I've been searching for the perfect coffee pot....who hasn't? It seem like if one aspect of the coffee maker is improved, it loses another important feature.

My first choice for a coffee maker was one with a thermal carafe and that didn't work out well.  I've also eliminated several brand names from my shopping list due to past experience so I was running out of options.

I was almost ready to spend more on a coffee maker when I found the Cusinart Coffee on Demand for retailing for around $80.  I loved the way this looked and since it was not a thermal or a glass carafe so I had to take the chance.

Bells and Whistles

This has all of the features one would expect for a coffee pot.  It holds up to 12 cups of coffee, has an auto shut off timer, programmable 24 hours in advance for auto brew start and notifies with 5 beeps when the coffee is ready.  It has a digital clock display, a one-minute power loss backup system and has a special setting for ensuring smaller pots of coffee are hot.  The only thing that I can think of that it doesn't do is grind the coffee. 

I've had so many issues with coffee pots in my day.  I forget to put the water in, or set the clock for p.m. instead of a.m., accidentally press brew by habit instead of timer.  I just avoid mistakes by brewing it from scratch when I get up.  I'm happy with how quickly it brews.  I have learned that it is very important to wait for the pot to finish before taking any otherwise it tastes way too strong.      

Making the Coffee

For a good cup of coffee, the instructions encourage the user to use water that tastes good to start with, allow the proper amount of water for evaporation, and starting with freshly ground coffee beans.

There is a clear gauge with the water level on the side. Once the coffee brews, the amount can be seen on the front gauge.

The area to pour the water into the coffee maker is very small.  When the water doesn’t go into the hole exactly right it will drain under the coffee maker and the puddle of water will remain on the counter until it’s noticed.  Pushing or moving the coffee maker can also make the water splash out.  This use to be a problem for me at first, but once I figured out where the water was coming from, the problem went away. 

Another thing to mention is the lid needs to pour the water in.  Since the coffee maker is already pretty tall, that ads even more height.  With the lid open, it's 22" tall so it does not fit on the counter under the cabinets.  If the lid is not up it will "fit" under the cabinet but the steam vent is on top of the lid so all that steam would be going directly into the wood which will destroy the cabinet over time.  The options are very limited considering it tends to leak when moved. 

I drink coffee at least twice a day so the coffee maker is always on the counter.  It looks big on the counter and I think it's because the weight is at the top.  The boxy modern design could work for or against the décor depending on the kitchen.   

I can't help but say it is fun to stick my coffee cup under the dispenser. It was initially difficult to see how much coffee was in the cup, but once I used it a couple of times I got the feel for it.  Most travel coffee mugs do not fit under the dispenser so the solution is to temporarily remove the grate to allow for the extra room.  

Hot Coffee

This coffee machine has a double-wall reservoir designed to keep coffee hot for a longer amount of time.  I prefer this technique because it eliminates the bitter taste that often results from coffee being heated too long.  The coffee definitely cools faster than a traditional pot but I do prefer the flavor better.  It can be 3 hours before I finish drinking coffee in the morning so I have gotten into the habit of making a small pot of coffee in the morning, then another a little later and use the turbo heat setting for the smaller pot.  It brews quickly so it just makes the most sense for me.     

Drawbacks

It seems to be a challenge for me to fill reservoir with fresh water.  I presume most people would fill the coffee maker's carafe with water which isn't as easy with this.  The reservoir is easily removed and has an area for filling the water but since it's dark it's difficult to see the water lines and very cumbersome in the wee early hours.  Like anything, with time I got the hang of it and it is no problem now. 

The interior reservoir must be removed with each use to clean it out.  It is more difficult to clean than a glass carafe, but the good news is no one can see left over coffee or coffee stains.   

Overall

I have had this coffee maker for over a year and I am still completely in love with it.  This meets my needs perfectly.  My biggest complaint about previous coffee pots had always been the ugly appearance of left over coffee. This coffee maker makes my mornings bright. 

If flavor is your main goal, this is perfect.  If a seriously hot cup of coffee is what you like a more traditional coffee maker may be a better choice. 

Recommended: Yes