pebbles—September 8, 2025
This coffee maker replaces the same model that I purchased and used daily for over 24 years! I'm sure of the date (2001) because we had just moved when I got it. I even checked my memory by calling Cuisinart, and they said this model came out in 2000. I think I got it because Consumer Reports recommended it. Anyway after it died, I started looking for a replacement that addressed the only thing I don't like about it - no outside water gauge. After trying and returning a different brand, I'm back to this one: Pros - (1) makes good coffee; (2) adjustable temp heater plate - I use cream so want my coffee piping hot; (3) 1-4 cup setting... again to have hot enough coffee; (4) programmable (5) great carafe -- doesn't spill when pouring, and the lid can come all the way off, not just hinged. It's on there securely which it has to be for spill free pouring, but it's not hard to pop off when you want to clean the pot. And sturdy!! Can't tell you how many times I've accidentally smacked it against a granite countertop without breaking it in all those years. Not recommending, just sayin'! (6) Cord length = 26.5". Short enough so it tucks behind the machine and isn't annoyingly all over your countertop, and long enough that you can pull the coffee maker out free from under your upper cabinets when brewing, so steam doesn't hit them. Cons: (1) In 25 years, why oh why hasn't Cuisinart put a water gauge on the outside for those times you need to remember how much you put in? This was the main annoyance that had me looking elsewhere. The one inside is virtually impossible to read unless you have in 12 cups. It's a ridiculous water gauge. (2) The "done" beeps are louder than on my old one. I noticed the first day, and haven't noticed it since. I guess I don't find it as horrific as some other reviewers have mentioned, but it was fine at the volume it used to be. Unless your situation is sensitive, the volume is likely not a deal breaker. Pro or Con? Depends on your point of view: The clock window is tiny and not backlit. I personally don't want one more electronic thing with a bright display on it in my kitchen and I don't use it as a kitchen clock so I couldn't care less. However if you change programmable settings often or otherwise need to read the clock, you'll need good lighting and good eyes. I've read the reviews of others who got lemons that didn't last -- if this one lasts even half as long as my first one I'll be happy. If not, I'll update my review... p.s.: Have not had a problem with the water height marks wearing off the carafe because I never put in the dishwasher, which will eventually take marks like that off anything. Given the lack of an exterior water reservoir guide, that may be important to your choice. Read more
Scott D. Gibson—March 12, 2004
First I'd like to say that these review sites really kill me. Invariably, you have to wade through countless trivial comments like, "I had to turn the spool wheel too many times before I could change the string on my string trimmer" or, here's a classic, "the stereo I bought is just too loud and I have to keep the volume at the number 5 setting all the time." (trust me, this is from an actual review). Well, you'll be happy to know that the reviews for the DCC-1200 are no different. Anywhere from "why do you have to turn the knob to brew and then flick a switch for on" to, "I can hear the plastic creaking as it heats up" (that one really makes me laugh) to, "it's just too tall and doesn't fit under my cabinets" (didn't you size it up before you bought it)? Look people, this unit makes coffee. It does it well and it does it like it's supposed to. You pour water in the top, add your favorite beans, wait a bit and, here's the kicker, coffee comes out the bottom! Holy smokes! It's got two knobs, an on and off switch and a few buttons to set things like the clock. To brew, turn the knob to brew and flick the on switch. To auto-brew, turn the knob to auto-brew and flick the on switch. To program the clock/auto on/auto off, turn the knob to clock/auto on/auto off and... press a button. Wow, this is really tough stuff. And, to make matters worse, omygosh, the LCD clock doesn't have a back light!! Armageddon here we come. You don't have enough clocks in your kitchen between the wall, the microwave, the oven, and every other stinking thing that has to tell you the time these days? The other knob adjusts the hot plate setting. Low-Med-High. Trust me, there are many complaints that the Cuisinart doesn't get their coffee hot enough. Not hot enough? How hot do you really want it? I'm sure Cuisinart wasn't thinking about their specs reaching boiling temperature when they designed this thing. Trust me folks, it's close enough. I'd say close to McDonald's scalding hot coffee but I won't even sue Cuisinart for potentially burning my crotch. As for the plastic creaking, when the temperature heats up, the plastic expands inside, what do you want anyway? Whatddya mean it's only stainless steel on the outside? I've been ripped off!!! I mean come on, if you really want a true stainless steel coffee maker, go spend the $2000 and buy professional so that you can mount it on the dash of your Beemer. Just don't waste our time with comments like this. Oh yeah and the alarm/beeping that everyone's complaining about? Well, let me just say that the "Hounds of the Baskervilles" comment is a little unjustified. I would hate to hear what this person does when their microwave goes off, or, if their telephone rings, or if one of the kids makes a noise. Folks, this is a series of 5 small beeps when the brewing cycle is near completion. Kind of a tee tee tee tee tee. So, unless you sleep with your coffee maker on your night stand, I wouldn't worry so much about this one. Condensation. I don't know one coffee maker out there that when you open the lid to dump your grounds just after the brewing is complete where some of it doesn't drip on the countertop. So, suck it up. Get your sink sponge and wipe it up. Are we that inconvenienced by this? And finally, the dreaded reservoir comment. "It's too small and I pour water all over the place." Blah blah. Pour water in, get coffee out. So far, I haven't missed the bullseye. Could I be doing something wrong here? And about those darned tank markers. Does anybody honestly use those things? Fill up the pot and pour it in. Now you know how much coffee you'll make. Huh?! The bottom line is that this is a good coffee maker. It has a self cleaning cycle to tell you when to decalcify, makes piping hot coffee but... oh no, produces condensation. It's kind of like when you heat water on the stove and it produces that steamy stuff, and it forms those... water droplets. Ah whatever. Look, if you're the type who doesn't have to have their maid do everything for them or worse flog the person who doesn't quite fold the towel right on the towel bar, go out and buy this product, you won't be disappointed. Read more
