The Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central Reviewed

April 4, 2015 by Kate Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, Coffee Makers Tagged 14-cup, cuisinart, DCC-2600 Leave a comment

Cuisinart DCC-2650 Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

It’s not always easy to find coffee makers that brew large pots of coffee. Most go up to 10 cups, but if you’re entertaining a larger crowd – or just really love your coffee – 10 might not suffice. The Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central can brew up to 12 cups of coffee lightning fast. With a sleek design and plenty of great convenient features, the DCC-2650 makes a great addition to any kitchen.

Sturdy and Durable

The DCC-2650 is well-engineered with a sturdy housing and metallic accents. This model does come with a glass carafe, which can be fragile, but the coffee maker itself is made from highly durable materials.

Click here to get the price of the Cuisinart DCC-2650 Coffee Maker.

Convenient Features and Sleek Design

The one thing I love about Cuisinart coffee makers is that they always have convenient features. The DCC-2650 is no different.

It can brew up to 12 cups at a time, and if you don’t want to brew an entire pot, you have the option of making just 1-4 cups. The water reservoir is easy to clean and fill. The indicator window on the side of the pot lets you know exactly how much water you need.

If you want to wake up to freshly brewed coffee, there’s a programmable feature and automatic shut-off. You can choose between 0 and 4 hours for the shut-off feature. Once the coffee is done brewing, it will beep five times to let you know.

There’s a brew pause feature, too, that lets you pour a cup mid-brew. And you have the option of choosing between regular or bold flavors.

The heating plate will keep your coffee warm until the automatic shut-off kicks in. And you can adjust the temperature of the heating plate, so you can keep your coffee exactly the right temperature.

Other great features are also included like a permanent gold filter and a charcoal water filter for a great-tasting, convenient pot of coffee.

Clean-Up is a Breeze

Coffee makers are either really easy to clean or a complete nightmare. Luckily, the DCC-2650 falls into the first category. It even comes with a self-cleaning feature that tells you when it’s time to clean your coffee maker.

Enjoy Years of Use

Under normal use, the DCC-2650 should provide you with years of use. Of course, there are exceptions, but Cuisinart includes a 3-year warranty for machines that malfunction prematurely.

Very Affordable

The DCC-2650 comes with a lot of great features, and you’d expect to pay well over $100 for a machine like this. But you can find the DCC-2650 in retail shops for just around $100. That’s a steal – especially considering that this machine brews a large pot of coffee.

Pros

Can brew up to 12 cups of coffee, with the option of brewing 1-4 cups.
Brew pause feature lets you pour a cup mid-brew.
Permanent filter and water filter ensure a pure coffee taste and easy clean-up.
Self-cleaning feature lets you know when it’s time to clean the pot.
Adjustable heating plate temperature.
Automatic shut-off.

Cons

The carafe lid is inconvenient.

The only drawback with this coffee maker is that the carafe’s lid doesn’t rotate. You have to actually unclip it to fill it up. This isn’t a deal breaker by any means, but may be a minor inconvenience for some people.

The Cuisinart DCC-2650 is a great programmable coffee maker with plenty of convenient, smart features. It brews a large, 12-cup pot of coffee in record time, and the coffee tastes great.

Click here to get the price of the Cuisinart DCC-2650 Coffee Maker.

My BUNN NHBB Velocity Coffee Maker Review

April 4, 2015 by Kate Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, Coffee Makers Tagged bunn, NHBB, velocity Leave a comment

BUNN NHBB Velocity Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

I know what you’re thinking – “another BUNN coffee maker?” But guys, this is such a great machine. The NHBB Velocity is one of BUNN’s best-sellers, and it has over 1,000 reviews. I was excited to give this machine a try, and it didn’t disappoint. Is it perfect? No, but what coffee maker is? I’ll share my experiences and thoughts in my review below.

High Quality Construction

The NHB Velocity features a durable black plastic housing with steel accents. Like other BUNN brewers, this model is very well-made, sturdy and reliable. The only fragile piece is the glass carafe, but that’s to be expected.

