I am drinking instant coffee because the coffeemaker broke. And this was the back-up coffeemaker! The first one broke completely a few months ago, and I was so happy we had this one (my parents’, which they gave us when they moved) all set to go! And now this coffeemaker too has shuffled off. This is not a good time to be alive, for coffeemakers.
I don’t want to speak for you, but I’m not sure any of us have the internal fortitude (shouldn’t that be “intestinal fortitude”? never mind, I prefer internal) for another “What coffeemaker should I buy??” discussion. I will probably just repurchase one of the two that broke.
One of them was a Cuisinart, and here are the things I didn’t like: it was hard to pour water into the reservoir without spilling it everywhere, which I blamed on myself until I was using a different coffee maker and I did not spill; it took a long time to brew; it was made of fast-rusting material, so that the heat plate rusted immediately and also a metal plate on the UNDERSIDE of the coffeemaker rusted, so that there were rust stains on the counter; it broke after four years, which according to the reviews was about two years longer than I should have expected. I liked that it made 14 cups (Paul drinks the leftover coffee iced), and I liked how easy the maker itself was to use, aside from the water issue, and how easy the carafe was to clean, and I liked that I could set it up to brew automatically the next morning (especially considering how long the brewing took).
The one from my parents was a Braun, and it was the kind with a thermal carafe. I liked that it kept the coffee hot for a long time, and I liked that it was FAST-brewing—though I found I trusted a fast-brewing machine less, like maybe it’s not really giving the grounds TIME. I liked that it DIDN’T TURN INTO A HEAP OF RUST. I didn’t like the difficulty of cleaning the carafe and lid, and I felt like the maker itself was difficult to use: a lid that screwed on in a certain way, a swing-out basket for the filter/grounds that didn’t snap back into place in a confidence-inspiring manner.
boring post about coffeemakers;
quick: add kitten picture
I have the Cuisinart 12 cup maker and have had it for 10 years? I think? I agree it’s hard to pour into, but I haven’t had any issues with rust. Maybe the 12 cup is less problematic than the 14? I’ve had to replace the pot a few times because I am clumsy mcclumserton.
:D
I am not one to offer advice on coffee makers, since I currently have 3 different single-cup makers on my counter: a Hamilton Beach Scoop for loose coffee and two different Nespressos. Even when we have company staying over (i.e. several extra people) we all make our cups of coffee individually as some want decaf and some want regular drip and some want espresso-style. When I realized this was the trend I gave my multi-cup maker away.
I grind beans, when on a coffee kick, and then put them in a metal french press with cold water for at least 24 hours and make cold brew. That I warm up if I don’t want cold coffee. And I also have a moka pot. So, typical, American, drip makers aren’t my jam. However, I am always riveted to your review posts.
Was it really 4 years since we last went through “I need a coffeemaker” Time FLIES
Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker, Stainless Steel https://a.co/d/jaei3ou
I’ve had this coffee pot for 6 years, according to my Amazon purchase history. My favorite thing about it is that the water reservoir comes off so you can fill it right and the sink and then pop it back on the coffee maker. I also like that it keeps the coffee hot for a long time without giving it a burned taste from sitting on the hot plate.
We have this one also. Would recommend!
I just have to say that when you mentioned the pain of filling the water reservoir on an earlier post, I said to myself “I bet it’s a darn Cuisinart”. I have the Cuisinart/Keurig combo machine. It suits my purpose for when I want a quick cup vs the longer brew cycle. But WOW I CAN NOT STAND filling it with water.
My old stand by was my Black & Decker 12 cup programmable one. Easy to use, never had a problem with it. Nothing fancy.
I sometimes regret the Cuisinart purchase but it was an Xmas gift I just had to have. Oops.
