Cuisinart 12 Cup Brew Central Maker Coffee Maker, Black Stainless Steel, DCC-1200BKSNAS

With enough money in your bank account, you should be able to buy perfection in the form of a watch or a car or a purse that is damn near perfect. Not is the case with coffeemakers. I have spent weeks researching on Amazon and YouTube only to find out that each model at every price point falls short. It became very annoying to find that every machine I researched experienced one ore more of the following issues: settings too complicated to master, coffee takes too long to brew, coffee comes out of machine not that hot, coffee comes out of the machine bitter tasting, steam from machine smells like melting plastic, machine leaks while brewing, machine impossible to clean, carafe does not pour without spilling, machine stops working in a month and on and on and on. The more I researched coffee makers, the more pissed off I became. We have developed technology so that cars can drive themselves, but so many brands offer coffee makers incapable of doing what people have done manually for centuries. Even more interesting, those who bought more expensive machines wrote even more scathing reviews because their machines let them down equally. Reviews are important to me, and this coffee maker caught my attention because it has 4.6 STARS. It is not the most aesthetically pleasing small appliance in our kitchen, BUT it makes smooth, good tasting, hot coffee every morning. Coffee brews quickly and stays hot in the pot for hours. It is easy to figure out, simple to program, and easy to clean. I can't speak to reliability, but it seems to be well made and we've had no issues smelling burning or melting plastic while it's brewing. If it keeps working this well for the next couple months, I am going to buy a second one to keep in the closet just in case Kitchen Aid discontinues the one coffee maker on the market that actually works well. Super bowls have been won on the premise that true greatness comes from a relentless focus on and mastery of the simple, foundational elements of any task, making success an inevitable outcome of disciplined repetition. Why does this way of thinking has not been applied to design of coffee makers, I will never understand!!!

I've had the Cuisinart DCC-1200 for about a week now. I was hesitant to spend so much on a coffee maker but I'm happy to report it's well worth it. Sure, you can get other brands of coffee makers for under $25 if economy is the most important feature, but I've had those machines and I decided that, this time, a good cup of coffee was most important for me. This unit makes the best coffee I've had in a home or office machine and better than most coffee I've had in restaurants. This coffee tastes smooooooth! I suspect the charcoal water filter is the reason for that. I also like the "shower head" design of the water spout. The water actually runs up a track onto the underside of the lid and is sprinkled over the ground coffee like a rain shower. It's an attractive unit but it also looks like a serious coffee maker. This unit is no toy. It looks and feels solid. The carafe has a good solid feel and balance. The plastic parts (like the plastic carafe lid and handle) feel like good heavyweight plastic and are well molded. It's not the lightweight crappy plastic that cracks and discolors easily in the cheap coffee makers. I like the 5 beeps when the coffee is ready. Now I can leave the kitchen and go clean or whatever and I don't have to keep running back to see if I can get a cup yet. I can hear the beeps. But if I really can't wait and want a cup in mid-brew, I can just remove the pot and pour a cup - you've got a full 30 seconds to reinsert the pot, before you risk an overflowing filter. I like the permanent gold-tone filter too. I always thought paper filters were a pain. They'd fold over sometimes and there'd be grounds in my coffee. But you can use paper filters in this machine if you want to. I just prefer the convenience of the gold-tone filter (top rack machine washable too). It has an indicator light for cleaning -- it says it's "self-cleaning" but really it's just a light telling you when you need to pour in a pot of water/vinegar and run it through to decalcify the unit. (I never thought to do that with my other units. Probably another reason my coffee wasn't as good as I wanted it to be.) The low-medium-high setting on the hot plate is pretty nice too. And the auto-shutoff feature is great. I don't have to worry about forgetting to turn the machine off. The instruction booklet is very good and very thorough. Comes with a parts reordering form too. What don't I like about this machine? It requires maintenance in that you have to change the charcoal filters. But actually I don't mind since I think they are the reason the coffee tastes so smooth, and they are very easy to change and not expensive [...] Also, the area in the top of the machine where you pour in the water is narrow but again this is just a minor inconvenience. Just have to pour a little carefully. So really it's almost all positives with a couple of very minor negatives. I highly recommend this coffee maker.