All the Features You Need – None You Don’t

Like other Velocity brewers, the NHBB is simple in design. But don’t let its simplicity fool you. It’s what’s going on behind the scenes that counts. And the NHBB comes with some great features that help this coffee maker brew a great pot of coffee.

Click here to get the price of the BUNN NHBB Velocity Coffee Maker.

Stainless steel water tank (internal) that keeps water at the perfect brewing temperature.
Sprayhead design allows for optimal flavor extraction.
Brews 4-10 cups of coffee at a time and in just three minutes.
Glass carafe.
Porcelain warming plate.

Yes, the NHBB brewer is simple, but it brews coffee at the perfect temperature. And the sprayhead design ensures that all the grounds are saturated for full extraction and the most flavorful coffee you’ll ever drink.

Easy Clean-Up and Maintenance

The great thing about simple coffee makers is that they’re so easy to clean. The exterior of this model can be wiped down with a sponge or damp cloth. The glass carafe is also easy to clean. Of course, you’ll need to clean the inside once a month like any other drip coffee maker. Maintenance and cleaning is uncomplicated, quick and easy.

Designed for Years of Use

All BUNN coffee makers are made to high quality standards, and I have no doubt that the NHBB will last for years. Some people have had their BUNN coffee maker for over a decade and it still brews a great pot of coffee.

The only issue you might have is with the carafe. Because it’s made of glass, it’s fragile and prone to breakage if it’s dropped. The good news is that BUNN sells replacement carafes, so you don’t have to invest in another machine just to get a new carafe.

Great Value

You won’t have to spend hundreds of dollars just to enjoy a great cup of coffee. You can find the NHBB Velocity Brew in retail shops for around $135. You get a commercial-quality machine at an entry-level price.

Pros

Heated hot water tank keeps water at the perfect brewing temperature.
The sprayhead design ensures even saturation and full flavor extraction.
Porcelain warming plate will keep your coffee warm for hours.
Lightning-fast brewing – a full pot brews in just 3 minutes.

Cons

No programmable feature.

The NHBB does not offer a programmable feature, but with a brewing time of 3 minutes, you really don’t need one.

The BUNN NHBB Velocity Brew is a great option for anyone looking for a no-frills machine that brews a quick pot of great-tasting coffee.

Click here to get the price of the BUNN NHBB Velocity Coffee Maker.

A Favorite By BUNN: The GRB Velocity Reviewed

April 4, 2015 by Kate Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, Coffee Makers Tagged 10-cup, bunn, grb, velocity Leave a comment

BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

No machine brews coffee quite like a BUNN. I’m a big fan of the brand, and I’ve tested quite a few of their models. While I wasn’t impressed by all of them, the GRB Velocity Brew was one machine that stood out. Its design is simple, but it brews a quick and flavorful pot of coffee. This is one of BUNN’s best-selling models, and after trying it for myself, I can see why.

Well-Made

BUNN is in the business of making high quality coffee makers. This machine’s housing may not be made of stainless steel, but it is made of tough, durable plastic. The glass carafe is well-made, and the internal hot water tank is stainless steel.

Click here to get the price of the BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker.

Simple But Practical Features

You won’t find a ton of buttons on the GRB Velocity Brew. In fact, you’ll only find one. And that’s all you really need with a regular coffee maker. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, and BUNN doesn’t disappoint with this model. Here’s what you’ll get with the GRB Velocity Brew:

Stainless steel hot water tank keeps water at the perfect brewing temperature (200 degrees F)
Sprayhead design ensures even, optimal extraction.
High quality glass carafe that keeps coffee warmer for longer.
Porcelain-coated warming plate.
10-cup brewing capacity with 4-cup minimum.

The GRB Velocity can brew a full pot of coffee in just 3 minutes. It may not be programmable, but you can start brewing and have your morning cuppa ready in the time it takes to get dressed.

Easy to Keep Clean

As I mentioned previously, this coffee maker’s body is made of tough, durable plastic. It’s not only long-lasting, but it’s easy to clean too. Just wipe down the exterior with a sponge or damp towel.

