there are many dual coffee makers on the market. With so many options, how do you choose the best one? Do you go by brand or by features? what about the colors? I checked out some of the deals on amazon and chose the cuisinart coffee center for my latest 2-in-1 coffee maker review.
You know how sometimes you don’t have time to make a whole cup of coffee in the morning? how about when you have company and each person has to queue for a turn at the single serve coffee maker?
Reading: Cuisinart coffee maker cup size
It’s a pain, I know.
This is where a double brew coffee maker comes in handy. you can make a pot to share or just a cup, whatever you fancy or time allows. It’s great to have options, sure.
Seeing that a lot of people are interested in this machine, I ordered one from Amazon to try it out. I must say I am looking forward to sharing my experiences in this cuisinart coffee center review. Let’s start by looking at what the Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center has to offer and why you might want one.
cuisinart coffee center overview
From the start, it’s easy to see that this is an attractive Cuisinart coffee maker. Of course, I am in favor of the black version, but this model comes in quite a few colors. There’s their classic silver and white, but Cuisinart also offers a sleek-looking copper model, as well as a sleek navy blue.
The machine comes complete with a permanent coffee filter that can be removed for washing and a homebarista reusable filter cup so you can use your own coffee anywhere of the coffee maker.
There are two water tanks and the controls are simple. At first glance, it appears to be a pretty well-rounded machine in terms of features as well. Let’s continue this cuisinart coffee center review by breaking them down.
cuisinart coffee center features
Regular readers of coffeeness will know that I’m not a big fan of coffee in pods. still, if you like to use them, this machine offers the best of both worlds. That said, at $139.95 on amazon right now, the cuisinart could be a small investment for many people.
however, when it comes to machines with two brew options, the cuisianrt coffee center is worth it simply for the convenience it offers.
double preparation
Next, let’s take a look at the configuration. On one side, you have your classic drip coffee maker, complete with a 12-cup glass carafe. has all the controls you’d expect, including a brew intensity control and a warming function.
The other side of the coffeemaker doubles as a single-serve coffeemaker and is compatible with Keurig K cup pods. the controls for this side are basic, with just three buttons to choose the size of cup you want to brew. More on those buttons later in this Cuisinart Coffee Center review.
There is also a removable drip tray to place your travel mug under the brew head or easily clean up any accidents.
in all honesty, i probably wouldn’t use the k-cups side. okay, I take it back; you could use it to make the occasional instant hot cocoa. still, if you’re a fan of single-serve coffee makers, make sure the single-serve coffee pods you use are biodegradable.
K cups generate a lot of plastic waste, so it’s best to use environmentally friendly ones to reduce the impact on wildlife habitats. Or better yet, people can buy a reusable K-Cup and enjoy the added benefit of brewing individual cups of freshly ground coffee!
conveniently, one comes with the coffee center!
homebarista reusable filter cup
cuisinart was right to promote the eco-friendly alternative to the single-cup pod by including a reusable filter cup with every new machine. you can also buy one separately.
If you’re going to brew one cup at a time, using this little device is your best bet. you can use your favorite coffee beans and grind them fresh. meaning you’ll get a better quality cup of coffee. I’ll talk about my experiences with the homebarista later in this cuisinart coffee center review.
golden coffee filter
Continuing the eco-friendly theme, there’s also a reusable coffee filter. Imagine how good you’ll feel once you start cutting down on paper waste! the gold filter is also easy to use. just discard and rinse the spent grounds, and you’re ready for the next pot.
Of course, this model can also take paper filters if you prefer. Heck, Cuisinart even throws in a few samples for good measure. however, be sure to choose one or the other and not both. putting a paper filter in the reusable will definitely cause the brew basket to overflow.
jug and cup sizes
The pitcher is your standard glass model and holds 12 healthy cups of your favorite brew. that’s twelve 5-ounce (150-milliliter) cups or less, depending on the size of your cup and how much, or little, the coffee lovers got sleep last night.
The single-serve coffeemaker has three cup sizes to choose from. there is a setting for 6 ounces (177 milliliters), 8 ounces (236 milliliters), and 10 ounces (295 milliliters).
See also: Reddits 5 Favorite Best Coffee Grinders
In general, if you’re using a k-cup or the reusable filter cup, it’s best to brew on the 8-ounce (236-milliliter) setting according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
water tank
Next, we’ll take a look at water reservoirs. As it happens, there are two in this particular coffeemaker. one for the drip coffee maker and one for the single-dose coffee maker.
