Black & Decker CM1509 8-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe

5 Comments

1. W. Guardiola says:

   March 5, 2010 at 4:07 am

   I really like this coffee maker (it’s good if you have curious children who like to grab at handles on the counter, since no coffee will spill unless they know to press the lever to open the spout, so it’s kind of childproof in my opinion). I love the auto-shut off as soon as it’s done brewing (one less thing to worry about on rushed mornings). The carafe keeps the coffee hot enough for me, I usually program it so my coffee’s ready about 10 minutes b4 I head out of the house in the morning. However, if I’m running a 1/2 hr late or so, the coffee is just the fine. I prefer, maybe slightly “cooler” coffee, compared to the bitter taste of coffee had it sat on a warmer for a 1/2 hour (like use to occur w/ my old glass pot coffee maker). Also, I love the stainless steel carafe and not having to worry about it breaking. My only complaint is that nearly impossible to get every drop out due to the design of the carafe, o/w I would have given it 5 stars. Great price too!
   My Score: 4 / 5 Stars
2. Phil Callahan says:

   March 5, 2010 at 5:04 am

   This one is just awful, got it as a wedding gift, and I agree with the other reviewers. Coffee brews to almost-hot, and then within 30 minutes is room temperature. Water fill-mark is hard to see, carafe is awkward to fill reservoir with because it is so big and clunky and hard to get the last drops. It does not have a heated plate, and automatically turns off once done brewing, so you can’t even leave it on to keep warm! Some other problems with it might be forgiven but I say again, the number one problem is it just does not keep your coffee hot. Returning this for sure.
   My Score: 1 / 5 Stars
3. Gearhead says:

   March 5, 2010 at 5:29 am

   Stay away from this one. I have had two other good B&D thermal carafe coffeemakers, so I am very familiar with them. The carafe is not insulated normally, so the outside of the carafe gets warm immediately and the coffee gets cold quickly, whether the carafe is prewarmed or not. This is not the case with other B&D coffeemakers. Additionally, despite carefully positioning the basket, carafe lid, etc., this coffeemaker leaks coffee on the counter most times. There is a design problem with the shutoff valve. This will be going back soon!
   My Score: 1 / 5 Stars
4. S. Drake says:

   March 5, 2010 at 5:32 am

   I don’t know what the deal is with this one. I’ve had it less than a week and it’s made a mess 3 different times. I don’t know what my husband did exactly the first time, I think I may have put in a little too much water the 2nd time (though I used the carafe to fill the water resevior, so I don’t know), and the last time I was super careful to try and avoid it. My mom said to me “if two itelligent people can’t stop a coffee pot from leaking either it is a manufacturing problem or the darn thing is broken!” I’ll be returning it for something else.

   I will say that I don’t have any issues with the carafe keeping the coffee hot, and I didn’t pre-heat it. I used the program feature and set up the coffee the night before to brew in the morning.
   My Score: 1 / 5 Stars
5. ACP says:

   March 5, 2010 at 7:21 am

   Unlike the other reviews I’ve seen, I have no problems with the lack of a heating element. I am very familiar with thermal coffee pots and this one, like all the others I’ve used, will oftentimes give you tepid coffee if you do not fill the pot with hot water first. This is the trade off for eliminating burnt coffee. Just fill the carafe with hot water, keep it in there for a few seconds, then dump it out and replace the lid immediately. Your carafe is now hot and will keep your coffee hot.

   My problem with this coffee maker is that it tends to overflow with ease. When I say overflow, picture a manageable spill. It hasn’t turned my counter top into a lake of coffee. That being said, it’s still annoying. This is a very touchy machine. A little too much water, it overflows. Place the filter in a little crooked, it overflows. Neglect to screw the top on tight enough, it overflows. When I’m very cautious, though, it brews perfectly, which is why it gets 3 stars. I just think coffee makers should be a little less sensitive so that I can roll out of bed, half asleep, fumbling through the kitchen and still make the perfect cup of joe.

   This machine isn’t perfect. My other Black & Decker thermal coffee maker works like a charm and has for over two years, though I do have to “warm up” the carafe prior to brewing. I can’t wait until manufacturers finally perfect the thermal coffee maker.
   My Score: 3 / 5 Stars