Showing posts with label grind and brew coffee maker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grind and brew coffee maker. Show all posts

5/06/2012

Capresso 46405 464.05 Coffeeteam Gs 10-cup Digital Coffeemaker With Conical Burr Grinder Plus Two (2) Coffee Mugs Review

Capresso 46405 464.05 Coffeeteam Gs 10-cup Digital Coffeemaker With Conical Burr Grinder Plus Two Coffee Mugs
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For some reason Capresso has decided to make all of their all-in-one grinder / brewers with the burr grinders locked away inside where they can not be cleaned, inspected and replaced when needed.

We own a different Capresso CoffeeTeam Grinder / Brewer that uses the same burr set up and finally found all of the hidden screws to remove to allow thorough cleaning of the grinder. The hardest part is figuring out how to dismantle their puzzle. Unfortunately Capresso has also decided to refuse to sell parts for the machine, except for items such as lids and carafes.

Recently our coffee seemed weak. I had just totally cleaned both burrs and everything was as clean as new. I found the problem to be dull burrs which slowed down the grind speed producing less coffee grounds and thus weak coffee. I replaced the burrs with a set from our Capresso 560 grinder and now we've got full strength coffee again.

The problem I now face is that Capresso REFUSES to sell the lower burr, the one that is the dullest. They consider this an internal part. I now have a useless $80 grinder that I sacrificed to save a $300 coffee maker.

I have called Capresso several times trying to find a way to buy a complete burr set and was appalled by the attitude, arrogance and rudeness of the people on the phone that got incensed when I did not happily accept their answer "We do not sell internal parts." They were not helpful at all and worse yet, did not seem to care. I don't think they do, at least not the people I could get in contact with.

We like out CoffeeTeam better than we like the company.

Capresso, very disappointing to deal with.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso 46405 464.05 Coffeeteam Gs 10-cup Digital Coffeemaker With Conical Burr Grinder Plus Two (2) Coffee Mugs

Product Description:
The Capresso CoffeeTeam GS is a fully programmable 10-Cup Coffee Maker/Conical Burr Grinder Combination. Professional, solid-steel conical burrs have 5 grinder settings from coarse to fine for adjustable coffee strength. The slow burr grinding imparts minimal heat, preserving more aroma and flavor. There is a 6-ounce capacity bean container and a see-through window that allows you to check that ground coffee flows smoothly into the filter holder. There is a detachable see-through cover for easy cleaning of the grinder channel. The Digital Control Panel has an easy to read illuminated LCD display, Programmable Clock/Timer, 5 programmable brew amounts for 2-10 cups, and 3 programmable coffee strength settings; mild, medium and strong. There are 2 Mode settings: Grind/Brew - for grinding programmed amount of whole beans directly into the Gold Tone Filter, then automatically starts the brew process and Brew - push the filter release button to open the swing out filter holder, add ground coffee without using the grinder. Charcoal water filtration removes up to 82% of chlorine and other impurities from tap water. The filter holder and one charcoal filter are included. Features: 2-hour safety shut-off, Drip Stop and Stop-and-Serve. Nonstick coated warming plate. 900 watts, 200-degree brew temperature. Black with stainless steel accents.
,br.--Plus--

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4/26/2012

Cuisinart DGB500BK Grind and Brew Review

Cuisinart DGB500BK Grind and Brew
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I've been using this coffeemaker daily for about 9 months.I'm not completely satisfied with it.

The positive:It does what it's supposed to do, most of the time.

Cons:

- It's a real pain to clean.There are six parts to clean after every pot of coffee.The worst is the two-piece grinder assembly.Due to the complete absence of venting and valving, by the end of the brew the entire grinder assembly is soaking wet from condensed water vapor.This means it is coated with a fine mud of pulverized coffee.The grinder assembly has plenty of annoying nooks and crannies; cleaning it means standing there with a few paper towels, jamming them into the crevices to get the old coffee out.After that, you have to clean the filter holder, the filter holder lid, the pot itself, and the pot lid.The pot lid is annoying, requiring two hands to remove - I usually drop it once a day or so.

- Fit and finish.Once you've passed the plastic parts through the dishwasher once, they never fit quite right again.About once a month, the filter holder pops out during brewing, spilling hot coffee all over my kitchen counter and floor; the cleanup from this invariably scatters wet grounds everywhere.

- The machine ships with one tiny charcoal filter.Once it's done, where do you get another one?I don't bother; I just use Brita-filtered water to begin with.

- The hot water jets out onto one spot, drilling a hole in the grounds, and then quickly fills up the flat-bottomed filter holder, floating the grounds and making a soup which then slowly drains.This isn't the optimal way to extract coffee.

Bottom line - it does what it's supposed to, most of the time.Bad design, however, shows itself in the areas of cleaning, brewing, and operation (including occasional kitchen disasters.)I'm in the market for a different unit.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DGB500BK Grind and Brew

Product Description:
You would expect nothing less than a fabulous cup of coffee from this trend-setting machine. From its Italian styling to its roster of desirable features, Cuisinart has designed a winner. The freshest and most flavorful coffee possible is assured by its charcoal water filtration system, its programmable operation, and its bean-grinding mechanism.

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4/24/2012

Cuisinart Coffee Maker & Grinder - Thermal Carafe - Stainless steel Review

Cuisinart Coffee Maker & Grinder - Thermal Carafe - Stainless steel
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You might be tempted, Cuisinart typically makes great products.But, unless you actualy ENJOY cleaning your coffee maker for an hour every time you make coffee, and unless you LIKE having coffee grounds floating around in large quantities in your cup, this is NOT the machine you want.

In fact, it's so bad that after about 4 brewing cycles, you'll pack the stupid thing up and give it to some poor, unsuspecting friend or family member, who, after about 4 brewing cycles, will realize why you gave it to them. Then they'll cuss you, and pass the coffee maker off to some other poor sap. Eventually the damn thing will make the rounds and get re-gifted back to you, and you'll be exactly where you started.

