Cuisinart DCC-450 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe

$34 on Amazon

The DCC-450 brews 4 cups of coffee at a time, doesn't take up much counter space, and is easy to clean up

Pros: Decent coffee, Easy setup and clean up, Auto shut-off feature, Small footprint 
Cons: Coffee cools off too quickly, Doesn't brew hot enough

2 1/2 stars out of 5

This little coffee maker brews small batches of coffee, maxing out at four cups.  There's a a thermal carafe to keep the coffee warm.  I had been using a Keurig before this machine and was not really happy with the coffee from that machine, so I wanted to go back to a traditional coffeemaker.  I don't tend to drink a lot of coffee - usually two cups at the most, so I had hoped that between the small sized brew and the thermal carafe, I could have decent tasting coffee that stayed warm.  Overall, I wasn't really disappointed, but I have to admit that this coffeemaker does not brew coffee as hot as other coffeemakers I've had and for some reason, even with the thermal carafe, the coffee cools off too quickly once it's brewed.

Machine Basics 

There really isn’t anything too fancy or complicated about this coffeemaker. It’s small, easily fits on most counter areas (I had it tucked into a corner), brews up to 4 cups of coffee at a time and the thermal carafe is supposed to keep coffee hotter longer than a standard coffee pot. That thermal pot is also stainless steel, so it gives the coffeemaker a bit of a modern look and it could go with your stainless steel appliances I suppose. 

Brewing a pot of coffee is easy. Just start out by filling up the machine with as much water as you want (the reservoir is marked by cup so you can brew from one to four cups at a time). Then place a cone coffee filter in, add your ground coffee, close the top and press the on button. The coffee starts to brew and within a few minutes you have your coffee brewed and waiting for you in the thermal coffee pot. 

There is an automatic shut-off on the coffeemaker after 30 minutes so you don’t have to worry about leaving the coffeemaker on all day (I know this is something I worry about).  You can also pour coffee before the coffeemaker is completely finished brewing as there’s a brew-pause feature on the machine. I don’t find much use for this personally since the machine doesn't brew much coffee – can’t you wait a minute or two for it to completely finish? 

Coffee Taste? 

For a smaller coffee maker that only brews 4 cups, the coffee tastes okay. I was satisfied with the results overall, finding that it was more pleasing in taste to me than the coffee I had gotten from the Keurig machine, though the lack of a high temperature brew really does impact the taste of the final cup off coffee.

You get four 6-ounce cups of coffee when you fully fill the DCC-450. That’s enough for about 2 standard coffee mugs or one travel mug with a bit left over.  You can brew less than the 4 cups if you’d like, but I never did that. I always found that the 4 cups was a good amount for either the travel mug or for my morning coffee on weekends. I usually only have a little bit left in the pot and I’d rather brew it all at once than have to go back and brew more.

My biggest problem with this coffeemaker was even with a heating element and a thermal carafe, the coffee seemed to cool down way too fast.  Unless you took the coffee from the pot right after it brewed, it cooled down to the point within 10 minutes or so that I found it to be undrinkable.  I shouldn't have to microwave my coffee after I've just brewed it to keep it warm!  That is what finally did me in with this coffeemaker and I upgraded to a larger one that brews coffee at a hotter temperature and keeps the coffee warmer.

Clean-up 

The DCC-450 is easy to clean. The filter basket easily comes out (it’s got its own handle) and you can then toss the coffee filter (or compost it!) and rinse out the basket. The coffee pot’s lid pops off and it’s also very easy to rinse it out.  I’d say it takes me about a minute or two to clean up the coffeemaker when I’ve finished with it.

Final Thoughts 

If you are looking for a smaller, standard drip coffeemaker, the DCC-450 from Cuisinart is not a terrible choice, but I think other similar coffeemakers probably brew a tastier cup of coffee. However the DCC-450 brews 4 cups of coffee at a time, doesn't take up much counter space, and is easy to clean up. 