And when it comes time to clean the inside of the machine:

Run a brewing cycle with just water and vinegar.
Run a brewing cycle with just water and no coffee grounds.

That’s it! Now, you can start brewing regular pots of coffee again. It couldn’t be easier to clean and maintain this machine.

Built to Last

BUNN is used to making machines for commercial use (they’ve been making coffee makers for restaurants for more than 40 years). The GRB Velocity Brew is built with the same rugged materials the company uses to make their commercial models. This machine will give you years of use as long as you clean and maintain it properly.

Priced Just Right

I love it when a coffee maker brews a great pot of coffee – but doesn’t cost you a fortune to own. And the GRB Velocity Brew fits right into that category. This is a coffee maker just about anyone can afford.

What I Love

Brews between 4 and 10 cups of coffee in just 3 minutes.
Porcelain-coated warming plate and glass carafe keep your coffee warm for hours.
Stainless steel water tank keeps the water at the ideal brewing temperature.
Sprayhead design extracts the most flavor from your coffee.

What I Would Change

The heater stays on all day.

The only gripe I have with this machine is that the heater stays on all day to keep the water hot. And that’s fine if you plan on brewing multiple pots of coffee per day. If you’re only a morning coffee drinker, I suggest turning off the machine or unplugging it when you’re not using it. Otherwise, you’re just wasting energy.

The BUNN GRB Velocity Brew is a great machine for coffee lovers who just want a simple machine that brews good coffee. It’s affordable, durable and brews a flavorful pot of coffee that even pretentious drinkers will love.

Click here to get the price of the BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker.

The Breville BES920XL Espresso Machine Reviewed!

April 4, 2015 by Kate Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, Espresso Machines Tagged BES900XL, breville, espresso machine Leave a comment

Breville BES920XL Espresso Machine (click to enlarge)

I’ve reviewed other Breville espresso makers (yes, they have quite a few), and they’re always a pleasure to use. But the BES920XL holds a special place in my heart. This model isn’t always easy to get a hold of and it’s a bit on the expensive side, but it brews up a cup of espresso that rivals what you’d get in an Italian café. There’s a lot to love about this machine, and I can’t wait to share the details of my review with you.

Commercial-Quality Espresso Machine

First, let me just say that this machine is commercial-quality, or as close as you’ll get with a home machine. It’s built with stainless steel, so it’s highly durable. All parts are made from either steel or BPA-free plastic.

Click here to get the price of the Breville BES920XL Espresso Machine.

All the Features You Could Ever Need

The BES920XL features dual stainless steel boilers with two 15-bar Italian pumps. This allows for steaming and espresso brewing simultaneously. The dedicated steam boiler is 32 ounces, while the dedicated espresso boiler is 10 ounces.

On top of this, you get a ton of programmable features, like:

Shot volume
Shot temperature
Pre-infusion duration
Power
Auto start time
Audio volume
Shot volume

The BES920XL uses precise electronic temperature control to ensure your espresso is always brewed at the optimal temperature.

The backlit LCD display also shows you the shot clock (how long the brew will take), regular clock or the shot temperature. The 84 ounce water tank is removable, too, for added convenience. Plus, it comes with a 360-degree swivel steam wand for brewing coffeehouse drinks.

The OPV (over-pressure valve) ensures that your grounds are never over-extracted because of excess pressure. And the BES920XL gives you instant hot water, so you can preheat cups or brew Americanos.

At first glance, you’ll think the BES920XL is a complicated “space machine” (at least that’s what I called it), but it’s really easy to use. And after a few rounds, you’ll be brewing espresso like a professional barista.

Smart “Clean Me” Feature

One of the things that I really love about this model, and other Breville espresso makers, is that it lets you know when it’s time to clean the machine. It also comes with cleaning tools and a cleaning disc for added convenience.

The exterior of the BES920XL is stainless steel, so it wipes clean with a sponge or damp towel.

Will Give You Years of Espresso Brewing

Breville is known for their high quality home appliances, and the BES920XL is well-engineered. I have no doubt that this machine will give you years of use if you take proper care of it.

