Cuisinart DCC-450 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe
by Cuisinart
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: CuisinartBrand: Cuisinart
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Cuisinart DCC-450 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe
Customer Review: Superior little coffeemaker
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned at least four small coffeemakers previous to this one (brands: Mr. Coffee, Black & Decker, Braun, and Krups). And this is the best one I've ever had. To those who are concerned (as I was) about the number of reviews complaining that the carafe drips when pouring coffee, I can report I have NEVER ONCE spilled so much as a single drop of coffee with this carafe. I suspect that it was redesigned to address an earlier dripping problem because it shows some clever engineering: The lid portion that bends down into the lip of the carafe is perforated with about 20 small, oblique holes that direct the stream of fluid directly into your cup. I don't think I could spill a drop of coffee with this thing if I tried. The design works perfectly. In fact, this carafe is the only one I've ever used that has ZERO drip issues. Note: I have never tried pouring water with the carafe with the lid off, so I can't offer any information there.
Another example of the good engineering on this unit: The on/off switch. With previous small coffeemakers, I would sometimes find that I had accidentally turned the units on when I bumped them (when unloading grocery bags on the counter, for instance). This unit uses a springy rocker switch: there's some springy resistance your finger has to overcome to turn the unit on, which eliminates the accidental bump problem. Even better, the coffeemaker automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, which is a great safety feature. Some have complained that the shutoff occurs too soon--but if it's going to take you more than half an hour to drink your first cup of coffee, do yourself a favor and take the three minutes to brew another cup. Cooking coffee on a hot plate for any length of time just turns it bitter.
Prior to writing this review, I was trying to think of something negative to say, so I thought one problem with the spring-press switch is that once turned on, it can't be manually turned off (or so I assumed). When I've wanted to turn the unit off ahead of the auto shutoff, I've been unplugging it. So I checked this morning, and, silly me: The switch turns off with another spring-press. The design is perfect.
The only drawback that comes to mind with this unit is that with a stainless steel carafe, you can't see how much coffee is inside it without opening it up. That's an unavoidable trade-off with the durability that comes with stainless. And, on balance, it's a win, in my opinion. In case you're wondering, you'll have no trouble knowing when the brew cycle is over because of the gentle gurgling sound and small huff of steam that come when it's done.
One tip and a final remark. Remember that coffee is 98% water. For my coffee, I fill this unit with distilled water to the 3 cups mark, use three level coffee measures of Folger's 100% Colombian, and use CoffeeMate Original (liquid, not powder) for cream. I've been getting coffee that's about as good as any restaurant I've been in. And for whatever reason, the coffee coming out of this machine just seems to get better with each passing week.
Description of Cuisinart DCC-450 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe
Cuisinart created its Pink Series to help support breast cancer reserch. A portion of proceeds from the sale of every Cuisinart Pink Series product will be donated to this cause. This extensive line of premium prooducts in deleciously soft pink makes a lot more than just a styling statement! Not everyone wants a coffee maker that makes 10 or 12 cups. This one from Cuisinart is designed for one or two persons and makes four cups - just the right amount! Small in design, it takes up minimal counter space, too. The stainless steel carafe keeps coffee hot and features a dripless pour spout so there are no messy drips left on your counter. Another feature so popular with coffee drinkers is the Brew Pause that lets you snag a cup while in the process of brewing. The Cuisinart coffee maker has a 30-minute automatic shutoff and an "On" indicator light. To help you get started, it comes with an instruction book.Drip Coffee Machines
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