Using ground coffee is easier than adding beans to the grinder – you simply add the ground coffee directly to the filter. You will have to remember to hit the “grind off” button, or the grinder will continue to spin. Brewing with ground coffee is quieter, with the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Auto hitting a maximum of 50dB on our noise meter. A full 10 cup brew took just under 10 minutes, which is similar to the brew time using whole beans, while a four cup brew took a speedier five minutes. We found that using pre-ground coffee resulted in a stronger drink, but it was also far more bitter – although again, this will very much depend on the coffee you use. The uncomplicated control panel displays the time and allows you to program the coffee maker to brew coffee at any time in the following 24 hours.
The water reservoir is the same size, too, at 60 ounce . One of my favorite things about makers is how varied their brew capacities are. That makes all the difference when you average 7 cups of coffee a day with a 6 cup capacity glass carafe.
Still, I missed the depth and complexity I’m used to when brewing the freshly ground coffee beans from Nicaragua in a Chemex. The Coffee Center also has a couple of features to conserve energy. There’s an auto off feature on the drip brew side that’s adjustable. This Keurig K-Mini lets you decide when the coffee maker will shut off and can be set for up to four hours after the brew cycle is finished. By the way, if you can’t wait for the brew to finish and you need your morningcup of joe, the machine is equipped with Brew Pause Technology.
Our programmable coffee makers ensure your coffee is ready to go in the morning. We even have coffee makers with hot water systems to easily dispense hot water for tea, hot cocoa, quick oatmeal, or instant soups. Its ability to grind whole coffee beans, coupled with a thermal carafe with an ample 10 cup capacity, means this coffee maker promises more than your average model. But it isn’t just for whole coffee beans; the grinder can be turned off if you prefer to use ground coffee. It’s also fully programmable, so you can set it up at bedtime to deliver a fresh cup of coffee for when you wake up. The Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker has our vote for the best Cuisinart coffee maker for the money.
If you like your coffee on demand, this could be worth a second look. While big carafes make brew cycles easier, it tends to alter your brew’s taste whenever you leave it sitting for a while. This is often what you give up when you keep your coffee warm for a long time. One of the top features of Cuisinart equipment is that they have the needs of the consumers in mind. Made for ease of use, the water reservoir is a breeze to refill when the water supply is low, so you can get back to brewing.
When the Auto-On LED light flashes, set the time you want your coffee maker to begin brewing. Once you have selected your desired time, turn the programmable function knob to Auto-On and press the On/Off button. When the blue indicator light is showing, the function is on. Use the Brentwood 10-Cup Coffee Maker to make the perfect pot of coffee. Features pause n’ serve and warming plate to keep coffee hot. On single-serve coffee makers, the needle may get clogged, resulting in grounds in your coffee or a smaller cup of coffee than the size you selected.
Before you buy, be sure to measure the space where you plan to keep your coffee maker, as well as how much room you have below your cabinets. Keep in mind that even if your machine fits under the cabinet, most Keurig K-Mini makers need to be pulled forward so you can load them with water and ground coffee. If you’re looking for the best value from the brand, this 12-cup model is the one to choose. In spite of its relatively low price, the Cuisinart DCC-1100BK is attractive and offers the same basic perks as the more expensive models. It’s programmable, so you can set it to have the coffee ready the minute you wake up or walk into the house.