Cuisinart Grind & Brew Grinding Problems? 5 Fixes

Narrowing Down the Problem

On the Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew (DGB-900 series), the grinder is locked out by safety interlocks. If the hopper isn't locked on, the filter door isn't shut, or the filter basket or its cover is missing, the machine beeps continuously and won't grind. Cuisinart's troubleshooting table lists one more cause of that beeping: a clogged coffee chute, the channel that carries grounds from the burrs to the filter.

The steps below come from the DGB-900 series instruction booklet. Other Grind & Brew models (DGB-550, DGB-700, DGB-850) have their own booklets, so check yours for the exact parts.

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What Your Grind & Brew Is Doing

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Fix 1: Clear the Beeping Interlocks (Works About 35% of the Time)

The DGB-900 won't run if any of these is out of place. Check each, then press On/Off (or Program) again to resume. Cuisinart says restarting "will not affect coffee results".

1. Hopper: turn the hopper container release knob to unlocked, set the hopper on the unit, then turn the knob to locked.
2. Filter door: press the release button, check everything inside, and close it until you hear a click.
3. Filter basket: hook the basket, with its cover, onto the door.
4. Filter basket cover: put it on with the GRIND arrows matched.
5. Channel cover: it flips back for cleaning, and Cuisinart says it "must be in place before grinding".
6. Used grounds: empty the basket from the last brew.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 35%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 2: Clean Out the Coffee Chute (Works About 25% of the Time)

A clogged chute is the troubleshooting table's last cause of continuous beeping. Cuisinart's steps:

1. Turn the coffeemaker off and unplug it.
2. Remove the hopper from the unit (release knob to unlocked).
3. Lift the coffee channel cover.
4. Clean out the coffee chute. The grind chute lever is there "for easy cleaning".
5. Replace the channel cover and the hopper, and lock the hopper.

Don't let water into the grinder. With the hopper off, Cuisinart warns: "Do not put any water in the unit once the hopper container has been removed. If water gets into the grinder motor, the motor may become damaged and may malfunction." Clean the chute dry.

How often: the booklet suggests cleaning the hopper and coffee chute every 1-2 weeks, and the DGB-900BC Quick Reference Guide says every 7-10 uses.

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 25%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 3: Don't Over-Pack the Hopper (Works About 15% of the Time)

The hopper holds a maximum of ½ lb of beans, and Cuisinart warns: "Do not over-pack the hopper. Over-packing may result in jamming the grinder."

1. Unplug the machine and remove the hopper.
2. Pour out some beans if it's packed tight, and discard any old or stuck beans.
3. Wash the hopper and lid in warm soapy water (or the upper rack of the dishwasher), and dry them fully before refitting.
4. Refill loosely. Cuisinart recommends keeping it at least half full, with enough beans for the amount you're brewing.

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 15%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 4: Check Grind Off, the Beans and the Strength Setting (Works About 15% of the Time)

Three settings make the grinder look broken when it isn't:

• Grind Off: pressing it turns the grinder off for pre-ground coffee, and an amber light shows it's on. Press it again to grind beans.
• Not enough beans: Cuisinart's first cause for "coffee is weaker than usual". Make sure the hopper has enough for the number of cups.
• Strength setting: the second cause. Press Strength Control to choose MILD, MED or STRONG; the setting shows on the display.

The DGB-900 has no grind-size dial. Cuisinart says it is "preset for a medium grind". The Grind Control knob sets how many cups' worth of beans it grinds, not how fine.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 15%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 5: Use Pre-Ground Coffee and Call Cuisinart (Works About 10% of the Time)

If the grinder still won't run with every part locked in place and the chute clear, you can keep making coffee while you arrange a repair:

1. Press Grind Off (amber light).
2. Put ground coffee in the gold-tone filter or a #4 paper filter: 1 level scoop per cup, up to 16 level scoops.
3. Press On.

Then contact Cuisinart: 1-800-726-0190 in the US, or 1-800-472-7606 for Cuisinart Canada. Don't open the machine. If water got into the grinder motor, mention that. For brewing problems beyond the grinder, see our Cuisinart won't brew guide.

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: Free under warranty
Success Rate: About 10%
Difficulty: Easy

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When to Give Up on the Grinder

Call Cuisinart if the grinder won't run with the interlocks satisfied and the chute clean, if water has got into the grinder, or if it jams again on a loosely filled hopper. The booklet gives no owner procedure for removing or replacing the burrs.

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Preventing Grinder Problems

• Clean the hopper and chute every 1-2 weeks, dry.
• Never add water with the hopper off.
• Fill the hopper loosely, at least half full, no more than ½ lb.
• Empty the filter basket after every brew.
• Seat every part before pressing On: hopper locked, cover arrows matched, door clicked shut.

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FAQ

Why does my Cuisinart Grind & Brew keep beeping?

Continuous beeping means an interlock isn't satisfied: the hopper isn't locked, the filter door isn't closed, the basket or its cover isn't in place, the basket still has used grounds in it, or the coffee chute is clogged. Fix the cause, then press On/Off or Program to resume.

Can I use pre-ground coffee in a Cuisinart Grind & Brew?

Yes. Press Grind Off (the amber light comes on), add ground coffee to the filter at 1 level scoop per cup, up to 16 scoops, and press On.

How often should I clean the grinder on my Cuisinart?

The DGB-900 booklet suggests cleaning the hopper and coffee chute every 1-2 weeks, depending on use. The quick reference guide says every 7-10 uses. Keep water out of the grinder while the hopper is off.

Can I adjust the grind size?

Not on the DGB-900. It's preset for a medium grind. The Grind Control knob sets how many cups of beans to grind, and Strength Control sets mild, medium or strong.

Why is my Grind & Brew coffee weak?

Cuisinart lists two causes: not enough beans in the hopper, or the strength setting. Top up the beans and press Strength Control for MED or STRONG.

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Related Cuisinart Guides

• Cuisinart Coffee Maker Won't Brew
• Cuisinart Coffee Maker Troubleshooting
• Cuisinart Timer Not Working
• Cuisinart Leaking Water

Sources: Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker DGB-900 series instruction booklet and DGB-900BC Quick Reference Guide.