So, to save yourself, your friends, and your family a whole lot of time and heartache playing hot-potato with this stupid machine, take my advice... PICK OUT A DIFFERENT COFFEE MAKER!!!!!

By the way, every time you make coffee, you will swear the machine is going to explode. It makes the most violent, disturbing sounds I've ever heard come out of a healthy piece of kitchen equipment. Seriously. Horror-movie quality sound effects...
NOTE: this is a true story, up to and including the re-gifting part... when I got the damn thing offered back to me, I had to post this review. CAVEAT EMPTOR! (or TEMPUS FUGIT or QUID PRO QUO or some other goofy Latin phrase))

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart Coffee Maker and Grinder - Thermal Carafe - Stainless steel

Product Description:
A unique way to pamper the coffee lover. The 10 cup automatic grind and brew coffee maker is designed to wake you up with the smell of the freshest, most flavourful coffee imaginable -- the kind you would go to your favourite coffee bar to get. This smart coffeemaker has a built-in grinder that grinds the beans just before brewing (or push the Grind Off button to use with ground coffee). Program the machine with the number of cups you'd like and just enough water will be delivered to extract all of the good flavour and none of the bitterness. The double-wall insulated thermal carafe will keep the coffee hot for hours.A variety of adjustable features makes this the ultimate user-friendly coffee maker. A 24-hour fully programmable timer guarantees delicious, fresh-brewed coffee just when you want it. The handy Brew Pause feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before brewing has finished. An automatic shut-off control turns the coffee maker off right after brewing or up to 4 hours later. A "1 - 4 cups" setting provides full flavour when brewing just a few cups. A charcoal water filter removes impurities from the water before brewing. A separate grinder chamber and filter area make for easy cleanup. Includes a permanent gold tone filter.
Size: 10 cups
Color/Pattern: Brushed stainless steel
Materials: Stainless steel
Warranty: 3 years limited
NOTE: Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker

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4/10/2012

Cuisinart DGB-600 Grind & Brew 10 Cup Automatic Coffeemaker Review

Cuisinart DGB-600 Grind & Brew 10 Cup Automatic Coffeemaker
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I've had this coffee maker since last Christmas, and it is such a pain, it is not worth having the grinding unit in the coffee maker.As another writer had stated, the grinder fills with steam and becomes a sludgie mess.Coffee dust finds its way into other nooks & crevices of the maker so the filter door sticks shut, the coffee chamber doesn't hold enough beans for 12 cups of coffee, the grinder grinds too fine so that it doesn't work with the enclosed gold filter and you get coffee sludge in the pot of coffee....I could go on.

I got better results with rinsing the grinder immediately after brewing, and with switching to paper filters, but ultimately I bought a separate coffee grinder and much less expensive Mr. Coffee and got better results, less maintenance & less headache.

If you're like me, you may want to buy this dreaming of amazing freshly ground and brewed coffee waiting for you in the morning.I'm warning you of the nightmare on the other end.Please, avoid this product.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DGB-600 Grind and Brew 10 Cup Automatic Coffeemaker

Product Description:
10-cup coffee machine combines bean grinding and coffee brewing Automatic shut-off; double-wall insulated thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for hours 24-hour programmable timer; 1- to 4-cup setting; brew-pause function; cord storage Gold Tone permanent filter, measuring scoop, charcoal water filter, and instructions included Measures 7-1/2 by 15 by 7-3/4 inches; limited 3-year warranty

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3/19/2012

Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew 12 Cup Coffeemaker Review

Cuisinart Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew 12 Cup Coffeemaker
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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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3/11/2012

Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew Coffeemaker, Brushed Chrome Review

Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew Coffeemaker, Brushed Chrome
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Ok, ok, I have read the reviews. A friend gave me this coffee maker after she had the same experience as other reviewers. She had messes on the counter, floor, etc., and practically threw it at me. Well I've had it for a year now and it's been perfect. I have a feeling that the users who had problems didn't push the filter door in firmly enough. It has to "click" in place. The only problem I've had is that my guests drink up the coffee too fast and I end up making another pot.
As far as cleaning... most of the time I just rinse off the parts and let them dry. Every now and then I dump the parts in the dishwasher. How difficult is that? Also, since the coffee maker doesn't have a hot plate, I preheat the carafe with hot tap water.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew Coffeemaker, Brushed Chrome

Product Description:
Factory Reconditioned Item

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2/21/2012

Capresso 455 CoffeeTEAM Therm Stainless Coffeemaker/Burr Grinder Combination Review

Capresso 455 CoffeeTEAM Therm Stainless Coffeemaker/Burr Grinder Combination
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I have to say, I'm more than a little confused by the negative feedback this coffee maker seems to be receiving as we've had quite the opposite experience with it-- in fact, we've been nothing short of ecstatic with its functioning.It's a bit counterintuitive at first, but once you get a feel for its system, this is a nice little pot.

My wife and I were committed to buying a suit-all-our-needs coffee maker right after our wedding, and after substantial research, we came up with this unit.

After witnessing my brother and his wife with their grinder/brewer combination, I was filled with envy-- I hate grinding coffee.The CoffeeTEAM combines a burr grinder with the brewer, grinding into a filter basket (with an included conical permenant coffee filter) on a spring mechanism which then swings to allow hot water to be forced through the beans.

Both the beans and water are top loaded into their chambers-- the bean chamber holds enough for about 18 cups of coffee, the water reservoir holds enough for 10 cups and has a cover that flips up that rests on top of the filter basket when it's used for brewing.

The grinder has a handful of sizes you can adjust the grind to-- I've kept mine fairly large as I've been using fairly oily coffee. The beans are ground and deposited into this little chamber.This next triggers a series of springs that push the grounds into the filter basket and swings the basket to receive water.