This coffee maker replaces the same model that I purchased and used daily for over 24 years! I'm sure of the date (2001) because we had just moved when I got it. I even checked my memory by calling Cuisinart, and they said this model came out in 2000. I think I got it because Consumer Reports recommended it. Anyway after it died, I started looking for a replacement that addressed the only thing I don't like about it - no outside water gauge. After trying and returning a different brand, I'm back to this one: Pros - (1) makes good coffee; (2) adjustable temp heater plate - I use cream so want my coffee piping hot; (3) 1-4 cup setting... again to have hot enough coffee; (4) programmable (5) great carafe -- doesn't spill when pouring, and the lid can come all the way off, not just hinged. It's on there securely which it has to be for spill free pouring, but it's not hard to pop off when you want to clean the pot. And sturdy!! Can't tell you how many times I've accidentally smacked it against a granite countertop without breaking it in all those years. Not recommending, just sayin'! (6) Cord length = 26.5". Short enough so it tucks behind the machine and isn't annoyingly all over your countertop, and long enough that you can pull the coffee maker out free from under your upper cabinets when brewing, so steam doesn't hit them. Cons: (1) In 25 years, why oh why hasn't Cuisinart put a water gauge on the outside for those times you need to remember how much you put in? This was the main annoyance that had me looking elsewhere. The one inside is virtually impossible to read unless you have in 12 cups. It's a ridiculous water gauge. (2) The "done" beeps are louder than on my old one. I noticed the first day, and haven't noticed it since. I guess I don't find it as horrific as some other reviewers have mentioned, but it was fine at the volume it used to be. Unless your situation is sensitive, the volume is likely not a deal breaker. Pro or Con? Depends on your point of view: The clock window is tiny and not backlit. I personally don't want one more electronic thing with a bright display on it in my kitchen and I don't use it as a kitchen clock so I couldn't care less. However if you change programmable settings often or otherwise need to read the clock, you'll need good lighting and good eyes. I've read the reviews of others who got lemons that didn't last -- if this one lasts even half as long as my first one I'll be happy. If not, I'll update my review... p.s.: Have not had a problem with the water height marks wearing off the carafe because I never put in the dishwasher, which will eventually take marks like that off anything. Given the lack of an exterior water reservoir guide, that may be important to your choice.

Cuisinart DCC-1200P1 12 cup programmable coffeemaker produces decent coffee which the base helps to keep hot.The carafe does not leak & it pours easily from the spout. I had tried the Bunn, recommended by Consumer Reports, but the machine required excessive coffee relative to water to make a standard strength 6 ozs cup of coffee. I returned the Bunn. Cuisinart's 12 cup machine is simpler to use than the Bunn for those who want drip coffee. I does not make espresso. Most of the machines which make both espresso & coffee were only rated for espresso, & we want reliable hot coffee. No machine that we have bought really achieves the recommended 195 - 200 F temperature for coffee. We reheat ours in the microwave for 50 seconds before drinking.

