Scott Wilkerson
Cuisinart: A Guide to an American Company and It’s Exceptional Coffeemakers
Cuisinart is one of the most popular small appliance brands in the United States. They are known for producing exceptional kitchen appliances that can outperform many other brands. Their coffeemakers are no exception. They have coffeemakers that can fit any budget- from low-end, basic coffeemakers to high-end coffeemakers that are technologically advanced. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Cuisinart as a company. We’ve also reviewed some of their most popular coffeemakers and included our findings. Keep reading to find out more about Cuisinart.
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Customer Reviews
Do not just take our word for it, take a look at what customers are saying:
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Educated Reader, Evanston
“Don’t believe the negative reviews
I previously owned a 12-cup coffeemaker, which actually was too large as I am the only coffee drinker in the house. Not only being too large for my use, it took up extra space on my counter because it was too tall to fit under the cabinets. As such, I was thinking of buying a smaller coffeemaker, but the one I had still worked very well so it didn’t make sense to buy a new one. Then the carafe broke which opened up the possibility for me to purchase a smaller one. I read the previous reviews on this product, and I would disagree whole-heartedly with any of the negative reviews. For example, that the basket opens during brewing is in error because you need to snap the lid down before brewing. If you snap it in place, it will not open. Then I read that the carafe gets too hot, but why would you touch a hot carafe in the first place? It is made of stainless (thus unbreakable like glass carafes!) so would be very hot to the touch…DUH!! If you are looking for a smaller coffeemaker that works well and takes up less counter-top space than larger coffeemakers, this is the right coffeemaker for you. It’s well constructed; definitely not made from cheap materials. It also feels very solid, much more so than my previous machine. I would highly recommend this to anyone. The only con I have is the carafe lid is a bit hard to take off the carafe; but that’s such a minuscule negative that it really doesn’t counter how great this coffeemaker really is.” 
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Steve C
“Excellent and Affordable Small Coffee Maker
I bought this Cuisinart coffee maker for my office. I wanted to avoid the costly coffee pods that a Keurig would use. This Cuisinart maker does an effective job of making coffee. It’s brew temperature is more than hot enough. The burner turns off automatically after 30 minutes which is a nice safety feature. The carafe is metal so it won’t break if dropped. If you make a full pot/carafe, which claims to be 4 cups, it actually is more like 2 regular sized cups/mugs of coffee. For me alone in my office, that is fine. It is somewhat noisy for a bit during brewing, but only for a minute or so as the water brews through. So don’t expect it to be a silent coffee maker. Again, I am in my office alone so not an issue for me. Don’t put this machine under an overhanging cabinet as steam comes out of the during brewing. This would be a safe coffee pot for a small apartment or college dorm room. And because you are using #2 cone filters and your own ground coffee, you avoid the exorbitant cost of Keurig coffee pods. You can more easily compost your used coffee grounds with the Cuisinart 4 cup coffee pot.”
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Mil Mej
“Pequeña jarra metálica se mantiene muy caliente
Lo que me gusto- pequeña – hace buen café- la jarra es metálica por lo que me olvidó de las de vidrio y que se rompan Lo que no me gusto – debe usar filtro de papel no 2. Comprar el filtro aparte y con ellos te olvidas d Elia filtros desechables”
A Brief History of Cuisinart
Cuisinart is an American company that was founded in 1971 by Carl Sontheimer. He developed the food processor which continues to be Cuisinart’s trademark product. With the help of a trade show in 1973 and an excellent review in Gourmet Magazine, Cuisinart’s success was sealed.
Unfortunately, that success was short-lived because sales began to decline. The company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1989 and was bought by Conair Corporation. Since then, Conair has catapulted Cuisinart to the top and it’s now known as one of the leading kitchen appliance companies in the world. In fact, the company has won numerous awards for both customer service and quality products.
Cuisinart is now known for a wide array of products. The food processor still continues to be its most popular product despite high sales in other appliance categories. Some of the other products that Cuisinart produces are:
- Coffeemakers
- Air fryers
- Can openers
- Microwaves
- Popcorn Makers
- Waffle Makers
- Hand mixers
- Ice cream makers
This is only a small amount of their product line up. They offer a full kitchen solution with innovative products that make headlines. In fact, their coffeemakers, which is the focus of this article, are some of the most innovative appliances on the market. In the next section, you can view a comparison table of four of their best coffeemakers.
Cuisinart Coffeemakers: A Comparison Table
| Cuisinart Coffeemaker DCC-450 | Cuisinart Cold Brew #DCB-10 | Cuisinart Single-Serve #SS-10P1 | Cuisinart Grind & Brew #DGB-850 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4 cup | 7 cup | Single Serve 4-12 oz. |
4 – 10 cups |
| Programable? | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 5.25″L x 8.00″W x 10.00″H | 11.3″L x 8.9″W x 15.3″H | 11.”L x 9.3″W x 12.1″H | 11″L x 14.5″W x 19.5″H |
| Weight | 4 lbs. | 6 lbs. | 9.4 lbs. | 15 lbs. |
| Carafe Material | Stainless Steel | Glass | N/A | Stainless Steel |
| Brew Pause? | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Auto Shut-off? | Yes, 30 min |
Cuisinart Coffeemaker Reviews
Cuisinart has an exhaustive list of coffeemakers. They vary widely in price range, features, capacities, and more. After reviewing several of their coffeemakers, we came up with a list of four that really stood out. We’ve created a list below with the four coffeemakers listed from least expensive to most expensive. Their ranking in the list does not indicate quality; all of Cuisinart’s coffeemakers are of exceptional quality.
