customeright's Full Review: Black & Decker HCC100 Home Cafe Single Serve Coffe...
This product does exactly as claimed: it makes a single cup of coffee. It's easy to use. After filling the removable water tank, you insert a coffee packet, you pull back the lever (or try to), and you select which of 3 cup sizes you'll use (in ounces), which starts the process. In about a minute for a 14 oz. 'dose', you get a nice cup of coffee, and 4 extra minutes to enjoy it (versus a traditional 4 cup maker).
I say a 'nice' cup because it's not a great cup yet is not a bad cup. It's a carefully metered and quickly produced cup of 'joe' which of course is entirely the point I suppose.
The appearance of the coffee (from an included pack) is that of an espresso, but never fear, it is not an overly strong espresso-like flavor. It is however a relatively dark brew if you're used to lighter blends. I'm sure other blends can be found, though I have not yet looked myself.
While of acceptable design (you can fit almost any mug under it), it's a bit larger than a comparable drip maker, and cleanup is a breeze. You just toss the used packet and rinse the container under a faucet.
There are no other pro's. While hopefully you didn't pay over $100 for this appliance like other makers available, your first impression setting this up on the counter is 'cheap'. Your second impression, which confirms your first, is when you try to pull back the rather flimsy handle to lock in the packet. It doesn't seem to 'set' right the first time. So you push it back, and try again. Did it lock? I don't know. So despite the sounds of creaking plastic, straining under the load, you try a third time, and convince yourself that it probably is locked. You dare not try a fourth time with additional force as you are afraid you may actually break off the handle before your first use!
You select your cup (after searching the bottom of various mugs to find out what size they are) and stand back. Because although it doesn't make espresso, it sure sounds like it, and has almost as much steam. For nearly the entire minute this device sounds like a cross between an old aquarium air pump and a super-charged steam iron. It's loud. Unlike my traditional maker that creates a bit of noise at the end, this maker seems to be at the end the entire time, but add in motor noise. It must really be working hard for that cup.
Now, given this is my first experience with a single-cup maker, it may be that for those coffee connoisseurs out there who like a good cup - coffee like wine, takes time. But for those of us in a hurry, I supposed there must be some sacrifice. If you have enough counter space, aren't expecting gourmet, and don't mind the noise or steam, this maker does the job. Just don't pull too hard on the handle.
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