A few points about this process-- some residual beans are left in the little chamber after the grinding.These are used for the next pot of coffee-- I discovered early on if you clean this out, the next pot will be noticably weak (they warn you the first pot will be weak in the manual, but forget to mention this-- I suspect this is why one of the other reviewers had trouble with coffee being too weak).There's a thin piece of hard plastic with a rubber washer in the middle that fits over the top of the filter basket-- this MUST be fitted evenly and the rubber washer MUST be snugly attached.Additionally, the water reservoir must be down when you push the basket to the grinder.Not doing any of these will result in the spring mechanism not swinging the basket properly-- it took me a few tries to get this right, but there was no mess made and it was more a learning curve than anything else (the good news is that if the basket doesn't swing back, a fail-safe stops the brewing process).

The coffee is brewed into a thermal carafe which must be lined up carefully to prevent spillage-- I've yet to have this spill due to line up problems and I'm pretty impatient, it's not a hard process.We haven't tested to see how long it keeps coffee hot for, but it's at least 3-4 hours.My wife takes her coffee a couple hours after brewing and has no complaints about temperature or degraded taste.

Controls are pretty straight forward, there's two buttons and a knob that serves as a third button.The knob is used to program everything-- for both on-demand and timer-triggered brewing you can set number of cups to brew and strength, the clock, and the time to kick off brewing.The top button starts the brewing process immediately, the bottom button sets the timer-trigger brewing.

You can override the grinding by not swinging the filter basket over in case you want flavored beans, etc.I've not done this.Additionally, removing the carafe during brewing allows you to pour yourself a cup from the carafe, saving those goofy slide-the-carafe-out-and-cup-in games.I just revised my reviewconcerning this functionality as I used it for the first time this morning-- it is flawless-- carafe comes out, coffee stops, carafe goes back in, coffee restarts.Finally, the last feature of the coffee pot is a "descale" warning to indicate when you need to clean the coffee pot.In a previous review, I said this was missing, but it just came on for our maker.

All the coffee we've made tastes superb-- admittedly, I've been starting with good beans, first what we brought back from our honeymoon in Hawai'i and then from a favorite coffeehouse near where I grew up, but it's as good as any coffeemaker I've used.

Cleanup has been pretty easy so far-- we've had the maker maybe six weeks and the carafe has a wide mouth when you remove the lid so it's easy to clean (something I've hated in other carafes).The filter basket and associated components all come out and are easy to wash.I do wish the bean container could be removed, but so far, I've just been wiping oil deposits down per recommendations.The burrs are not accessible, so there's no way to clean then other than grinding no beans per recommendations.

Things I wish the maker had: a large bean container-- I'd love to have a unit that could just fit a half pound or a pound of beans-- I'm constantly having to pour more beans into it.This is a minor annoyance.Somewhat more lacking is a water filter-- my last coffee maker had this and it was a nice feature-- I've gotten around this by pouring filtered water into it, so again this is a small complaint.

None of these shortcomings are big enough to make me regret purchasing the unit, even at its price, it's served us well for the past several weeks and the coffee it makes it consistently fantastic.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso 455 CoffeeTEAM Therm Stainless Coffeemaker/Burr Grinder Combination

Product Description:
The Capresso CoffeeTEAM Therm is the only Coffee Maker/Grinder combination with a Thermal Carafe and Conical Burr Grinder.The completely new CoffeeTEAM Therm features a stainless steel thermal carafe to keep you coffee perfectly fresh, aromatic and hot for hours, without reheating.A stainless steel housing and simple on-button programming design with a new black-on-white illuminated display make this the most sophisticated Coffee Maker/Burr Grinder combination.With patented technology the CoffeeTEAM Therm grinds a programmed amount of beans directly into filter, then automatically swings forward and starts the brewing process.Simple, one-button programming design allows programmable coffee amounts for 4, 6, 6, 8 and 10 cups in mild, medium and strong strength.

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1/12/2012

Cuisinart DGB-550BK Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker Review

Cuisinart DGB-550BK Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker
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I just purchased this coffee maker to replace my Cuisinart Coffee on Demand.This is the second coffee maker like this that I have owned and I am glad that I have come home.When my coffee on demand went out, I purchased another brand coffee maker and returned it within 3 days.

My husband and I consider ourselves coffee snobs and about a year ago began purchasing our coffee whole bean solely and thought it would be a great "ease" in our morning coffee routine to own this machine again.

I have read reviews about the difficulty of cleaning and noise of the grinder.It is actually really easy.After I grind and brew a pot of deliciously strong, rich, hot coffee; I open the lid and take out the grinder rinse it off with hot water and set it on a towel.I then take out the gold tone filter, empty the grounds, rinse it and set it on the towel.Then I remove the filter basket and lid and rinse them and set them on the towel.I leave the top lid open to dry out the inside and by the time I am ready to brew another pot of coffee all parts and inside of the machine are dry and ready to go.All together it takes me less than minutes to clean it.And then when all the parts are ready for a deep clean, I through all parts, including the carafe and lid, into the dishwasher.Piece of cake.

All in all this is the most incredible coffee maker that I have ever owned and the easiet to use and I don't have to worry now about replacing my worn out bean grinder, my coffee maker doesn it for me.

And a note about the grinder basket.I have read reviews that have said that it doesn't hold enough beans for a full 12 cups and then it can't be adjusted for the 1-4 cup feature.The grinder holds just as many beans as what I used in my counter top grinder for 12 cups.And if you only want to brew 1-4 cups of coffee, only put in enough beans for 1-4 cups.The grinder will still run for the 30 seconds that it is set for the 12 cups but it works well and you don't even realize it's doing it.

I would highly recommend anyone who loves to brew whole bean coffee, whether occasionally or everyday, to buy this machine.You don't have to always brew whole beans it this machine, you can turn off the grinder and place pre-ground coffee right into the filter.Also a piece of cake.

