Question 1

my machine is grinding beans but then no water brews, just dry grounds in the filter. what do i check?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The brew cycle is failing to initiate after grinding. The water pump isn't engaging, often due to a clogged water inlet or a failed pump. FIX Check for a water path obstruction.Ensure the water reservoir is fully seated and the valve at the bottom isn't blocked. Remove it and check for debris. Run a water-only cycle (without beans) by pressing 'Brew'. Listen closely for a humming pump sound. If you hear it but no water flows, the internal tube from the reservoir is likely kinked or clogged with scale. If you hear no pump sound at all, the pump or its control board may have failed. As an interim fix, try priming the system: pour a cup of water directly into the top of the machine where the grounds are, then press 'Brew'. Sometimes this kicks it loose. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Severe scale buildup in the internal heating chamber can block water flow entirely. This necessitates a vigorous descaling attempt (multiple cycles with commercial descaler), but if the pump is silent, it's likely an electrical component failure. HEADS UP Do not let the machine repeatedly try to heat without water flow. This can overheat and trip the thermal fuse, creating a more expensive repair.

Question 2

how do i clean the inside tube where the hot water comes out on my grind and brew? it's got gross brown buildup.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That's the brew head or shower head. Coffee oils and mineral scale accumulate there, affecting water distribution and taste. FIX Use a vinegar soak and manual cleaning.Unplug the machine and let it cool. Remove the coffee filter basket. Fill a small cup or bowl with equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Submerge the end of the brew head (the metal part with holes) in the vinegar solution. Use a rubber band to secure a plastic bag around it if needed to keep it immersed. Let it soak for 30-60 minutes. The deposits will soften. Use a soft toothbrush or pipe cleaner to gently scrub the holes and the exterior. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Run a water-only brew cycle (without coffee) to rinse any residual vinegar from the system. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK For heavy scale, use a dedicated coffee machine descaler (like Urnex) following its stronger solution instructions, which may involve running a full descale cycle through the machine. HEADS UP Never use a pin or sharp metal object to poke the holes—you can damage the precise water dispersion pattern. The plastic housing around the metal shower head is delicate.

Question 3

the display on my dgb-900bc is completely blank, no lights, but it's plugged in. is it dead?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS No power. This is usually a simple power supply issue, not a dead machine. Check the outlet and the cord connection first. FIX Perform a power sequence.Verify the outlet works by plugging in another device. Ensure the power cord is firmly plugged into both the wall and the back of the coffee maker (it's removable). Press and hold the 'Power' button for 5 seconds. Sometimes it needs a hard reset. If still blank, unplug the machine. Wait 2 full minutes, then plug it back in and press 'Power'. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The internal thermal fuse may have blown, often due to overheating from a clog or scale. This requires opening the base to check—a repair for experienced users or a technician. HEADS UP Do not attempt to disassemble the machine while it is plugged in. If the internal fuse is blown, it's a safety response to a larger issue (like a failing heater).

Question 4

the coffee from my grind and brew tastes weak and watery no matter what setting i use, am i doing something wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Inconsistent or too-coarse grinding is the top culprit, often due to worn burrs or the grind selector not being fully engaged. Second is incorrect coffee-to-water ratio. FIX Adjust the grind and measure precisely.Set the grind selector to the finest setting (fully clockwise). Listen for a consistent grinding sound, not a sporadic one. Use the manufacturer's recommended ratio: 1 level scoop of whole beans (from the provided scoop) per cup (5 oz) of water. The 'cup' on this machine is 5 oz, not 8 oz. For a full pot (12 cups), you need 12 scoops of beans. Do not eyeball it. Run a brew cycle and immediately taste. If still weak, your burrs may be too dull to achieve a fine grind anymore. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The water might not be getting hot enough. Time the brew: a full pot should take about 10-12 minutes. If it's much faster, the heater or thermostat is failing and not allowing proper extraction. HEADS UP Using pre-ground coffee in the filter basket bypasses the grinder but requires a much finer 'espresso' grind from the store. Standard drip grind will flow too fast and taste weak.

