Black & Decker DCM18 Brew 'N Go Coffeemaker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Black & Decker DCM18 Brew 'N Go Coffeemaker
Customer Review: Works well
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this item after reading the multitude of reviews, as the good outweighed the bad. I'm glad I did, it works well for what I bought it for. In an attempt to cut back on coffee, I bought this machine for my office, and it has achieved the desired results. I had a 10 cup coffee maker before I bought the B&D Brew 'n Go, and it was difficult for me to make 2 cups. I can now make one generous sized cup of coffee without waste and it is extremely easy to clean up when it's time to go home. No pot or basket to wash! It's not the best cup of coffee I've ever had, but it's good and the convenience is far greater than the small decrease in the quality of the coffee. For those consumers who thought that it brewed "plastic" tasting coffee, I would recommend using a ceramic coffee cup, I use a large one that fits just fine. As long as it's not too tall, I think almost any cup would work. I used the cup and lid that came with the Brew 'n Go once, and I think it is the cup that tastes plastic, not the coffee maker. I also like the fact that the coffee is freshly made each time I want a cup, and there's no drinking coffee that's been sitting on a warmer for an hour (yuch!) It's a little bit noisy when you get to the end of the brew cycle, but unless you work in a very quiet office, it's not annoying. My B&D shuts off after brewing, as promised, and I have not had grounds in my coffee once. If you are a true coffee connoissuer, you may not like this product, but overall, I think it is a very good product and a bargain.Customer Review: Good But Not Great
Summary: 2 Stars
I recently stayed in a hotel for a month in which there was a Black & Decker single cup coffee maker. It was great -- this one (the DCM18) is not. The DCM18 produces coffee that is hot, but not VERY hot and I like it VERY hot. So that it is a problem from the start. The DCM is made so that the hot water has to travel through three chambers before dripping into the cup. That means three pieces have to be cleaned -- this is pretty ridiculous. The permanent filter works OK and I've not found a replacement for this size so I guess when it wears out (which will not take long as it is plastic mesh) I'll have to use #1 cone paper filters. Another negative is that this maker (as most of the cheap ones these days) has the pump connected to the lid so that if the lid is raised it pumps the hot water out onto YOU. None of these negatives existed with the unit in the hotel and my guess is that consumers can't buy that unit. It was solid as a rock (this one is not). The DCM also expels a lot of steam at the end of the pumping (which I know is normal). The engeering could have been improved by allowing a place for the steam to escape rather that it simpling blowing out around the edge of the lid causing water to drip down on the counter.
So, there are my thoughts. I don't know that there's a unit any better than this one that is available to consumers, but I feel this one could be improved with no added manufacturing expense to B&D.
Think I'll go have a cup now.
Customer Review: Best single cup coffee maker ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this coffee maker for over 10 years and never had a problem with it until one day i decided to clean the inside of the coffee well and accidentally depressed the trigger inside the well. Afterwards it only fed through half the water and nothing would change that. So i had to buy a new one about 5 years ago and haven't had a problem since. Reviewers talk about grounds overflowing when they use the included mesh filter. I got around that years ago by using first, the smaller #2 filters others mention, but found them too expensive and then switched to #4s--a whole lot cheaper because they can be bought in large batches. I just fold them over twice--across 1/3 width and up 1 1/2"--perfect fit when inserted into the filter holder. So much easier to clean up--just dump the whole thing. I love this coffee maker. I became accustomed to Starbucks stronger coffee flavor so now when i want a good strong cup of coffee i can brew my own in about the same time as it takes to make instant coffee--yuck! I don't use the included mug anymore, instead i use an Anchor Hocking 16 oz mug (Anchor Hocking 16-Ounce Cafe Mug - 6 Pack) After the coffee grounds soak up their 2 ounces, i have a perfect 12 oz cup made the way i like it. Thanks Black and Decker! I hope you continue to make this great little coffee maker, but just in case you don't, i'm going to buy another one as back-up.Customer Review: Great little coffee maker
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this based on the reviews a couple of weeks ago. I really love this little coffee maker. It's quick and brews a good sized cup of coffee with consistent great taste.
This cup-at-a-time brewer doesn't require those expensive "pods." It works with plain paper filters. I use #4 paper filters with one scoop of coffee (about 7 g coffee) to make a 10 oz coffee. The #4 paper filter fits in the nylon mesh filter basket perfectly. The advantage of paper filter is that you don't need to clean the permanent mesh filter. The coffee I got from the machine is much darker than the leading brand single cup coffee maker that uses its own pod and also the result is very consistent. This little machine is using traditional way to brew coffee which is so much better than "Pod" ideas.
There are only two small problems that I should mention here: First, when you use mug to pour water in reservoir, it is easier to spill out. You should be more careful or use cup with pouring spout. Second, once you remove mug, there might be left over dripping. You should either be more patient and wait little longer until it stop dripping or put some paper tower under to avoid mass.
The little machine brews quickly and it shuts itself off automatically when done. It is simple, effective, reliable, and inexpensive. You can use any coffee you like. I highly recommend it.
Customer Review: great dependable machine
Summary: 5 Stars
Highly recommended item. I use it every day. Brews a great cup of coffee. Durable item. Simple to use and clean out. You can brew many cups right after each other.
I actually bought this one model because it comes with a plastic mug. The plastic mug can go into the microwave to re-heat coffee which I often have to do because I do not drink the coffee right away (get distracted doing other things), then you can just put the mug in the microwave. The other models with stainless steel mugs can not be microwaved... For me this is an important feature. Also, the mugs are nice, comfortable and the lids stay on well, but not too well that you need a pliers to remove the lid.
I found that SOME finely gound coffee may clog up the filter and does not let the hot water drip thru. Instead the water back logs into the water storage area. However, my usual Folgers or Maxwell House work coffee grinds work fine and do not cause this problem.
Also, a minor problem is that it drips a little coffee into where the mug was removed for several minutes after you think the maker is completed. Therefore, you always need to lay down a paper towel when you remove the mug.
These are minor complaints to a FINE item that is a real time saver for me every morning.