I would also recommend that you try the gold tone filter that comes with it.It mixes the oil from the whole bean in with the coffee and gives such a boost in the coffees smoothness and flavor.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DGB-550BK Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker

Product Description:
A nice addition to any modern kitchen, this 12-cup automatic coffeemaker automatically grinds whole beans right before brewing to produce a fresh and flavorful pot of coffee. The 24-hour fully programmable unit allows for "wake-up" coffee, plus its brew-pause function makes it simple to enjoy a cup of coffee before the end of the brewing cycle. The included 60-ounce glass carafe offers an ergonomic handle, knuckle guard, and dripless pour spout for graceful serving. Other highlights include adjustable auto shutoff for up to four hours, a grind-off option, a charcoal water filter to remove impurities, and a separate grinder chamber and filter area to ensure simple cleanup. Housed in elegant Italian styling, the coffeemaker measures approximately 12 by 10 by 17 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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1/11/2012

Capresso 465.05 CoffeeTeam TS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder and Thermal Carafe Review

Capresso 465.05 CoffeeTeam TS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder and Thermal Carafe
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Let me start by saying that I've been a big fan of grind and brew coffee makers.I know full well what to expect.My last grind and brew was a Cuisinart DGB-550 which means I was already accustomed to cleaning 7 different parts every time I made a pot of coffee and having my cats run for cover when the grinding began.The Cusinart had served me well for over a year but I really wanted something with a thermal carafe and I was excited for the prospect of a burr grinder.On weekends it can take me hours to drink a pot and I hated having my coffee cook during that time.Not to mention the wasted electricity while keeping that carafe piping hot for hours.

PROS
====
1) Conical burr grinder.The burr modules spin at lower speeds than standard burr grinders, imparting less heat to the beans.
2) SUPER easy clean up.I don't think anyone can beat this model when it comes to clean up.Just 4 parts -- 3 if you use paper filters.The carafe, carafe lid, basket and permanent filter.No filter lid, no dirty grinding chamber, etc.
3) Compared to blade style grind and brews, the noise volume is lower (still loud) and the tone is of a lower frequency.There is no way to make a grind and brew coffee maker quiet, but it would be nice if manufacturers started employing noise insulation or noise cancellation techniques.But overall, I found the noise very tolerable.My cats did not even care, normally they would bolt to the basement when the Cuisinart fired up.
4) Thermal carafe is designed very well.You activate a thumb button to pour and the flow rate is very good, maybe 75% of the flow rate you would get from a standard, glass carafe.
5) Backlit LCD display is large and easily legible both day and night, although like others have said it is very bright.
6) The little charcoal water filter seems to be the same size as the Cuisinart ones.I'm pleasantly surprised that they seem to be interchangeable.Helpful because I've seen the Cuisinart ones sold at several locations, but not the Capresso ones.

CONS
====
1) Bean reservoir lid pops off during grinding.Yes, I made sure it was securely in place.It just snaps on, there is way to lock it in place.The machine vibrates during grinding, which eventually works the lid free.
2) Coffee was weak on the 4 cup setting, even bumping the aroma setting all the way to dark didn't help matters.For a $200+ coffee maker that determines the amount of beans to use itself, this was strange.
3) Thermal carafe, despite being well designed, is small (10 cup).The Cuisinart burr grinder models come with 12 cup thermal carafes.
4) No outside water gauge.
5) Top lid does not snap close easily and feels like it could be the first thing to break.
6) Capresso was stingy on the stainless steel.The sides and top are black plastic.Not a huge deal, but for this price I expected a more high-end look.To compare, the Cuisinart DGC-650 which is less than half the cost has stainless steel on both sides.
7) There are a couple of tablespoons of beans that are "in transit" to the grinder and inaccessible.They are processed when the next pot is brewed.So if you decide to brew a pot of decaf and were previously making regular, a portion of your pot will be made with regular beans.Or in my case, if you sometimes go several days between pots, your coffee is always made with somewhat stale beans.Unfortunately all of burr grind and brew coffee makers that I've seen work like this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso 465.05 CoffeeTeam TS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder and Thermal Carafe

Product Description:
Equipped with a built-in conical burr grinder, this coffeemaker automatically grinds and brews up to 10 cups of exceptionally flavorful coffee. The unit's slow burr grinding produces minimal heat, which helps preserve coffee's full aroma and flavor, while its solid-steel conical burrs offer five grind settings from coarse to fine for adjusting the coffee strength. A user-friendly push-button control panel with an easy-to-read illuminated LCD display ensures simple operation and programming. Choose from five brew amounts (2 to 10 cups) and select the coffee strength: mild, medium, or strong--or set the clock and timer for automatic brewing at a later time. The coffeemaker provides two modes of operation for brewing coffee with or without the grinder. Grind/Brew mode grinds a programmed amount of whole beans directly into the gold-tone filter, then automatically starts the brewing process. Brew mode allows for adding ground coffee without the use of the grinder--simply push the filter-release button to open the swing-out filter holder. Freshly brewed coffee dispenses into the included 10-cup stainless-steel thermal carafe, which comes with a stay-cool handle and non-drip spout. For sneaking a quick cup midbrew, just remove the carafe from the machine to pause the flow of coffee, then return it to continue brewing. Other highlights include a 200 degree F brew temperature, a 6-ounce capacity bean container, a see-through window for checking to make sure ground coffee flows smoothly into the filter holder, a detachable see-through cover for cleaning the grinder channel, a charcoal water filter that removes up to 82-percent of chlorine and other impurities from tap water, and two-hour automatic shut-off for safety and peace of mind. The 1000-watt fully programmable 10-cup coffeemaker measures approximately 9-4/5 by 9-1/2 by 15-1/2 inches.

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1/08/2012

Cuisinart DGB-625BC Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal Review

Cuisinart DGB-625BC Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal
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A very nice, straightforward coffemaker, makes good coffee with pre-ground beans, can be programmed to start when you want. A nice feature is that it can also be programmed to shut down when you want -- either right after brewing or up to 2 hours later. A bit on the noisy side, even without the grinder function on. Initial setup is easy. Please note that if you do not close *and latch* thereservoir cover, the machine will beep constantly and not brew until you do. Drove me crazy for about 15 minutes until I noticed that the cover wasn't fully latched. Although it does tell you that in the instruction manual, it's not immediately evident -- it's a line in the middle of lengthy instruction under #6 "Close Reservoir Lid", on page 8.

