Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker
by Black & Decker
List Price:
Our Price: $31.18
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Black & DeckerBrand: Black & Decker
Release Date: 2004-08-15
Model: DCM2500B
Color: Black
Product features:
- 12-cup coffeemaker features digital clock and delayed start
- Wake up to a pot of freshly brewed coffee
- Perfectly drip-free pouring spout; 2 water windows
- Sneak-a-cup feature; automatic shut-off after 2 hours
- 13 inches tall, raised lid requires 22 inches; 1-year warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker
Customer Review: This is a great deal!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is truly a great deal if you're looking for a coffeemaker that just makes coffee. It does the job and does it well. The carafe is accurately marked with number of cups, with a little step to show the difference between water "in" and coffee "out," and it (mostly) doesn't drip after you pour...what else can you ask for? We bought this model instead of the less expensive DCM2000 because it has the "timed off" function...it shuts itself off after two hours, so you don't cook your coffee into road tar if you don't drink it right away (it's easy enough to reheat a cuppa in the microwave). We also got the black model because we were worried about staining...good choice, since we can't tell whether it's stained or not! The filter basket is removable, and the reservoir is marked in cups of water so you don't have to use the carafe to fill it.
Would we buy another one? Yup...in a New York minute! We've discovered that most of the complaints about overflowing probably come from people using the "sneak-a-cup" feature and failing to observe the "no more than one minute" time limit clearly stated in the instructions...or possibly failing to properly set the carafe in place to open the drip hole on the basket. If you pay attention to the rules and carafe placement, you'll never have an overflow...it's not that tough.
Now for the "bad" stuff...
I can't say whether this is really "bad" or not, but it IS an inexpensive coffeemaker, and it feels that way in materials and construction, but it does work...we'll have to see how long it lasts with daily use. I'd have to be convinced that something costing two or three times as much makes better coffee...I'm into function, not status.
It's tall! It probably won't fit under most wall-mounted kitchen cabinets with the lid open...we just pull it forward when filling it or emptying the filter basket after the coffee is brewed, and prop the lid partially open with a piece of plastic to let it dry between uses.
Note: after the coffee is brewed and you lift the cover to remove the filter basket, the water spreader and associated "stuff" still contains a fair amount of water and you'll probably get a sizable drip on your counter. The basket itself won't drip because it has the "sneak-a-cup" valve that closes when there's no carafe under it.
If you use the full 12-cup capacity, the filter (the filter, NOT the basket!) may overflow and you'll get grounds in your coffee (yes, we do use filters labeled "for 8-12 cups"). This has happened twice...not a big deal, but annoying; if your filters reach the top of the basket, you won't have this trouble, and the accessory permanent filter would probably solve the problem as well. Most of the time we make 8 cups, however, and everything is fine. One note about cup size: As with most coffeemakers, they're talking about fine-china size cups...a REAL mug (like the ones most of the real world uses!) is actually about two of their cups, so if you want two mugs' worth, make 4 cups, and use one slightly rounded coffee scoop per mug.
Yes, the coffee COULD be hotter right after brewing...it gets somewhat hotter if it sits on the hotplate for any length of time...but it's hot enough for me, and I just nuke it in the mug for 30 seconds if I want it hotter right after it's brewed.
Finally, I had a coupon, but there are great deals out there on this item...I've seen them for $20, and only one place had them for more than $30. Unless you're into chi-chi names and shiny stainless steel, this is one of the best items around...the consumer magazine was right.
Update: The consumer magazine just rated coffeemakers again and this model is no longer their choice, even as a "best buy." No matter...I still think it's a decent coffeemaker, especially for the price. Ours works perfectly, and has from day one. I'd still buy another one in a New York minute!
Description of Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker
Black & Decker SmartBrew coffeemaker in black. Includes 12-cup capacity, lighted on/off switch, removable brew basket, water window, cord storage and Perfect Pour carafe.This is one programmable coffeemaker that's actually very easy to program. The touch-pad buttons are intuitive, and the printed directions clear, so there's no excuse for not waking up to the aroma of a freshly brewed pot of java. To prepare for making a pot at any hour, the lid lifts up (hinges in rear), exposing the brew basket: add a flat-bottomed paper filter and the ground coffee of your choice. There's ample pour space for water, the level of which you can view through a convenient window on either side. Simply close the lid and push the On button. Auto/On and the clock buttons set the time for delayed start.
The most satisfying thing about the glass carafe is that the wide lip pours without a single drip. In addition, the broad bottom on the carafe affords good surface contact with the stay-hot plate for up to two hours; at that point, the machine shuts off automatically for safety. Those who can't wait for a sip before the entire pot is brewed will appreciate the Sneak-a-Cup feature. While the coffeemaker stands 13 inches tall, it must be pulled forward on a counter to clear most cabinets since the raised lid requires 22 inches. The DCM2500B features a sleek hourglass shape, comes in black or white, and is covered by a one-year warranty. The brew basket and carafe are dishwasher-safe in the top rack. --Ann Bieri
Drip Coffee Machines
Kitchen and Housewares
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