Water/grinds spillover in coffee basket

How to Repair a Cuisinart Coffee Maker - Java Jenius

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How can I flush it if it won't brew at all? ..... The filter basket is in the proper position for the coffee to enter the filter but the ... I have a regular cuisinart coffee maker for12 cups (no grinder). ... I have the Cuisinart automatic grind and brew, model DCC490SA. .... The pot brewed a good cup of coffee but as of now it is useless.

try to fill the reservoir with the water to the top, when the water starts "brewing" the water is transfer from this reservoir to the basket where there is loose coffee placed over the paper bag that will filter the coffee to the jar.
Check if anything is blocking the canal, that is transferring the water from the reservoir to the basket.

First, let me clarify what the red light indicates.

A solid red light indicates the cleaning cycle is in progress. A blinking red light indicates the coffeemaker is off, but due to be cleaned. When the coffeemaker is due to be cleaned, the red light will continue to blink while the coffeemaker is off until the cleaning cycle has been completed fully. The entire cleaning process takes about an hour and a half. And, it is not intuitive. So, here are my instructions.

With the coffeemaker off (with the red light blinking), pour four cups of pure white vinegar (no water added) into the reservoir. Don't short the amount. You'll need four cups to complete the cycle. Remove any filters, but leave the strainer basket in place. Tap the "select" button three times until the red light is on (and stays on, not blinking). The cleaning cycle now begins. It should take between 45 minutes and an hour to complete. Don't be concerned about the 30-minute long pause during the cycle when nothing happens. This is intentional and part of the cycle.

After the cleaning cycle has completed, get rid of the vinegar. Rinse out the strainer basket and the coffee pot. Run a full pot of clean water thru a regular brew cycle (with the pot and basket in place, of course). Then, dump the water, rinse the pot and basket again, and run another full pot of clean water thru a regular brew cycle. Dump that water too. And, you're done!

I presume you are requesting instructions for cleaning this coffeemaker...

With the coffeemaker off (either a red blinking light or no light on), pour four cups of pure white vinegar (no water added) into the reservoir. Remove any filters, but leave the strainer basket in place. Tap the "select" button three times until the red light is on (and stays on, not blinking). The cleaning cycle now begins. It should take between 45 minutes and an hour to complete. Don't be concerned about the 30-minute long pause during the cycle when nothing happens. This is intentional and part of the cycle.

After the cleaning cycle has completed, get rid of the vinegar. Rinse out the strainer basket and the coffee pot. Run a full pot of clean water thru a regular brew cycle (with the pot and basket in place, of course). Then, dump the water, rinse the pot and basket again, and run another full pot of clean water thru a regular brew cycle. Dump that water too. And, you're done!

First, let me clarify what the red light indicates. A solid red light indicates the cleaning cycle is in progress. A blinking red light indicates the coffeemaker is off, but is due to be cleaned.

The red light will continue to blink while the coffeemaker is off until the cleaning cycle has been completed fully. The process takes about an hour and a half and is not intuitive. So, here are my instructions.

With the coffeemaker off (with the red light blinking), pour four cups of pure white vinegar (no water added) into the reservoir. Don't short the amount. You'll need four cups to complete the cycle. Remove any filters, but leave the strainer basket in place. Tap the "select" button three times until the red light is on (and stays on, not blinking). The cleaning cycle now begins. It should take between 45 minutes and an hour to complete. Don't be concerned about the 30-minute long pause during the cycle when nothing happens. This is intentional and part of the cycle.

After the cleaning cycle has completed, get rid of the vinegar. Rinse out the strainer basket and the coffee pot. Run a full pot of clean water thru a regular brew cycle (with the pot and basket in place, of course). Then, dump the water, rinse the pot and basket again, and run another full pot of clean water thru a regular brew cycle. Dump that water too. And, you're done!

