Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker Review – Updated 31 Oct 2024

Good coffee is a must-have for many of us. But, let’s face it, not all coffee makers are created equal. If you’re in the market for a new brewer, you’re likely looking for one that can deliver hot, flavorful coffee without the hassle. That’s where the Cuisinart 12-Cup thermal coffee maker comes in. With its thermal carafe and advanced brewing technology, this coffee maker promises to keep your coffee hot for hours. 

But, is it the best choice for you? To help you decide, we’ll take a closer look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Cuisinart 12-Cup stainless steel Coffee Maker. We’ll also compare it to other similar models, so you can see how it stacks up against the competition. By the end of this review, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision and find the perfect coffee maker for your needs.

A Short Overview of Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Make

When I first got my hands on the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker, I was blown away by the sheer number of features it packed. Not only does it look stunning on your countertop, but it's also surprisingly compact, making it easy to fit alongside your other appliances. The stainless steel finish is a nice touch, too - it adds a touch of sophistication to your kitchen and matches perfectly with your other stainless steel appliances.

But what really impressed me was how easy it is to use. Programming your coffee for the morning is a breeze, and the intuitive interface makes it simple to navigate. I also love the fact that the machine alerts you with a sound when the coffee is brewed - you can choose to turn it off if you prefer, but I find it helpful.

Another feature that I appreciate is the water level indicator on the side of the machine. It's so easy to see how much water you're pouring in, which makes it simple to get the perfect ratio of coffee to water. And when the coffee is brewed, it's piping hot - just the way I like it.

The thermal carafe is also a game-changer. It keeps the coffee hot for hours, and I've even left it overnight and found it still lukewarm the next day. That's impressive, especially considering how often I forget to turn off the coffee maker!

Of course, no machine is perfect, and there are a few things to keep in mind. When pouring coffee from the carafe, you need to be careful not to spill - the coffee can spray everywhere if you're not careful. And when it comes to cleaning the pot, you'll need to invest in a scrub brush, as the carafe is too narrow to fit your hand inside.

Despite these minor quibbles, I'm absolutely thrilled with the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker. It makes a fantastic cup of coffee, and the features and design make it a joy to use. I'm definitely keeping this machine, and I'm excited to share my in-depth knowledge of it with you after putting it through its paces.

Design with Large Capacity

One of the things I love about the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker is its large capacity. With the ability to brew up to 12 cups of coffee like Smeg Retro Style Drip Coffee Machine, it's perfect for families or when you have guests over. In fact, if you fill it to the 12-cup mark, it can hold almost 2 liters of coffee! Of course, most days we only need a few cups, so we usually use the machine's one to four cup setting. This feature is really handy because it adjusts the brew process to ensure your coffee is the perfect strength, even when you're brewing a smaller amount.

Now, I do have to mention that the carafe design is one area where the Cuisinart falls a bit short. To be honest, the large stainless steel handle is comfortable to grip, but the pot itself is pretty heavy and cumbersome. I think this is due to the thickness of the pot, which is necessary to keep the coffee hot, but it does make it a bit tricky to handle. 

For example, when you're pouring out the coffee, you have to tip the pot really far forward to get the water to flow out of the spout. And if you're trying to get the last bit of coffee out of the pot, it can be a bit of a challenge.

Another thing I noticed is that there are no measurement markings on the carafe. With a glass carafe, you usually have lines on the outside that allow you to use it as a measuring cup to fill up the machine. But with the stainless steel thermal carafe, you have to guess how much water you're pouring in. This can be a bit frustrating, especially when you're trying to get the right amount of water for your coffee. 

I found myself making a few trips to the sink, either to dump out excess water or get more. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's definitely something to keep in mind if you're considering this machine.

if you're looking without thermal feature coffee machine, so we recommend to check Gevi 12 cup programmable grip coffee maker.

Keep Hot your Coffee Without Changing Test

One of the things that really impressed me about the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker is its ability to keep coffee hot for hours on end. I'm not just talking about lukewarm coffee, I mean piping hot coffee that's perfect for sipping on a lazy morning. The thermal carafe is the real star of the show here, and it's capable of keeping your coffee hot for at least 4 hours without needing to be reheated in the microwave.

But what really surprised me was that even after 6 or 7 hours, the coffee was still warm and tasted great. with another coffee maker, you brew a pot of coffee in the morning, and by the time you get around to pouring yourself a cup in the afternoon, it's lukewarm and not very appealing. But that's not the case with the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker. The thermal carafe does an amazing job of retaining the heat, so you can enjoy your coffee at the perfect temperature all day long. 

Because this thermal coffee maker doesn't use a warming plate to keep the coffee hot, the flavor of the coffee doesn't degrade over time. You know how sometimes the last cup of coffee from the pot can taste bitter or stale? That's not the case with this machine. The last drop of coffee tastes just as good as the first, thanks to the clever design of the thermal carafe. Overall, I'm really impressed with the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker's ability to keep coffee hot and fresh for hours on end.

We also tested BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker CM2046S but it doesn’t keep our coffee hot like Cuisinart DCC-3400.

User Interface

The panel lights are quite bright. Last night, I noticed how much light they give off in the dark kitchen. It made the room surprisingly bright. However, it's not a big issue.

This stainless steel coffee maker is fully programmable, allowing you to set it up so your coffee is ready exactly when you want it. If you're just making a small batch, there’s a handy "1-4" button designed for brewing 1 to 4 cups of coffee. For those who prefer a stronger, richer flavor, there’s also a "bold" button. Both buttons work similarly by slowing down the water flow over the coffee grounds. This process ensures you get the full flavor from a small pot or a bolder taste from any size pot. So whether you're brewing just a few cups or a full pot, you can customize the strength and flavor to your liking.

