How To Descale Cuisinart Coffee Maker: Keurig SS10 & Other Models

The water used to brew your coffee has minerals that build up inside your Cuisinart. These are not toxic but they can impact the flow, temperature and performance of your machine. They can affect the taste of your cup of coffee too. Descaling removes those minerals and can help extend the life of your brewer. Keep reading to learn how to descale aCuisinart coffee maker.

How Often To Descale A Cuisinart Coffee Maker

Some Cuisinart models, including the SS10, will have a “DE-SCALE” alert on your display. Other models like the SS15 Coffee Center will have a CLEAN light. These alerts will be triggered by sensors that detect that mineral buildup is starting to interfere with machine performance. When you see this warning you should descale as soon as possible. Even though you can still make coffee, ignoring this message will ultimately damage your machine.

That said, you don’t have to wait for this alert to come on. Cuisinart says that you should descale your coffee maker every 3 to 6 months. This is true if you are using filtered, bottled or tap water with a low to normal mineral count. If your tap has “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals, then you should clean your machine more often. If you are not sure about the mineral content of your water, you can get a low-cost water testing kit.

Descaling Solutions

As an Amazon Associate, I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The best way to clean your coffee maker is with one of these solutions. They contain safe and effective types of cleansing acids that won’t damage your machine.

Impresa Coffee Machine Descaler

The Impresa descaler is a top selling coffee machine cleaner. It has citric and sulfamic acids. Both are gentle on metal. A pack has two bottles. Each bottle has enough solution to use twice.

Essential Values Coffee Machine Descaler & Cleaner

The Essential Values cleaning solution contains a concentrated citric acid that is both odorless and powerful. Each bottle is good for two uses. A two pack will provide four doses. That’s a year supply if you clean every three months. 

How To Descale Cuisinart Coffee Maker

Cuisinart Keurig SS10 Descaling Instructions

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder
2. Disable the AUTO OFF and OFF TIME features
3. Remove any K-cup from the brewing chamber
4. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
5. Place a large mug or bowl on the drip tray.
6. Press and hold both the HOT WATER and RINSE buttons to start the descale cycle. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the mug or bowl.
7. When it completes, discard the water-solution mix. Then repeat step 6 until the machine prompts you to ADD WATER.
8. Remove the water reservoir and rinse it thoroughly. Fill it with fresh drinking water only.
9. Next, you will want to run a HOT WATER cycle to rinse the machine of any solution residue. Lift and lower the handle. When the machine says READY, press the RINSE button.
10. Repeat step 9 until ADD WATER is displayed.

Cuisinart Coffee Center SS15 Descaling Instructions

SS15 12-Cup Coffee Maker Descaling (when the CLEAN light is on)

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder
2. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
3. Press and hold both the CLEAN button to start the descale cycle. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the carafe.
4. When it completes, 5 beeps will sound and the machine will shut off. Discard the water-solution mix.
5. Turn the machine on. If the CLEAN light is still on, repeat steps 2 and 3.
6. Turn the machine on again. If the CLEAN light is off, you need to rinse your machine. Rinse the tank thoroughly and fill it with fresh drinking water only.
7. Press and hold the CLEAN button to start the rinse cycle.
8. Return the water filter holder to the tank, fill the reservoir with clean water, and turn the machine on.

SS15 Single Serve Coffee Maker Descaling (when all lights flash in sequence)

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder.
2. Remove any capsule from the brewing chamber.
3. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
4. Place a large 16 oz cup on the drip tray.
5. Press and hold both the 6 oz and 8 oz buttons to start the descale cycle. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the mug or bowl.
6. When it completes, discard the water-solution mix. Then repeat step 5 until the machine prompts you to ADD WATER.
7. Descaling is complete when all lights turn on.
8. Remove the water reservoir and rinse it thoroughly. Fill it with fresh drinking water only.
9. Next, you will want to run three rinse cycles to rid the machine of any solution residue. Just repeat steps 5 and 6 three times with only fresh water in the tank.

Cuisinart PerfectTemp DCC-3200C Descaling Instructions

1. Empty the water tank and remove the water filter holder
2. Mix the solution with water per the instructions on your bottle.
3. Press and hold both the CLEAN button to start the descale cycle. When the light starts flashing, release the button. The water-solution mix will begin to dispense into the carafe.
4. When it completes, 5 beeps will sound and the machine will shut off. Discard the water-solution mix.
5. Turn the machine on. If the CLEAN light is still on, repeat steps 2 and 3.
6. Turn the machine on again. If the CLEAN light is off, you need to rinse your machine. Rinse the tank thoroughly and fill it with fresh drinking water only.
7. Press and hold the CLEAN button to start the rinse cycle.
8. Return the water filter holder to the tank, fill the reservoir with clean water, and turn the machine on.

What If Cuisinart Descale Light Won’t Go Off?

If your machine is still telling you to descale, it means the sensors are still picking up mineral buildup that will interfere with performance. This is to be expected if you’ve had your machine for more than 3 or 6 months and have never descaled or if you have hard water.

You should repeat the process once or twice more. If the alert remains, you should contact the Cuisinart Consumer Service Center at 1-800-726-0190.