First, the 60-ounce (1,774-milliliter) reservoir for the drip coffee maker cannot be removed. You will need to have enough clearance above the coffee pot to pour the water out. Not only that, filling the water tank requires a steady hand, as there aren’t many openings to aim for.
As with many automatic coffee makers, the drip side of the Cuisinart consumes all the water each time it is brewed. however, there is a handy easy-view water window to help you measure accurately. use the pitcher to fill it up, and you’re golden. oh, and there’s also a charcoal water filter inside to ensure the water you use doesn’t have off-flavors.
In addition to this reservoir, there is also a separate 40-ounce (1182-milliliter) removable reservoir to provide water for the single-serve coffeemaker. This reservoir also has a charcoal water filter which I was pleasantly surprised to see. Plus, it’s pretty easy to know when to recharge, as there’s an indicator light that lets you know when it’s running low.
brew start in 24 hours, brew pause and ready alert
As with most coffeemakers today, the coffee center has a brew schedule feature that allows you to set your morning brew up to 24 hours in advance. To program it, turn the dial to Prog, choose the time you want the machine to start, and then turn it on automatically.
the machine will start up the next day at the time you choose, and when finished, it will emit five beeps to indicate that your coffee is ready.
by the way, if you can’t wait for the brew to finish and need your morning cup of coffee, the machine is equipped with brew pause technology. you can pull out the carafe while it’s still brewing, and the water will stop until you return the carafe so you can pour yourself a cup.
Just keep in mind that this will affect the overall strength of your coffee, as it was measured according to a specific ratio of ground coffee to water. that is, the earlier you drink a cup in the brewing process, the weaker it will be.
adjustable jug temperature
Once your coffee is ready, you can adjust the temperature of the hot plate to keep the carafe warm. Here at coffeeness, we’re not big fans of keeping the heat in the carafe; it tends to burn the coffee.
However, some people love them and use them all the time. so if you decide to use the heater, I recommend using the lowest setting.
energy use
The coffee center also has a couple of energy-saving features. there is an auto shut off feature on the drip brew side that is adjustable. This allows you to decide when the coffeemaker will shut off and can be set up to four hours after the brew cycle is complete.
There’s a power-saving mode built into the side of the single-serve coffeemaker, which will dim the lights after 30 minutes of being idle, such as when your computer goes to sleep.
colors
On top of all this, the Cuisinart Coffee Center has six color combinations, making it a breeze to color-coordinate all of your appliances or match your décor.
- black
- copper
- light grey
- navy
- silver
- white
guarantee
Another advantage of Cuisinart is that they offer a three-year limited warranty. If your machine breaks down, call customer service to diagnose the problem. they will determine if you need a repair or replacement and help you from there.
how to use the cuisinart coffee center
Using the coffee center couldn’t be easier. there are separate controls for each type of brewer, so you don’t need to switch functions like other dual brew systems out there.
for the drip coffee maker, use the carafe to add water to the reservoir, insert the gold filter and add your ground coffee, close the lid, turn the dial to brew, and press the brew/warm button. you’ll have fresh coffee in minutes!
On the single-serve coffeemaker, it’s as easy as removing and filling the reservoir, placing your k-cup, reusable filter cup, or other single-serve coffee pod, and choosing your cup size. the machine will brew according to the button you have pressed.
oh, and be sure to place the cup on the drip tray before pressing the cup size button. in case you forget, the drip tray is removable, so you can either dump the overflow or fit a larger cup under the brew head.
observations of the drip coffee maker
I did not embark on this cuisinart coffee center review expecting quality coffee. however, I was quite impressed with the results I got from the drip side. During my test I brewed a couple of pots using a natural Nicaraguan coffee process.
I have to say that the cuisinart coffee center did a solid job of bringing out the orange and chocolate notes that make me love this coffee. still, i missed the depth and complexity i’m used to when brewing nicaragua’s freshly ground coffee beans in a chemex.
By the way, I started by using six tablespoons of medium ground coffee for a six-cup carafe. that’s what the manufacturer recommends and I wanted to play ball. the results were a bit weak and watery, so I increased the amount of ground coffee to eight tablespoons for the next cup. that seemed to be the magic ratio, and I probably ended up drinking a lot more coffee than I should have.
