DeLonghi DCM485 10-Cup Thermal Carafe and Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel

by DeLonghi

Product Features

• 10-cup coffeemaker with wrap-around stainless-steel housing and sleek design
• Double-wall thermal carafe; Accuflavor selector dial for choosing coffee strength
• Easy-to-set 24-hour digital timer permits anytime brewing; brew-pause function
• Gold Tone permanent filter; water-level indicator; auto shut-off; cup warmer
• Measures 11 by 9-5/6 by 14-1/8 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 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: B000696OIC
• Item model number: DCM485
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,662 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

The De'Longhi DCM485 Esclusivo 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Stainless steel coffeemaker has a unique design that retains heat, keeping coffee hot for hours. It also helps to preserve that fresh coffee taste. The electronic programmable control allows you to set the coffeemaker in advance, and the accuflavor selector dial lets you choose the strength of coffee just the way you like it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Quality and Style, February 21, 2005

By 

Superstream (Corvallis, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DeLonghi DCM485 10-Cup Thermal Carafe and Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel (Kitchen)

Are you tired of parts made of plastic and not real metal? This coffee maker is made of genuine brushed stainless. If the part on this machine looks like metal, it is metal. The overall look and style is very European, even the buttons and display are good quality and simple to use and understand. The carafe is stainless inside and out, and keeps the coffee hot for at least 4 hours. The water resevoir lifts out for easily filling from the tap, so you don't have to fill the carafe first and pour it into the machine. The resavoir has graduated markings. Also, the filter holder comes out for easy cleaning. The only quirk I found is that, as with other themal carafes, you have to pour slowly to keep from dripping. It also helps to read the manual that explains how far to unscrew the top before pouring to avoid drips.

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A POSITIVE Experience (and update), October 7, 2005

By 

*~ Sunshine ~* (Beautiful Iowa, the place to grow.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: DeLonghi DCM485 10-Cup Thermal Carafe and Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel (Kitchen)

I purchased my DCM485 as a "gently used" and inspected unit, with a 30 day guarantee. Ok, I'll admit that these reviews (and the fact that it was "used") scared me into spending a few dollars on an extended warranty. I've had it now for about a week. I am, so far, very happy with my "new" Thermal Carafe Coffeemaker.

I had researched similar units for quite a long time, wanting the quality coffee that a thermal carafe maintained without the hot plate burn. I balked at paying the high price to "adopt" one, as Bikerman astutely pointed out. I found mine on an auction site for around $60.00, (including shipping), so I felt it was a bargain, and that I was taking less risk due to the smaller investment. But I digress.

When my package arrived, I excitedly checked out my new purchase. I ran a few vinegar/water cycles through it to clean it, and was pleased with the lack of leaks during that process. I quickly read the instructions (which I felt were pretty straightforward), set the clock and programmed it for a 6 AM brew time the next morning. Call me impatient, but I found it annoying that there was no way to reverse when setting the clock/timer. If you were a minute or two over, you had to go around 24 hours again. Small potatoes really, as I realize many digital clocks are this way, but still...annoying.

After all the negative reviews on this site, I fully expected to wake up to a lake of coffee the next morning. Unusually, I overslept and my husband was leaving for work as I walked out. We barely had time to say goodbye, and I continued on to the kitchen to see if I'd made a wise purchase. To my dismay, there was a wet towel on the counter! On further inspection, the coffeemaker looked normal. I poured a cup, and it was good. After sitting for nearly an hour and a half, it was hot, tasted fresh...I was pleased. After consulting with my husband a little later, I found that I'd over-watered a plant, but the coffeemaker had behaved fine. He did agree that it poured slowly from the pot, but he thought the coffee was good and had no other complaints.

