Cuisinart DGB-625BC Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal

Cuisinart DGB-625BC Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, Brushed Metal

Excellent coffee maker - so far!
I had an earlier version of the 10-cup Cuisinart Grind and Brew that lasted more than 3 years. It made an awesome pot of coffee. I read online reviews of this and similar grind and brews from Cuisinart that made me nervous that I wouldn't get as good a product as I had last time. I looked closely at other brands and other versions of grind and brews and decided based on my own experience with the last one I bought, I'd give this model a shot. So far I have not had any problems that other people have mentioned. Yes, there are more parts to take apart, clean and put back together than a regular coffee maker. But the superior taste of the coffee you get from the grind and brew is absolutely worth the extra couple minutes of prep time it takes. Besides, I was used to it from the previous model I owned. So that is not an issue. I read other reviews about the hinge not closing or popping open during the brew cycle, or leaking. I have not had ANY of those issues. NOTE: One...

Good Coffeemaker
A very nice, straightforward coffemaker, makes good coffee with pre-ground beans, can be programmed to start when you want. A nice feature is that it can also be programmed to shut down when you want -- either right after brewing or up to 2 hours later. A bit on the noisy side, even without the grinder function on. Initial setup is easy. Please note that if you do not close *and latch* the reservoir cover, the machine will beep constantly and not brew until you do. Drove me crazy for about 15 minutes until I noticed that the cover wasn't fully latched. Although it does tell you that in the instruction manual, it's not immediately evident -- it's a line in the middle of lengthy instruction under #6 "Close Reservoir Lid", on page 8.

Update on Feb. 1, 2010
It was a learning curve to figure out how many scoops of whole beans to add for a good cup of coffee. A small scoop is included, with instructions to use one scoop per cup. However, the grind on this machine is fairly...

Good Coffee, loud grinder, unacceptable glitch
Bought this unit for my wife for Christmas 2009. Liked the idea of a combo grinder and coffee maker. $100 at World Market, Houston. Get it cheaper now.
1. Also bought the gold filter basket (no brainer).
2. The unit makes great coffee.
3. The grinder is very loud. Loud enough to wake the household at 5am. I now purchase ground coffee and don't use the grinder in the coffee maker.
4. The filter basket sits in a swing out holder that is spring-loaded. There is a "release" button on the side of the unit. The door tends to pop open at very inopportune times, including while the coffee is brewing. This is an unacceptable glitch in the design. This gets the unit a 3-star rating from me.
I'm in the process of getting a replacement unit from Cuisinart. Even for $50, not worth the mess.

Grind and Brew Coffeemaker

Retire your alarm clock and wake up instead to the rich aroma of freshly ground, just brewed coffee, with the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic Coffeemaker. This deluxe 12-cup model offers the best of Cuisinart's expert coffeemaking technology to deliver unsurpassed ease of use and rich full-bodied coffee flavor. With streamlined European styling and a graceful carafe, it's a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

A perfect addition to any modern kitchen, this 12-cup automatic coffeemaker grinds whole beans right before brewing to produce a fresh and flavorful pot of coffee. Its 24-hour full programmability means the unit can be set for "wake-up" coffee or for having coffee ready when it's time to serve dessert--without having to get up from the table. In addition, its brew-pause function makes it possible to sneak a cup before the end of the brewing cycle.

The Grind & Brew Coffeemaker features a separate grinding assembly and filter chamber to make beans easy to add and used grounds easy to remove. A convenient "grind off" control turns the grinder off when preground coffee is used.

Smaller amounts can be brewed without any loss of flavor thanks to the units 1- to 4-cup setting. For added convenience, the coffeemaker provides a large control panel, adjustable automatic shut-off from zero to four hours, and a 12-cup (5 ounces each) glass carafe with a generous stay-cool handle and drip-free pouring spout.

Accessories include a gold-tone commercial-style permanent filter and a charcoal water filter for removing impurities. The sleek-looking coffeemaker measures 12 by 9-4/5 by 17-1/2 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

A charcoal water filter and a permanent commercial-style gold tone coffee filter allow only pure flavor to flow through, and the popular Brew Pause feature lets you sneak a cup before the cycle is finished.

