Black & Decker TCM500 Thermal Select Plus Coffeemaker

by Black & Decker

Product Features

• 40-ounce thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for 4 hours
• Brew-through carafe lid keeps air out, flavor in
• 24-hour clock/timer automatically brews "wake-up" coffee
• Water window with easy-to-read calibrations; brew-pause feature
• Measures 9-3/4 by 15 by 10 inches

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16.3 x 11.4 x 9.4 inches ; 6.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00005MF9A
• Item model number: TCM500
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,056 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

By brewing coffee directly into a 40-ounce (eight 5-ounce cups) insulated thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for four hours, this coffeemaker eliminates the need for a warming plate (which may make coffee bitter over time). The carafe's brew-through lid seals shut after brewing is completed, preventing air from entering and spoiling full coffee flavor, and the carafe has a stay-cool bottom so it can be placed safely on the dining table. Other features include a clock/timer that can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance for making "wake up" coffee, an automatic pause when the carafe is removed for a midbrew pour, an automatic two-hour shutoff for safety and ease of mind, a window on the water reservoir with easy-to-read calibrations, and a swing-out, dishwasher-safe filter basket. The coffeemaker, clad in bright white plastic, measures 9-3/4 inches wide (including carafe handle), 15 inches high, and 10 inches deep. --Fred Brack

Product Description

You can set this machine to have your morning coffee ready and waiting for you, and should you happen to have one of those mornings when you keep hitting the snooze button, don't worry. The insulated carafe keeps your coffee hot and fresh for up to 4 hours. It's also an attractive way to serve guests, and the cool touch bottom means you don't need to worry about your table.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars " Best kept little secret ", January 27, 2002

By 

CUP OFJOE (Seattle, WA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker TCM500 Thermal Select Plus Coffeemaker (Kitchen)

I had three great experiences with Black & Decker coffeemakers.
My first experience was the TCM 300 that my father owns. The second (A TCM 500)used commercially in a retail coffee shop in Antigua,C.A. who Roasts his own coffee and further convinced me as to the quality. And the third, when I finally bought my own B&D 500. I usually don't write opinions however, when I read the negative responses, I had to respond.
#1 The hole in the back is there for a couple of reasons. One reason is to help you,not hinder you "DO NOT OVER FILL". It not only gives you a visual (Marker) its also approximate 1400ml/water,the same amount used to fill your carafe.If your not quite awake/alert when your pouring the water and forget to eye the hole(Marker)in back,then simply use the carafe to do your measuring for you.Therefore,if you don't over fill your carafe,you won't over fill your coffeemaker. (PROPER MEASURING)

#2 After you fill your coffeemaker with water "DO NOT MOVE IT" and your water won't spill over. If you have to move it, move it before you fill it.

#3 A)Coffee grounds overflowing.
B)Water still in the basket after brewing.
C)2nd pot not so good.

Its really simple: A-B) Do you use a paper,plastic or copper filter? Every filter is different and you have to grind the coffee or have it ground to that specific type filter.
The bottom line here is, adjust to a different grind,don't over fill your filter(PROPER MEASURING)and all your coffee will taste great. Of course,if you bought a coffee blend your not happy with or your coffee is too old,thats another subject.

As to the spout dribbling, its sort of like pouring wine from a bottle. All you have to do is learn how to pour with that specific type of carafe."NOT ALL BOTTLES POUR ALIKE"

#4 Coffee not staying hot,and as long as other more expensive models. Theirs not much science here.
Most thermos are basically the same. I have returned to my carafe after over 6-hours and it was still hot.

And your right, you can go out and buy a more expensive model, but not me...P>" So much for "THE BEST KEPT LITTLE SECRET"

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!! A coffeemaker that's worth its price!!!, September 17, 2001

By 

IBuyBooks4U - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker TCM500 Thermal Select Plus Coffeemaker (Kitchen)

I purchased the B&D model mainly because I've read many negative reviews on much higher priced brands of coffeemakers. I figured, for $40, I can live with any "down-side" to it! Well, to my surprise, it works beautifully!! The coffee is hot (and stays hot for several hours!), the timer works perfectly (and is very simple! I love waking up to the smell of coffee in the morning...mmmm...)...it even looks good!(I bought the black/chrome model of the Thermal Select Plus). A nice feature is
the pull out coffee filter basket...it's easy to fill and clean.
It doesn't have a lot of "bells & whistles", but it does the job perfectly! I don't think you can go wrong with this one!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What's not to like?, September 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Black & Decker TCM500 Thermal Select Plus Coffeemaker (Kitchen)

I've had this unit for over two years with minimal trouble and a lot of pleasurable coffee drinking. It works as advertised and produces a consistent cup of coffee. The thermal carafe keeps the coffee warm for 4+ hours and is quick and easy to load and use.

What's not to like?
Well it is hard to clean. I have the white model, so it has a lot of coffee staining which is hard to clean especially the screw-on lid and top of the carafe. You can't put any of this unitin the dishwasher. I used to occasionally put the lid in, but it has developed a small crack in the coffee drain hole, which may be due to dishwasher heat?

You have to learn how much coffee to put in for your taste, but it is hard to tell how much water is in the carafe when filling it (hard to see inside). Once you pour the cold water into the basin, a visual indicator on the side tells you how much water you have added.

Pouring the coffee from the carafe works well after you give the lid a half twist to open it. But it is hard to put the carafe back into the stand unless you re-tighten the lid again (this is probably better for the coffee and keeps it warmer.