Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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132 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you want a coffeemaker, look no further, May 11, 2008
I have this one in black, and have been making coffee at least once a day for the past three weeks. I was debating between this 10-cup thermal ($80), the 12-cup thermal ($130), and the 12-cup glass carafe with warming plate ($80), all by Cuisinart. In the end, I wanted something that used less electricity, so I went with the thermal. The added bonus with a thermal is that the coffee taste doesn't change from your first cup to your second cup a few hours later. I finally decided to save $50 and buy the 10-cup thermal because everything else was the same except for the 10 ounce difference (both coffeemakers brew 5 oz cups). I purchased mine from a different store, and I found out that there was no gold cone filter. I called up Cuisinart and they said depending on where you purchased the coffeemaker, it may use paper cones, or it may come with the gold cone filter. They graciously sent me a gold cone for free. So after 3 weeks:
PROS:
-easy to set up, easy to use
-charcoal water filter (I use tap water, so I like the fact that the machine filters it before going into my coffee)
-auto brew timer (the smell of coffee helps me wake up in the morning and I am fully brain dead when I first wake up. I can barely get dressed, much less make coffee. So I set it up the night before and I have amazing, fresh coffee ready for me in the AM).
-beeps to signal that coffee is ready
-coffee stays fresh for at least 4 hours. On weekends, I set my coffee to brew as normal at 7AM, but sometimes I sleep late until 11AM or later. I go to pour my coffee and it's still steaming! (and not burnt from the warming plate)
-thermal carafe saves electricity because there is no need for a warming plate
-I can use both paper cone filters or the gold cone filter. The gold cone is just as easy to clean as the disposable paper cones. I just shake out the grinds into the trash, and rinse with water. SO easy. And I save money because I don't have to buy filters!
-I drink my coffee black, so I can tell good coffee from bad coffee. I also like my coffee strong and bold. When I'm lazy, I use Illy medium grind, medium roast pre-ground. One mountainous scoop (comes with the coffeemaker) per 10 oz. of coffee. My one mug of coffee is equal to the coffeemaker's two cups, so yes, the machine makes 5 mugs total. When I make coffee for just myself, I fill the reservoir to 2 cups, add one giant scoop of coffee to the filter, press the 1-4 cups button, turn the dial to brew, and press "on." I love it.
-I have no problem with the size of the machine (I thought it was small). It is sitting on a side table in my tiny kitchen, not on the countertop or underneath cabinets. So I can easily flip up the top and have easy access to the water reservoir. It is also on the right side of the table, so I just use a cup and pour water into the reservoir. I don't think it's hard at all to pour water in. The triangular opening is on the right, back corner of the machine and is about 3" x 3" x 4".
-The water level is very clearly marked and easy to see on the right side of the machine.
CONS:
-The beep is not just one cute beep. It is 4 or 5 beeps in a row. This could be annoying to some people.
-Not really a con for me, but other people have commented on the pouring as "difficult." I think it is the nature of a thermal carafe to require some patience when pouring into a cup. It is well sealed to keep the coffee hot, so when you pour, the liquid has to go through a maze to get out. On my last cup, I just take the top off and pour. Definitely worth the "effort." It's really not hard, I promise. :)
-I read reviews of how people wake up with coffee all over the counter because the carafe was clogged at the top. So whenever I set up the machine to brew, I make sure to rinse the top with hot water and shake it around a bit to make sure the little ball isn't stuck. Also, not difficult to do.
-I guess if you don't have easy access to the right side of this machine, it could be difficult to pour water in and see the water level. If it's in the middle of your countertop, you may have to turn it to the side in order to pour the water in. For me, it's easy because my coffeemaker sits on the right side of a table in my kitchen.
I am so glad I went with this machine. I hope it lasts for a long time.
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41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful coffee maker, April 27, 2008
I purchased this coffeemaker after careful research and like it very much. It makes delicious coffee that stays hot for about 4 hours. The coffee retains good flavor for the whole time. It is also easy to clean. With a regular coffee pot (not thermal), the coffee loses its flavor after an hour. This one meets my needs. Also, Cuisinart warranties it for 3 years. I have owned a grind and brew coffee maker and prefer this one which I use in conjunction with my grinder.
It isn't perfect, but the small drawbacks don't bother me. Yes, it is a little hard at first to read the fill markings for water. To get the last bit of coffee out of the carafe, you do have to take off the lid and really tilt the carafe. On the other hand, that last bit tastes good.
I also like the looks of this device. The stainless steel goes with many other appliances. Overall, it is a recommend.
LT
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great concept, good coffee, September 10, 2008
I knew I wanted my next coffee maker to have a thermal carafe -- for energy efficiency, better taste, and no more worries about turning the machine off. This machine shines in all those ways, and I am surprised how liberated I feel not having to worry about having turned off the coffee maker (somehow this concern would always arise mid-commute). This machine turns off as soon as the brew cycle stops; the thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot so no heating plate is needed.
My only complaints, which are noted by other reviewers, concern the design of the carafe. It is difficult to completely empty. As a result, the carafe cannot be used to fill the water tank, as getting the last bit of water out will cause some spillage. I use a small pitcher instead. And yes, the carafe pours slowly. I assume that this, and the difficulty emptying, are by-products of a design that effectively keeps the heat in without needing to open of loosen the lid to pour. Although they produce a bit of a hassle, for me these problems don't negate the benefits of the thermal carafe. The coffee stays warm, even when the carafe is only partially filled, allowing me to drink it leisurely through the morning with consistent flavor from first cup to last (3 hours).
The machine is a bit bigger than my old bare-bones coffee maker, but fits easily under the upper cabinets. I do have to slide it out to open the lid and use, but I did that with my smaller model as well.
I would absolutely buy this again.
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2115|R346YF98NWQT1I;2115|R15FRUX45F3F5N;2115|R1Z082HDWINI03;
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