First I'd like to say that these review sites really kill me. Invariably, you have to wade through countless trivial comments like, "I had to turn the spool wheel too many times before I could change the string on my string trimmer" or, here's a classic, "the stereo I bought is just too loud and I have to keep the volume at the number 5 setting all the time." (trust me, this is from an actual review). Well, you'll be happy to know that the reviews for the DCC-1200 are no different. Anywhere from "why do you have to turn the knob to brew and then flick a switch for on" to, "I can hear the plastic creaking as it heats up" (that one really makes me laugh) to, "it's just too tall and doesn't fit under my cabinets" (didn't you size it up before you bought it)? Look people, this unit makes coffee. It does it well and it does it like it's supposed to. You pour water in the top, add your favorite beans, wait a bit and, here's the kicker, coffee comes out the bottom! Holy smokes! It's got two knobs, an on and off switch and a few buttons to set things like the clock. To brew, turn the knob to brew and flick the on switch. To auto-brew, turn the knob to auto-brew and flick the on switch. To program the clock/auto on/auto off, turn the knob to clock/auto on/auto off and... press a button. Wow, this is really tough stuff. And, to make matters worse, omygosh, the LCD clock doesn't have a back light!! Armageddon here we come. You don't have enough clocks in your kitchen between the wall, the microwave, the oven, and every other stinking thing that has to tell you the time these days? The other knob adjusts the hot plate setting. Low-Med-High. Trust me, there are many complaints that the Cuisinart doesn't get their coffee hot enough. Not hot enough? How hot do you really want it? I'm sure Cuisinart wasn't thinking about their specs reaching boiling temperature when they designed this thing. Trust me folks, it's close enough. I'd say close to McDonald's scalding hot coffee but I won't even sue Cuisinart for potentially burning my crotch. As for the plastic creaking, when the temperature heats up, the plastic expands inside, what do you want anyway? Whatddya mean it's only stainless steel on the outside? I've been ripped off!!! I mean come on, if you really want a true stainless steel coffee maker, go spend the $2000 and buy professional so that you can mount it on the dash of your Beemer. Just don't waste our time with comments like this. Oh yeah and the alarm/beeping that everyone's complaining about? Well, let me just say that the "Hounds of the Baskervilles" comment is a little unjustified. I would hate to hear what this person does when their microwave goes off, or, if their telephone rings, or if one of the kids makes a noise. Folks, this is a series of 5 small beeps when the brewing cycle is near completion. Kind of a tee tee tee tee tee. So, unless you sleep with your coffee maker on your night stand, I wouldn't worry so much about this one. Condensation. I don't know one coffee maker out there that when you open the lid to dump your grounds just after the brewing is complete where some of it doesn't drip on the countertop. So, suck it up. Get your sink sponge and wipe it up. Are we that inconvenienced by this? And finally, the dreaded reservoir comment. "It's too small and I pour water all over the place." Blah blah. Pour water in, get coffee out. So far, I haven't missed the bullseye. Could I be doing something wrong here? And about those darned tank markers. Does anybody honestly use those things? Fill up the pot and pour it in. Now you know how much coffee you'll make. Huh?! The bottom line is that this is a good coffee maker. It has a self cleaning cycle to tell you when to decalcify, makes piping hot coffee but... oh no, produces condensation. It's kind of like when you heat water on the stove and it produces that steamy stuff, and it forms those... water droplets. Ah whatever. Look, if you're the type who doesn't have to have their maid do everything for them or worse flog the person who doesn't quite fold the towel right on the towel bar, go out and buy this product, you won't be disappointed.

Works perfectly. Love my coffee in the AM. Easy to use.

I've had this maker over a year now. I like it as much as I did it's predicessor, also a quisinart. The earlier one also had a dispenser and separate water tank, for heating water for Tea. My wife is the tea drinker and now uses a hot plate, that our son bought for her. So when it came time to replace my old one, this while almost identical, it does not have the tea water heater. I make a pot every morning. It's a little cumbersome to clean, as our kitchen sink is a smaller than it should be. But I do clean it about every 3 months, including running white vinegar through the process. My one beef with it and the predecessor. The markings on the pot, for measuring, are white. We have a white sink. It is challenging to see the hash lines or the values. I would suggest to the manufacture to do what pyrex does for their measuring cups. On the pyrex, the hashes and values are printed in red. Much easier to see. This is my only beef, and I cuss it each time I measure the water.

