Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've used this machine for two years now, and would buy it again in an instant. I'll add these comments to those previously written:
* Crema varies with coffee bean; shiney fresh beans give more crema and have more (but subtle) flavors.I don't get the best crema with Starbucks beans.Peets is great though, so is Nicholas.Even the generic beans ($5/lb when on sale at the local grocer) work OK.Remember, these espresso machines extract more flavor from coffee beans (than perk or drip machines); it's the nature of the pressure (vs temperature) process.
* For a great double shot (actually, 4 oz), I fill the fresh-grounds filter to level (not heaping) with whole beans, grind them for 8 seconds in a cheapo spice grinder, and tamp them (not too hard, not too soft).The tamped grounds come up almost to the #2 line in the filter.I run the pump for 30 seconds after liquid starts coming out of the nozzel.The machine has been turned on and heating for only about 5-10 minutes prior to this.
* I've used Starbucks pods.It does takes two (at 15 seconds of pumping per) to make a double shot.It tastes good (but not as strong as when I use fresh-ground.)Pods are quicker, but more expensive, than using grounds.You do need to be careful to press the pod in the filter so all water goes through, not around, the pod.Be aware that this machine comes with two different stainless steel filters; one for grounds, and a smaller one for pre-packaged pods.
* These machines use ***PRESSURE*** not temperature to extract flavors. This results in smoother taste, but not scalding temperatures. If you want your espresso law-suit hot, nuke it afterward.
* The included plastic tamper is too flimsy for the tamping pressure I've found works best; get a sturdier one (I got an aluminum one from a local kitchen store.)If you don't tamp hard enough, grounds float up and coat the nozzel that high-pressure water comes out of.If you grind and tamp just right, the used grounds will maintain their hockey-puck shape when you shake them out of the filter.
* Coffee mugs don't fit under the spouts.Its not like this machine will make enough espresso in one batch to come close to filling a standard 10 oz mug.I just want to drink a strong brew from a manly mug ;-)I've had to resort to using the shorter, dainty, coffee cups from the fine china set.(Don't tell my buddies.)
* If you're the analytical type, check out "The Complexity of Coffee" in Scientific American June 2002, Vol 286 Issue 6 p86.It contains good info you can use to perfect your brew.
* Use some of that cafeine buzz to clean the machine after each use, and it will last for a long time. There was a recall (on the older 40714 version) because some people weren't cleaning milk off the frother, which resulted in scalding when the plug of old dried curdled milk suddenly erupted. Use common sense, keep this puppy clean, and it will make cup after cup of great brew.
* The frothing wand is not the easiest to use, due to the funny angle, short length, and low height above counter.I had to search for a stainless pitcher of just the right size; 10 oz to the brim.Disclaimer: I don't use the frother much so this doesn't detract from my rating of this machine.
* After years of use, hard water deposits build up on the nozzle just above where the coffee grounds sit. I noticed that water was spraying, rather than dripping, from here (during cleanup). There's no need to run special cleaners through the machine; I successfully remove deposits by rubbing the nozzel with a hand towel after every use. It's become part of the espresso-making ritual.
* I've been burned on other items when chosing the cheapest, but not on this one.It has some drawbacks, but for the price I can easily overlook them. It has kept my picky self satisfied!

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Product Description:
Making cafe-quality coffee drinks is quick and easy with this Italian-style espresso machine, which features 1100 watts of power and a 15-bar pump. The unit works with ground espresso or pre-measured pods and offers simple push-button operation. Its 2-cup removable water reservoir is easy to fill, and the adjustable steam/frothing dial allows for quickly steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes. For added convenience, the appliance provides a cup-warming plate, an "on/off" switch, a power indicator light, a thermostat indicator light, a pressure safety valve, and a removable drip tray for easy cleanup. Accessories include a measuring scoop/tamper, two stainless-steel filters, an instructional video, and laminated recipe cards. The espresso machine measures 9 by 7-1/2 by 11-3/4 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Mr.coffee 35 Anniversary Maker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Over the years, I have had Mr. Coffeemakers and have been pleased with every one.After a couple of years, they seem to have a shelf life..they up and die on you but during that couple of years..they make darn good coffee.

In the meantime, I have tried the Cuisinart top of the line, a couple of the Barista models (Starbucks) and every one of them made coffee that made me despair.It wasn't as if these two manufacturers' products did not have a shelf life, because they conked out; the reason they had no shelf life was that I threw them out, because I could not get a good cup of coffee.

Well, I am back.I just picked up my new Mr. Coffee Classic today and just tasted the coffee...hmmm good.It has all of the bells and whistles, but does not automatically grind the coffee.I did not want that feature; because none of them get the coffee the way I like it.I have a separate grinder to grind up my coffee beans now.However, Mr. Coffee does have models that grind the beans as well if you must have that feature built into your coffee maker.

