Showing posts with label coffee makers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coffee makers. Show all posts

10/26/2011

Black & Decker DDCM200 Dual Personal Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless Review

Black and Decker DDCM200 Dual Personal Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The B&D model DDCM200 is a great product for two people. It's advantage is in allowing two different cups to be brewed - different flavors, strengths, caffinated/decaffinated, or even tea.
Every cup comes out consistent once you learn how much coffee to put into basket for the amount of water you put in. We have learned this ratio for varying amounts of water so if we feel like a full or half mug we can get what we desire - consistently, and fast.
A knob on the top turned to the left diverts water to just the left side for one cup, or when turned to the right yields two cups. When brewing two, the left cup always gets a bit more water than the right - the right mug's coffee level is about 3/8ths of an inch lower than the left mug.
You can use the supplied baskets and forgo filters, but I like to use the #1 paper filters inside the baskets as cleanup is even easier than just the basket - the choice is yours.
As for noise, it does make some but I in no way find it offensive. Unlike some coffee makers that seem to linger, when the brew cycle finishes the water stops entering the basket almost immediately. I like this as when it's done, it's done.
There are no hot plates in this maker - nothing to burn any errant drippings, no safety issues. In fact if after brewing you leave the machine on, it will turn itself off. The coffee is meant to brew directly into your mug. I generally brew into an old, large, Dunkin Donuts (made by THERMO) mug without it's lid. This mug is better insulated and keeps my coffee warm enough for me for a long time. I do NOT like coffee too hot to drink. If a coffee shop wants me to use a cup insulator sleeve to keep from burning my hand, then the coffee is way too hot for me. I mention this as the B&D DDCM200 makes a hot cup of coffee but if you are expecting it to be so hot you'd need a sleeve, it won't be.
This machine is fast. It is faster than many of my Mr. Coffee machines and only the single cup machine I use at work is faster.
Would I buy it again? YES, YES, YES! I'm here at Amazon looking for a second one for use at my girlfriend's house. She got me mine a year ago (been working great for a year) and likes it so much she now wants one. When she moves in here next year, we will have two so I'll have a backup. I don't see this model # on the B&D website so I'll presume it is no longer made. Another reason I want to get a second unit ... that's how much I enjoy the one I have!
I recommend this to individuals who like different cups of coffee - gone will be the waiting between first and second pots, or arguing over which coffee do you both drink, or its strength. What a terrific peace keeper!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black & Decker DDCM200 Dual Personal Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless

A single water reservoir and two independent brewing baskets with permanent filters lets you brew one or two cups of coffee in the variety of each person's choice - decaf in one basket; French Vanilla in the other brewing basket.A convenient switch on the top of the coffeemakers lets you select if you want to brew one or two cups into the two included 16 oz. stainless steel travel mugs.The unit features a power indicator and auto-off and uses cone shaped filters.

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10/05/2011

West Bend 57040 4 Cup Electric French Press, Black Review

West Bend 57040 4 Cup Electric French Press, Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have spent hundreds of dollars on coffee makers and have been very snobbish in thinking I could not get an American made one because it wouldn't get the water hot enough. I also love the coffee from a French press. Because I wanted to have the automatic capabilities with the French press, my options were few with the only other one available getting rather poor reviews. Reluctantly (and because I had a $100 gift certificate), I tried the West Bend for $39.99. IT IS FABULOUS. The water is VERY hot and so it makes a fabulous cup of coffee.

Click Here to see more reviews about: West Bend 57040 4 Cup Electric French Press, Black

For those coffee and tea drinkers who want the freshest beverage possible this unit brews 4 cups of rich, full flavored coffee or tea. You have excellent control of the brewing temperature along with a start switch and automatic shutoff. The plunger has a stainless steel filter.