When your coffee is finished brewing, the machine lets you know with a series of five loud beeps. This ready tone is designed to make sure you don’t miss the moment your fresh coffee is ready. However, if you find the beeping too loud or disruptive, there's an easy fix. Just locate the "Tone" button, which is conveniently situated near the clock face on the coffee maker. 

By pressing this button, you can turn off the ready tone and enjoy a quieter brewing experience. Additionally, if you prefer a more subtle notification, some models allow you to adjust the volume of the beep or even change the sound. This feature ensures that your morning routine can be as peaceful or as alerting as you prefer.

I have to mention that the panel lights on the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker are a bit bright. I was in the kitchen the other night with the lights off, and I was surprised at how much light the machine was giving off. It was almost like having a little night light in the kitchen! But honestly, that's not really a complaint - it's just something to be aware of.

One of the things I love about this machine is how completely programmable it is. You can set it up to have your coffee ready at whatever time you want, which is perfect for busy mornings. And if you're making a smaller pot of coffee, you can use the "1-4" button to adjust the brewing process. This button slows down the water flow over the grinds, which means you get the full flavor of the coffee even in a smaller pot. There's also a "bold" button that does a similar thing - it slows down the water flow to give you a bolder flavor in any pot.

When the coffee is finished brewing, the machine lets you know with a ready tone that beeps five times. I have to say, it's pretty loud! But if you're not a fan of the beeping, you can easily turn it off by pressing the "Tone" button near the clock face. It's a nice feature to have, especially if you're planning to use the machine in a quiet household or during early morning hours.

Easy to Clean

One of the things I appreciate about the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker is how easy it is to clean. The carafe, lid, and filter basket are all dishwasher safe like Ninja CE251 Coffee Brewer, which makes cleanup a breeze. Just toss them on the top rack of your dishwasher, and let the machine do the work. Of course, if you prefer to wash them by hand, you can do that too - just use warm, soapy water and you'll be good to go.

However, I do have to mention one small drawback when it comes to cleaning the carafe. The rim is pretty narrow, which means you can't stick your hand in to wipe it down with a sponge. This makes it a bit tricky to clean the carafe thoroughly by hand, which is a bit of a bummer. But overall, the ease of cleaning is still a major plus in my book.

It's also important to remember that coffee makers need periodic maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Over time, mineral deposits can accumulate in your coffee maker, which might start to affect the taste of your coffee. To prevent this, you should flush the system with a vinegar-water solution whenever the "Clean" indicator light comes on. This will help remove any mineral deposits and keep your coffee maker in good working order. It's a simple step, but it's an important one to keep your coffee tasting its best.

Price 

When it comes to coffee makers, there are a lot of options out there, and they can range in price from very affordable to quite expensive. The Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Thermal Coffee maker falls into the latter category, retailing at $130. That's definitely more than what you'd pay for a basic coffee maker, but as we'll see, this machine has a lot of features that make it worth the extra cost.

First of all, the design of this coffee maker is sleek and modern, making it a great addition to any kitchen. But it's not just about looks - the machine is also incredibly functional. With its programmable features, you can set it to brew coffee at a specific time every day, which is perfect for those who need a morning coffee fix. And with its thermal carafe, the coffee stays hot for hours, so you can enjoy a fresh cup whenever you want.

Considering all of these convenient features, the higher price tag of the Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Thermal Coffeemaker is definitely justified. In fact, for those who drink multiple cups of coffee each morning, this machine is a worthwhile investment. It's a high-quality coffee maker that will make your morning routine easier and more enjoyable, and it's built to last.

So if you're in the market for a new coffee maker and are willing to spend a bit more, the Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Thermal Coffeemaker is definitely worth considering.

If you want budget friendly stainless steel 12 cup thermal coffee maker to, so we recommend to check Krups 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker.

Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker vs BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker CM2046S 

When it comes to choosing a coffee maker, there are a lot of options out there. But if you're looking for a thermal coffee maker that can deliver a great cup of coffee, you're probably considering the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker and the BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker CM2046S. Both of these machines have their strengths, and which one is right for you will depend on what you're looking for in a coffee maker.

The Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want a bit more control over their brew. With its adjustable brew strength and flavor profile options, you can customize your coffee to your liking. And with its sleek design and intuitive interface, it's easy to use and maintain. Plus, the thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without burning it. If you're willing to invest a bit more money in a high-quality coffee maker, the Cuisinart is a great choice.

On the other hand, the BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker CM2046S is perfect for those who prioritize simplicity and value. It's a more affordable option that still delivers a good cup of coffee, without the need for extensive customization or higher costs. It's a great option for those who want a no-frills coffee maker that gets the job done.

But if you're willing to spend a bit more money, the Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker is the better option. Its sleek design and intuitive interface make it a joy to use, and the adjustable brew strength and flavor profile options give you a lot of control over your coffee. Plus, the thermal carafe is durable and keeps coffee hot for hours. The BLACK+DECKER CM2046S is a good option for those on a budget, but it doesn't have as many features and isn't as well-designed as the Cuisinart.

Final Verdict 

The Cuisinart 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich coffee maker. Its thermal carafe and advanced brewing technology deliver hot, flavorful coffee that's perfect for any time of day. 

While it may not be the most affordable option on the market, its durability and performance make it a worthwhile investment. Compared to other similar models, this stainless steel coffeemaker holds its own with its unique combination of features and value. If you're willing to spend a bit more for a high-quality coffee maker, this is definitely a model worth considering. 

If you’re looking for the best Thermal Coffee Maker with advanced features, we highly recommend this Cuisinart Coffee Maker to enhance your coffee experience on a daily basis.