I don't expect to get ten years out of the Cuisinart (heck, I don't expect to get ten years out of me)..............it is the best of the lot despite its shortcomings.
Positive Product Points
Generally, a highly rated machine from Consumers Reports through to more esoteric reviews. Well made, solid, machine. I like the filter, the cleaning cycle (though I imagine it's a gimmick of sorts), and the adjustable warming plate. I bought it for the programming feature. In the evening we drink French Press coffee. In the AM I like to have a pot ready to use with a n insulated cup I bring to my office.
Negative Product Points
Somewhat difficult water pouring access. A side wind showing the ater level would have been nice.
Detailed Commentary
In my opinion, the key to happiness with this machine is to find a grind level and water volume that work well together. I grind just a bit finer than normal setting for drip pots. I use dark roasted coffees and like a robust cup.....something that the French Press does so well. I generally have stayed away from electric drip pots (have had many a Chemex, but they inevitably meet their demise on the way to the sink for washing. The Cuisinart was a steal and makes relatively good coffee.
After a long relationship with coffee making equipment I have found that the most important component in the equipment is the grinder....find a good one that is consistent and precision-oriented. It will be worth the money over time. Right now I do not have a grinder that meets those specs, but am looking for one that will. For now though, I have hit a happy medium with the Cuisinart.
Buying Experience
Painless/mindless..Have coupon, will purchase
Three Month Followup
At the end of the day, I simply don't like coffee brewed by electric drip method. One has to reconfigure the measurements to get a robust cup. I figure on 6 oz cups, not 5 oz as specified by the Mfr....and 2 tablespoons per cup......to my taste, the threshold for a suitable roast in these machine is Vienna and perhaps a bit darker. Lighten it up and it disappoints.
No complaints about operation. Still a well built machine. So...all things considered , it's a decent product as long as you fiddle with it in terms of setting up the brew.
One Year Followup
The Cuisinart is still going strong after a year...though it now resides in my office as opposed to the kitchen counter. The weird features...such as the water tank take some getting used to...thereafter they're just minor inconveniences. Keeping the unit clean is the key to good brewing...as is the case with all equipment.
The bottom line: it makes a clean, tasty cup of coffee with little fuss and fanfare. these machines will likely be around for some time...and get cheaper as the competition (and Cuisinart itself) introduce fancier stuff. When one wants to make the morning coffee with a progrmmed timer, this is as good as one needs. Want a great cuip of coffee? Use your French Press pot..that's what I do.