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7/02/2011

KRUPS KM7000, 10-Cup Grind-and-Brew Coffeemaker, Black Review

KRUPS KM7000, 10-Cup Grind-and-Brew Coffeemaker, Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
After my fifth Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffee maker (3 different models) stopped functioning I decided on choosing a different brand. There were no reviews so I crossed my fingers and hoped that Krups worked out the kinks with this new model. I had to wait 2 months for the coffee maker as it was ordered before it was released and I am so happy to say that the 2 month wait was MORE THEN worth it!!
Pros:
Quality Construction:
This unit is sturdy and heavier then the other grind and brews that I have owned. It appears to be well constructed. The hinges on the water canister are plastic but I don't see them breaking off anytime in the future. The basket handle also feels light, but only time will tell with that part. Also the plastic top on the carafe feels "heavy duty" (all 5 of the lids on my previous coffee makers' carafes lost their connector pegs within a few months and I had to purchase replacements that did the same thing). The levers all appear sturdy and are easy to move. The levers all catch and hold on the first attempt as well.
Ease of Use:
Super easy to set up and program! I love the fact that there are not multiple pieces that need to be cleaned and then replaced before and after brewing. The aroma setting really does make a difference when making small batches (2-4 cups) of coffee!
Noise:
I was surprised how quite this machine is compared to the other grind and brews. The loud grinder of the coffee pot would wake me up before my alarm would go off on my previous pots and I slept right through this one!
Appearance:
The coffee maker looks like a quality piece of kitchen equipment. It is a bit bigger then I thought it would be, but its size gives it a presence on the counter. The LCD displays a ton of information and adds to it's "high tech" appearance.
Function:
Everything is contained! The way the machine is made allows for the grinds to go directly into the basket without them falling into the water reservoir! The other review mentions that they had grinds on the counter, but we did not experience this as we only had a few grains that were easily wiped off (ours is set to one dot before the biggest grind). We have not experience any jamming of the automatic lid - it closes by itself and functions properly.
Taste:
One of the best cups of coffee I have had in a long time! I love that you can program the strength of the coffee and after brewing a few test pots - we could easily see that this function really works and is not a gimmick! The coffee was the perfect temperature! The automatic shut off will shut the idle pot off after two hours, but I think you can just hit the "On" button to start the warmer plate up again (Not sure about this yet).
Clean Up:
If you have owned one of the multiple piece grind and brew machines you will love the ease of clean up on this one!!! Basically, you clean out the removable filter holder. The clear plastic that shoots the grounds into the filter basket is removable for cleaning, but it does not have to be removed and cleaned after each use! How cool is that!
Extras:
The water filter in the bottom of the coffee pot is a nice touch and I love that you can program the coffee maker to tell you when it is time to change it. The smile face on the the LCD display is just too cute!
I wish.....
I wish it stored more coffee then it does as I was hoping to avoid purchasing another coffee canister. You will still need to purchase or use an airtight canister. NOT a big deal at all!
I wish the clock was able to be programed in regular time (it is in military time). There may be a way to change this, but I have yet to figure it out. So for now, it is a 5 Star Coffee Maker for me! We have made 5 pots of coffee so far and all were consistent. I will come back and edit the review as time goes on if things change. Obviously after using the Cuisinart Grind and Brews for years the tiny flaws of this machine are easy to overlook! Right now I highly recommend this machine because of its appearance, ease of use, construction and wonderful tasting coffee!!!
***********************************************************************
UPDATE: After three months of perfect use the grinder stopped working. One morning it just wouldn't go on. I tried everything. I called Krups and they told me to ship it to one of their work centers and I should get a new one in two weeks.... it has been a month and I still do not have a coffee maker. I am so sad because this machine worked really REALLY well. Maybe my problem was a fluke. I hope anyway. I am very disappointed.


