justinsdaddy's Full Review: Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 12-Cup Coffee Make...
Let me start by saying yes this is abit on the pricey side, but not when you consider what you are getting for your dollar. If spending an additional $30 to buy a quality product is not an option for you, you will spend it in the future to replace the cheaper item you bought anyway.
Sorry if that sounds harsh, but when I figured how much money I have spent on Mr. Coffee, and Krups only to replace them or not be happy with them I could kick myself.
This Coffee Maker is very Stylish, in its Stainless finish, and will look GREAT in any Kitchen. It has a very modest stand is its size is not ackward, and is basically a square. Approximately 6" square, and does not take much room.
Now for the nitty gritty.
1. It comes with a Brass Filter, and you can use paper as well, also included are paper filters. I have found that using paper allows for faster clean up, and does not change the taste of the coffee at all. So I place the paper in the brass and then brew the coffee
2. The Coffee Pot (Carafe) is fantastic, and you can actually pour from a FULL pot without spilling. The top comes off easily for washing. The carafe is wide enough to get your hand into to wash out with a sponge.
3. Unlike the competition (Krups) you can take the Carafe out of the maker and the coffee stops dripping. Rather than getting all over the bottom element, and counter top. It does not even drip!
4. It really holds, and brews 12 cups! Again unlike the competition where you have to overfill the reservoir to get a full pot, this unit is accurate. The Carafe has a cup measure, and so does the maker itself (located inside the reservoir) which is clearly marked, with White Lettering on Black background, making it very easy to read.
5. The LCD clock is not meant to be used as a Kitchen time piece, so it is not backlit. It is very functional and easy to read. Buy a clock if you need to tell time, this is not it's intended usage.
6. The programming is super easy, and very quick to master. You can actually custom set the maker for 1-4 cups, which does affect the brew. Rather than have a cycle for 12 cups, the intense heat will stop quicker so the coffee does not overheat when doing a 1-4 cup pot. Excellent Idea Cuisinart, this is also excellent.
Short Brew, Long Brew, and anything in between.
7. There is a Self-Clean option that will light when the maker has to be cleaned. Press the button when necessary and sit back. Wow no guess work here either.
8. The carafe can be set on 3 temperatures, Low, Med, and High. This is awesome so your coffee pot will never pour burnt coffee. Easily set, and understood. 1-4 cups set low, 4-8 set medium, 8-12 set high. I have set on Mediium all the time, and have had nothing but great coffee!
9. Also nice is the ability to set how long the heating stays on for. from 10 mintues to hours. You mast ho wlong you want to keep the coffee heated. No more cold coffee at a dinner party. It actually keeps it at temperature for you! So when the pot is 50% full and people are enjoying your awesome coffee when they ask for another cup it is just as hot as the first. Way to go Cuisinart.
10. The on/off is a toggle switch that lights an LED. No guess work here!
11. Programming Auto-On is as simple as pressing 2 buttons. Turn the dial to Program, and set hour, and minutes. Done.
12. The heating plate contains a Sensor that monitors the setting on the carafe, and knows when to adjust itself. The finish on the heating plate is non-stick, and higher quality than one would expect.
13. The maker also comes with a Charcoal Filter (which is super easy to replace). Here is the deal on filters, you NEED one if you are using tap water. It takes the impurities out of the water. If you are already brewing with filtered water, then there is no need for this. How many of us actually brew with filtered water?
Overall the look and feel of this machine is one you might expect to find in a 5 (*****) Star restaurant, but it is in your home.
The maker is consistant, easy, and fun to use. Yes fun. How nice to be able to set up the coffee to brew the way you like it instead of a standard factory setting.
Like I said prior, I looked into this unit to replace my Krups, which replaced a prior Krups, which replaced a Mr. Coffee. I fully anticipate that this item will outlast the competition as is with all the other Cuisinart kitchen items my mother has had in the past. Truly an excellent investment for you coffee lovers.
A striking blend of retro style and modern technology. Programmable for brewing up to 24 hours in advance. Setting for 1 to 4 cups ensures full-bodied...More at CHEFS Catalog
Introducing an evolutionary new look in coffeemakers. The Cuisinart Brew Central Coffeemaker makes a bold statement with a brushed stainless steel fin...More at Living Comforts Etc.
Add an element of Cuisinart quality, performance and convenience to your kitchen with this brushed stainless-steel coffeemaker that is programmable fr...More at Best Buy®
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.