This model has cord storage, ambient light, 2 to 4 hour warmer with icon, brew strength, make coffee now or delay button(s), clock, pause button, warming pad, place for cups, filter, water filter, pretty much everything all of the more expensive brands have for much, much less.And best of all, it works.You can have a great cup of coffee.

By the way, I have even purchased the most inexpensive Mr. Coffee models in the past; and even these models outclassed the coffee of the Cuisinart and Barista models I had.I honestly believe that keeping it simple works best and Mr. Coffee knows how to brew coffee.Haven't tried making cocoa yet; but think that would be dynamite.

Anyways, I am very pleased with my purchase and feel like I have come home again with a thrifty buy.Just wanted to share my experiences so that you do not pay too much for a machine which does not give you what you want: a good cup of coffee.

Bentley/2007

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Product Description:
This 12-cup coffee maker comes with a variety of programmable options for that perfect cup. Features include brewing pause and serve, a 2-hour and a 4-hour adjustable automatic shut-off, brew strength selector, special cleaning cycle, and more! Permanent Filter Fresh Brew Timer Brew Strength Selector Adjustable Temperature Warmer Plate Water Window Cord Storage On/Off Audible Signals On/Off Ambient Lighting Cup Rack Silicone Decanter Mat

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Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew 12 Cup Coffeemaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Review for: Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew 12 Cup Coffeemaker

First a heads-up... the product's picture shows a "black" carafe which might lead you to believe it is a thermal carafe.This is not the case, it is actually a glass carafe filled to the brim with coffee.As such, be forewarned that this product does not include a thermal carafe (I was fooled, but it's interesting to note that Amazon suggested I include "thermal carafe" when "tagging" this review.)Instead, it ships with a glass carafe and features a hot-plate that has a programmable auto shut-off.

My disappointment with the carafe aside, this product has worked marvelously (received it three weeks ago.)It houses a burr grinder as opposed to a cheap blade grinder.It cleans up very easily compared to my old "Melitta MEMB1 Mill & Brew" (less than two minutes to rinse the carafe and filter-chamber/cap; after drying it's ready to be loaded with a new filter in less than 30 seconds.) The bean-hopper has a good seal to it, although I am unsure as to whether the clear plastic used offers UV protection (I would prefer to see a shaded plastic used to protect the beans inside; but I suppose the clear plastic offers a better design-element and the functionality of being able to see the level of beans inside.) And, in terms of the most important aspect, it makes great tasting coffee!(My girlfriend still marvels daily at how good the coffee is.)

Having owned and operated a coffee shop a few years back, I thought I might emphasize the importance of buying a burr grinder vs a blade grinder (for those of you who are interested and new to the art of making gourmet coffee.)First, burr grinders do not produce nearly the level of heat that can be produced by blade grinders.Heat denatures the delicate flavors of the beans (which is also why I was disappointed by having a glass carafe that sits over a direct source of high-heat.)Second, burr grinders ensure that each particle of ground coffee is consistent in size; meaning flavor extraction can be truly optimized and achieved with consistency... The flavor of your coffee is based on the contact time between the beans' chemicals and water; varied sizes of particles means the chemicals are exposed to water for varying amounts of time, and the chemicals have varied distances to travel to escape the fibers of the bean particles.A blade grinder results in variably-variable sizes of particles... meaning variable flavors escaping the clutches of the bean fibers.If you are planning to spend the extra money to buy high-quality beans, it is important to both preserve the chemicals inside (destroyed by heat, light and oxygen) and to extract them in a reasonable manner that enables isolation of the chemicals responsible for "good" flavors.

If the science of coffee interests you, Scientific American had a great article written by Ernesto Illy in June 2002, titled "The Complexity of Coffee."At only 6 pages, it's a pretty quick read and well worth the time.Here's a link:[...]

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind and Brew 12 Cup Coffeemaker

Product Description:
The Cuisinart Grind & Brewcoffeemaker grinds your favorite coffee beans just before brewing... automatically! Program it to start when you know you'll want coffee and it automatically shuts itself off up to 4 hours after coffee has finished brewing. Dual filters protect coffee flavors and the popular Brew Pausefeature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before the brew cycle is finished for those who can t wait. This deluxe 12-cup coffeemaker features a separate grind chamber, so it s exceptionally easy to clean!