Over the next few days, I've had similar, consistent results. I've experienced none of the steam condensation, drip, dribble, or overflow problems other reviewers have mentioned. There are parts that need to be properly seated to function correctly, and I see how this could cause problems for those that didn't understand the importance of this. I did not feel that it was difficult to align the lid on the pot or the pot in the receptacle. I didn't really even think much about it, and had excellent results. The carafe lid is clearly marked "open" and "close", with a "fin" to help you gently push it into the desired position. Though the pouring is slow, I've not found it to dribble at all. One can always remove the lid if you're in more urgent need of your coffee. It's a personal choice... I have used a paper filter with the included gold tone filter, out of habit more than anything. I do grind my beans pretty fine, and worry that I may end up with sludge in the bottom of the pot. I'll certainly give it a try eventually. I was more worried that it wouldn't function right with my normal "basket" filters, but no problems, even with the wrong type paper filters.

I wanted to share my experience in finding replacement water filters. I contacted the US distributor for DeLonghi by email and this is what they sent in reply to my inquiry.

Thank you for contacting us in regard to Delonghi products. Since the DCM485 is a recent addition to our product line, it has not yet been added to the website. You can order your parts from Fox International Ltd., Inc. Fox is the Authorized National Distributor for Delonghi USA. You can call us Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm ET at 1-800-322-3848. One of our order agents will be happy to assist you.

So there you go. I could not find the filters through any search engines I tried on the web, nor at Amazon, not to say that they were never offered. I wish they were. I have not ordered any from Fox Inc. yet, so can't share the price or experience. I have used the coffeemaker without the filter and it functioned fine, but feel we have good quality water available on tap. To be honest, these are unusual filters, specifically made for this coffeemaker. I would guess that they will not be manufactured by anyone but DeLonghi. But remember, the coffeemaker works fine without them. Filtered water may be a lesser "evil" for some owners.

In summary, this is a very sturdy and well built coffeemaker. The top completely lifts up on a hinge, making the "gold tone" coffee filter and basket, as well as the removable water reservoir, easily accessible and handy for filling and cleaning. The controls on the top, front of the machine are very visible and easy to use, with straightforward programming and instructions. This model has the extra features of "Accuflavor selector", automatic brew (programmable timer), pause and serve, and the aforementioned water filter for better tasting coffee. It is not "idiot proof", and as with any appliance, requires the user to assure it is assembled correctly for optimum functioning and results. I may have just been lucky, and gotten the proverbial cherry in the bowl of lemons, but I find very little to fault this coffeemaker at. I gave it 5 stars, and highly recommend it.

UPDATE- After over a month, I've noticed a few things about my DeLonghi. I've had a drip or two when I've used the pause and serve to sneak a cup before the brew cycle is complete. I've also noticed the coffee isn't as hot then, as it's had to warm the pot with the lesser amount of liquid. For me, it's about drinkable at that time, so it's perfect for that first cup. If you wait until the pot is full, the coffee I pour is too hot to drink immediately. I also noticed you need to be aware of placing the pot back correctly during the pause and serve. You can hear the coffee running into the pot, so I don't find it that difficult, but it is important. The brew cycle is pretty fast, so you don't want to dawdle or you will have a run-over. Yes, if you try to pour too rapidly from the pot, you have dripping...but not extreme. I'm still happy with my DeLonghi, just respectful of it's personality. It makes great coffee, and the thermal carafe assures consistency from first to last cup.

Edit 2010- Please read my comment on the comment below. This appliance did not last as long as I would expect at this price. I suggest you consider the more current reviews for the current models.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Review from Coffee Lover, September 26, 2006

By 

Randy Butcher (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DeLonghi DCM485 10-Cup Thermal Carafe and Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel (Kitchen)

I disagree with many of the other people reviewing this coffee maker. I buy a new coffee maker about every six to nine months because I am fussy about coffee quality and features. First and foremost, this maker brews an excellent pot of coffee. And, it's stylish looks are great on the kitchen counter. It got my four stars based on coffee quality alone. Now a couple of the insignificant negatives that resulted in 4 instead of 5 stars. The time setting, and controls could be much easier to use and more user friendly. The carafe could pour better, although after a few uses I now know how to use the carafe without trashing the kitchen counters. There - that's it - two negatives, both of which after using the maker for a while, I'll get used to. The positive features, such as the removable water tank, the easy to use and clean filter holder, top access, design and the GREAT COFFEE make this a coffee maker I would reccomend to anyone.