Looking for the Best Cuisinart Coffee Makers? Here are our top 5 picks for with detailed reviews, comparison charts and buying guides for the best coffee machines by Cuisinart.
Cuisinart is one of the most trusted brands in the home appliance industry. But if you are in the market to buy a brand new Cuisinart Coffee Maker, you have several options to choose from.
We at Freshpresso have done that job a bit easier for you and have the best recommendation according to different needs.
We review different coffee makers, talk about their stand out features and finally recommend which you should get. Here are the best coffee makers Cuisinart has to offer –
1. Cuisinart SS-15 12 Cup Coffee Maker – This combines the classic 12 cup coffee maker and the utility of single serve in one single package. Equipped with it Cuisinart’s latest brewing technology, this one is the clear winner if convenience is at the forefront.
2. Cuisinart DCC-3200 Perfect Temp Coffee Maker – However, if you are looking for a budget option, that doesn’t compromise on features, then this will be our top recommendation. Solid build quality, advanced brewing technology and consistent, flavorful coffee has made this a clear fan favourite.
1. Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Coffee Maker – With an integrated burr grinder at the top, it grinds fresh coffee beans right before brewing. This gives you a more flavorful and rich coffee. Comes with all the Cuisinart features like programmability, temperature and strength control. If you like to savour every sip, this is the best Cuisinart has to offer.
2. Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker – However, if you are a fan of coffee house drinks then the EM-100 is a good option. Brews a rich espresso and comes with a steaming want to froth milk. Perfect for beginners.
Some of us love the regular filter coffee while some of us just dig the taste that comes with blended K-cups of single serve machines. Cuisinart took the best of that and packaged it in one single machine.
This is easily the best coffee maker Cuisinart has to offer right now, and in our review, we tell you how it does that.
Pros
Cons
Cuisinart has dominated the filter coffee segment for years, and the story remains the same with SS-15. You get a separate water reservoir section if with this, and it supports two different kinds of filter.
You can pour in your coffee grounds in the recommended gold tone filter which is designed for maximum flavour extraction, but if you like old school, you can use regular paper filters too. (When you buy the SS-15 you get a bunch of them to get started).
The SS-15 gives a lot of brewing control to the user. Firstly, talking about the glass carafe. There is a warming plate where you can place the carafe, and it heats it up while your coffee is brewing. This is helpful if you are adding milk and you can set the carafe temperature at high. You can use low or medium carafe temperature for regular black coffee.
There is also a ‘bold’ option which brews stronger coffee. However, the most helpful feature has to be the auto On/Off. You can program the SS-15 to brew a fresh coffee at a particular time. So if you wake up at 9 AM in the morning, and need your black coffee to get going, simply walk into your kitchen and your coffee will be ready.
The auto OFF feature can be used to if you are in a hurry and the machine will turn itself off after a ‘set’ time.
You can brew a 12 cups of coffee at a time, but if you need a cup right away, then just pull out the carafe, and it automatically stops the brewing till you place it back. (Another handy feature).
Finally, the maintenance is super easy as you can clean the machine form the inside by pressing the ‘clean’ button. Adding water filter is recommended.
The single serve section comes with its separate 40 oz. Water reservoir and can brew 3 cup sizes from 6 oz. to 10 oz. It supports K-cups from all brands, and this gives you the option to choose from hundreds of flavours and roasts.
You can also use your favorite ground coffee (or Decaf coffee) as the SS-15 comes with a reusable filter cup. If you are running low on water, you get a notification through the ‘add water’ indicator.
Finally, this section also comes with auto clean, and you can add a descaling solution for best results.
Our gripe is unfortunately with the single serve section. Even though it gets the job done and you can choose from hundreds of flavors, there is little brewing control for the user. You cannot control the strength and also there is no warming plate.
And secondly, you can brew coffee only through one section at a time.
Overall, as a package, the SS-15 is a true bang for your buck. You get tons of options from the filter coffee section, and if you just need a quick cup, you have the convenience of single serve.
However, if you are not a big fan of single serve and will almost never use it, then go for the Cuisinart DC 3200, which gives you all the features of the filter coffee section, and comes in at nearly half the price.
