The Best Cuisinart Coffee Makers: Top Picks

With the constantly growing popularity of coffee makers, one particular brand has emerged as one of the top dogs in this niche and that’s Cuisinart. This American home appliance brand offers a bunch of modern coffee machines generally regarded as some of the best and easiest to clean coffee makers on the market. But since they have 30+ coffee makers, what’s the absolute best Cuisinart coffee maker that you can buy?

After plenty of research i.e. evaluating all the relevant customer reviews on Amazon etc., it turns out that the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12 Cup  coffee maker snatches the number one spot.

In fact, this Cuisinart unit is among the highest-rated coffee makers overall on Amazon.

And apart from a very affordable price tag, the DCC-1200 also comes with several neat features.

This includes the superb Brew Pause feature that lets you enjoy the coffee before the brewing has finished.

But since I’m sure that you’d like to learn more about this coffee machine and why it’s top-rated among Cuisinart units.

So let’s now take a closer look at the DCC-1200 coffeemaker…

Which Is The Best Cuisinart Coffee Maker?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Cuisinart DCC 1200!

Brand: Cuisinart
Model: Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker 
Self-Clean Feature: Yes

Even though the Cuisinart DCC-1200 coffeemaker has been around since 2006, that doesn’t mean it’s obsolete or outdated.

In fact, it still remains a popular choice among people looking for a convenient and quality coffee machine.

There are several reasons for that, one of them being the truly superb ratings that this brewer has.

Clearly, it managed to stand the test of time and it’s easy to see why.

On one hand, the DCC-1200 coffeemaker comes with a 12-cup, dripless carafe that’s BPA-free.

This means that you don’t have to worry about harmful plastics finding their way into your cup of coffee.

On the other, this Cuisinart unit meets the North American Electrical Standards.

Also, it comes with a charcoal water filter and a permanent gold-tone filter that make sure it delivers super fresh and tasty coffee.

The Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central also includes a neat Brew Pause feature, so that you may enjoy your java without having to wait for the brewing process to finish!

Apart from the very convenient Brew Pause function, there’s also an adjustable heater plate with three settings – low, mid, and high.

This is quite awesome because thanks to this adjustable heater plate, your coffee will always stay within your preferred temperature range.

 

The DCC-1220 Offers Superb Temperature Control & Plenty of Versatility

The relevant user ratings of this high-tech brewer for categories such as temp control, versatility and ease of use all speak volumes about its overall quality.

Note that the Cuisinart DCC-1200 is NOT compatible with K-Cups – It works with ground coffee only!

Now, since the DCC-1200 unit is all about convenience, you can also opt for the Advance Brew start function.

As the name suggests, it can be programmed to brew coffee for up to 24 hours in advance.

You also get an Auto Shutdown program that can be set from 0 to 4 hours.

And there are several cup size options as well, giving you the opportunity to choose anywhere from 1 to 4 cups.

This Cuisinart coffee machine also comes with a Self Clean feature and Self Clean function!

Honestly, I think that the Self Clean function is one of the coolest things about the DCC-1200.

There’s a light next to the Self Clean button that turns red when it’s time to clean your Cuisinart.

Don’t worry though, there’s an instruction book that will let you know what the best way to clean your coffeemaker is.

Nonetheless, that’s done by filling the reservoir 1/3 of the way full with a vinegar/cold water mix (50/50).

Preferably, you’d be using distilled water, instead of regular tap water!

Thus, when you brew with this cleaning mixture, it will both clean and decalcify your Cuisinart.

Don’t neglect the red light though, because a clean and decalcified coffee maker will result in a better-tasting coffee.

What About The Downsides Of The Cuisinart DCC-1200… Are There Any?

Absolutely, every single product out there has pros and cons.

As for the best Cuisinart unit, the top-rated negative reviews on Amazon for the DC-1200 unit claim that customer service is unsatisfactory.

Now, some of the “bad” reviews from unhappy Cuisinart customers point out to sub-par customer service, courtesy of Cuisinart.

What clients mention is that the customer service of this brand is lacking when it comes to finding a solution for certain issues.

It seems like these issues are related to utilizing the Self Clean function and this is where I’d like to help you guys by letting you know that using distilled water matters!