When shopping for a new brewer I read a lot of reviews & almost didn't purchase this model because of the bad reviews. I read that the casing looked cheap, the coffee didn't get hot enough, coffee was weak, the machine "creaks", the beeping is excessive, it's difficult to program, it's difficult to measure water, etc. However I also read some really good reviews & took a leap of faith & bought it. I figured worse case scenario I send it back. My husband and I drink at least one pot of coffee each day, flavor is very important & this brewer creates a very good flavor of coffee. I believe it is the internal water filter that makes the difference. Here are my thoughts on the negative reviews: *First of all, this machine is very attractive. You have the stainless look to match your appliances, without dropping $2k on a genuine all stainless machine. It is often a topic of conversation with it's unique styling. It really is a jewel among all of my other stainless & chrome treasures. Over-all with this brewer I felt as though I received much more than I paid for. It's stylish & makes a good tasting brew. *I don't understand the reviews about the temp not being hot enough - the hot plate has 3 temp settings. I keep it on high & I've scalded my tongue more than once. I could not imagine wanting my coffee any hotter! *We drink strong coffee - so if your coffee is weak I have a technique for you to try...add more coffee. We use a paper filter & have no problems. *As for the creaking, I've not heard it. (The machine makes noises typical of every coffee pot I have ever owned while brewing...percolating water, etc) *I like the beeper that lets me know my coffee is ready. Much like Pavlov's dog I now get happy & crave my coffee when I hear that wonderful little beep. I don't think it's excessive - it reminds me of our microwave timer. *The operating instructions are very simple to read & understand. The little booklet gives you detailed step-by-step instructions on setting the pot up & details on the features. My 2 year old even knows how to set it up on the auto timer & turn it on to brew. (He's our helper monkey) *I do agree that the measuring steps inside the pot are useless. They're difficult to see, but I'm o.k with that. I just use the clean pot to measure my water. I've survived many years measuring my water in this fashion without the aid of an internal measuring device on my brewer. I feel over-all that this is a sound purchase and you will get your money's worth and more. UPDATE: NOW all that being said...I did NOT edit any part of my original review but I would like to make one final comment. I purchased this coffee pot in February 2008 it is now October 2010 and yesterday morning my beloved coffee pot failed to work. It had power going to it, as the lights came on, however it did nothing else.... it didn't make any noises, didn't heat up...it just sat there mocking me as I waited longingly for my cup of brew. Do I think it should have lasted a little longer? Yes....however I will very likely purchase this coffee maker again, because despite it's short-lived existence it still made an excellent cup of coffee and looked perfect in my kitchen at an affordable price.

十数年前に買った前身モデルが壊れて買い替えました、。これからまた長いお付き合いです。日本製と違って武骨なところが良いです。

Bought this to replace our 10 year old Cuisinart coffee maker which was still working but getting old and slow. This is a great little machine, easy to use and fast (under 10 minutes to brew 12 cups). This is our third Cuisinart and we wouldn't use any other brand!

Nothing to dislike about this. Best coffee-maker I have ever owned. Capable of brewing full-flavoured HOT coffee in small or large batches. Great extraction of flavour (I find most cone filters do this better than basket filters), and lots of customizable features. The metal "gold" permanent filter is a nice bonus - offers a slightly different flavour, but nice, especially if you forgot to buy filters. The water filter is a neat idea too, as long as it is easy to find replacements. I use Brita-filtered water anyway so don't really need it. I appreciate the strength selection option and the special 1-4 cup setting that makes nice strong and HOT coffee for 2 (4 cups really means 2 average mugs). Seems well put together and has a nice retro look. The only thing that doesn't work for me is the water level indicator inside, as I am short and the maker is tall, so I would need to stand on a chair and look down into it to see the water level, but as long as I measure it out properly in the first place (with the carafe) I don't really need to do those gymnastics. Did I say it makes HOT coffee? Most do not, and I have had many coffee makers over the years, so this must be emphasized. Auto shut off is nice too, as I have no memory, lol. No more baked-on coffee film on the bottom of the carafe. If this lasts, it might be the last coffee maker I will ever need. No regrets.

Me prepara buen café y funciona tal como se describe, buena compra, satisfecho

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