This model boasts the best seller tag among coffee makers and is powered by most advanced brewing technology that Cuisinart has to offer. With a stylish design and robust build, this hits all the checkmarks for an all-around coffee maker.
Pros
Cons
The DCC-3200 is powered by Cuisinart latest brewing technology and this time around the brew temperature is ‘just right’.
It comes with a gold tone filter which is designed for a more flavorful coffee extraction, but if you want minimum sedimentation of the coffee grounds, it is recommended to use the #4 paper filters.
If you like a cup of strong coffee in the morning, then simply press the ‘bold’ button, and the DCC-320 automatically adjusts the brewing for a stronger coffee.
It can brew 12 cups at a time, but if you need less, then simply press the ‘1-4’ button, and it will brew one to four cups of coffee depending on your need. To brew 12 cups, it takes about six minutes.
The standout feature of this machine is the Auto On/Off feature. If you need a warm cup of coffee early in the morning, then you can program the coffee maker to brew a fresh pot at a set time. The feature works consistently day after day, and you simply have to keep the coffee grounds, water reservoir and carafe ready for the machine to automatically brew a cup of coffee.
You also get other neat features like brew pause. If you pull out the carafe, the coffee maker temporarily stops dispensing coffee and you can pour the coffee from the carafe to a cup. The moment you place it back it resumes dispensing coffee.
Finally, if you are making a milk based drink, you can adjust the carafe temperature. Simply select it to high, and the warmer plate heats up the carafe while the coffee is brewed. If you, however, want it to drink your coffee black, keep the carafe temperature at low.
Cons
For less than 100 bucks, the Cuisinart DCC-320 comes in a sturdy stainless steel housing. Put the outer coating is flimsy especially on the warming plate. After regular use, it begins to peel off.
Secondly, we recommend descaling regularly. This model comes with an auto clean feature, so it makes that hassle free.
Overall, it is easily the best coffee maker you can buy on a budget. Programmable features come in handy; auto clean makes maintenance effortless and with powerful heating elements you get consistently warm and flavorful coffee.
The most flavorful coffee is extracted from whole coffee beans which are freshly grounded just before the brew. This is exactly what you get with the Cuisinart DGB-900BC. It comes with an integrated burr grinder and with a host of programmable features, this is easily the best Cuisinart has to offer for true Coffee lovers.
Pros
Cons
The standout feature of DGB-900BC is the integrated brewer. You simply pop in coffee beans of your choice and roast, select the size, coffee strength and hit the brew button. The machine takes care of the rest.
Talking about the grinder, it is a burr type and uses the same technology which is used in the acclaimed Cuisinart DBM-8 burr grinder.
The freshly grounded beans are pushed into the gold tone coffee filter, which holds them before the hot is water is passed. If you don’t like to see coffee grounds at the bottom of your cup, then you can use a paper filter.
You can also hit the ‘Grind Off’ button and directly add your pre-ground coffee to the coffee filter.
The DGB-900BC comes with a host of features that gives greater control over the brew to the user.
First up, you can select the select the size of coffee you want to brew through the grind control knob. You can select sizes from 2 to 12, and the grinder will automatically adjust and grind, the right amount for the selected size.
You can also change the coffee strength from mild to strong. If you select ‘strong’ the grinder grinds more beans than usual.
Like other Cuisinart coffee makers, this also comes programmable functionality. You can set a particular time, and it will automatically grind the beans stored in the hopper and brew fresh warm coffee.
The grounded coffee beans are pushed to the filter, and this sometimes leads to clogging, which results in restriction of flow of water. To avoid this, it is recommended to clean the hopper periodically. You also have to rinse the machine with water after every five cycles to ensure there are no clogged coffee grounds.
The thermal carafe is not of the highest quality and only keeps the coffee warm for about 3 hours. Cuisinart is providing a lot of value at a good price, and obvious compromises have been made in the build quality of the carafe and the coffee maker.
