- People drink water every day; usually tap water from a residential water supply. Purifiers have been added to the water to make it cleaner and safer to drink but not all harmful substances can be completely removed. Some of the substances added to clean the water can be harmful as well. The solution is to buy expensive bottled water, hoping it is cleaner than tap water, or buy a water filtration system--such as the Cuisinart CleanWater Countertop Filtration System--for home use. Filtered water makes drinking water healthier, reduces mineral buildup in irons and even decreases the number of decalcification treatments required to clean coffeemakers.
- The Cuisinart CleanWater Countertop Filtration System (Model WCH-850), currently in production at the time of writing, has a 1.5 gallon water capacity and filters water and dispenses it at room temperature (85°F) or cold (44°F) within 30 to 60 minutes. Note that the discontinued model WCH-950 also allows the filtered water to be heated to 194°F.
- The NSF International, an organization that provides health and safety standards, has shown that the Cuisinart CleanWater GF-80 filter reduces the levels of the following contaminants: Chlorine taste and odor 97.5%, Mercury 92.8%, Benzene 84.1%, Cadmium 96.6%, Copper 85.4%, Tetrachloroethylene 92.5% and Toluene 89.8%. These statistics are only estimates based on controlled circumstances, so it is recommended that the actual water supply be tested to determine the actual treatment needs before using any type of water filter. The filter has been tested to last three or four months of average household use or 80 gallons of filtered water, whichever comes first. The unit has a 12-week filter timer that shows the word "REPLACE" when a new filter must be installed within two weeks to continue to filter the water properly. Cuisinart Replacement Filters can be purchased at many retailers across the country or directly from Cuisinart.
- Open the flip top lid and pour cold tap water into the opening until the upper tank is full in about 15 minutes or water to filter into the lower tank. Place a glass under the spigot and press the "COLD" button until the water flows steadily into the glass and the air is fully displaced by water in the tank. Close the lid, plug the power cord into an electrical outlet and turn the unit on (a blue light around the power button will go on to indicate the unit is on and the cold feature is operational). Pour a glass of room temperature water to remove any unfiltered water. Room temperature water may be dispensed immediately after it has been filtered by pressing the "ROOM" button. If cold water is desired, it will take 30 minutes to an hour for the blue cold water light, which is next to the "COLD" button, to come on and indicate that the cold filtered water is ready to be dispensed by pressing the "COLD" button.