I know this sounds like a pain but it takes a while toget that silly light to stop. Decalcifying your MR. COFFEE® Coffeemaker Minerals(calcium/limestone) found in water will leave deposits in your coffeemaker andaffect its performance. It's recommended that you regularly remove these depositsusing MR. COFFEE® Cleaner or vinegar. MR. COFFEE® Cleaner is available at manyretail stores or by calling the MR. COFFEE® Consumer Service Department at 1-800-MR COFFEE(1-800-672-6333). 1. Follow packageinstructions to prepare one batch of MR. COFFEE® Cleaner. Pour the mixture into the water reservoir. Before decalcifying,remove the water filtration disk from the machine. NOTE: 4 cups or 20 fl. oz. of undiluted, white householdvinegar may be used as a substitute for the cleaner. 2. Place an emptyMR. COFFEE® 10-12 cup basket-style paper filter or MR. COFFEE® permanent filter into the filter basketand slide the brew basket in place. 3. Place theempty decanter back in the unit. 4. Press theCLEAN button until the CLEAN indicator light turns on (Figure 9). For your convenience the cleaning cycle isautomatic. The entire cycle will take 45-60 minutes to complete. During thecleaning your coffeemaker will: a. Slow brewapprox. 3 cups of cleaning solution. b. Pause for 30minutes (the CLEAN light will remain on to alert you that the process is active). c. After 30minutes, your coffeemaker will brew the remainder of the cleaning solution. d. When complete,the CLEAN light will turn off and your coffeemaker will turn off. 5. Discard the cleaning solution and rinse the decanterthoroughly with clean water. 6. Fill the water reservoir with clean, fresh water. 7. Place the empty decanter back on the coffeemaker. 8. Remove and discard the paper filter usedduring the cleaning cycle. If a Mr. Coffee® permanent filter was used during cleaning, remove it andrinse it thoroughly before replacing it in the filter basket. 9. Begin brewingand allow the full brew cycle to complete. 10. Repeat steps 5 through 9 one more time.

I know this sounds like a pain but it takes a while to get that silly light to stop.
If you have problems call the 1-800 number below.
Decalcifying your MR. COFFEE® Coffeemaker Minerals (calcium/limestone) found
in water will leave deposits in your coffeemaker and affect its performance. It's
recommended that you regularly remove these deposits using MR. COFFEE® Cleaner
or vinegar. MR. COFFEE® Cleaner is available at many retail stores or by calling the MR.
COFFEE® Consumer Service Department at 1-800-MR COFFEE (1-800-672-6333).
1. Follow package instructions to prepare one batch of MR. COFFEE® Cleaner. Pour the
mixture into the water reservoir. Before decalcifying, remove the water filtration disk
from the machine.
NOTE: 4 cups or 20 fl. oz. of undiluted, white household vinegar may be used as a
substitute for the cleaner.
2. Place an empty MR. COFFEE® 10-12 cup basket-style paper filter
or MR. COFFEE® permanent filter into the filter basket and slide
the brew basket in place.
3. Place the empty decanter back in the unit.
4. Press the CLEAN button until the CLEAN indicator light turns on
(Figure 9). For your convenience the cleaning cycle is automatic.
The entire cycle will take 45-60 minutes to complete.
During the cleaning your coffeemaker will:
a. Slow brew approx. 3 cups of cleaning solution.
b. Pause for 30 minutes (the CLEAN light will remain on to alert
you that the process is active).
c. After 30 minutes, your coffeemaker will brew the remainder of the cleaning
solution.
d. When complete, the CLEAN light will turn off and your coffeemaker will turn off.
5. Discard the cleaning solution and rinse the decanter thoroughly with clean water.
6. Fill the water reservoir with clean, fresh water.
7. Place the empty decanter back on the coffeemaker.
8. Remove and discard the paper filter used during the cleaning cycle. If a Mr. Coffee®
permanent filter was used during cleaning, remove it and rinse it thoroughly before
replacing it in the filter basket.
9. Begin brewing and allow the full brew cycle to complete.
10. Repeat steps 5 through 9 one more time.

There are overflow apertures at the back of the pot, might it be there is slightly more water than the 12 cup capacity? or Does it leak from the top of the basket.. that would indicate that there is some blockage where the coffee exits the filter basket. I have also noticed that if you use a very fine grind the drip process is slowed down and the water backs up. See if that helps, if not ask again stating what you have tried.

