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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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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Cuisinart DGB-550BK Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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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Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemakers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)** 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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Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew, Brushed Chrome Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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

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

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

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

Product Description:
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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