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker

$18.99 on Amazon

An inexpensive option for a decent cup of coffee

Pros: Inexpensive, Easy to Operate, Easy to Clean
Cons: None really if you expect to get what you paid for
3 1/2 stars out of 5

I've got a thing for coffeemakers, I admit it.  I've probably gone through a dozen over the years and still I search for the one coffeemaker that will make me a great cup of coffee.  Some have come pretty close and some have been pretty awful.  The newest in my collection, the Mr. Coffee 12-cup Switch Coffeemaker replaces the Cuisinart thermal 4-cup coffeemaker I've been using for a while.

Basics

This coffeemaker does not have the bells and whistles of some models.  It is a 12-cup coffeemaker with a glass carafe.  There is no programming to this model, the switch merely turns it on or off.  The only 'special feature (which I think all models have now) is that there is the brew and pause feature which lets you get coffee before the entire pot has brewed.  The heating element will stay on until you turn it off (this model isn't even fancy enough to have an auto-shutoff feature).  The coffeemaker is basically all plastic inside and a few pieces do seem a bit flimsy, but so far I haven't had any problems.

Getting Ready & Brewing Coffee 

Setting up this coffeemaker was a snap.  I unpacked it, washed out the glass carafe and washed the removable plastic parts.  I also took a warm cloth and wiped the interior of it.  I also run it once with just water to let it self-clean a bit.

When that was done, I put in the water, fitted the coffee filter in, added my coffee and turned the switch on.  The coffee brews quickly enough and I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised at the overall quality of the coffee that this coffeemaker brewed.  The coffee was hot and well rounded and the heating element keeps that coffee hot for as long as you want (one reason I really disliked the 4-cup coffeemaker this one replaced).  I brewed a full 10 cups on that first run, but since then have brewed smaller amounts and in general there is not really a change in quality between small runs and larger, full pot runs.

Cleanup is easy.  Pull out the coffee filter holder and rinse it, wash the carafe and wipe down the interior parts of the machine that can't be taken out.  I've been using it now for a few weeks without any problems.

Final Thoughts

I'm fairly certain I'll be getting another coffeemaker in the future, but for now, the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker meets my needs and makes a decent cup of coffee for a machine that sells for under $20.  If you are looking for an inexpensive coffeemaker that makes a good cup of coffee, you could do a lot worse than this machine.  I'd have no problem recommending it.

Mr. Coffee TF12 12-Cup Coffee Maker

The Mr. Coffee TF12 12-Cup Coffee Maker is one of those coffee makers that you don't really rave about or complain all that much about.  It makes decent coffee and at least in our office, it's been a quiet workhorse making coffee each morning without any problems.

But what about the coffee you ask, well the coffee it makes is pretty average too.  I have had much better and much worse, but I am generally happy with the cup of coffee that I have each morning once I have gotten to the office.  I guess you could say that it is an average coffee maker for home or for a small office like ours.

Read my full review of the Mr. Coffee TF12 12-Cup Coffee Maker on Epinions

Waring Pro Popcorn Maker

Want the experience of a movie theater or a carnival when you're having your popcorn? Get yourself the Waring Pro Popcorn Maker. This popcorn is a miniature version of the full size machines you'll find in movie theaters and on carts at a carnival. It doesn't make quite as much popcorn, but it's fun to use, makes good popcorn and I think is a great addition to our entertainment room.

My only problem with the popcorn maker is that the kettle is a bit hard to clean and that it would have been nice to be able to pop more corn at one time as opposed to having to do multiple poppings. Overall though, I've enjoyed the popcorn it makes and I like using it.

Read my full review of the Waring Pro Popcorn Maker on Epinions

Nostalgia Old Fashioned Hot Dog Roller

I had seen the Nostalgia Old Fashioned Hot Dog Roller in the store a while ago and I went on a crusade telling everyone how cool it looked and how it would make a great Christmas present.  Low and behold, Christmas came last year and I got it.  I can't say that I use it all that much, but the times I have, it's worked well and it's a cute little machine that's great for parties and get togethers where you want to be able to make a bunch of hot dogs and hold them.