Update on Feb. 1, 2010
It was a learning curve to figure out how many scoops of whole beans to add for a good cup of coffee. A small scoop is included, with instructions to use one scoop per cup. However, the grind on this machine is fairly coarse, so it comes out a bit weaker than I'm used to. Adding a bit more each time took me over the top to "bitter," so it's hard to find a balance. I'm afraid I enjoy pre-ground coffee in this coffeemaker more than whole-bean.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DGB-625BC Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal

Product Description:
A perfect addition to any modern kitchen, this 12-cup automatic coffeemaker grinds whole beans right before brewing to produce a fresh and flavorful pot of coffee. Its 24-hour full programmability means the unit can be set for "wake-up" coffee or for having coffee ready when it's time to serve dessert--without having to get up from the table. In addition, its brew-pause function makes it possible 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, adjustable automatic shut-off from zero to four hours, and a 12-cup (5 ounces each) glass 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 9-4/5 by 17-1/2 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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1/06/2012

Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemakers Review

Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemakers
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I wanted to share this with everyone in video. I LOVE my new Cuisinart Grind & Brew Coffeemaker and I clean it daily. However, it stopped working for me and I did not realize why until I checked further into it.... In case you did not know....

UPDATED REVIEW: JUNE 12, 2010:
Hello everyone! THANK YOU for your comments... I did not see any of these comments until now! I am sorry if I did not reply sooner and seem rude, but I forgot all about this post.
Well... I hate to admit this, but this beautiful coffee machine is now sitting in my pantry. It started to become a hassle cleaning this ALL the time!I ended up using paper filters, because I did not have the time to mess with the cleaning....

Well.... I ended up buying the Keurig Coffee System! I know some of you may frown on that decision, but I swear, the "bold coffee" in the Keurig System IS THE BEST for me! It is easy to use... nothing to clean up, and ready within a minute! I also do not waste the coffee anymore!

I will use my Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew again, but not anytime soon.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemakers

Product Description:
Easily brew up to 12 cups of great-tasting coffee with this 24-hour fully programmable coffeemaker. The unit comes equipped with a built-in burr grinder, which automatically grinds beans right before brewing, and its grind-control function makes it easy to program the amount of coffee to grind--from 2 to 12 cups. In addition, its strength selector allows for choosing from strong, medium, or mild coffee. The unit's bean hopper holds up to a half pound of beans and comes with a sealed lid to prevent moisture. Other highlights include adjustable automatic shutoff (from zero to four hours), a grind-off option, and an integrated 2- to 4-cup feature, as well as a Gold tone commercial-style permanent filter and charcoal water filter to remove impurities, and a brew-pause function for sneaking a cup midbrew. The coffeemaker measures 10-2/3 by 8-4/9 by 16-1/4 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

From the Manufacturer

The Cuisinart DGB-700BC Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Coffeemaker

The Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew Coffeemaker

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Saeco Bean To Brew 10-Cup Automatic Drip Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe and Burr Grinder, Stainless Steel Review

Saeco Bean To Brew 10-Cup Automatic Drip Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe and Burr Grinder, Stainless Steel
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** PLEASE SEE MY UPDATED COMMENTS ON BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW **

I was an early adopter for the Krups KM7000 and generally had a good experience, contrary to the negative reviews found here on Amazon for that machine.For the purposes of this review, I will use the KM700 as a comparison.

I pre-ordered the "Saeco Bean To Brew" in July and I was slightly apprehensive about trying such a new product prior to any reviews.Saeco has a tremendous reputation for high end espresso machines.But, they have almost no U.S. presence in consumer level home products, especially for drip coffee.So, it was my hope that their high-end features and technology would trickle down to this product.And I am very happy to report that this wish has been fulfilled!The "Saeco Bean To Brew" is a winner as it outshines the KM7000 in several important areas.

Construction
What I really appreciate are the little details that separate the Saeco from other coffee makers that I've used and seen.The Saeco feels solid and well constructed.It is deceptively heavy.The lids are sturdy and require some effort to snap shut. The bean hopper has a rubber gasket, which when sealed, should prevent air and moisture from entering the container.This ensures that the beans will stay fresh.The water lid swings on a hinge and must be pushed tight to close.This gives me a feeling of security that the water will stay relatively free of impurities when I have the unit preset for a morning brew.

Features
* Steam vent - this ingenious feature reduces condensation during the brewing process by releasing the steam out the front of the unit, away from the beans.This keeps the exterior of the coffee maker nice and dry while keeping the beans away from temperature fluctuation.The Krups KM7000, in contrast, does not have a steam vent.The condensation from that unit would drip down the sides and eventually form a puddle on my counter... and, the beans in the Krups hopper are exposed to the heat and moisture.
* The standard glass carafe is typical for this style of coffee maker.However, a very nice surprise is that the Saeco brew capacity is 12 cups and not 10 cups as advertised here on the Amazon product description.
* Gold tone filter basket included - nice touch that Saeco included this in the box.I had to purchase the basket separately for the Krups.
* Charcoal water filter - another unadvertised feature.Amazon does not mention that the unit comes with a built in charcoal filtration system.Unfortunately, Saeco forgot to include the filter in my packaging, so I had to purchase a set of Cuisinart filters from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
* Noise level - not silent, but significantly quieter than the Krups.On weekends, the Krups grinder would wake me up... the Saeco does not.

User Interface
* Simplicity - the Saeco is dead simple to set and use.The instruction manual is not really necessary for basic use.The Krups was only a little more confusing because the clock is set in 24 hour (military time).The Saeco uses a common 12 hour clock which is easy to program.
* Front Panel - nice, easy to read, blue backlit LCD front panel displays the time, # cups, strength and timer on/off settings
* Audible Feedback - annoyingly LOUD beeps confirm your selections and when the coffee has completed brewing.This is a feature that I could have lived without... but, I guess it's ok if you want to be notified (from across the house) when your coffee is ready.