See also: Why Is There Sludge in My Coffee? Try these Simple Hacks
One thing I couldn’t help but notice was how strong this coffee machine makes while brewing. seriously, some of the pops and gurgles nearly made me jump out of my seat! plus, once the brew cycle is done, the coffee maker beeps like there’s no tomorrow. still, maybe he was just a little nervous from all that caffeine.
during my review of the cuisinart coffee center, i was a little disappointed in how flimsy it feels. while the shower head on the drip coffee maker side is pretty impressive, the hinged lid looks like it could break too easily. Not only that, the control panel buttons feel cheap and wobbly. I guess I wonder how long it would take for a button to fall off!
single serve brewers observations
I’ve already complimented the manufacturer on their single-serving reusable filter in this cuisinart cafeteria review. however, upon seeing the homebarista I had serious doubts about how well it would work. that’s because the filter cup is so small: there really isn’t much room for enough coffee grounds in there.
Anyway, I went ahead and added two tablespoons of medium ground coffee and made a 10-ounce cup. I have to say I was surprised at how fast the brewing process was. however, while my coffee was ready in less than a minute, the results were disappointing, to say the least.
In order not to get discouraged, I switched to a coffee with a darker roast profile. plus, I used a much finer grind setting to compensate for the quick brew time. For those of you who enjoy single servings of dark roast coffee, let me tell you that this machine is a winner. the results were rich, chocolaty, and incredibly satisfying.
Needless to say, I was bouncing off the walls at the end of my cuisinart coffee shop review!
cuisinart coffee center cleaning
Cleanup is fairly easy for both coffee makers. on the drip coffee maker side, you should dispose of the used grounds and wash the reusable coffee filter and carafe after each use.
for the k cup coffeemaker, dispose of the spent cup at your nearest landfill or wash the reusable filter cup if that’s what you used for your coffee.
Always use a mild soap and hand wash parts to prevent damage. the outer casing usually just needs a quick wipe with a soft microfiber cloth.
descaling should be done every three to six months, so check your user manual for instructions on how to do it correctly. this model also has a self-cleaning function to help you with descaling.
cuisinart coffee center specifications
cuisinart coffee maker vs. other dual brewers
so now that you know what this cuisinart coffee center has to offer, let’s compare it to some other dual brew models starting with the next coffee center in line, the thermal carafe model.
cuisinart ss-15p1 vs. ss-20p1
the $229.95 cuisinart ss-20p1 is the stainless steel thermal carafe version of the ss-15p1, the focus of my cuisinart coffee center review. There is not much difference between the two models, apart from the fact that the carafe is not made of glass. In addition, the SS-20P1 does not have an adjustable auto power off function.
Since it’s a thermal carafe, there’s no need for a hot plate. You should still be able to pour a great cup of hot coffee long after the brew cycle is complete. the downside is that it’s a bit smaller than the glass carafe, and only holds about ten cups of coffee at a time.
cuisinart coffee center vs keurig k duo
The $119.99 Keurig K-Duo is a very different machine, though it has many of the same features. Like the SS-15P1, it has a 12-cup glass carafe with a hot plate and reusable gold mesh filter. the water reservoir is also the same size at 60 ounces (1774 milliliters).
also features a brew intensity control feature and the ability to schedule your brew.
on the other hand, you can brew up to a 12-ounce (354-milliliter) cup on the single-serve side of the keurig duo, something cuisinart can’t do.
There’s also only one reservoir for water, which I suspect should be filled more often than the cuisinart, since both brew options are drawn from it. black and silver are the only color options.
cuisinart coffee center vs hamilton beach flexbrew trio
In terms of similarities, both the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew and the Cuisinart SS-15P1 have the same pitcher and individual brew options. however, Flex Beer boasts a third way to brew using a reusable strainer cup on the single-serving side.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a different type of preparation; It’s still single serving and the same idea as the Cuisinart Homebarista Reusable Cup. there’s even a removable drip tray and two reservoirs, one for each side of the machine.
One difference between the two brewers is that the flexbrew can go up to 14 ounces (414 milliliters) on the single-serve side, which is good for larger insulated cups of coffee. the main difference, however, is the price, at $99.98 on amazon, but there’s a catch.
The reservoir on the k-cup side of the machine cannot be removed and is very small. holds 14 oz of water max. I feel like refilling every time you brew would get old pretty quick.
verdict: cuisinart ss-15p1 coffee center
I hope my cuisinart coffee maker review helps answer any questions you have about this particular model. I think it’s nice to have the option to brew a single serving or a full cup, if only to make it a little easier to have guests over for coffee.
While I’m not a fan of the K-Cup lifestyle, I appreciate that Cuisinart included eco-friendly brewing products up front without having to purchase the reusable filters separately. That in itself makes the Cuisinart Coffee Center a viable option for those who want a coffeemaker with the best of both worlds.
See also: 100 Mẫu đồng phục quán cafe – trà sữa đẹp, chuyên nghiệp