Click Here to see more reviews about: KRUPS KM7000, 10-Cup Grind-and-Brew Coffeemaker, Black

Make the perfect cup of coffee in just minutes with this grind-and-brew 10-cup coffeemaker. The programmable unit features a conical burr grinder with automatic functionality--it grinds the coffee to match the number of cups and the strength chosen. Choose from five grind levels and three coffee-strength settings. The solid-steel burrs turn slowly to protect the flavor of the bean, providing optimal results in the cup. The unit offers 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 10-cup digital settings that control the coffee-water ratio, plus it provides a 2- to 4-cup aroma function for the proper brewing of small quantities. Even more, the brew basket lid closes automatically after grinding to prevent steam from reaching the coffee channel and grinder. Other highlights include an anti-drip valve for the pause-and-serve function, water filtration, automatic shut-off, a high-quality 10-cup glass carafe, and a backlit LCD with clock and programmable timer. The 1000-watt coffeemaker measures 11-1/2 by 11-1/8 by 15-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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6/07/2011

Hamilton Beach 48465 Brewstation Summit Ultra 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Review

Hamilton Beach 48465 Brewstation Summit Ultra 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Good
Intuitive controls. Clock, timer, etc. are super-easy to figure out; we did not need the instructions to get it set up. The display is bright and can double as a nightlight. Somewhat attractive design. Makes good coffee. Also makes iced coffee if you like.
The Bad
Feels like there are too many parts to disassemble/reassemble to make coffee. The black plastic exterior has numerous dimples, seam lines, and other irregularities (poor fit & finish) that take away from the otherwise attractive appearance. Difficult to tell how much coffee is left once it drops below 2 cups.
The Ugly
Spills and messes. Lifting the lid to dump the old filter causes the built-up moisture to drip down the back of the coffeemaker. Thick mugs and thermoses are difficult to fill without coffee spilling down the side and all over the counter. In my opinion, they did not place the spout out far enough from the release bar. You can get better results if you tip your mug or thermos inward, but some of the thicker ones will never fill without making a mess.
In summary, it is a decent coffeemaker. I had read the reviews before purchasing it and had determined this was not one of the models I wanted. However, the model I had gone to the store to purchase was not available (nor was it available on amazon.com), and seeing as our old faithful coffeemaker had died that morning, I couldn't leave without something to replace it. Unfortunately, my memory was not great and I couldn't remember if this particular model was a good option or not (if I had remembered the reviews, I wouldn't have purchased this model). Despite its shortcomings, we've decided to keep it, but if I had a chance to do it again, I would not choose this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hamilton Beach 48465 Brewstation Summit Ultra 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Hamilton Beach Brewstation Summit Ultra 12 cup Programmable Coffee Maker.One hand dispensing so your last cup tastes as fresh as the first cup.This coffee maker has several brewing options making it one of the most versitile on the market.Choose from bold, regular, iced coffee or small batch options.

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5/24/2011

Cuisinart PRC-12 Classic 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Percolator Review

Cuisinart PRC-12 Classic 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Percolator
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I do not understand what has happened in the coffee maker industry. It seems as if every coffee appliance I buy fails. This one is no exception. I bought this one only because most of the reviews praised it. Now I am sure that the reviews are phony and must be posted by the manufacturer. There is no control over the time of percolation which for whatever reason has been designed to be too short. The coffee comes out weak especially if you try to make less than 12 cups, the water just doesn't make it through the strainer for less cups??? The manual suggests using 20 spoons for 12 cups of strong coffee. At this rate I will essentially be using double the coffee grinds to make the same amount of coffee as I did with a much older Faberware I had and the coffee is still weak. The new faberwares are just as bad as everything else manufactured these days. The reviews and the item description also touts that this coffee percolator has a glass knob. This is an outright lie, it is plastic!!!! I was initially pleased with the design although I feel it is made with a lighter guage metal than it should be. I would gladly pay double for this product if it worked. Don't buy it, it is another coffee maker dud!!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart PRC-12 Classic 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Percolator