12-cup coffee maker
Burr grinder automatically grinds whole beans before brewing
8 oz. Bean hopper with a sealed lid to prevent moisture
Strength selector- choose coffee strength: strong, medium, mild
Grind control- program the amount of coffee you want to grind from 2-12 cups
Convenient "grind off" feature eliminates the grinding cycle when using pre-ground coffee
Programmable auto shutoff turns unit off (up to 4 hours)
24-hour fully programmable
Brew Pausefeature allows you to pour that first cup before the brew cycle is finished
Charcoal filter removes impurities from water
Easy-to-fill reservoir
UL Listed
Dimensions: 10.25"L x 13"W x 18"H
Weight: 13.6 lbs.

[Model DCC-790PC]

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Cuisinart DTC-975 Programable Auto Brew 12-Cup Coffeemakers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I use it to make 2 cups or full pots.I have used many different machines over 15 years of drinking coffee (and therefore making coffee) daily and have absolutely no complaints about this machine.I would like to address the complaints here for people shopping for a coffeemaker.

RE: The reported leakage problem.This is due to OVERFILLING.The water reservoir is larger than the carafe for a reason people: Steam builds up as water is heated, if the reservoir were the exact size of the carafe...YOU finish this sentence.If you can- a) figure out in your head what happens to heated plastic without room built in to displace heat and b) either fill the machine with the actual carafe being used or something you measured out beforehand that is equal to the volume of said carafe- than you're smart enough to own this excellent machine.

RE: The BEEP.Yes it beeps (3 times) and yes it's not a whisper, but it's not the trumpet people are making it out to be.These people must have it set up in their bedrooms two feet from their head.If the machine is in your kitchen and you are nearby it's not loud enough to wake you, it's just loud enough to hear if you're in the other room and can't WAIT to get that first cup of java.It's morning and it tells me "hey, your coffee is ready."It's evening and I'm chatting with friends and forget and then it tells me "hey, your coffee is ready."People who complain about the beep would complain about getting wet in the rain or cold in the winter.

RE: The screw cap.Yes it takes 3 revolutions to get this SCREW cap SCREWED on.And like any nut and bolt system you have to start screwing evenly in order to form a tight bond.This tight bond is what keeps your coffee hot.The carafe pours using a built-in ball-bearing that uses that wonderful thing we like to call gravity to move the ball ever so slightly away from the opening so that your HOT coffee can pour into your waiting favorite coffee cup.The stream is thin yes, again for a reason: large openings equal larger exposure to air, air that is most probably colder than you like your coffee.

I've tried many others and this is my favorite.This is the coffeemaker I would give as a gift to someone who really loves their coffee.

Now I will retire to my DTC-975BK and celebrate its excellence with an afternoon cup of French Roast.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DTC-975 Programable Auto Brew 12-Cup Coffeemakers

Product Description:
12-cup, double-wall insulated, stainless steel carafeFully automatic with 24-hour programmabilityPatented brew-through and pour-through lidBrew-pause featureAutomatic shutoff

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Black& Decker DCM2500W SmartBrew 12-Cup Coffeemaker, White Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We all know the problem coffee makers.They have mysterious water leaks, they don't drip into the carafe correctly, the filter basket overflows if it isn't perfectly in place.
Black and Decker (B&D) has designed a coffee maker that is inexpensive and simply eliminates those problems...
How I know:
I got this coffee maker for the office.We brew at least three 12-cup pots a day.We've done about 100 pots WITHOUT A SPILL OR LEAK.I highly recommend this machine.
What I know:
The "Perfect Pour Carafe" is great.B&D just gave it a wider spout!What a concept!You wouldn't think a handle makes a big difference, but when you're carrying 12-cups-worth of water or coffee, you will suddenly appreciate this excellent handle.This carafe even looks nice.
The filter basket does not swing out, nor must you hold it in one hand while you add the coffee.Swing-out baskets are the ones that overflow when you don't close them perfectly, and slide-out removable baskets leave only one hand for the scooping chores.This basket can be removed to dump the old grounds, but is then replaced in the machine so both hands are free.
That is because the lid opens up to expose the filter basket and the unobstructed, large water resevoir.No careful aiming or water splashing off of useless plastic grates when filling.There is a strange looking, hinged "shower head" that delivers the hot water to the filter basket.It is simple in design and works well.
The lid closes securely and pins down the removable filter basket to further eliminate human error in basket positioning.
Even the "sneak a cup" mechanism is simple and effective.It is simply a rubber stopper on a simple lever.The carafe can be placed in a "wrong" and possibly overflow-producing position, but if you place it with the handle straight out, you can't go wrong.
Water level is indicated externally on both sides of the machine.
Auto shut-off after two hours is essential in our office.It works and the coffee is kept quite hot during that time.
Easy to clean (buttons are water/coffee proof).
Need I say more?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blackand Decker DCM2500W SmartBrew 12-Cup Coffeemaker, White

Product Description:
Black & Decker SmartBrew coffeemaker in white.Includes 12-cup capacity, lighted on/off switch, removable brew basket, water window, cord storage and Perfect Pour carafe.

