Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central Review
The Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central is one of the more popular Cuisinart coffee makers. It's retro style and attractive features are part of the reason why so many people are drawn to it. Well, that and the fact that it makes a HOT, smooth pot of coffee! This mid-range coffee maker has many of the advanced features that high end machines have, but at a budget friendly price. Here are some of the things that we love about the DCC-1200 Brew Central.
Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central Features
Water Filter: It's an unfortunate fact that chlorine, calcium and a slew of other things are found inside of our tap water. Believe it or not, this affects the taste of your coffee. If you don't enjoy a tall glass of water from your tap, it won't taste any better in your cup of coffee. Cuisinart states that 98% of coffee is water. In an attempt to better the taste of your morning joe, Cuisinart has included a charcoal water filter inside of the DCC-1200. It removes unpleasant tastes and odors from your tap water. They only need to be changed once every 60 uses and replacement filters
are very inexpensive. We're talking a year supply for under $20!
Brew Pause: As we mentioned in our What to Look for in a Coffee Maker post, pause and serve is such a nice feature to have. Although it comes standard with most machines now, it's still worth mentioning. The brew pause feature allows you to pour a cup of coffee mid-brew without making a mess or disturbing the brewing process. It's important to note, though, that you only have 30 seconds maximum to pour that cup!
Auto On Button: Program your coffee maker to brew your coffee any day of the week at any time of the day. This is perfect for those who routinely forget to start up their coffee maker in the morning, or for busy folks that barely have enough time to get dressed in the morning. Regardless of what kind of lifestyle you lead, this feature ensures that you always have a fresh pot of coffee when you need it. Additionally, the machine comes with an Auto-off feature, which will shut the coffee maker off after a set period of time.
Heater Plate Temperature Control: Easily control the temperature of the coffee maker's hot plate with just the turn of a dial. Choose from high, medium and low.
1-4 Cup Option: Need to make a smaller pot of coffee? No problem! With most coffee makers, small pots of coffee wind up being cold because the heater does not have enough time to heat the water. With the 1-4 cup option, the machine doubles the amount of heat so that your coffee is piping hot.
Option for Permanent Filter: The machine can either hold a #4 paper filter, or your preferred permanent filter.
Self-Clean Function: In our everyday, hectic lives, it's easy to forget to clean the coffee maker. It's probably the last thing on your list of Saturday chores. The Cuisinart DCC-1200
has a self-clean function and even lets you know when it's time to use it! How nice, right? This helps keep your coffee maker running in tip top shape and removes calcium buildup as well.
Ready Tone: When your pot of coffee is done brewing, the machine beeps five times. This is perfect for when you have a house full of guests that command your attention.
Brews 12 Cup: Makes a generous pot of coffee. If you have regular guests or a larger family, this machine is the perfect size. Even if you won't be making full pots regularly, you can choose to use the coffee maker's 1-4 cup option to brew smaller pots.
LCD Display: Displays the time and makes programming the machine easy as pie.
The retro style of this coffee maker makes this a small appliance you won't mind having out on your counter. Plus, it comes in five fun colors: Black/Chrome, Black/Brushed Metal, Matte Black, Metallic Pink and Metallic Red.
The DCC-1200's carafe fits nice and snug, so there's no need to worry about accidentally knocking it over. The lid on the carafe also closes tightly, which eliminates any spillage from the sides.
The Cons
The machine is a bit tall. It's also a bit of a pain to fill the reservoir because of its location. Some customers have complained that their machine stopped working after a few years. Any appliance is touch and go and its longevity is often reliant upon the care the user gives the machine. If you abuse any of your appliances, they are going to stop working. It's as simple as that! Take good care of the Cuisinart DCC-1200 and it will take good care of you.
What to Look For in a Coffee Maker
Choosing a coffee maker is not as easy as it may seem. Sure, you can just walk into your nearest department store and pick up the cheapest model you can find, but you may be missing out on some important features. Here's what to look for in a coffee maker.
Pause and Serve
This is a pretty standard feature nowadays and is included in even the most inexpensive models. Pause and serve allows you to sneak in a cup of coffee before the machine is done brewing a full pot. Because the valve under the filter closes once you remove the pot, there is no need to worry about coffee spilling everywhere.
Programmable
A programmable coffee maker makes your morning routine all that much easier. Whether you are the type who likes to plan ahead or just have a tendency to forget to turn the coffee pot, this feature will ensure that you never miss your morning cup of joe ever again. Simply set it the night before and wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee!
Water filter
Many new coffee maker models include their own water filter. It reduces the amount of chlorine and iron found in your tap water, which improves the taste of your coffee. This may not be an important feature if you already have a whole house or faucet water filter installed. But for those who don't this can be a great feature. Just keep in mind that the filters will need replacement from time to time.
Automatic Shut-off
For forgetful or busy folks, an automatic shut-off feature can be a lifesaver. Many coffee makers come with this feature. Thermal carafe coffee makers actually shut off right after the coffee is done brewing.
Permanent coffee filters
Permanent coffee filters are convenient and eco-friendly as there is no need to replace filters regularly. If the coffee maker you have in mind doesn't come with one, you can purchase them separately. These filters are usually made out of plastic or metal. While they do require regular cleaning, you will save money in the long run from not having to purchase disposable filters. They also improve the taste of the coffee.
Size and Color
The size of the coffee maker is actually a big deal. You do not want to invest in a big machine that you have no room in your kitchen for. If you are a regular coffee drinker, you will likely want a model that will fit nicely on your countertop. You wouldn't think that color would be on our "what to look for in a coffee maker" list, but it can be very important. Coffee makers also come in a variety of colors, so you want to choose one that will match the decor of your kitchen or home. Black or white models will complement any decor, but there are many models that offer fun splashes of color as well.
Pod Compatibility
Pods or cups are the latest in coffee maker features. Essentially, these are little cups, pods or discs filled with ground coffee. They make the brewing process a breeze and require virtually no cleanup.
