Cuisinart Grind and Brew DGB-550BK

The Cuisinart 12-cup Grind and Brew DGB-550BK produces great-tasting coffee thanks to its built-in grinder that lets owners grind their own fresh beans. There's also a charcoal water filter that eliminates unwanted tastes from tap water. Its many parts make the DGB-550BK cumbersome to clean, but most owners say it's worth the hassle for the extra features.

Performance

Superior coffee, but some complaints about grinder capacity. Most reviews say this coffee maker produces exceptional coffee, thanks to its ability to grind beans and immediately brew them for the freshest taste. This model has a 12-cup capacity, but some owners say the grinder can't hold enough beans to make a full pot. As a result, they feel the coffee is too weak. Others disagree, however, saying they have no problem obtaining strong flavors using this machine.

Otherwise, reviews praise the features offered by the Cuisinart Grind and Brew, such as the pause-brew function, which lets you get a cup without making a mess before the brew cycle completes. For a smaller pot of coffee, the batch size can be adjusted to brew between one and four cups. A few users say the grinder can't be adjusted to accommodate a smaller batch, but others say they simply put fewer beans in the grinder.

Ease of use

Seven parts make for cumbersome cleaning. There are numerous comments among reviews about how cumbersome the Cuisinart 12-cup Grind and Brew DGB-550BK is to clean. The grinder portion has two parts, the basket is in three pieces and the pot itself is an additional two parts which must be disassembled and cleaned thoroughly between uses for best performance. Some users say they don't mind the inconvenience of cleaning all the parts, thanks to the great-tasting coffee this machine produces. Additionally, most of the parts are dishwasher-safe, which simplifies the process for many owners.

After cleaning the parts, users say it's important to make sure the grinder is thoroughly dry before use; otherwise, the grounds will become gummy, potentially clogging the machine and affecting taste. It has an ergonomically designed handle that's comfortable to grip and a knuckle guard to prevent burning your fingers when removing the carafe. Some owners complain that the door to the basket tends to pop open during use, but others contend that this is a result of not having all the parts assembled correctly.

Appearance

Sleek design, but a bit tall. A few owners say the Cuisinart Grind and Brew is too tall to fit on the counter under cabinets, but most are pleased with its slim, black and brushed-metal design.

The Cuisinart 12-Cup Grind and Brew is durable, with many owners saying they've owned this model for several years with no problems. One owner posting to Amazon.com says he's owned this coffee maker for seven years and it still works as it should.

The bottom line

A solid contender, but consider the Krups KM7000 as well. The Cuisinart Grind and Brew DGB-550BK performs adequately, with some small complaints related to ease of use and cleaning. It costs less than the top-rated Krups Grinder and Brewer KM7000 (*Est. $160), although the Krups gets better professional reviews. However, user reviews are more split, with some giving the Cuisinart Grind and Brew slightly higher grades.