The Right Price

I’m going to be honest – this machine isn’t cheap. Right now, you’re looking at spending well over $1,000 for the BES920XL. But if you’re a true fan of espresso, you know that a high quality brewer is worth every penny and can’t compare to low-range (or even mid-range) machines.

Why I Love This Machine

Dual boilers and pumps, so you can brew and steam at the same time.
OPV limits the extraction pressure, so you get a smooth shot of espresso every time.
LCD display makes it easy to brew.
With a ton of features, you can brew your espresso to your own liking.
Swivel steam wand lets you make cappuccinos, lattes and other coffeehouse drinks.

The One & Only Con

Price

Aside from the price, there’s nothing I’d change about this machine. It has everything you could possibly want in an espresso machine. And, in all honesty, that makes it well worth the price. I can’t recommend the Breville BES920XL more. If you love espresso, you’ll love this machine.

Click here to get the price of the Breville BES920XL Espresso Machine.

The Breville 800ESXL Espresso Machine Reviewed!

April 4, 2015 by Kate Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, Espresso Machines Tagged 800ESXL, breville, espresso machine Leave a comment

Breville 800ESXL Espresso Machine (click to enlarge)

In case you hadn’t heard, Breville makes some fantastic espresso machines, and the 800ESXL is no exception. When I took this model for a test drive, I was surprised by the quality of the espresso it produced – and how easy it was to brew. This 15-bar, triple-priming, die-cast machine was on par with some of the higher end models I’ve tested. Let’s take a closer look at what the 800ESXL has to offer.

Solid Espresso Machine with Stainless Steel Housing

If you plan on brewing espresso daily, you need to invest in a high quality machine. And the 800ESXL is a great choice. With a stainless steel housing, this machine is durable and easy to clean.

Click here to get the price of the Breville 800ESXL Espresso Machine.

Convenient Features

Now, here’s what’s most important – the machine’s features. And this model has plenty to offer, including:

ThermoBlock heating system
15-bar, triple prime Italian pump
Selector dial that lets you choose between espresso, steam or hot water
Swivel steam wand with a frother
Removable, 72 ounce water tank
4.5” cup clearance

Plus, the 800ESXL comes with a tamping tool, filters, frothing pitcher (stainless steel) and a cleaning tool.

All controls are easily accessed on the front panel of the machine. The dial lets you choose between brewing espresso and using the steamer or hot water functions. It’s so easy to use, and it brews a rich cup of espresso.

Easy Maintenance and Cleaning

I’m not a big fan of coffee makers that are difficult to clean (who is?), and the 800ESXL was surprisingly easy to clean. The exterior of the machine is made of stainless steel, so it wipes clean with a sponge or towel. And Breville gives you a cleaning tool, so you can keep your machine looking like new.

Highly Durable

Espresso machines can be fickle. Even some high-end machines have a reputation for puttering out after a few months. But the 800ESXL is built to last. Plus, it’s backed by a 1-year warranty. So if your machine does happen to break, Breville will either repair it or send you a new one.

Affordable

Many coffee lovers shy away from buying an at-home espressos machine. Why?

They’re afraid the espresso won’t live up to their expectations.
They’re expensive.

But Breville breaks that trend with the 800ESXL. This is a high quality, affordable espresso machine that you can get your hands on for a great price!

Pros

15-bar Italian pump and ThermoBlock heating for the perfect cup of espresso.
Swivel steam wand, so you can make cappuccinos, lattes and Americanos.
Removable 75 ounce water tank for easy filling and cleaning.
Stainless steel housing for the utmost in durability.

Cons

No automatic shut-off

The 800ESXL does not offer an automatic shut-off feature. This isn’t a deal breaker, but more of an inconvenience. If you forget to shut off the machine, it will continue heating your water all day.

The 800ESXL is easy to use and lets you brew the perfect cup of espresso – or your favorite coffeehouse drink – right in your own kitchen. If you’re looking for an affordable espresso machine that’s built to last, the Breville 800ESXL is a smart choice.

Click here to get the price of the Breville 800ESXL Espresso Machine.