Overall, the DGB-900BC does a great job all around. It grounds whole beans consistently; powerful heating elements leads to flavorful coffee extraction, gives greater control to the user over the brew and offers some convenient programmability features. If you are one of those who savours every sip, then this is the best value coffee maker you can get from Cuisinart.
Espressos are at the heart of any café style drinks, and the EM-100 is Cuisinart’s best bet in the home espresso segment. In our review, we discuss if it is a good choice for beginners and what are the possible alternatives you can get.
Pros
Cons
The quality of the espresso brewed by the EM-100 is impressive. Since it is a beginners machine, it comes with pressurised baskets which make the extraction easier irrespective of the size of the coffee grounds. You get two separate baskets for a single or a double shot of espresso, and a third for ESP pods.
On the back, there is a removable 53 oz. Water reservoir and to heat that up, you have a powerful heating element which generates 15 bars of pressure. It is not comparable to Gaggia Espresso machines but generates enough pressure to extract a rich espresso from coffee grounds.
It also passively supplies heat to the top, where you can place your cups while the water gets heated up. (Warm cups are recommended to hold the consistency of the crema)
To brew a shot, you have to add the coffee grounds to the portafilter and tamp it. The machine comes with a plastic tamper but getting a separate metal tamper is recommended. To start brewing place the portafilter and lock it in, and manually turn the knob on the left to start brewing. It takes about a minute to brew a single shot of espresso.
To get complete coffee house drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, you need to froth milk. The EM-100 comes with a pannarello wand which makes frothing a bit easier. It will still take some practice, however, and we recommend you to watch some videos to get the hang of it.
The froth quality, however, is average, and it takes some time getting used to before you can steam a consistent layer of froth.
Apart from the average frothing, the biggest issue with this machine is its noise. It is one of the loudest home espressos in the market, and if you are looking for something subtle, then this one is probably not for you.
Secondly, once the espresso is brewed, you have to wait for about five minutes before you can remove the portafilter. This needs to be done so that all the pressure gets released. After that removing, the coffee grounds from the basket is also a bit of hassle, and you have to rinse it water repeatedly.
If you are a Cuisinart fan and want to start your espresso journey, then this is a decent choice. But to brew the best espresso, you need to fresh grounds, and for that, the Cuisinart DBM-8 Coffee Grinder is recommended.
However, if you are looking for complete drinks, then Mr Coffee Café Barista would be a much better choice. It is nearly of the same cost but automatically froths milk making it more convenient to use.
Finally, if you are looking for the best beginner’s home espresso machine, then Gaggia Classic will be our top recommendation.
A true icon in the Cuisinart line, this was one of the bestselling coffee makers. Cuisinart since then has upgraded its technology, and in this review, we find out does the CHW-12 still deserve a place on your countertop?
Pros
Cons
The CHW-12 was the first Cuisinart coffee maker that had all features we have come to love. You can program it to dispense coffee at a particular time, and you can heat up the carafe while the coffee is being brewed.
You can also adjust the cup size from 1-4 if you want to brew less coffee. Finally, the auto clean feature makes rinsing effortless.
The only ‘additional’ feature of the CHW-12 is the hot water dispensing system. You can dispense hot water on demand from this. It comes with its separate water reservoir and can be used even when the coffee is being brewed.
Cuisinart updated its brewing technology when it launched DCC-3200 coffee maker. It had all the features which you find in the CHW-12 but was powered by a comparatively powerful heating element, and this resulted in a warmer coffee. The design of the spray head from where hot water is poured on coffee grounds was also revamped. This resulted in a more flavorful coffee.
The CHW-12 obviously lacks this technology, and when you compare it with the DCC-3200, the coffee tastes less flavorful.
Secondly, the hot water dispenser is somewhat of a gimmick feature and doesn’t add much utility.
If you are in the market for an all-around coffee maker then obliviously the Cuisinart DCC-3200 would be our top recommendation, but if the hot water dispenser is useful for you and you are fine with using an outdated brewing technology, then the CHW-12 isn’t a bad choice. And Plus you get to save a few extra bucks too.
Can we reduce the noise while making coffee in Cuisinart EM-100 ?
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