Product Parts and Benefits

1. Reservoir Cover with Release Button
   Flips back for easy filling of the water reservoir and access to the grinder compartment.

2. Showerhead (not shown)
   Distributes water evenly over coffee, reducing temperature loss as water passes through grounds.



3. Control Panel
   

   • Clock/LCD Display
     Displays time of day and Auto On times.
   • On/Off button with LED Indicator
     Manually turns coffeemaker on or off.
   • Audible Tone
     An audible tone sounds 5 times when brew cycle is complete.
   • 1-4 Cup Setting
     Improves extraction, flavor and temperature when brewing fewer than 5 cups.
   • Hour and Minute Buttons
     Use to program clock and Auto On function.
   • Grind Off Button with LED Indicator
     Turns off the grinder when using pre-ground coffee.
   • Program Button with LED Indicator
     Sets and/or displays programmed Auto On time.



4. Filter Basket Compartment
   

   • Filter Basket
   • Filter Basket Cover
   • Cuisinart Gold Tone Commercial (Dishwasher Safe)
   • Style Filter

5. Filter Basket Door

6. Filter Basket Door Release Button

7. Brew Pause
   Stops flow of coffee from basket when carafe is removed (20 seconds max) from resting plate, so a cup can be poured in mid-brew, if desired.

8. Measuring Scoop with Brush

9. Carafe
   The easy-pour, dripless, 12-cup carafe has an ergonomic handle and brewed coffee markings for two to twelve cups.

10. Cord Storage

11. Warming Plate
    Scratch resistant with nonstick coating.

12. #4 Basket Paper Filters included

13. Water Reservoir with Water Level Indicator

14. Charcoal Water Filter
    Charcoal water filter eliminates chlorine, bad tastes and odors from tap water.

15. BPA Free
    All materials that come in contact with coffee or water are BPA free.

16. Grinder Basket Lid
    Use the recess on each side of the lid to remove lid for easy addition of beans. Note: Lid must be in place for unit to operate.

17. Grinder Basket

Special Features

• Automatically grinds whole beans before brewing
• 24-hour fully programmable
• 12-cup (5 ounces each) glass carafe
• Brew Pause™ feature lets you enjoy a cup before brewing has finished
• Adjustable auto-shutoff (0-4 hours)
• Grind-off feature
• 1 to 4-cup feature
• Gold tone commercial style permanent filter
• Charcoal water filter removes impurities
• Limited 3-year warranty

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

Element 1: Water
Coffee is 98% water. The quality of that water is as important as the quality of your coffee. If water doesn't taste good from the tap, it won't taste good in your coffee. That's why Cuisinart has added a water filter to the Grind & Brew Coffeemaker. The charcoal filter removes chlorine, bad tastes, and odors, for the purest coffee flavor, every time you brew.

Element 2: Coffee
While coffee is 98% water, all of the flavor comes from the beans. To achieve the same great taste you enjoy at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality of coffee.

Buy the beans fresh and whole, only about two weeks' supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. That's why the Grind & Brew grinds your coffee just prior to brewing. If it is not practical to buy small supplies, separate larger amounts of beans into one to two week portions immediately after purchase, and freeze them in airtight containers.

The best way to maximize freshness is to minimize exposure to air, light, and moisture. So, once beans have been removed from the freezer, maintain them in a sealed container at room temperature, since damaging condensation occurs every time the beans are removed from the freezer or refrigerator. Note that some coffee experts advise against freezing dark-roast beans, because freezing can cause the oils to coagulate. Other experts disagree. We suggest you experiment and decide for yourself.

Element 3: Grind
The grind is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, over-extraction and bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the maximum flavor will not be extracted. The Grind & Brew is preset for a medium grind, the optimal grind for this type of coffeemaker.

Element 4: Proportion
Coffee that is too strong or too weak is always a disappointment. Follow the recommended portions of ground coffee in the instructions included with every Grind & Brew, and later adjust the amount to suit your taste. The Grind & Brew makes up to twelve (12) 5-ounce cups of coffee