I think counter appliances are basically made to be replaced every few years. I say this after researching toasters and blenders for much too long. Both of mine died about 10 years after I got them as wedding gifts. But all the reviews of toasters and blenders were pretty crappy now. Everyone complained about something, and also the rate at which they’d needed to replace them. I ended up picking a mid-range toaster and a high end blender. I hardly use the blender, but when I do it works great and better than what I had before. The toaster is fine.
My rec for drip coffee is OXO brand. Not cheap, but well made and straightforward. Had a cuisinart coffeemaker with built in grinder before and it made a huge mess, water and wet grids everywhere.
Toasters = Dualit (the original one, with cages). The end!
This measuring cup has solved the problem you describe with the Cuisinart for us, though I have been tempted to look for a larger one so as not to have to return to the faucet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L36FXX2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Well, that is one ADORABLE CAT! Is he fast becoming your fav? You can tell us the truth…we won’t share.
I have a Cuisinart coffee maker with a glass carafe. It’s easy and has an option of strong coffee which we do. (half decaf, half reg) I’ve had a fancy expensive coffee maker from a high end maker. It broke within 6 months, fortunately, as it was too complicated. I just want plain old coffee! Anyway we went back to the inexpensive Cuisinart and both dh and I are most happy.
I am convinced that all appliances (ALL; large or small) these days are made with planned obsolescence in mind. Why make something that lasts (or can be repaired) when you can make something that dies within a couple of years and forces the user to replace the product?
Irritates me to no end.
I have a super automatic espresso machine (Saeco) that I bought refurbished. It was expensive but 10 years and more than 15000 cups of americano later it is still kicking. The coffee is fresh ground and come out hot!
I realize this isn’t helpful for those who make coffee in quantity, but I finally got fed up with Keurig and bought a Kalita one-cup pour over thingy and it’s great. Never breaks and takes less time than the automatic drip machine we have. Plus I get to feel righteous because I’m not making all of that K-cup waste.
That’s the reason we bought and love our Hamilton Beach Scoop: the ground coffee goes right in a metal mesh basket so no K-cups!
It’s pricy but I love the Moccamaster. We have the model with the thermal carafe and it’s held up for 5 years so far.
For me, the overnight programming is the most important feature. I’m totally spoiled now that I come down to the kitchen and the coffee is hot. I have a Cuisinart.
I have a Cuisinart that may never die, plus a spare carafe from a Buy Nothing member whose coffeemaker evidently wanted to be another data point on the “two years and out” group. Mine is at least 15 years old.
We got a Ninja brand coffeemaker that has a detachable water reservoir, so you can just go fill it up from the sink! No having to deal with pouring the water. It’s very nice to not worry about.
I work for a small business with a tiny kitchen so we use a standard home coffee maker and we replace it every 2 – 3 years. I used to try to find something that reviewed as more durable but eventually gave up. I have accepted that I will have to replace it frequently.
We went through 2 coffeemakers in 4 years and switched to a large metal French press out of frustration with the waste.
Pros: makes great coffee, has lasted 11 years with no drama, keeps coffee hot, one less thing on the counter
Cons: pain in the ass to clean out, have to use a kettle to heat the water, have to grind our own coffee
Sames: amount of time to go from no coffee to coffee
Not to hijack, but– for those of you who grind your own coffee, what grinder do you use and are you happy with it? I’m on the market for one and being overwhelmed by the 800000 choices.
Our current grinder’s plastic bowl is cracked, plus the grinder itself is extremely loud. I would very much like to have a quieter, unbroken grinder.
Hey Alice! We have a Baratza Encore Conical burr grinder and it is amazing! I bought it in August of 2021 and it is still going strong. It is not quiet, though.
Love the kitten!!
So, I have a Keurig and have for years. I have an inexpensive regular coffeemaker for bigger gatherings like Christmas Eve.
One of my besties has a Hamilton Beach flex brew which can brew the pot or individual and she loves it. Not sure of the exact model but not super pricey and maybe one to consider?
PS- My special talent is killing dryers so at least coffee pots are generally less expensive.