Cuisinart DCC-450 Cup w/ Stainless Carafe

Owning the Cuisinart DCC-450 Cup

The Cuisinart DCC-450 Cup proves that you don’t have to sacrifice features when you choose a small coffee maker. The machine is a good example of a 4-cup coffee maker that builds in many of the popular controls usually found only on larger models. The Cuisinart 4 Cup is an economical drip maker that brews directly into an ergonomically designed stainless steel carafe. The coffee maker also comes with a 30-minute auto shut-off and the “Brew Pause” feature to let you interrupt the brewing process for up to 30 seconds to pour a cup of coffee. The machine is compact and ideal for areas where space is limited. It is available in black and white. For a small machine, you get a lot of control with the Cuisinart 4 Cup. The coffee maker has a simple rocker switch with a light that indicates if the machine is on or off. Cuisinart has also included their “Brew Pause” system, which lets you interrupt the brewing process for up to 30 seconds to pour a cup of coffee. The Cuisinart 4 cup also features an auto shut-off; the machine will power down 30 minutes after the brewing cycle is complete. The reservoir of the Cuisinart 4 Cup is deep and narrow. It uses an easy to read fluid level indicator on the interior wall, with raised numerals. Located in the back, the reservoir can be accessed through a lid on the top of the machine. To eliminate the chemical flavor from tap water, be sure to use bottled water when brewing because there is no water filtration device with the Cuisinart 4 Cup.

This machine completes the two main goals of small coffee machines: speed and quality. The Cuisinart 4 Cup certainly brews quickly, brewing a full 4-cup pot in approximately 5 minutes, and the showerhead design helps to brew a very flavorful cup of coffee. This machine proves good things can come in little packages. Housed in plastic, the 4-cup coffee maker features a stainless steel carafe. This carafe is not thermal, so you will still need to use the warming plate to keep coffee warm. The on/off switch, located on the lower left side of the machine, begins brewing and controls the hot plate. Cuisinart has also added a specially designed showerhead to achieve an even distribution of water over coffee, creating a savory brew. The design of the carafe shows a lot of attention to small details. The carafe is made of brushed stainless steel and plastic. It is ergonomically designed, remarkably lightweight, and features an easy grip handle with a knuckle guard. It has a drip proof spout with a stiff plastic mesh screen guard to prevent spills when pouring. Easy to read fluid level indicators are marked on the interior and exterior of the carafe. Although the carafe is constructed of stainless steel, it is not a thermal carafe and will still need to sit on the warming plate to retain maximum heat. The hot plate is scratch resistant with a black non-stick coating. It is controlled by the main power switch, located on the base of the machine.

Five #2 paper cone filters and a coffee scoop are included with the Cuisinart 4 Cup. Filter re-order forms are also provided.