Others say...

"Five months, Five Days"
About the B&D DCM2000-PT 12 Cup Coffeemaker:

This isn't an inspiring product but, like you, I was ecstatic about the price, and I thought it would get the job done. It worked brilliantly for five months and five days. I loved everything about it...until this morning, when I loaded it, turned the power on, and it did nothing (at least the red power light was still working before I disposed of the unit, and red is my favorite color). If you do purchase this product, there's always the possibility that your unit will last six months, in which case, your out-of-pocket expenses will be about $3.33 per month + the cost of the actually coffee (creamers and sweetening agents not included). If the manufacturer of this product would like to send me a replacement unit free of charge, I wouldn't be opposed to it (Amazon has my shipping address).

About All Drip Coffee Makers Under $50.00:

Which ever drip unit you end up getting, I do strongly recommend that you use Organic Mexican Coffee, because it's good and the ground beans seem to like the basket filters; they just sit there and absorb the hot water trickling in. I once had some really bad coffee from a drip unit under $50. I bought it years ago. It was a faithful friend, until it died. It lasted longer than the B&D DCM2000-PT 12 Cup Coffeemaker. I don't remember how long exactly. I don't remember the brand. But, let me tell you this, theses machines do not like bad coffee. I cannot be responsible if you like to use bad coffee. I am not saying that you have to spend a fortune on coffee -I buy gourmet coffee for $3/lb.--I'm just saying that the most generic stuff known to man tends to irk these machines. As I was saying, before I so rudely interrupted myself, I once had very bad coffee from a drip unit under $50. I was in a rush and I just happened to have some Folgers Morning Blend, or some such thing, I made it, and oh boy. The machine hissed and spat and made my coffee with too much grind... Well, to be honest, I might have put a little too much coffee in the basket, but that was never a problem before. The really embarrassing thing that day, is that I had guests, and they were so nice, didn't complain about the burnt coffee full of chunks. I remember that day vividly, the ex-wife of my former production manager at the trophy shop Blane was there, and she went into the kitchen and made a fresh pot of coffee. She's so resourceful and knows me well. She brought her own little bag or Organic Mexican Coffee, and I have never used anything else since. Needless to say, the party was saved.


"simple, basic and cheap"
i dont know what people expect for 20 bucks. this coffee maker works very well at what it supposed to do, make coffee. it's also very cheap and very easy to use. in terms of durability, every one of these cheap black and decker coffee makers (that i've ever owned) work well for a few years and then one day suddenly don't work at all. it's then time to buy a new coffee maker. in short, this is a very good, simple, basic, cheap coffee maker. it will probably last at least a couple of years. it's well worth 20 bucks.

"no frills"
This is your basic coffee maker, no clocks, bells or whistles. It makes a fine cup of coffee in a reasonably short period of time. Works for me and the price was right.

"Can make excellent beans taste horrible"
I bought this to replace a Gevalia coffee maker that i broke the carafe on. No matter how i ground/measured the coffee in this maker, I could not get the coffee to come out tasting right. The beans and filters i use are top notch and I have had no complaints using them in other people's coffee makers. My one thought is that the water heater they use may not get the water hot enough to extract the flavor from the coffee. Unless you don't mind good beans that end up tasting like Folgers, i'd go ahead and pick up something else.

"Shoddy piece of junk- Don't buy it!"
I am returning my elderly parents defective Smartbrew coffee maker to Black and Decker's corporate offices and to the president to be exact. My parents liked this particular model of coffeemaker because it was easy for them to use. My parents are technophobes (especially my mom) and avoid anything with a digital display or that looks like it involves programming. It's a pain in the butt for me and the other siblings. We thought we had an easy match with this coffeemaker until it ceased to function.

The coffeemaker unit is, and was, relatively new (purchased in early 2007). The thermal fuse blew out and as a result, the unit can no longer heat water. For the same reason, the item cannot be used as a warmer. This coffeemaker has only been in use for ONLY 1 year. The burner has also rusted. The only useful components now are the filter AND glass coffee decanter. I am extremely disappointed in the quality of this item. I had the belief that Black and Decker made quality products. Apparently I was proved wrong. Somewhere along the line, they substituted quality for cutting costs as evidenced by this example. Another cheaply made piece of shoddy junk made in China, and now, just another offering destined for a landfill somewhere.

Advice: Go buy something better!