
"The overall appearance of the Cuisinart CHW-12 is compact but stylish."
Cuisinart is one of the top manufacturers in kitchen appliances, so it’s no surprise the Cuisinart CHW-12 coffee machine lives up to the expectations of a high-end brand. This CHW-12 is also one of the lowest priced coffee machines on the market, priced between $50 and $80. It’s an affordable coffee machine that can brew up to 12 cups of coffee but also has the bonus of a hot water feature. The Cuisinart CHW-12 is also a smaller coffee machine option to have, weighing 10 pounds with the dimensions of 10.8 x 12.4 x 16.5 inches.
Design
The overall appearance of the Cuisinart CHW-12 is compact but stylish. This coffee machine comes in two different finish options, either Black/Stainless or in a metal/red finish, so it’s adaptable to fit into any kitchen design. There is also a display screen with a blue-backlight on it displaying a digital clock which is a useful feature to have. Many customers describe the Cuisinart CHW-12 as classy, and it is. It’s sleek, chic and undeniably trendy. The smaller size also means this coffee machine won’t get in the way on the countertop but still looks the part. The water tray opens upwards from the top, so this could be a problem if it were placed underneath the counter on a shelf for example. However, because of its stylish design, this coffee machine is far more suitable to be shown off on the countertop.
Coffee Customisation
The Cuisinart CHW-12 comes with many features that make it a great addition to any kitchen. This coffee machine includes a glass carafe that’s big enough to serve up to 12 cups of coffee in one brew and comes with a drip-free pouring spout. In addition, it also has the option of setting the machine to brew between 1-4 cups of coffee if you won’t be needing the full quantity brewed. The Cuisinart CHW-12 is a versatile coffee machine and comes with a heater plate to keep the carafe of coffee hotter for longer. This heater plate can be set to low, medium and high heat so is fully flexible in what temperature you would prefer to maintain your coffee. This is a top feature of the CHW-12, as not all the best coffee machines have this feature. Likewise, Cuisinart has also added a pause feature to the brew options, meaning you have control over the brewing of your coffee. The only downside with the CHW-12 is that it doesn’t come with any form of brew strength control. However, there have been numerous customer reviews stating the quality taste of the coffee.
The CHW-12 isn’t compatible with coffee pods but does incorporate a filter system for ground coffee which is excellent quality and tastes supreme. In addition to the coffee brew section to this machine, the Cuisinart CHW-12 also has an extra hot water system, which includes a separate power button and is extremely useful for drinks such as teas and hot cocoa. This hot water section of the CHW-12 also consists of a 54-ounce water tank, which can be used at the same time as the coffee machine or entirely separately. It also comes with a removable drip tray, so you can fit anything from little cups to travel mugs to fill up with whichever beverage you choose. This is a neat feature that Cuisinart has included on the CHW-12 model as it means more versatility for the consumer.
Ease of Use
Another great feature of the Cuisinart CHW-12 is the self-cleaning function. This coffee machine cleans itself when you ask it to, doing all the hard work for you. As well as this, it also has removable parts that are dishwasher safe to put your mind at ease. Another big plus to the CHW-12 coffee machine is the fact that it comes with charcoal water filters that remove the impurities that could affect the quality of the coffee or drink of choice. The sleek design also means it can be wiped clean and cleanliness is easily maintained. Cuisinart has thought of everything when it comes to the cleaning aspect of this coffee machine.
The CHW-12 is very easy to use. The buttons and features are not overwhelming, and although there are plenty of features on this model, it’s still an easy coffee machine to operate. Some features help with its ease of use such as light indicators to show when the water is ready and when you need to add water to it. As well as this, the Cuisinart CHW-12 coffee machine also comes with a 24-hour program feature, meaning you can set your coffee to be brewed at the perfect time for you up to 24 hours, so if you want a freshly brewed coffee ready for when you get in from work it will be prepared for you. There is also a convenient auto-shut off option on this coffee machine, so it turns off from anywhere between 1-4 hours after use. This is a safety feature but also factors in saving power and being as efficient as possible.
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Final Thoughts
Overall, the Cuisinart CHW-12 is a durable and stylish coffee machine and is one of the most affordable ones on the market. Although there is no brew strength control, the CHW-12 also comes with many advanced features like a warming plate, pause option and a hot water system for additional drinks. The CHW-12 comes with a 3-year warranty, so you have peace of mind if something were to go wrong. This coffee machine is durable, versatile and easy to maintain.