614-CAN

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