Owning the Cuisinart DGB-700 Grind & Brew

Ready to start your day without a fuss? A whole half-pound of beans fits into this sealable bean hopper, so forget about storing your coffee in the freezer. With a grinder built in to the machine, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffee maker is great for coffee lovers with limited counter space, or those who just don’t feel like buying another appliance for a daily cup of morning coffee. It’s fully programmable and made of stainless steel, designed to be both sophisticated and durable. Cuisinart identifies each button by its name written in black under it, such as “Strength Control” and “Grind Off.” You can use the control panel to program the clock, control the coffee strength (mild, medium, or strong), grind beans for up to 12 cups of coffee, and auto-start the coffeemaker up to 24 hours in advance. There is also an auto-shutoff, so you can program your machine to automatically turn off up to 4 hours after its last use. Besides the control features, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew 12-Cup Automatic also includes a Brew Pause system, which allows you to remove the carafe mid-brew to pour out a cup. A showerhead design distributes water evenly over your coffee grounds, so your coffee is consistent each brew.

The Grind & Brew 12-Cup Automatic is housed in stainless steel, for a great look that is also functional. The clear plastic bean hopper allows for easy monitoring of coffee bean levels, and the rounded edges of the machine give it a softer look. The Cuisinart logo is displayed beneath the control panel, above the carafe. The grinder uses a burr mill design to grind the beans consistently, and it grinds automatically before brewing. Burr grinders have a stationary burr, and a second burr that spins. For the times when you prefer pre-ground coffee, simply turn off the grinder by pressing the “Grind Off” button. The hopper holds half a pound of whole beans, which is enough to make more than 2 12-cup pots of coffee. It locks into place for sturdiness, but can be removed for easy filling and cleaning. The hopper container lid keeps beans fresh by sealing out moisture and air, both of which can cause flavor degradation. For the best taste, clean the hopper every 1-2 weeks in the dishwasher or using warm, soapy water.

The glass carafe rests on a scratch-resistant hot plate. The hot plate’s non-stick coating allows for easy clean up. A cleanly designed black plastic handle, and easy-pour spout, makes serving coffee from the carafe simple. Markings on the side measure how much coffee is in the pot. The carafe and lid can be washed in warm soapy water when needed. To fill the water reservoir, simply flip back the water reservoir cover located behind the grinder. The water reservoir holds enough water for 12 cups of coffee, so you don’t have to worry about running out mid-brew. A window on the right side of the machine lets you see how much water is left. An included charcoal water filter eliminates impurities from your tap water, so your coffee tastes great and your brewing components function at their best. It should be replaced every 60 days. The Gold Tone Cuisinart Commercial Style Filter rests inside of the filter basket. If the filter basket and cover are not in place, Cuisinart’s safety system will prevent the machine from brewing. The filter, filter basket, and cover can be washed in warm soapy water, or cleaned in the dishwasher for your convenience. Includes a coffee scoop, instruction manual, and limited 3-year warranty.