1. Cuisinart 4-Cup Coffeemaker Model #DCC-450BK
This coffeemaker is one of Cuisinart’s economy models. It’s compact – the perfect size for a small household or a small office. It’s even suitable for an RV since it only requires 550 starting watts. It’s easy to clean because all the removable parts are dishwasher safe and it’s easy to maintain since it doesn’t have any “computerized” parts to worry about.
Even though this is an economy model, it still has attractive features. The small carafe is stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking. It also features a “brew pause” feature so you can sneak a cup of joe before brewing is done. You don’t have to do anything to use the brew pause feature. Simply pick up the carafe and the brewing is automatically paused. Put the carafe back and it resumes. You can’t get any easier than that.
This is a great coffeemaker for the budget-friendly shopper. It also happens to make a great gift for your coffee-loving friends and family.
Pros
- Only 550 starting watts.
- Small footprint.
- Very affordable.
Cons
- Not programmable.
- Paint on heating pad flakes away after a while.
2. Cuisinart Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker Model #DCB-10
Cold brew coffee is all the rage right now. That’s why Cuisinart offers this amazing cold brew coffeemaker. It’s stylish and extremely easy to use. The stainless steel and glass combo will look good in any kitchen.
One of the best qualities of this coffeemaker is that you can get your cold-brew coffee in as little as 25 minutes. Many other brands of cold-brew coffeemakers take around 45 minutes or more. We also liked the fact that you can choose between three brew strengths: mild, medium, or bold. This allows you to customize your coffee just the way you like it.
The carafe doubles as a coffee storage container. Cuisinart suggests that you can store coffee for up to two weeks in the refrigerator using this carafe. However, the carafe only holds seven cups (35 ounces) of coffee so we doubt that it will last for two weeks.
Pros
- Three different brew strengths.
- Spin technology offers a more flavorful brew.
- Most parts are dishwasher safe.
Cons
- Filter basket isn’t very durable (must wash it easily).
- Glass handle is thin so you must be careful not to break it.
- Not programmable.
3. Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker Model #SS-10P1
Single-serve coffeemakers are extremely popular nowadays. Cuisinart is a leader in single-serve coffeemaker sales. This model is extremely impressive and the stainless-steel look that Cuisinart is known for gives this model and expensive look. On top of that, the bright LCD display and the blue-lined buttons elevate the coffeemaker into the category of “modern distinction”.
This coffeemaker is compatible with any brand of single-cup coffee pods on the market. You can even use Keurig cups. If you don’t want to use coffee pods, it comes with a reusable HomeBarista™ filter so you can use ground coffee instead. It can brew five different cup sizes from four ounces to twelve ounces and you can even adjust the temperature of your brew. This paired with the easy to read buttons and display make it quick and simple to get your very own, customized cup of coffee.
Pros
- Hot water button for tea, hot cocoa, etc.
- Water reservoir is removable.
- Water filter is charcoal for best tasting brew.
- Removable drip tray to accommodate travel mug.
Cons
- Made from a hard plastic instead of metal.
- Can be a little noisy.
4. Cuisinart Fully Burr Thermal Grind & Brew Coffeemaker Model #DGB-850
If you like are a coffee connoisseur, a technology maven, or simply someone who likes the finer things in life, you’ll really like the Thermal Grind & Brew coffeemaker. As the name suggests, you can grind your own coffee and brew it all in the same machine. The result is super fresh, crisp, bold, and flavorful coffee in a short amount of time.
Not only will this device grind the perfect amount of coffee for whatever brew capacity you set, but using Cuisinart’s DirectFlow grind assembly, it will automatically transfer the ground coffee to the filter basket, so you don’t have to. This seamless transition sets this coffeemaker apart from most competitors’ coffeemakers on the market. If this isn’t enough, the coffeemaker also features a bright LCD display that easily allows you to see your settings, which include three different coffee strengths so you can customize your perfect cup of coffee.
Pros
- Hopper has a sealed lid to keep beans fresh.
- You can choose to use pre-ground coffee.
- Permanent filter is commercial grade.
- Water filter is charcoal.
- Comfort-grip carafe handle.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Grinder sometimes spills coffee grounds onto counter.
- Requires extensive cleaning so grounds don’t clog the machine.
Conclusion
Cuisinart is an interesting company with a rich history as well as exceptional and innovative products. The biggest takeaway from Cuisinart coffeemakers is that the products are manufactured well and built to last. All their coffeemakers come with a three-year limited warranty, so you’re covered for any defects. This even applies to their budget model. We don’t expect that you’ll need the warranty – Cuisinart’s products often get highly rated reviews about the longevity and quality of their products. Overall, choosing a Cuisinart coffeemaker is a smart choice and a great investment for anyone who loves a great, home-brewed cup of coffee.
