How To Fix My Leaking Cuisinart Coffee Maker (Problems and SOLUTIONS!)
I have a problem.
The coffee maker I bought from Cuisinart is leaking.
It’s not just a little drip here and there, either—it’s leaking like a sieve! The coffee maker that I bought just two years ago is now completely ruined because of this issue.
I’m not alone—many other people have experienced the same issue with their own coffee makers. The good news is that I’ve found a way to fix the problem.
The leaky problem
Discovered water on the counter around the coffee pot one day. After wiping up the water and making a pot, there was once again water on the counter.
When it comes to diagnosing the problem of water coming from your Cuisinart Coffee Maker, there are several possibilities.
In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to fix your leaking Cuisinart coffee maker.
Causes and steps to correct the problem
Crack in the glass carafe
One of the most obvious reasons that you could find a puddle of water around the coffee maker is a crack in the pot. Your coffee maker came with a 12-cup glass carafe to hold the brewed coffee. Unfortunately, for several reasons, the carafe may have developed a crack in the glass. If it is at the very bottom, you may not be able to see it easily.
Solution: Inspect the entire glass carafe for any signs of cracks or chips. If found, immediately toss out the carafe and replace it with a new one. Consult the Cuisinart website to see if you can purchase one.
Clogs in the water system
Your coffee maker has water hoses that carry the water from the reservoir to the pump and then a hose to the top of the coffee maker. Either of the hoses or the water pump can be clogged/ There could also be debris stuck inside the spray nozzles above the coffee basket.
Solution: First thing you need to remove the screws on the bottom of the coffee maker to gain access. Remove the water hoses and check for any type of debris stuck inside the hose. If you do see debris, remove it. Then check the water pump for any clogs. If you see an obstruction there as well, you might want to consider descaling your Cuisinart coffee maker.
Cracked or worn water hose
While you have the cover access removed and you didn’t find any clogs in the hoses, check for any cracks, holes, or signs of wear.
Solution – If you come across any signs of damage, you should immediately remove and replace the leaking or damaged hose(s). Contact Cuisinart support to find the correct hoses that you need to replace. Note: only use the official Cuisinart replacement hoses.
Leaking or damaged water pump
The water pump is a very important part of the coffee maker that delivers the water from the reservoir to the basket of coffee grounds at the top of the coffee maker. If you see water leaking from the pump you will likely need to replace it.
Solution: Before doing anything, you should begin by trying to restart your Cuisinart. Pull the power plug and wait about 15 seconds before plugging it back in. Turn it on and check if there’s still leaking. If it’s still leaking then, contact Cuisinart online and purchase a replacement pump. Remove all the hoses and the mounting screws from the old pump and remove them. Install the new pump and hook up all the hoses. Put all the covers back on and brew a pot of coffee. Inspect the counter around the coffee maker looking for signs of leaking.
The coffee basket was improperly installed
The coffee basket is removable to make it easier to empty and refill it we a new coffee filter and coffee grounds. If you happen to notice signs of water dripping or running down the front of the coffee maker. Sometimes if the basket isn’t closed all the way down it could leave open gaps that can cause leakage.
Solution: Turn the coffee maker off and swing the open. Look to see that the basket is properly seated inside the holder. If it doesn’t close properly, check to see if there could be some debris (coffee grounds may have gotten down inside). Clear out any possible debris and reseat the basket and close the lid.
Using the wrong coffee filter in the basket
Many times the manufacturer of your coffee maker will highly recommend you only use their brand of coffee filters. This could be for several reasons. If you see water leaking or dripping from the areas around the coffee basket, this could be the cause. Some filters may look similar but with just a slight difference in shape or size, it could be the cause of leaking.
Solution: Check to see what brand, type, and size of the coffee filter is correct. If not, you need to purchase the correct filter for your specific model maker. If you ever feel resistance when installing your filter and setting it into place, you might want to double-check the box label and see what model it’s made for.
Internal insulation isn’t properly installed
The coffee maker has an internal water heater and a warming plate. Heat the water before it goes into the basket of coffee grounds to brew the coffee. There is insulation that goes around the heating element and warming plate. If the insulation is not installed properly or becomes dislodged, it can cause a water leak.
Solution: Remove the access cover and check to see if all of the insulation is still intact. Also, look to see if you see any signs of water leaking out around the insulation. If you have any questions, you will probably need to talk to Cuisinart’s customer service.
Failure to properly maintain the coffee pot
Most coffee makers recommend that you keep your coffee maker clean. This means using white vinegar or a special cleaning solution for every certain number of pots of coffee. If you have not done this in a while, it can cause a buildup of scale inside the coffee maker.
Solution: Fill the carafe half full of white vinegar and water. Pour the solution into the reservoir and turn it on. You may also purchase one of the commercially available coffee maker cleaning products. They work in the same way as white vinegar. Note: Be sure to run a couple of pots of straight water after to clean out any vinegar or cleaning solution.
The lid is damaged or ill-fitting
If you notice water streaming from the top of the coffee maker, This could be caused by several things and is fairly easy to fix.
Solution: Check to be sure the basket is seated properly. Then you might want to be sure that there isn’t any debris (coffee grounds) inside the rim that would prevent the lid from seating properly. Check for any cracks in the lid or the edges at the top of the coffee maker.
Leaking water reservoir
One of the more likely causes of water under the coffee maker is that the reservoir has a hole or crack in it. This allows some or all of the water that you just poured into it to end up on the counter under the coffee maker.
Solution: If the reservoir is removable, you will need to get a new one. You can check with Cuisinart to see if a replacement is available. If not, you may have to replace the coffee maker.
Faulty Water valve
The water valve that controls the flow of water from the reservoir to the top of the coffee maker can go bad and leak. If you notice water coming out from around the valve,
Solution: First, locate the water valve and remove the old water valve. Remove all of the hoses connected to them and the mounting screws. They install the new water valve, screw it back into place, and attach all of the mounting screws. Attach all of the hoses. Put the access cover back on and brew a pot of coffee. Carefully check for any signs of a water leak.
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