Customer Reviews

DeLonghi DC312T 14-Cup Drip Coffeemaker

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

For most people, almost any coffeemaker on sale here at Amazon will be fine. But if you're looking for the same kind of robust-flavor, non-bitter coffee served at places like Starbucks, then you need a coffeemaker with special capabilities. This machine has those capabilities--and at an excellent price. Here's what I mean: 1. it has a 14-cup capacity. This is important because it means you can put more grounds into the filter without worrying about it overflowing. 2. Water temperature is hot and delivered though a "showerhead." 3. This machine has a special setting that dribbles the water more slowly, steeping the grounds. This last (and unique to this machine) feature is what gives you exceptionally robust and flavorful coffee.

I've been through several coffeemakers (all exiled to the attic), and this one is the best--better than makers costing three-times as much. I bought mine for $35 at Target.

True, the clock-setting mechanism is clunky, but how often do you use that? On the other hand, the design of the water-tank and glass pot is very convenient.

August 2010 Update: coffeemakes is still going strong. The manufacturer has a new web presence with links for service and parts.

UPDATE (January 21, 2012): After three years and more of great coffee, we got tired of the dribbly carafe and replaced it with a Medelco 12 Cup Millennium Style Carafe, Black. The carafe comes with 2 lids, so use the shorter lid. You lose 2 cups in maximum capacity but you won't have to pour your coffee over the kitchen sink or spend close to $35 on a replacement carafe.

. . . . . .

I've resigned myself to the reality of coffeemakers that last only a few years, so when we woke up to a coffeemaker full of cold water that should have been a pot of morning inspiration, we added a side trip to Target. The two criteria for the new coffeemaker: a timer and a basket that takes No. 4 filters. This DeLonghi fit the bill and was on sale.

It loses a star for its clunky timer which only advances a minute at a time, first at slow speed then more quickly, but earns back a half-star for its Aroma brewing option. By cycling the water flow on and off at 30-second intervals, the coffee develops a robust flavor reminiscent of perked coffee, but with the clarity and grounds-free smoothness of filtered. Yes, it nearly doubles the brew time but the 14-cup capacity should keep the java hounds at bay. To use the Aroma feature with the timer, figure on 2 minutes per cup and set the timer accordingly.

The entire top of the brewing unit swings open, revealing a generous pouring opening and an unusual "stair-step" water gauge. The filter basket is removable for easy cleaning and comes with a reusable nylon filter. I prefer paper filters and the basket accepts the No. 4 filters that fit our old coffeemaker. A thoughtful feature I haven't seen anywhere else: After all the water has pumped through, the coffeemaker waits about 2 minutes and beeps several times to let you know the coffee's ready to pour. Yes, it has a "pause 'n' pour" feature but, please, don't do that. You're stealing flavor from the rest of the pot. Your patience, especially if you use the Aroma option, will be rewarded.

This is my 4th coffee pot for the year. When the 3rd one died after 3 days, we were desperate to find a decent coffee maker in short order. After reading the Amazon reviews for this coffee maker, we decided to try the Delonghi, which we purchased at Sam's Club (couldn't wait for delivery, even with Prime). I think we made an excellent choice. The aroma brew feature is worth the additional wait on the brew time.

Yes, the clock is clunky, but, really, who cares? I use it for the brew but do not use it as a kitchen clock.

If you are looking for a well priced coffee maker has a nice look on the countertop, this one certainly is worth considering.

Will update after more months of use.

12/2/08: Still really like this coffee pot. We've switched from using the permanent filter to paper filters and still always use the aroma brew feature.
11/23/09: We've passed the 1 year mark & use this coffeemaker on a daily basis (12-14 cups/day). We are back to using the permanent filter & still like this coffeemaker very much.

I did not buy this on Amazon but last year we did purchase this particular coffee maker. My husband and I were so excited to see a 14 cup maker and thought this company would be reputable and we were tired of "throw away" coffee makers so we bought it.
It totally died after just one month, nothing, no lights etc just dead. I called the customer service # since it was still under warrenty and spent the next week either on hold, a recording telling me to leave my # so they could call me back or getting disconnected all together since after awhile this company just drops your call if they are too busy.
After getting ahold of someone they told me to cut the plug off the maker, send it in with TEN DOLLARS to cover the cost of shipping out the new one and I did it...don't ask me why. Well a month later the new replacement arrives and 3 months later it turned on but refused to brew!
If you enjoy a crappy coffee maker and the horrible hassle of getting a replacement from a company that doesn't care at all (and has lost customers for a lifetime) then please go ahead and buy it.
If not then please get something else. We got a cheapie from Walmart that has outlasted both of these monsters.

Those who have commented before me have adequately covered the features and benefits. I am THRILLED with this coffee maker, because it is the first one I have owned that DOES NOT DRIP when I pour the coffee. I know I'm not the only one who has this trouble....and I have tried Krups, Cuisinart, Black & Decker, and Mr. Coffee. Also had a different DeLonghi model that bit the dust before we bought the DC312T. I purchased the DeLonghi DC312T at our local warehouse club (can't recall the price), but that is irrelevant as I'm willing to spend whatever it takes (within reason) to have another "in reserve."

This maker made great coffee but after about 8 months it died. Sent it back to company and they sent me a new one but again after 8 months it just stopped brewing.

I purchased this coffee maker in October of 2008 and it stopped working eight months later. Delonghi customer service will not honor the one year warranty. I have my sales receipt. The coffee maker may be great, the company will not stand behind their product.

Love not having to make two pots of Coffee every morning. Don't be alarmed if the first pot has a distinct plastic taste. Goes away forever after first pot.

I purchased this product to replace my Braun, as I broke the carafe and didn't want to spend $30 to replace.....and since this Delonghi was on sale for the same price, I figured I might as well go for a brand new machine.

Unfortunately, after using for less than a month, an internal hose or gasket must have broken as water now pours out of the bottom as soon as you attempt to fill the reservoir. Waiting on a reply from DeLonghi customer service, it's been 3 days now and no response.

Even without the leak, I wouldn't say I'm too happy with the machine. It does have some nice features (beeps when done, showerhead water over coffee grinds, and large capacity), but I think the negatives outweigh the positive.

The machine is very bulky. The lid design is terrible, when you attempt to open the lid to remove the spent grinds, the condensation runs all over the back and sides of the machines and ends up all over the counter. I even tried waiting a few hours to let it cool, and it still happens. The regular brew cycle is fast but results in weak coffee and the aroma feature (much much longer brewing time) is too long and results in overextraction and a bitter smoky tasting brew. Somewhere in the middle would have been much better.

I'm going back to my Braun, much simpler design, half the size (although it's 12 cups not 14), and definitely much better tasting coffee. I think the extra 100 watts (1100 watts on Braun vs. 1000 on the Delonghi) results in hotter water passing through the grinds and a much better brew, in half the time.

I rarely review items, but after using this product for a few weeks, I felt compelled to write a warning of sorts.

To be fair, we bought the item from Macy's, but I do most of my shopping from Amazon so I decided to write a review/warning.

Most of what I have to say has probably been covered, but here is my condensed good, bad, ugly:

Good: large capacity, easy pour, fast brew, good coffee flavor
Bad: horrible clock/alarm setup (really not kidding)
Ugly: it leaks like a sieve (not exaggerating - we have it sitting in a large bowl/platter)

I can take the horrific clock setup since our schedule is relatively constant, but the leak is crazy bad. I did a search on-line and apparently Delonghi has a number of products which leak. On the positive side, if you set it in a planter it could serve as a irrigation system as well as a coffee maker.

Too bad, our search for a decent coffee maker continues!