Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless Steel

I have had this coffee maker for years. I drink a ridiculous amount of coffee and I'm very picky about it. This maker brews great tasting coffee. I do use good freshly ground beans and I immediately pour it into a carafe to stay hot but I always get comments on how fantastic my coffee is - even from people who buy the same coffee beans. It also is one of the better looking machines and is not overly bulky.

When I started researching coffeemakers it became very frustrating because everyone had something bad to say about all of them. This coffeemaker seemed to have the least bad reviews about it. I was still a little worried about buying it with the comments about the beeping when the coffee was done is too loud and spilling the water when pouring it in and water spilling all over the counter because the pot was not in just the right spot. Well, let me tell you, none of those things are a problem!The beep signal is very low compared to my stove and microwave. I thought that was laughable! And any of those other complaints are not any problem. I really like this coffeemaker. It makes the coffee fast, is plenty hot enough and tastes great. I'm glad I bought it and spent the extra money for this product than to buy a cheap model. It's worth it, especially if you drink coffee every day.

I bought this coffee maker for our boat as I needed a coffee maker that made 12 cups that was not too large in size. I like it so much I plan on buying another one for our home. I like the glass carafe as you can get it sparkeling clean and it makes a delicious cup of coffee. It is even small enough it fits in my cabinet in our boat. You will not be disppointed in this coffee maker.

I purchased this coffeemaker about one year ago and have been using it continuously since then.

I have over the years experimented with a multitude of different makers and coffees in search of the perfect cup. I've tried enumerable coffeemakers including the old percolators, drips, French presses, 4 cup makers, 10 and 12 cup makers. I've purchased blade grinders for beans, regular burr grinders and very expensive burr grinders. I've bought bagged coffee, vacuum packed coffee, and single-envelope coffee. I've tried Starbucks (multiple varieties), Caribou coffee and other specialty coffee shop brands, as well as numerous grocery store brands.

I have experimented with different amounts of coffee, grind sizes, coffee-to-water ratios, water filters, etc. in search of the all important perfect cup of regular coffee.

And now I have found it.

I'm going to share with you how to make a perfect cup of coffee using this coffeemaker - the best coffeemaker I have ever found. Ready, here's what you do:

- go immediately to a local Cracker Barrel restaurant (they're located almost everywhere these days) and purchase a bag of their Cracker Barrel regular coffee. Check the expiration date just to ensure you have a bag that's good (always is, but I check anyway).

- next, go to a grocery store and buy a box of Melitta #4 brown coffee filters

- make sure your Cuisinart 1200 is ready to go -- if it is new you will need to process some water through it first to break it in

- now let's make a great cup of coffee using the following amounts. But first, place a brown filter inside the filter basket:

--- for 20 oz. of coffee, fill the decanter with cool tap water to the 4-cup mark and pour into the coffeemaker. Using a 1/4 measuring cup, scoop and level the Cracker Barrel coffee from the bag and place inside the filter in the maker. With this amount of water, turn the switch to the on position and PRESS the "1-4" button. This button instructs the coffeemaker to heat the water properly with this small amount of water. You will not press the "1-4" button for more than 4 cups of water.

--- for 40 oz of coffee, fill the decanter to the 8-cup mark and pour into the coffeemaker. Using a 1/3 measuring cup, scoop and level the Cracker Barrel coffee from the bag and place inside the filter in the maker. Turn the coffeemaker switch on.

--- for 50 oz of coffee, fill the decanter to the 10-cup mark and pour into the coffeemaker. Using a 1/3 measuring cup, scoop and heap (rounded, about 1/2 inch or so above level) the Cracker Barrel coffee from the bag and place inside the filter in the maker. Turn the coffeemaker switch on.

--- for 60 oz of coffee, fill the decanter to the 12-cup mark and pour into the coffeemaker. Using a 1/2 measuring cup, scoop and level the Cracker Barrel coffee from the bag and place inside the filter in the maker. Turn the coffeemaker switch on.

When the coffee has finished making, a beep will sound. Then or a little later, you must pour all coffee out of the decanter. Any coffee standing on a hot plate will begin to turn bitter/burnt quickly. Purchase a thermal carafe and use it to store coffee for more than a few minutes. Pre-heat the carafe (stainless inside, never plastic) with hot water while your coffee is being made.

Buy a bag clip for your coffee bag. Flatten the bag from the top of the coffee to the top of the bag to remove most of the air. Roll the bag down until it meets the coffee and clip it. Place the bag in the kitchen cabinet or drawer away from heat and light.

Every 60 makings (for me, that's about 3 months), you need to clean the coffeemaker and replace the water filter. You do this to ensure you continue to have great tasting coffee indefinitely. It's easy to do. Pour white vinegar to the 4-cup mark and finish filling the decanter to the 12-cup mark with water. Pour in the coffeemaker, place a new brown coffee filter into the basket, press the "Self Clean" button and turn the coffeemaker on. When the coffeemaker turns itself off, you can dump the liquid and prepare a new water filter (you have to soak it for a few minutes) and place it in its holder inside the coffeemaker. You can then run a fresh decanter of water through the maker and you're ready for another delicious and perfect cup of coffee.

Enjoy!

I am very pleased with the appearance and operation. It arrived in a timely manner and I would recommend this item to anyone.