Cuisinart DGB-500 Grind & Brew, White
by Cuisinart

List Price: $150.00
Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary

• Grinds coffee beans and brews coffee at preset time
• Charcoal filter eliminates chlorine and odors from tap water
• Glass carafe holds 12 5-ounce cups of brewed coffee
• Grinder removes for easy clean-up; brew-pause for mid-brew pour
• Measures 15 by 8 by 7-1/2 inches, 3-year warranty

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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Cuisinart DGB-500 Grind & Brew, White

Customer Review: Some Like It Hot
Summary: 5 Stars

CARAFE
The carafe holds about 60 oz. of water, good for 12 - 5 oz cups. It absolutely does not dribble. The handle is well secured to the sturdy glass. Although it won't take a direct hit from a hammer as Ron Popeil's rotisserie does in the infommercial, it should hold up to routine daily use.

GRINDER
Nothing beats the taste of coffee made from freshly ground beans and the Cuisinart really delivers. Just place the beans in the grinder basket, replace the grinder basket lid, close the reservoir lid and press the on button. The high speed blades reduce the beans to a medium grind and deposits virtually all the coffee into the filter basket. Yes, some grounds remain in the lid/basket assembly but the amount is negligible. Some may find the noise of the grinder disturbing (some reviewers have referred to it as an excellent alarm clock). but since I need all the help I can get waking up in the morning it's a welcomed though unadvertised "feature". A variable grind setting would have been nice for us purists but I suppose that would have increased the price and complexity. Nevertheless, the single medium grind that Cuisinart provides works well.

RESEVIOR
The rear-hinged cover swings up to reveal an adequately sized opening while making it easy to clear any cupboard overhang. Inside is a water level indicator which I found far more difficult to see than the external tube found on many other models. It's easier to just use the cup markings on the carafe. The reservoir also houses the requisite charcoal water filter which I find of dubious value. I think such filters are too small to do the job; since I always drink bottled water anyway I'll be saving money on replacement filters. Well, it's there if you want it.

CLEANING
Hard-to-clean machines appear to rank among the top user concerns. Here's the non-decaffeinated scoop.

There are 6 parts to clean: 1) Grinder Basket Lid; 2) Grinder Basket; 3) Filter basket cover; 4) Filter Basket; 5) Carafe; 6) Carafe Lid. Make that 7 parts if you use the included gold filter which I don't recommend since it's just one more messy piece to clean. Besides, this filter will allow some grounds to fall into the carafe which will appear as sediment on the bottom. Yukkk! While this may seem like a lot of parts, it's about the same as using a regular coffee maker plus separate grinder. Actually, it's easier to clean since you can place the entire grinder basket assembly in the dishwasher which you can't do with a standalone.

There are some hard-to-reach spots: the cradle which holds the filter basket assembly; the area right above the filter basket cover where the hot water drips into the ground beans. There are also some areas where ground coffee accumulates but I guess this is to be expected with an integrated grinder. Admittedly, my old Braun KF187 was easier and faster to clean as it had fewer pieces to contend with. But hey, this is one helluva machine and I don't mind the extra effort.

CONTROL PANEL
Programming is intuitive. Auto shut-off can be set for 0-4 hours. There's a setting for small batches (1-4 cups) and a "grinder-off" setting when using pre-ground coffee. All in all, very easy to use. The LCD clock is small and not backlit; you won't be able to see it from across the room.

THE TASTE
Hmm, Hmm, Good! This unit makes a delicious, hot cup of coffee. Since all brands/flavors of coffee are as different peoples' tastes, you'll have to experiment with various bean/water ratios. The ability to grind fresh beans before each use absolutely enhances the flavor experience. If you need to brew a second pot, make sure all parts are absolutely dry before grinding beans. If using pre-ground beans, this is not necessary as the grinding chamber won't be used.

CONCLUSION
Best coffee maker I've ever owned. It's very quiet (except for the grinder), brews a delicious hot cup and steam doesn't billow out during the brew cycle so overhead cupboards won't get damaged. The ability to have freshly ground hot coffee programmed to greet me for breakfast as the sun rises each day makes getting through the morning so much easier. I tried to program my wife to greet me but she just rolls over and says not now, honey. Too bad there's no auto-omelet switch. The power cord is too short but an extension may be used if you follow the manufacturer's instructions. The machine is sturdily constructed and comes with a very attractive 3-yr warranty which demonstrates the faith Cuisinart has in the product. If you're in the market for a new coffee maker, you owe it to yourself to consider the Cuisinart DGB-500.

Description of Cuisinart DGB-500 Grind & Brew, White

Drip Coffee Machines

• Kitchen & Dining > Coffee, Tea & Espresso > Drip Coffee Machines