Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black/Brushed Metal
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black/Brushed Metal
Customer Review: Even Java Man could operate this!
Summary: 5 Stars
A drip coffee maker is not complex, and therefore should not be expensive. A main heating element boils water, which pushes up a tube and out over a hopper of ground coffee, where it slowly passes through and absorbs the oils and organic chemicals we have all come to enjoy. A temperature sensor, visible below the carafe, switches a second heating element beneath the brewed coffee on and off to keep it hot. For consistent brews, the drip through the coffee is controlled by evenly distributing hot water over the ground coffee and the size of the hole at the bottom of the hopper that controls the water passage through the grounds. A spring loaded plunger that rests on the carafe lid blocks the hole when the pot is removed. Knowing how that valve works is essential to proper brewing. On any drip coffeemaker, if you don't "seat" the carafe or the hopper properly, the plunger cannot fully open the valve and the brew will be altered. The hopper then overflows with hot liquid and grounds. If you remove the carafe during brew, the water flow through the now closed hopper is altered and deepens the brew.
After review of various drip machines, this clean-lined model provided best features: internal water filter, well designed carafe (comfortable handle, low evaporation lid that stays put during drip-free pours), small footprint, adjustable automatic shut-off and covered reservoir. Nothing is worse than discovering you had been daily passing fresh water over a dead moth that somehow squeezed through the plastic grating over the inaccessible water reservoir.
I accurately measure the water using the carafe and keep the coffee hopper up and unseated while I fill with water to prevent spillage into the dry filter/coffee. The fill port is between basket holder and outer case, toward the back, and any splashes onto the flat solid areas toward the front of the case sends water into the coffee hopper. If those areas were sloped toward the fill port, the device would be flawless. It's certainly not a major drawback. This model is very good value in a simple yet functional design, successfully operable well before the caffeine kicks in.
Customer Review: Caf-fiend
Summary: 4 Stars
How does one review a coffee maker? I'm not sure how to go about this but after reading what can only be regarded as rather hostile critiques of this product by other Amazon readers I thought I'd add my two cents and give dear readers my impression of...a coffee maker!? Oh well...
Truth be told I had originally purchased Cuisinarts DCC-1200 Coffeemaker strictly on its unique appearance. With a brushed steel quality and sleek look I thought it would make a fine addition to the overall look of my kitchen ( where every now and then I've been known to wander ) and for that reason alone I am happy with my purchase. An unusual product that adds a touch of elegance to my home.
As far as actually using the product I am at a loss as to why others are having such a difficult time with it. I use my coffeemaker every morning and even as a wander sleepy-eyed into my kitchen I'm still happy to make a fresh cup of java and experience little difficulties doing so. Other then the occassional spot of water that does indeed drip off the sides I see very little wrong with the product. The coffeemaker has presets for the number of cups one would make upon any given day and can even be programmed to make your coffee for you without having to stagger into ones kitchen at some ungodly early hour of the morning. Again, very convenient! The coffee that I make seems to remain suprisingly tasty in the caraffe even after sitting their for over an hour ( which, so I've been told, is when coffee begins to lose its freshness ) and I can even pour myself a cup while the coffeemaker is still brewing my initial morning pot. So far, so good!
Overall, my only frame of mind regarding this product is simple. Its a friggin' cup of coffee! Its not going to wake you up in the morning, won't help you shave or pick out which suit to wear and its not designed to nursemaid you until you get out the door to work. Enjoy this product for what it is and bear in mind it won't change your life. Though it might just help you face those difficult mornings with a bit more comfort and joy. And hey, it beats stopping by your local Starbucks for a $3.50 cup of java!
Customer Review: excellent so far
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this coffee maker about two months now. I use it every day. I bought it after being consistently disgusted with the coffee my cheapo "Mr. Coffee" coffeemaker made. I had really quit making coffee at home, so I would spend $5.00 or more a week buying coffee on the way to work.
I've been very happy with this coffee maker. It makes a great cup of coffee. I use the "1-4" cup button all the time, which apparently does a better job of super-heating the water for smaller brews, because I usually am just making coffee for myself. After years of my cheap, no-frills Mr. Coffee, it is a nice luxury to have the automatic brew and automatic shutoff options. Now I can prep the coffee the night before, and wake up in the morning to a nice hot pot of coffee.
It has charcoal internal water filter which is great because filtered water definitely makes a better cup. It looks great too. Replacing my cheap plastic Mr. Coffee with this thing made my whole kitchen look better. It perfectly matches the other stainless steel/black appliances in our kitchen.