Brewing from 4 to 12 cups of coffee, this classic stainless-steel percolator offers an elegant way to serve coffee to dinner guests. The unit circulates piping hot water through coffee grounds and pulses up into the glass knob on top to create the familiar percolating sound that coffee lovers love. Its ready-to-serve light indicates when coffee is ready to enjoy, while the detachable cord provides the ability to serve fresh perked coffee right at the table without any hassle. Other useful features include a precision drip-free spout, an easy-grip knob on the unit's lid, and a stay-cool bottom that allows the percolator to sit safely on any surface without scarring. The appliance combines present-day technology with the retro look of a '50s kitchen for creating a perfect compliment to any kitchen decor. The percolator measures approximately 8 by 6 by 12 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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4/15/2011

Cuisinart DCC-1100 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers Review

Cuisinart DCC-1100 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
After buying a succession of cheap coffee makers which broke down after a year or two and made mediocre coffee, I decided to upgrade to Cuisinart.
I don't agree with the negative comments about this product.
The clock is easy to program and it's clearly indicated that you should either use paper or gold filter (twice in the instructions). It's also easy to pour water in the reservoir if you use the carafe. You can turn the coffee maker to the left, and the reservoir opening is easily accessible. Its opening is by no means tiny, as a reviewer described it.
The center funnel which holds the filter is well situated and there is very little risk of dropping coffee grounds into the water reservoir.
The carafe is well designed, with a comfortable handle. It pours neatly, without dripping coffee all over the counter, something which always happened with my old Mr. Coffee.
You do have to realize the lid snaps down on top of the carafe. This is not explained in the instructions.
Most importantly, it makes an excellent coffee.
There is a 3 year guaranty which is more than I have seen for others.
So far, I have no complaint, and I am glad I bought this product for a great price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DCC-1100 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers

Housed in a classic design with stainless-steel accents, this fully automatic 12-cup coffeemaker features 24-hour programmability--great for waking up to the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. The unit offers a 1- to 4-cup setting for brewing a smaller amount, and its brew-pause function allows for pouring a cup before the brew cycle has completed. The included 12-cup carafe provides an ergonomic handle, a knuckle guard, and a dripless pour spout for comfortable, drip-free serving. For added convenience, the coffeemaker comes with a self-clean function and a 60-second reset, which "remembers" settings and where it was in the brewing process. A gold-tone coffee filter and a charcoal water filter are included to ensure fresh, delicious-tasting coffee. The coffeemaker measures approximately 8 by 8 by 14-1/4 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty. From the Manufacturer
The Cuisinart DCC-1100 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
You\'ll love the way the Cuisinart Classic 12-cup programmable coffeemaker looks on the counter, as it\'s brewing 12 cups of fabulous coffee. The Cuisinart Classis is a statement about how serious you are about your coffee ‒ and your kitchen. Enjoy the full programmability, extreme ease of use, and great tasting coffee.

The Quest for a Perfect Cup of Coffee
It is generally agreed that there are four basic elements critical to the perfect cup:

Element 1. Water: Coffee is 98% water. Often overlooked, the quality of the water is as important as the quality of the coffee. A good rule of thumb is that if your water doesn\'t taste good from the tap, it won\'t taste any better in your coffee. That\'s why Cuisinart has added a water filter to the Cuisinart Classic 12-cup programmable coffeemaker. The charcoal water filter removes chlorine, bad tastes and odors, for the purest cup of coffee every time.

Element 2. Coffee: While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve the same great quality of coffee you receive at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality beans. Buy the beans fresh and whole, only about a two weeks\' supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly.If it is not practical to buy small supplies, we recommend you separate larger amounts of beans into one to two week portions immediately after purchase, and freeze them in airtight containers. The best way to maximize freshness is to minimize exposure to air, light and moisture. So, once removed from the freezer, beans should be maintained in a sealed container at room temperature, since damaging condensation occurs every time the beans are removed from the freezer or refrigerator. Note that some coffee experts advise against freezing dark-roast beans, because freezing can cause the oils to coagulate. Other experts disagree. We suggest you experiment and decide yourself.
The Perfect Cup of Coffee

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