"What are you going to do with an old fashioned hot dog roller," I hear you asking.  Well there are several different uses that I can think of.  First and foremost, this little machine works great for parties where you are having hot dogs and you want to be able to make a bunch at the same time and have them maintain their temperature without burning or shriveling up.  It also heats and steams your hot dog buns at the same time!  Not that I have kids, but I think this would make a great birthday party kind of thing too - the kids that have been over when we've used it, love the fact that they are getting their hot dog from a little hot dog cart.

Read my full review of the Nostalgia Old Fashioned Hot Dog Roller on Epinions

Hamilton Beach BrewStation 6-Cup Coffee Maker

There's another new coffee maker in the house and it's turned out that while I like the Hamilton Beach BrewStation 6-Cup Coffee Maker, I can't say that it's perfect. After several weeks of pretty regular use, I've found some things I really like about it and other things I wish I could change, but overall I think it's a pretty good machine and for now, I'm satisfied with it.

Read my full review of the Hamilton Beach BrewStation 6-cup Coffee Maker on Epinions

Sharp 650-Watt Compact Microwave Toaster Oven

At the apartment we had before we purchased our house, space was really at a premium in our kitchen so when I went looking for a new microwave, I wanted something that could do at least double-duty. That's how I found the Sharp 650-Watt Compact Microwave Toaster Oven. This little fellow claimed to be able to microwave, toast, bake and broil, all in a package that wasn't much bigger than a compact microwave oven.

The idea that I could combine my microwave and my toaster oven was quite alluring. It turns out that reality isn't quite so perfect, but overall I've generally been happy with my Sharp Microwave Toaster Oven.

Read my full review of the Sharp 650-Watt Compact Microwave Toaster Oven on Epinions

Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker

It’s a nifty kind of coffee maker that does make an excellent cup of coffee, it’s just that there are a few flaws in the final design. I don’t think they’ll make or break anyone’s choice, but they are something to consider if you’re looking at this coffee maker.

I really was dying to get this coffee maker. I had been drooling over it in the stores, I had it on my wishlist and I had been telling everyone I knew, I wanted one. I made sure to tell them that I wanted the stainless steel one too – I didn’t want any plain old white coffee maker.

What drew me in was the look and the functionality of the coffee maker. It not only brewed a pot of coffee, but it would grind the beans for you! If you’ve ever struggled with a bean grinder before making a pot of coffee, you know how frustrating this can be. Somewhere along the line you’ll make a mess and it never seems to work very easily. Cuisanart’s Grind and Brew coffee maker aimed to take care of that problem by incorporating the bean grinder directly into the coffee maker. Put in your beans, push a button and voila, you’ve got freshly ground beans and fresh coffee.

Finally someone listened and my best friend and my boyfriend went half and half and got me the coffee maker and since then, I’ve been enjoying some good coffee, albeit with a few issues here and there.

Read my full review of the Cuisinart Grind and Brew Thermal Coffeemaker on Epinions

Keurig Elite B40 Coffee Maker

I sometimes swing back and forth between thinking that the Keurig Elite B40 Coffee Maker is my most favorite coffee maker I’ve ever had and thinking that I really should go back to a standard coffee maker. Though in all honesty, most of the time I really enjoy having the B40 in my kitchen to provide almost instant coffee that tastes good.

For ease, convenience and simplicity, the Keurig B40 really can’t be beat. You simply fill it with water, turn it on, put in a k-cup holding the coffee you want and voila, you have a cup of hot, steaming coffee ready in about 30 seconds. On the other hand you only get that cup of coffee, the k-cups are really kind of pricey and deep down I just miss putting in a filter, filling it with ground coffee and brewing a pot, even though I almost never finished the whole pot.

Read the full review here