Cleanliness
I can confirm through experience that the primary complaint about the Krups KM7000 on Amazon was the mess that it would leave on your countertop.I am very happy to report that the Saeco does not suffer from these design flaws.The Saeco is very clean and does not spew grinds or water on my counter.Keep in mind that you probably shouldn't place the Saeco directly under a cabinet because the steam vents upward (like chimney smoke).

Taste
* Strength - I like strong coffee.And the Saeco only slightly disappoints in this area.My wife has always complained that the Krups coffee was too strong.She thinks the Saeco tastes perfect.I think that the primary difference between the two units is the volume of coffee grounds used.The Krups grinds much more beans than the Saeco for each cycle.I have learned to compensate for this by setting the grinder for 2 more cups than the desired amount.Example, I set the grinder for 12 cups but only add 10 cups of water.This results in a cup more to my preference.
* Aroma Setting - The conical burr grinder has about 8 different settings that affect the grind coarseness.Through trial and error, I have noticed that the finest setting (#1) is almost too fine.On this setting the coffee tends to clump together and not push out the shoot quickly enough into the basket below before the automatic door closes.I think that the optimal setting (for strong coffee) is probably #3.The grind consistency on this setting travels much more smoothly into the basket.

Customer Service
I had to call customer service to inquire about the missing charcoal filter.The service rep was very friendly, knowledgeable and apologetic.Unfortunately, she could not issue me a replacement filter because the coffee maker was so new that they did not have any in stock. The filter was on order from Italy... but, she didn't have an estimated delivery date.The service rep recommended that I find another brand filter that would fit in filter basket (Cuisinart).

Conclusion
Overall I am very satisfied with the "Saeco Bean To Brew" coffee maker.I am impressed with the quality and engineering of the product.With a little trial and error, it delivers a delicious cup of coffee.I rate the maker 4 out of 5 stars.I am deducting ? star for the missing filter and ? star for the slightly weak taste.It is important to keep in mind that the coffee maker can be tricked into brewing a stronger cup... and that the average person would probably be satisfied with the default settings.

** EDIT 12/6/2010 **
I've had this item a couple of months now and I'm taking another 2 stars off my original rating for two reasons:
1) The beans continually get stuck in the grinder.This results in very little ground coffee landing in the basket... and weak coffee.I was able to temporarily fix this by removing the grinder cover which was restricting the flow of beans into the grinder.Unfortunately the beans recently started getting stuck again.I don't know what else I can tweak to get them flowing without tapping on the side of the machine during the grinding process.
2) Amazon dropped the price of this machine by $70.I pre-ordered at the original full price of $149.I've missed my return window by a couple of weeks... to say that I am disappointed is an understatement.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Saeco Bean To Brew 10-Cup Automatic Drip Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe and Burr Grinder, Stainless Steel

Product Description:
The sleek stainless steel design of the Saeco Bean to Brew 10-cup coffee maker adds a modern and stylish finish that adapts to any kitchen decor. The sturdy conical burr grinder can grind up to 8.5 oz. of whole beans at the touch of a button. The sealed lid around the bean hopper ensures freshness and protects the machine from the atmosphere. The grind setting can be adjusted using 8 different settings, from fine to coarse. With the large steam ventilation area and easy clean window it allows viewing of the coffee grounds at all times to prevent clogging. The advanced control panel features a large blue backlit LCD and displays the many functions and settings of the machine. Cup selector, aroma selector, 24-hour programable timer, grinder off option and cleaning indicator light are all clearly displayed. Use the cup selector to brew your coffee specifically to the exact quantity you want to ensure freshness and aroma no matter how many cups brewed. The aroma selector lets you choose the strength of the coffee brewed from mild, medium or strong. If you choose to use pre-ground coffee; simply turn the grinder off using the grind off option and use the filter basket instead. When it is time for the machine to be cleaned a reminder icon will appear letting you know when descaling needs to be preformed.

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12/29/2011

Cuisinart DGB-900BC Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker Review

Cuisinart DGB-900BC Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker
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I chose this grind and brew after reading all of the reviews for this and similar machines. Frankly, I am surprised by the negative comments. This is an easy to use machine once it is set up properly (the bean hopper takes a little of effort to snap in). The coffee tastes great and the parts are very easy to clean quickly. While the instruction book is not clear, Cuisinart was very helpful on the phone. The machine does not know how much water you put in, so if you set it to grind coffee for 6 cups and you have 8 cups of water in it, it will process all 8 cups of water. Other than this small quirk, the machine is a small wonder and I do not feel compelled to go out for coffee in the morning. The thermos carafe will keep the coffee quite warm for a few hours, even when the carafe is not warmed up with hot water. Wondering why it took me so long to go ahead and buy this machine. This is the best model; my neighbor has the first generation/second generation machine which is hard to clean and has a large footprint. Save your money and buy this model!

Now that I have had the machine for a month and a half: It requires some cleaning to get the fine grounds that compress and stop the grinder and ground coffee to get into the filter for brewing. I use a bamboo chopstick and a skewer to break up the compressed fine grounds that impede the machine from working properly. (Unplug the machine and put it over the sink area). I also use compressed air to blow out the fine ground particles. Still, this is a small maintenance to allow for great coffee in the AM.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart DGB-900BC Fully Automatic Burr Grind and Brew Thermal Coffeemaker

Product Description:
Easily brew up to 12 cups of great-tasting coffee with this 24-hour fully programmable coffeemaker. The unit comes equipped with a built-in burr grinder, which automatically grinds beans right before brewing, and its grind-control function makes it easy to program the amount of coffee to grind--from 2 to 12 cups. In addition, its strength selector allows for choosing from strong, medium, or mild coffee. The unit's bean hopper holds up to a half pound of beans and comes with a sealed lid to prevent moisture. Other highlights include automatic shut-off after brewing, a grind-off option, and an integrated 2- to 4-cup feature, as well as a Gold tone commercial-style permanent filter and charcoal water filter to remove impurities, and a brew-pause function for sneaking a cup midbrew. A 12-cup (5 ounces each) double-wall insulated thermal carafe comes included, which seals in heat and freshness so the last cup tastes as good as the first. The coffeemaker measures 10-2/3 by 8-4/9 by 16-1/4 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

From the Manufacturer

The Cuisinart DGB-900BC Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker

The Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker

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11/02/2011

Bunn NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer, Black Review

Bunn NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer, Black
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Bunn Coffee Makers are very high quality coffee makers, and one typically needs to spend money to get this kind of quality.However, there are a few costs you should be aware of before you purchase a Bunn Coffee Maker.I'm not saying that it may not be worth it to you, but you may as well know all of the costs before purchasing.

