วันจันทร์ที่ 22 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2553
Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker Review

Yes, as the title to this review says, I just ordered another of the DCM2500B Smart Brew coffee makers for our home. Not that we need two of them, this one is a replacement for the same unit that finally burnt out after 3 years of daily use, sometimes two and three times a day! To be honest, I'm not so sure it burnt out from overuse either. I'm thinking it was an over-voltage power condition we were having since we moved in.
I have monitored the voltage coming into our house and it has varied anywhere between 109 volts on the low end to 133 volts on the high end! (Too high voltage will fry about anything, electronic or not!) On top of that, every time our heat pump or anything with a large motor - yes, even the vacuum cleaner! - the lights would dip. Letters to the utility company only yielded canned responses that "everything is normal and within tolerance." Uh, OK, if you say so! It took another house being built nearby to get a new, larger transformer installed on the pole. Funny that the new transformer is rated at more than double the one that was up there! Hummmmm...
Now, things seem to be pretty stable. No more dips and steady 120 volts. Unfortunately, too late to save our trusty coffee maker! Grrrrrrr... Anyway, I'm sure with the steady power at correct voltage, we will have this new coffee maker last a long, long time. (Although I'm tempted to buy a third and stow it away in case B&D stops making it just because it's so good!)
Regarding this coffee maker, it is STILL the best, low priced, coffee maker I've ever found. And as a matter of fact, it's probably the best coffee maker at any price! It's not flashy. There are no gizmos, sexy clocks, multi-colored blinking lights or bleeping beepers. It simply works and makes a GOOD cup of coffee...every time! Set the auto function and bam, it works. Operator error not withstanding. Doh!
Not only will it make great coffee, simply operating it is a pleasure. The top opens nice and wide so it's easy to fill. The basket is big and aligns right up when you drop it in. But, THE most important thing is, THE POT DOES NOT DRIP!! Read it again! This pot does not drip, dribble, or leak! It's got a pointed spout and as long as you don't pour so fast as to overwhelm the spout, you get a nice cup of coffee with no mess on the counter and no "after burn" as so many pots leak coffee down onto the heater/burner after the pour. This pot will NOT disappoint you.
Stop shopping and buy this one now. White or black. It's the best. Black & Decker, PLEASE don't ever stop making this model!
Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker Feature
- 12-cup coffeemaker features digital clock and delayed start
- Wake up to a pot of freshly brewed coffee
- Perfectly drip-free pouring spout; 2 water windows
- Sneak-a-cup feature; automatic shut-off after 2 hours
- 13 inches tall, raised lid requires 22 inches; 1-year warranty
Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker Overview
Black & Decker SmartBrew coffeemaker in black. Includes 12-cup capacity, lighted on/off switch, removable brew basket, water window, cord storage and Perfect Pour carafe.
Black & Decker DCM2500B SmartBrew Coffeemaker Specifications
This is one programmable coffeemaker that's actually very easy to program. The touch-pad buttons are intuitive, and the printed directions clear, so there's no excuse for not waking up to the aroma of a freshly brewed pot of java. To prepare for making a pot at any hour, the lid lifts up (hinges in rear), exposing the brew basket: add a flat-bottomed paper filter and the ground coffee of your choice. There's ample pour space for water, the level of which you can view through a convenient window on either side. Simply close the lid and push the On button. Auto/On and the clock buttons set the time for delayed start.
The most satisfying thing about the glass carafe is that the wide lip pours without a single drip. In addition, the broad bottom on the carafe affords good surface contact with the stay-hot plate for up to two hours; at that point, the machine shuts off automatically for safety. Those who can't wait for a sip before the entire pot is brewed will appreciate the Sneak-a-Cup feature. While the coffeemaker stands 13 inches tall, it must be pulled forward on a counter to clear most cabinets since the raised lid requires 22 inches. The DCM2500B features a sleek hourglass shape, comes in black or white, and is covered by a one-year warranty. The brew basket and carafe are dishwasher-safe in the top rack. --Ann Bieri
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 23, 2010 11:36:39
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