Question 5

water is leaking from the bottom of my cuisinart coffee maker, not from the carafe, what's the deal?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Internal leak. The prime suspects are a cracked water reservoir (especially the lower chamber where it seats) or a failed internal water tube connection. FIX Isolate the source.Unplug the machine. Dry the exterior completely. Remove the water reservoir and inspect it for hairline cracks, particularly around the base and the valve at the bottom. Fill it separately over a sink to check. If the reservoir is intact, check the rubber gasket/seal where the reservoir inserts into the machine. Clean any mineral deposits off it. Look inside the machine's reservoir well for visible cracks or pooled water. If you find a cracked reservoir, you must replace it. Cuisinart sells them as a part. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the reservoir is fine, the leak is internal—likely a split tube or a failed pump seal. This requires disassembly and professional repair or replacement. HEADS UP Do not continue using a leaking machine. Water inside the electronics is a serious shock and fire hazard. Unplug it until fixed.

Question 6

i set the timer on my grind and brew plus but it didn't start in the morning, just had a cold carafe of water, what went wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The most common cause is forgetting to set the clock after a power interruption, or not pressing 'Program' a final time to arm the auto-brew. FIX Reprogram from scratch, ensuring each step locks in.First, press 'Clock' and set the current time using the Hour/Minute buttons. Press 'Clock' again to exit. Press 'Program'. Set the brew time you want using Hour/Minute. The 'Auto On' light will blink. Fill the bean hopper with beans and the reservoir with water. Ensure the carafe is in place with the lid on. Press 'Program' ONE MORE TIME. The 'Auto On' light should become solid. You will see the programmed time on the display. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check that the 'Brew Pause' feature is not activated (the light should be off). If it's on, the machine will pause brewing when the carafe is removed, which can disrupt an auto cycle. HEADS UP Any brief power flicker will reset the clock and cancel your program. If your outlet is prone to this, the auto-brew feature will be unreliable.

Question 7

the grinder on my dgb-900bc is making a horrible screeching noise but it still kinda works, should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A screech means the burr grinder's mechanism is jammed, usually by a rock-like debris or an overly hardened coffee bean fragment. The motor is straining. FIX Stop using it and clear the jam.Unplug the machine. Remove the coffee bean hopper by lifting it straight up. Locate the top burr (the cone-shaped piece) inside the grinder chamber. Grasp it firmly and rotate it counter-clockwise to unlock and lift it out. Use a small brush or dry cloth to wipe out all grounds from the chamber and the burrs. Inspect for any foreign objects. Re-seat the top burr by aligning the red dot on the burr with the unlock symbol, then turn clockwise until it clicks/locks. Replace the hopper and plug in. Run the grinder briefly without beans to test. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the noise persists with no beans, the burr might be damaged or the grinder motor bearings are failing. You'll need to contact Cuisinart for service. HEADS UP Never try to force beans through a noisy grinder. You can permanently damage the drive shaft. Always unplug before cleaning the burrs.

Question 8

my cuisinart grind and brew plus just shows a blinking 'clean' light and won't let me do anything else, how do i make it stop?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The machine's automatic cleaning reminder has been triggered. After a set number of brewing cycles, it locks you out until you run the descale program. FIX You must run the descaling cycle immediately.Fill the water reservoir with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and cold water (or a commercial descaling solution). Do not add coffee to the basket. Place a carafe or large container (at least 10 cups capacity) under the brew head. Press and hold the 'Clean' button for 3 seconds. The 'Clean' light will stay solid. The machine will run a long cycle, pumping the solution through. When it stops, discard the liquid. Refill the reservoir with fresh cold water only and repeat the cycle (press 'Clean' again) to rinse. The light will turn off when complete. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the 'Clean' light is still on after a proper descale/rinse, the sensor might be faulty. Unplug the machine for a full 5 minutes to perform a hard reset, then plug it back in. HEADS UP Never run a brew cycle with vinegar in the reservoir—you'll ruin the coffee. The rinse cycle is non-negotiable.

Cuisinart Grind and Brew Plus DGB-900BC

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