Even if the instruction manual doesn’t specify what kind of water to use for the Self Clean program, remember that distilled water is your best bet.

Tap water contains minerals and you’d want to decalcify your coffee machine using distilled water instead.

Is There a Cuisinart Coffee Maker with Grinder – Does Such Thing Exist?

Yes, Cuisinart does offer coffee makers with inbuilt grinders.

In fact, they have several of them on Amazon, although the most popular choice is the DGB-900BC Grind and Brew  unit.

It has a pretty solid user rating and an overall great reputation, just like other Cuisinart brewers out there actually.

Brand: Cuisinart
Model: DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Coffee Maker 
Self-Clean Feature: No

Now, it should be noted that this coffee maker is quite similar to the DCC-1200 coffee machine and not only because they’re both Cuisinart units.

This coffeemaker is also BPA free, has a 24-hour brew-in-advance program and a brew-pause feature.

However, what sets the Cuisinart DGB-900BC apart is the built-in Burr grinder.

There’s an 8-oz hopper for the beans and it also comes with a sealed lid, which is supposed to prevent any moisture from slipping through.

And since this hopper is quite massive, it can hold up to 0.5 pounds of beans!

The built-in grinder in the DGB-900BC is fully automatic – it grinds the coffee beans right before brewing.

Another great thing about this coffeemaker is the neat Strength Control button.

As the name suggests, it lets you choose between several brew strength options – mild, medium and strong.

This is great news for anyone who wants to control just how much oomph their cup of coffee has.

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Then there’s the Grind Control selector that lets you choose how much coffee you want your Cuisinart to grind – from 2 to 12 cups.

This is quite handy because it means you won’t be wasting any of your precious ground coffee.

And there’s a Grind Off feature in case you run out of whole beans because then there’ll be nothing for the grinder to grind, right?

A double-wall insulated thermal carafe with a 12-cup capacity and made from stainless steel also comes with the Cuisinart DGB-900BC coffee maker.

Overall, this coffeemaker with a built-in grinder unit has been around for a long time and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

This two-in-one coffee maker is highly rated, decently priced and available to ship immediately.

Can You Use K Cups In A Cuisinart Coffee Maker?

Absolutely, the Cuisinart SS-15BKS Coffee Maker  is compatible with any K-Cup pods.

There’s also a refillable filter cup that you can use to brew with coffee grounds as well.

Brand: Cuisinart
Model: SS-15BKS Coffee Maker 
Self-Clean Feature: Yes

This is one of the more contemporary Cuisinart units, with a sleek design and above all – K-Cup compatibility!

There are also several options at your disposal, which are pretty standard for Cuisinart coffee machines.

Here they are:

• Three different single-serve cup sizes – 6, 8 and 10 oz
• Self Clean feature
• A 24-hour brew start function
• Adjustable auto-off feature
• Bold brew strength option (for stronger flavor)

As you see, this is all pretty standard for Cuisinart, although the SS-15BKS does come with a few extra goodies.

There’s an alert that lets you know when your cup of coffee is ready in case you somehow get distracted.

Also, there are two lights under the Add Water and Clean labels.

Logically, Add Water warns you if the water level in the reservoir is too low, while the Clean light will let you know when you have to use the Self Clean function (via the Clean button).

A special, ‘Home Barista’ reusable filter cup is included and it lets you brew coffee with both coffee grounds and K-Cups!

All of this means that you’ll be able to enjoy the tastiest top-rated K Cup coffee with your Cuisinart unit.

Also, you’re getting a 12-cup glass carafe that has a handle made of stainless steel and is labeled BPA-free.

Last but not least, the Cuisinart SS-15BKS utilizes a gold-tone coffee filter.

This filter is meant to deliver only the best tasting coffee into your mug.

What Is The Newest Cuisinart Coffee Maker?

The most recent coffeemaker released by Cuisinart is the DGB-800 Burr Grind and Brew  machine.

It’s the latest coffee machine in Cuisinart’s arsenal and as the name suggests, it combines a coffee grinder and brewer into one product.