They both have to do with how Bunn delivers such a fast pot - 3 minutes as opposed to 4-8 minutes of other makers.The first way they do it is to have what amounts to two sets of water tanks: one you fill, and the other is preheated.The preheated water tank is delivered to the spray head, and because it is preheated, it doesn't require any time to heat it up.The problem is that it is preheated 24/7, and that can be costly.I'm guessing they use a 100 watt heater.If it takes 15-30 cents per day in energy costs, you are looking at $50-$100 per year.You can, after you are done brewing for the day, shut off the "vacation switch" which is the switch to the tank heater, and this will save the cost and energy, but if you forget to turn it back on at least 15 minutes ahead of when you need it, you are looking at a 15 minute wait for the tank to reheat before you can brew.You can also use a timer to limit the time of day the unit stays preheated, but that's an additional cost and timers use energy to run all day.

Furthermore, if you are having guests, if you brew a pot of caffinated, followed by a pot of decaf, you may need to wait 15 minutes between pots.The Bunn commercial brewers keep three preheated tanks, so this isn't a problem for them.But the consumer models keep only one tank preheated.

Note that they work on gravity: the water you put in pushes the preheated water out.Some of the preheated water will evaporate, so you have to put in more water than you want out.

The second thing they do to get a fast brew is to increase the amount of water that pours in to the filter basket, far greater than other coffee makers.The amount of water would collapse other filters, but because these filters are taller and sturdier, they stand up.But that means you are stuck with their filters, which, if you don't have a supply nearby, and few stores carry them, means paying for the filters plus shipping.

Bunn builds coffee makers to last, unlike other coffee makers that will wear out after a year or two.Virtually all programmable models seem to only last a year or two.So by buying this brand, you'll save money on coffee makers, to partly make up for the extra energy and filter costs.

You'll have to decide whether the extra energy and filter costs (which can be dealt with, but might be troublesome) are worth saving the cost of buying a new machine every couple of years.

Next, the carbon footprint of a machine that consistently wastes energy is somewhat (but not all) counterbalanced by the fact that it is made in America , and does not require shipping halfway around the world like some of the better brands (UPDATE: it WAS made in America, now it's made in China, so this benefit does not apply). Additionally, these coffee makers will easily outlast 5x other coffee makers, and that's a lot of plastic you save buy buying something only once.

Finally, the quality of coffee from a flat bottom filter is generally not as high as that you can get from a cone filter, though the differences will be subtle, and if you are used to the flavor of a flat bottom filter, then you may never care.This brand is considered the best of the flat bottom makers, so there may not be as much of a difference as there are for other brands.

As for the heated base keeping your coffee hot, it is also *ruining* the flavor from almost the very first minute.Any real coffee geek will immediately take the pot off the heater and pour it into a thermal carafe or thermos or will order a model with a thermal carafe to start with. Ideally, there is no heated base at all.So people complaining that it doesn't keep the coffee hot should invest in a thermal carafe or buy a model that comes with one.

In summary, the design of these coffee makers is suited to the standard donut shop, where they are brewing coffee around the clock and it is worth it to them to keep extra tanks of water heated so that they can shave 1-3 minutes off the brew time during their peak buying periods.Whether it is worth it for a consumer who makes one or two pots of coffee in the morning to do something like this is something only you can answer for yourself.They are very good coffee makers: well built and they make good coffee.But they cost a lot in terms of energy and filters, though partly balanced by the reduction in number of coffee makers you'll buy over the life of this product and the local nature of the product that reduces the energy required to ship them.It's one thing to have a high cost, but to have the high energy waste these coffee makers will generate for most consumers is something everyone should think about.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bunn NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer, Black

Product Description:
Housed in commercial-grade materials with stainless-steel accents, this unique reservoir-style home-brewing system makes up to 10 cups (50 ounces) of coffee in just three minutes, plus it keeps hot water available for tea or other uses as needed. The coffee brewer's specially designed stainless-steel water tank features an internal thermostat, which keeps water at an ideal temperature for maximum flavor and fast brewing. In addition, the unit's patented sprayhead design improves coffee-flavor extraction, while its porcelain-coated warming plate with a lighted "on/off" switch helps keep brewed coffee at the optimal serving temperature for hours. Other highlights include a convenient sliding lid for easy addition of brew water, a durable glass decanter with a generous handle, and a vacation switch to turn the tank heater off when the brewer will not be used for a long period of time. The home coffee brewer measures 11-3/5 by 9 by 13-2/3 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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9/28/2011

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

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

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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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9/21/2011

Capresso 464.05 CoffeeTeam GS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder Review

Capresso 464.05 CoffeeTeam GS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder
Average Reviews:

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I'm a Top 1000 Reviewer here at Amazon, but haven't reviewed anything in years -- until now. The Capresso 464 compelled me.
First things first. This is not my first grind and brew. My old Melitta Mill & Brew, with its faulty plastic latch long since broken had become a drag. For years I had to put a box of chicken stock on top of the grind chamber to keep it shut so it would work! And while it made pretty good coffee, it seemed to waste grounds by spraying them inside the grinder basket. And the daily cleanup ritual had started to make the whole idea of grinding and brewing in one device seem only of marginal value. And yet, the alternatives, including a best-selling Cuisinart model, have notorious bad reviews here at Amazon for being a total chore to clean.

