The Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4 Cup coffee maker is perfect if you want a small drip coffee maker that doesn’t sacrifice quality. This 4 cup coffee maker is one of a kind as it comes equipped with a lot of features that you would typically only find in larger units.
In this article, we go into detail as to why you should consider the Cuisinart DCC-450BK when shopping for your next coffee brewer.
The Cuisinart DCC-450BK at a Glance:
- Brews coffee in about five minutes
- 4 cup stainless steel carafe
- Brew Pause feature
- Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 5.2 inches
- Weighs just around 15 pounds
- Available in Black and Red
Our Review
The Size
In many small apartments and houses, counter space is always an issue. Having bulky appliances that are either too tall or too wide can lead to a lot of storage problems, making the kitchen look unnecessarily cluttered as a result. Fortunately, you won’t have this problem with the Cuisinart DCC-450BK. It’s compact enough to sit upright under normal-sized kitchen cabinets and it isn’t so wide that you have to clear off everything else on your counter.
In addition to this, the Cuisinart DCC-450 BK only weighs about 15 pounds, which means you won’t break your back moving it from one spot to the other.
Fast-Brewing
If you’re quite impatient when it comes to making coffee, the DCC-450 might be just what you’re looking for. It can brew a 4-cup pot in about five minutes which is very handy if you’re a busy person and every minute of the day counts.
Stainless Steel Carafe
If you’re quite clumsy, then stainless steel carafes are the way to go. You can drop them all you want and not have to worry about cleaning up broken glass. Plus it features an easy-grip handle so that you can hold it firmly whenever you have to lift it. So you most likely won’t drop it at all!
People often burn themselves trying to pour using carafes, especially metal ones which are particularly good at conducting heat. Cuisinart has a clever workaround for this: a knuckle guard that prevents your skin from coming into contact with the body of the carafe.
That’s not all. The brushed stainless steel carafe has a drip-proof spout which is further covered with a mesh guard in order to prevent any spills while you’re pouring. This way you’ll spend more time drinking coffee than cleaning it off your counter and floor.
The only drawback is that it’s not actually a thermal carafe, even though it’s made of stainless steel. That being said, the DCC-450 comes with a hot plate, so keeping the carafe warm isn’t going to be a problem.
Brew Pause and Auto Shut Off Features
Brew Pause is a function that essentially allows you to stop the brewing process so that you can pour yourself a cup of coffee. This is quite handy if you just need a single cup of coffee at the moment, instead of four.
The Cuisinart DCC-450 BK also comes with an auto-shutoff feature which will cause the machine to power down after half an hour of inactivity. This is very useful if you’re the type of person that forgets to turn off the machine after brewing, allowing you to conserve electricity. Hence, the auto-shutoff feature can make sure that you save on your power bill each month.
Usually, you’ll only find features like this on larger and more expensive coffee machines.
Ease of Use
There aren’t any bells and whistles when it comes to the DCC-450 BK, which means that it’s very straightforward to use. A simple lighted switch located at the bottom of the machine indicates whether it is powered on or off. You simply have to flip it on to get the hot plate warmed up and the brewing process started. That’s all there is to it.
The Price
So, how much do you have to pay to enjoy all these great features? A grand total of just $30! So for the price of a cheap pair of sneakers, you can get a solid coffee maker that can hold its own against more expensive units.
The Pros and Cons
Here’s a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of buying the Cuisinart DCC 450 BK:
Pros
- Fast brewing
- Brew Pause function
- Auto Shut Off feature
- Compact and solid construction
- Extremely affordable
- Ergonomic carafe design
Cons
- Does not include a thermal carafe
- Only available in two colours
Is this 4 cup coffee maker the Right choice for you?
The Cuisinart DCC 450 BK is ideal for some and not so much for others. For instance, if you live alone and want an inexpensive and fast-brewing coffee maker then this is one of the best 4 cup coffee makers you’ll find in this price range. However, the DCC 450 is probably not the best option for larger households, where you might need to brew more than 4 cups of coffee in one go.