Really the only mild complaint would be the price. But, it makes such a great cup of coffee that I don't buy a cup on the way to work anymore. So it will probably pay for itself in about 3-4 months. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, there is no external water level window, so I have to stand on my tip toes and look down into where I'm pouring the water (to keep the water and water filter as clean as possible, I don't like to use the carafe to measure the water before putting it into the maker). In addition, the hole where you pour the water into the basin is a little small but that's not much of a problem. The clock also is not back-lit, so it's not much use in a dark kitchen in the morning.
Bottom line, I am very happy with this coffee maker so far. It makes great coffee and looks great, and the special features like auto brewing and "small batch" settings have already spoiled me. I give it four stars instead of five only because it's a bit expensive, and I will have to wait and see if it stands the test of time.
Customer Review: Terrible Coffee, looks can be Deceptive
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-cup brewer 2 months ago (retail, not from Amazon) simply because I could not find a better substitute. I'm a serious coffee drinker and demand a "perfect" non-bitter, rich, smooth, flavorful cup of coffee. My old Coffee Maker went bad and hence I was in the market for a new one. This one is a huge disappointment. The coffee is bitter, lacks flavor and tastes bad. I thought it was me, but after trying several coffees and finally switching brewers, I realize it was definitely this Cuisinart that is the problem.
I think the problem has to do with the method used to get the hot water over the ground coffee. It does not spray the ground coffee beans and properly saturate it. Rather, it forces one stream of water through the coffee filter and the result is a bad, bitter, yet, weak coffee taste. Also, the water brewing temperature may not be optimal, even though the coffee comes out hot and the brewing plate keeps it hot.
Even though this coffee maker "looks" appealing and has multiple adjustments on the outside, the internal engineering aspects are terrible. That is what really counts, not the number of knobs on the outside. Bottom line, this is the WORST Coffee Maker I've ever tried in 40 years. Take it back before you buy it. Meanwhile, I'm still searching for a better unit. This one is going back to the store pronto!
UPDATE: I'm updating my review here since I have now found a wonderful coffee maker--it's expensive ($185) but worth it, called "Technivorm" "Moccamaster". This coffee maker is simple to use, heats the water to 200 degrees, sprays the coffee grains nicely and brews fantastic, flavorful, rich, non-bitter coffee. It's made in the Netherlands and there are few stores (in the U.S.) on the web that sell it. I've had it for 2 weeks now and am very impressed. Great coffee, smooth, rich and I now taste flavors in the coffee beans which were missing. I also switched to a burr grinder from a blade coffee bean grinder and the pair together really make the coffee spectacular. Nothing else compares to this one!
Customer Review: And the Verdict Is. . .
Summary: 4 Stars
After much research, I decided to go with this Cuisinart coffee maker and have not been disappointed. Here are the basics:1) Great looks
2) Makes hot coffee, not blazing hot coffee
3) Pot pours better than any pot I've ever used
4) Water gauge is hard to read inside, but not on the pot
5) A bit pricey, but has been worth it for me
Now, if you want particulars, keep reading. . .
First, as noted, the look is decidely cool, and given I'd just spent loads of money to remodel my kitchen, to include brushed stainless steel appliances, the Brew Central made sense.
True, the first cup of coffee immediately after brewing isn't as hot as it can be even with the "1-4 cup" button depressed. Oh, it comes out hot enough for the first half of a cup, but by the second half has cooled off a bit. But, the warmer plate--even on medium where I set it--keeps the remaining coffee plenty hot unless you insist on burning your coffee.
The pot is the easiest pouring one I've ever handled in my 30+ years of drinking coffee. It pours where you aim it, and it doesn't come streaming out the top or the sides unlike the one reviewer I've read who said it did. Perhaps he had a defective pot. That said, the opening to the water reservoir is smallish yet even when I don't have my contacts in and stumble downstairs early in the morning to take care of a three-year old I still manage to get it right every time. It's not that tiny, especially given how well the pot pours.
Yes, the markings inside are hard to see, but not the ones on the pot! I fill the pot according to how much coffee I want. Why would you fill the reservoir to see how much coffee you want? Some might argue, correctly, that the pot markings vary from those inside a coffee maker due to the amount of absorption your grounds give you. So what? Adjusting your coffee bean amount to your water amount is a typical hit-and-miss process with any new coffee maker. It took me about four pots of coffee before I learned what worked for me with the Brew Central, and since then I've been extremely happy, cost and all.