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Cuisinart DGB-650BC Grind-and-Brew Thermal 10-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love the new look!We had the older version for about 6 years.This new one is sleeker and much easier to clean and keep clean (the inside where the grinder sits gets cakey due to condensation).I got it for $149, used Amazon Prime, and had it in a few days!I love it.If you're thinking of getting this grind and brew with stainless carafe, it is nice.Some parts will have to be replaced over the years like the older version, but the taste of the freshly ground coffee every day is worth it. I never pre-heat the carafe like the directions say because that defeats the purpose of the timer. I've never had an issue with the coffee temperature, it's always hot! I also recommend hand-washing over dishwasher.The carbon filters are similar to Brita and can be found for cheap at Kohl's. One other note is it only makes 10 cups as opposed to the typical 12 cups.This is fine for me because it's just me and my husband, but if you need to make a ton of coffee regularly, this may not be a good choice.Overall, I love it and I'm glad I traded up!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DGB-650BC Grind-and-Brew Thermal 10-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal

Product Description:
A perfect addition to any modern kitchen, this 10-cup automatic coffeemaker grinds whole beans right before brewing to produce a fresh and flavorful pot of coffee. The 24-hour fully programmable unit works great for "wake-up" coffee or having coffee ready when it's time to serve dessert--without getting up from the table. In addition, its brew-pause function makes it simple to sneak a cup before the end of the brewing cycle. Smaller amounts can be brewed without any loss of flavor thanks to the unit�s 1- to 4-cup setting, and its grind-off feature allows for using pre-ground coffee. For added convenience, the coffeemaker provides a large control panel, automatic shut-off for peace of mind, and a 10-cup (5 ounces each) thermal stainless-steel carafe with a generous stay-cool handle and drip-free pouring spout. Accessories include a gold-tone commercial-style permanent filter and a charcoal water filter for removing impurities. The sleek-looking coffeemaker measures 12 by 9-1/2 by 17-1/2 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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Hamilton Beach 43254 Ensemble 12-Cup Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before purchasing the HB 43254 Classic Stainless 12 cup coffee maker I read the reviews like I normally do before making any purchase.I decided to purchase this coffee maker knowing that there may be some minor issues with it - what doesn't these days?After many years of buying coffee makers I have found there is no "perfect" coffee maker that will make everyone happy.You just need to decide what is important to you and your family.That said, after about three weeks of use I found it to be exactly what I was looking for - it makes HOT coffee, the carafe DOESN'T drip and I didn't need to use a manual to set up the clock and timer!If this is what you are looking for stop reading and purchase this unit now.Enjoy the coffee maker...

For those that really need to know more before purchasing continue reading:
- This coffee maker uses basket shaped filters.So you can give your neighbor your unused cone shaped paper filters you may still have.
- The water reservoir does have a rather small opening but it is not too small like some very expensive coffee makers I have seen.Some may find it easier to use a large cup a couple of times to fill the reservoir instead of using the carafe.Either way I never needed to turn the coffee maker sideways to fill the reservoir.
- The water spout does swivel to allow you to install the filter and add coffee.You only need to move it once that is if you fill the water reservoir first.When closing the lid it will move the spout back into the proper position so you don't have to remember to do it yourself.
- I too had a defective carafe that leaked at the top between the plastic rim and glass.I called customer service, waited a few minutes, and spoke to someone in the USA.It was replaced within a few days at no charge.I sealed the original carafe until the replacement arrived.
-I never had an issue with pouring a cup of coffee using the auto pause and serve feature.Besides, how often do you really "need" to have a cup of coffee before it is done brewing?If you are that desperate, set the timer so it is done brewing before you get up in the morning.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hamilton Beach 43254 Ensemble 12-Cup Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, Black

Product Description:
With its sleek contemporary styling, this 12-cup coffeemaker not only looks good on the kitchen counter, but it also provides an array of convenient features. The machine's user-friendly control panel and digital display ensure ease of use, while its programmable clock/timer function allows for waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. A glass carafe comes included, complete with a stay-cool handle, measuring marks up the side, and a drip-free pour spout. For sneaking a quick cup of coffee midbrew, simply remove the carafe from the machine to pause the flow of coffee, then replace the carafe to continue the brewing process--a nice feature, particularly for those in a hurry for that first sip. Other highlights include a nonstick hot plate, two-hour automatic shut-off for safety and peace of mind, cord storage, and easy-to-clean removable parts. The matching Ensemble toaster, can opener, and blender can be purchased separately for a coordinated look. In black with stainless-steel accents, the coffeemaker measures approximately 11 by 8 by 14 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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