Enter the Capresso CoffeeTeam GS, which solves all of my problems with its ingenious design. No longer do you have to measure the coffee. The CoffeeTeam GS will brew from 2 to 10 cups automatically, grinding just the right amount of beans with no guesswork. Cleanup is a breeze. The filter basket swings out and is easily washed. And because the grinding occurs in a separate chamber from the filter basket, there is no wasted coffee.

The quality of the coffee is also exactly what I want -- hot, and with the full flavor of the bean preserved by the conical burr grinders. If you want stronger or weaker coffee, it's very easy to do. You can also choose finer or coarser grinds depending on the type of coffee you are using (oily coffee should be coarser, light coffee finer).

There are two items that are drawbacks, but I don't mind them so am still giving this five stars. First, the grinder is wake-up-your-wife loud. And it can go for 40 seconds if you are making a full pot. It's not so loud that it hurts your ears, but it is not pleasant, and Capresso would have done well to add some amount of noise insulation. Second, because of the design, a small amount of ground coffee is left in the machine every time. This is an issue in two respects. First, switching from one type of coffee to another is not instantaneous, because invariably there is this overlap. Second, if you leave the machine unused for more than about a week, Capresso recommends cleaning out the coffee chamber and using new coffee. That's because the coffee will get a little more stale with each passing day. But like I said, in my mind these are very minor complaints to a really great product!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso 464.05 CoffeeTeam GS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder

Product Description:
The Capresso CoffeeTeam GS is a fully programmable 10-Cup Coffee Maker/Conical Burr Grinder Combination.Professional, solid-steel conical burrs have 5 grinder settings from coarse to fine for adjustable coffee strength.The slow burr grinding imparts minimal heat, preserving more aroma and flavor.There is a 6-ounce capacity bean container and a see-through window that allows you to check that ground coffee flows smoothly into the filter holder.There is a detachable see-through cover for easy cleaning of the grinder channel.The Digital Control Panel has an easy to read illuminated LCD display, Programmable Clock/Timer, 5 programmable brew amounts for 2-10 cups, and 3 programmable coffee strength settings; mild, medium and strong.There are 2 Mode settings: Grind/Brew - for grinding programmed amount of whole beans directly into the Gold Tone Filter, then automatically starts the brew process and Brew - push the filter release button to open the swing out filter holder, add ground coffee without using the grinder.Charcoal water filtration removes up to 82% of chlorine and other impurities from tap water.The filter holder and one charcoal filter are included.Features: 2-hour safety shut-off, Drip Stop and Stop-and-Serve.Nonstick coated warming plate.900 watts, 200-degree brew temperature. Black with stainless steel accents.

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8/17/2011

Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew, Brushed Chrome Review

Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew, Brushed Chrome
Average Reviews:

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Ye gads.I forgot all about the fierce partisanship amongst purchasers that this wee little machine invokes.Last year, I dutifully combed through all of the reviews and was almost pursuaded to look to another machine.Thank the stars I was not.Like many, I was won over by the lure of (1)the thermal carafe, (2) the auto grind&brew feature, and (3) the shininess.I also trusted the Cuisinart name and had been previously pleased with the Brew Central.I noted, however, that many writers were highly displeased with (4) the noise and (5) the mess.So, after a year, here are my experiences:

(1)The thermal carafe rocks out loud.Yes, pre-heating the carafe seems to keep the coffee hotter for longer, but on the crazy work-mornings that I use the auto-grind&brew function, I do not pre-heat and find no need to, as I am out of the house at light speed.Note that the coffee is still scaldingly hot.People seem irritated/perplexed at the slowness with which coffee is dispensed from the carafe, as well as the steep pouring angles necessitated by the carafe.I am not at all disturbed by either; however, a relative in need of immediate coffee discovered that one can get faster pouring by just removing the lid.Which defeats the awesome vacuum-packed thermal hotness, but seems a likely remedy for those with a fundamental aversion to slow pours.As far as weird geometry issues, I have nothing to offer.

(2)The auto grind&brew is very convenient.It has always worked flawlessly for me and really amazes and pleases guests who may rise before residents.

(3)It is damn shiny.
(NB:I have a lot of stainless in the kitchen and, through trial and error, have found that the Method stainless steel cleaner keeps it all damn shiny and keeps me from going stark raving from the constant buffing and rubbing).

(4)The noise?Really not that unusual for a coffee bean grinder.I did not notice that it was any louder than other grinders.If the "grind" portion of the auto grind&brew is waking one too early, I would imagine that one could either pregrind or use ground beans and just skip the "grind" function.While it is intriguing to imaging a space age machine with stealth grind mode, I would urge potential buyers to neither expect silence nor let lack of silence keep you from buying this machine.

(5)The ire over the mess was what nearly kept me from purchasing this maker.And I completely forgot about the issue until just now when I re-read some of the reviews.I guess that I don't understand what "mess" they mean.There are seven parts to this thing that I clean:carafe/lid, filter/basket/lid, and grinder base/lid.I rinse the carafe and filter with hot water and clean the rest with hot soapy water.It all takes approximately 2.5 minutes.I never have to clean the rest of the machine.I usually tilt the top-loader lid open to let condensation out after brewing is done.I occasionally wipe the inside of the machine down with a damp cloth.I have replaced the water filter a couple of times.But altogether, clean-up is not that big of a deal.Maybe others are not getting a tight enough seal on the the grinder parts?

SUMMARY:I have had this machine for over a year and have never had a single problem with it.It makes delicious, hot coffee.I was almost deterred by the problems that others have had with it, but am glad that I opted to take my chances.I gave it four, rather than five stars because so many people have had problems with it.Even though I have not experienced these problems, the negative feedback must nonetheless be taken into consideration.

cheers!

~currer bell

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Product Description:
With its sleek Italian styling, brushed stainless finish and "loaded" feature package, you'd expect nothing less than a fabulous cup of coffee. And you won't be disappointed! From filtering the water, to grinding the beans, to keeping your brew hot, not to mention having it ready and waiting for you first thing in the morning, this handsome machine does it all, and then some.

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