From the manual I found online here.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE COMPLETELY CLEAN AND DRY ALL PARTS AFTER EVERY USE. Always turn coffeemaker OFF and remove the plug from the electrical outlet before cleaning. Open the reservoir lid*. Remove the grinder basket lid by using the recessed area on each side of the lid. Then remove Grinder Basket. Open Filter Basket Door. Remove Filter Basket Cover, Filter Basket and Filter Basket holder. The grinder basket, grinder basket lid, filter basket and filter basket cover can be washed in warm soapy water and rinsed thoroughly, or cleaned in the upper rack of the dishwasher. Dry all parts after every use. Do not put any water in the unit once the grinder basket has been removed. Wipe the area under the grinder basket with a damp cloth. If water gets into the grinder motor, the motor may become damaged and may malfunction.
DECALCIFICATION Decalcification refers to removing the calcium deposits which form over time on the metal parts of the coffeemaker. For best performance from your coffeemaker, decalcify the base unit from time to time. The frequency depends upon the hardness of your tap water and how often you use the coffeemaker. To clean, fill the water reservoir to capacity with a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. Turn the coffeemaker on by pressing the ON button. One cycle should be sufficient to adequately clean the coffeemaker. When the cycle is completed and the five beeps sound, turn coffeemaker off. Repeat operation, this time using fresh cold water.

Water Level ////Amount of Ground Coffee

42 Cups --2 ½ Cups
36 Cups-- 2 Cups
30 Cups- -1 ¾ Cups
28 Cups --1 2/3 Cups
24 Cups --1 ½ Cups
22 Cups --1 ½ Cups
18 Cups-- 1 ¼ Cups
12 Cups --1 Cup

1. With basket and stem removed, fill coffeemaker with COLD water to desired level using the cup markings on inside of coffeemaker as a guide. Do not make less than 12 or more than maximum capacity of the coffeemaker at one time.
2. Place stem into heating unit in bottom of coffeemaker, then put basket on stem. Spread the recommended amount of ground coffee evenly into the basket. See chart. Use regular electric perk grind coffee or coffee ground for all coffeemakers. Do not use drip or finely ground coffee as flooding of the basket can occur.
3. Turn cover in place on coffeemaker. To reduce coffee spills, especially if coffeemaker is tipped over, make sure cover has been turned clockwise until it is completely secured in the handle slots. (Note the arrows on the cover for correct turning.) The cover temporarily reduces coffee spilage if coffeemaker is tipped over, so care should be used when moving coffeemaker.
4. Place coffeemaker on a dry, level surface. Attach cord to coffeemaker and plug into a 120 volt AC electrical outlet ONLY.
5. Coffeemaker stops perking automatically. (Each cup of coffee requires about 1 minute brewing time) Serving light will glow when coffee is ready. Before serving, use a hot pad to remove cover, then carefully remove stem and basket from coffeemaker as coffee and grounds are HOT. If not removed, bitter oils from the coffee grounds will drip into coffee. Replace the cover making sure it is completely secured into the handle slots.
6. Coffee will remain at serving temperature as long as coffeemaker is connected to outlet. (if you have an insulated coffeemaker, the sealed-air insulation will keep coffee hot for up to two hours without electricity.) To serve, place cup and saucer under faucet and press down on handle. If a continuous flow is desired to fill a carafe, lift handle straight up until it locks into open position. When approximately one cup of coffee remains in coffeemaker, disconnect from outlet.
TO MAKE MORE COFFEE: If another pot of coffee is desired right away, partially fill coffeemaker with cold water to reset the thermostat. Pour out water, refill with cold water and repeat steps 1-6.
TO HEAT WATER FOR INSTANT BEVERAGES: Plain water may be heated in your coffeemaker for use with instant beverages. Simply fill the clean coffeemaker with cold water to the desired cup level, and then place the stem and empty coffee basket in place. Using the stem and empty basket will heat the water more uniformly. Secure cover in place and plug coffeemaker in. Heat water until perking stops and serving light comes on. Unplug coffeemaker when less than 1 cup remains. Other than making coffee or heating water, no other liquid should be heated in coffeemaker as damage to heating unit can occur.
When coffeemaker is used to heat water only, the metal inside will discolor which is normal and does not affect performance or the water heated in the coffeemaker. Refer to Special Cleaning Instructions in this manual for removing discoloration as well as mineral deposits, which form inside the coffeemaker when heating water. If these deposits are not removed, pitting of the metal inside may occur and result in damage to coffeemaker. Refer to the cleaning your coffeemaker section