Brand: Cuisinart
Model: Cuisinart DGB-800 Burr Grind & Brew Coffee Мaker 
Self-Clean Feature: No

It was initially listed on Amazon on February 17th, 2018 and ever since it has received an okay-ish rating.

Even though it doesn’t have a plethora of reviews online, this Cuisinart coffee machine still has a kind-of-decent rating.

Nonetheless, this new and modern Cuisinart unit comes with a plethora of neat features and functions.

For starters, there’s an Auto Rinse feature that makes sure all your favorite coffee grounds make their way into the brew basket of the DGB-800.

Then, there’s also a large LCD display, from which you operate the 24-hour delayed brew start, as well as the adjustable auto shut down.

The Cuisinart DGB-800 coffeemaker offers 3 flavor strength options to choose from – Regular, Bold and Extra-Bold.

You can also select the amount of grind you need – from 4 to 12 cups.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Grind-Off function that enables you to use pre-ground coffee.

But even if you’re using premium quality grounds, the water that you’re using might affect the taste of your coffee.

Thankfully, the DGB-800 utilizes two filters – one gold-tone and a charcoal water filter to get rid of any impurities.

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Lastly, you’ll have the privilege to use the Cuisinart glass carafe that comes with this coffeemaker-grinder unit.

It has a capacity of 12 cups and a useful comfort-grip handle so that you don’t spill precious coffee before it gets into your coffee mug.

How Do You Set The Auto On On A Cuisinart Coffee Maker?

Although the exact sequence might vary depending on your particular type of Cuisinart (it’s best to check your instruction booklet), this is how it works in general:

1. Turn the knob to (or simply press) ‘Program’
2. Set the time when the Auto On function will begin
   Note: You can set the time by using the Minute and Hour buttons, the same way you’d set the clock.
3. Turn the knob to ‘Auto On’
4. Lift and then release the flip switch
5. A green light appears to inform you that your Cuisinart will start brewing at the set time

This is how the Auto On function works and if you’d like to shut it down, simply press the switch down and release.

And if you want to turn on the Auto On feature again, just lift and release the switch again until you see the green light, indicating that Auto On has been engaged.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that Cuisinart is one of the most successful coffee maker brands out there.

And their highly-rated and beloved products are a testimony of that.

Over to you now – what’s your personal favorite among the Cuisinart coffee makers?

Let us know by dropping a comment below!

FAQs

How do I clean my Cuisinart coffee maker?

To clean your Cuisinart coffee maker, do this:

1. First, turn off and unplug the unit.
2. Then, remove any leftover coffee and the filter.
3. Wash the carafe, lid, and filter basket in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
4. Clean the inside of the unit with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, then rinse with water several times to remove any remaining vinegar.
5. Finally, reassemble the unit and run a cycle of plain water through it to remove any remaining residue.

Why is my Cuisinart coffee maker leaking water?

If your Cuisinart coffee maker is leaking water, there are a few potential causes:

• First, make sure the carafe is properly seated in the unit. If it is, the problem could be a faulty gasket or seal.
• Check for any cracks or damage to these parts and replace them if necessary.
• Another possibility is that the water reservoir may be overfilled.
• Make sure you are not exceeding the maximum fill line.

How do I set the auto-off feature on my Cuisinart coffee maker?

To set the auto-off feature on your Cuisinart coffee maker, first make sure the unit is plugged in and turned on.

Press the “Program” button and then use the “+” and “-” buttons to select the number of hours after brewing that you want the unit to automatically turn off.

Once you have set the desired time, press “Program” again to save the setting.

Can I use vinegar to descale my Cuisinart coffee maker?

Yes, you can use vinegar to descale your Cuisinart coffee maker.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and pour the mixture into the water reservoir.

Turn on the unit and let it run through a brewing cycle.

Once the cycle is complete, discard the vinegar solution and run several cycles of plain water through the unit to remove any remaining residue.

How often should I replace the water filter in my Cuisinart coffee maker?

The frequency at which you should replace the water filter in your Cuisinart coffee maker will depend on usage and water quality.

If you use your coffee maker daily and have hard water, you may need to replace the filter more frequently.

As a general rule, it is recommended to replace the water filter every 60 days or after brewing 60 pots of coffee, whichever comes first.

Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API