Customer Reviews

Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart DCC-1200FR Brew Central 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Brushed Stainless Steel

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Would I buy this coffee maker for the full price of the new model? Probably not. But the reconditioned one is a great value.

It looks great, as is apparent from the photo. Keep in mind, though, that as a reconditioned unit, it may have some minor blemishes to its appearance. Mine, for example, has a very small dent in the stainless steel on its left side. It's not noticable unless you're looking for it, and that alone wouldn't keep me from recommending this coffee maker. (Also, as previous reviewers have noted, this model does NOT come with a permanent filter like the new model does.)

What's a little iffier about it, though, are a couple strange design issues that affect usability.

Every coffee maker I've ever owned has had a flip-top carafe--but not this one. You have to physically remove the lid to pour water into the carafe--a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

You need the carafe to measure water, because there's no water-level indicator on the coffee maker itself. Additionally, the water filter takes up a lot of the space under the lid, meaning that there's a relatively small space to pour the water into from the carafe. It's enough room that someone without any mobility problems shouldn't have any issues getting the water in, but it takes a little getting used to.

Overall, I'd recommend the reconditioned model of the Brew Central. It's not so great that I'd replace it with another one of the same model if it became unusable, but good enough that I'm glad to have it on the counter.

I bought one full price and one refurbished (for the office) and I love both. Very easy to use, the self cleaning function is what I really appreciate. I run the simple cleaning process every week and the coffee maker always brews fresh, clean coffee without that dirty bitter flavor found in most cups of office coffee. My only caution is to be careful pouring the water into the maker -- the drain opening is rather small so be careful. Otherwise, a dependable coffee maker (I've had my first one for over a year) that looks great on the counter.

This is my second attempt into the "higher end" coffeemaker ranks, and I can honestly say the Cuisinart Brew Central has fulfilled all my expectations.

The coffee is just marvelous! It works fast and quick, and it's H-O-T, which is fine by me since the previous Krups disaster absolutely blew big time and produced marginally warm coffee at best.

I'm no coffee diva, but I grind my own beans and have for years. Of course it takes a little fine-tuning to get the right measure of coffee vs. water, but I hit the mark on the second pot.

My local tap water is actually very good, so I didn't think the charcoal filter would do much. But actually, the coffee tastes even better - so who knows? I think I'd try brewing coffee without the filter once this one wears out, just to see if there's much of a difference.

I purposely bought a reconditioned machine, since I spent $100 on the previous Krups horror, and I didn't want another repeat of a waste of money. My Cuisinart arrived without the gold filter (which is fine by me; I don't like permanent filters anyway), but the machine itself looked absolutely unused. No dents or dings. As to the "seeing inside to pour the water" thing, my machine has white marks with numbers on it, so it's easy to get the right water level. (I'm also tall, so that probably didn't hurt. I can see where a shortie would need a stepladder to look inside - this is a tall, imposing machine!)

My only complaint, if you can even call it one, is that the price of the filters can add up. I've been looking around on ebay and on amazon, and the average price per filter is about $3. Now that doesn't sound like much, since you replace it every 60 pots, but we're BIG coffee drinkers here, so that filter isn't going to last a month.

Oh well. It's probably a small price to pay for a machine that so far (knock wood!) has exceeded all my expectations.

But if anyone does know of a good place to buy DISCOUNT charcoal filters, lemme know! Between air purifiers and hypoallergenic vaccum cleaners, filter replacement can chew your wallet up!

I was also angry that the coffeemaker did not come with a permanent filter (there were no reviews when I purchased this a couple weeks ago). I assumed it would have the same parts as the new coffeemaker, since there was no description. However, I decided to keep the coffemaker, and may order a filter through the manufacturer's website. Mine also drips down the back if I open the lid all the way up (a must to add water)due to condensation inside the lid. However, I keep the lid slightly open during the day to allow condensation to evaporate. Programming is easy and works well, and coffee is good. ...

forget the other review, i've had this for a week now and don't have this problem. the coffee tastes great and the maker looks sharp. only problem with this unit is the 90 day warranty (refurbished) versus the 3 year warranty for the new unit ... so hopefully this thing wont break down on me!!

otherwise, no problems here!!

Purchased the refurbished Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker with high hopes. Have purchased refurbished items in the past with great success. This experience was different. After 60 days the coffee brews but the warmer turns off immediately after the coffee brews. Amazon only stands behind products for 30 days so you are left to calling Cuisinart for remedy. Their idea of customer service for refurbished products is to prove the product is in warrenty by faxing (your cost) the receipt then pay to ship the defective product to and from Cuisinart. When they receive the defective product, they will ship a replacement. Oh yah, the 90 day (not 3 year for new products) warranty does not start over, the warranty continues from the time of purchase. I hope the replacement product works more that 30 days or I am out of luck. DON'T PURCHASE A REFURBISHED PRODUCT FROM AMAZON. THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND IT AND THE MANUFACTURER STANDS BEHIND IT ONLY AT A DISTANCE!

The coffeemaker makes good coffee and looks really cool on your countertop. In order to let the reservoir dry out you have to leave the lid the whole way up though, which for me means it won't fit under the counters while drying. Though it is reconditioned, it looks perfect.

So far good coffee maker - typical Cuisinart. However Amazon incorrectly states it has a 3 year warranty and it does not - Referbs have a 90 day warranty only.

I was pleased to fine this product at the price I paid. However, I was disappointed that the Amazon.com site did not make it clear that no gold tone filter would be included and that the refurbished product did not carry the same warranty as a new machine. Had I known these two facts, I might have purchased a new one.

Lasted Less than one week. Amazon replaced it very quickly and the replacement is very good, no problems at all
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This is our third Cuisinart Coffee Maker and the best one yet. We will probably buy another one. I like the Stainless better than the black. Pouring water in, not a problem - use a funnel. I am less than 5' tall and this works perfect for me. The coffee is very good and we are particular. Our Briel Espresso machine is in use often.

For any drips, put a tray under the machine, works perfect.

A great coffeemaker and I like all the little options, especially the 4 cup and under button.

We have bought many Cuisinart Factory Reconditioned and never a problem