Wake up to coffee that is ready!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Stylish, can use either permanent filter or disposables. Auto timer,2 hour shut off.

Cons: Seems slow filling. Occasional drips on warmer when pot is removed.

The Bottom Line: 
For the money this is a nicely looking and designed coffee maker with bonus features not on a standard coffee maker.

Author's Review
I've discovered that finding a black coffee maker with a timer in my town for under $50 is almost like looking for a needle in a hay stack. I wanted black because it seems the white ones just stain too easily and I was hoping to disguise that a bit.
I purchased this 12 cup maker at Kmart for $36.99 and must admit it's handsome as far as coffee makers are concerned.

Features
Brewing Pause n Serve - this option allows you to remove the pot and fill your cup before the entire pot is full.
The one thing I don't care for is even though this is a nice feature, you do get anywhere from 1-3 drips of coffee on the warming plate when you do this.

Removable filter insert- there are two filter inserts with this model, one for disposable filters and with what is called the permanent filter. The unit comes with a supply of disposable filters to get you started. Simply place the filter in the removable basket, add your coffee and fill with desired amount of water in the water compartment section.
What I don't like about the placement of the filters, which is right below the main lid , which you lift on the top of the unit is, there is a lever that needs to be swiveled to the side before you can remove the filters. The plus side is when you close the main lid, the lever will reset itself.

2-hour auto shut-off - I thought I would really enjoy having this feature. I'm getting a bit absent minded the older I get and am always wondering when I leave the house if I forgot to turn off the coffee maker. It is comforting to know that now when I leave, it will infact shut off after two hours. The downside to this is, if you are home and nursing a pot through the day, if you haven't finished it within two hours you'll need to turn it back on.

Dual water windows- This is a nice touch. Most coffee makers have a window on one side that allows you to see how much water you have added. This model has that feature on both sides. Nice touch if you have this sitting in an area where you normally couldn't see the side that has the water level indicator.

On/Off indicator light - blue button to the right of the machine, its a push button style with a small red light that lights up when the unit is on, clearly visible from across a room.

Cord storage - in the back there is a hole so you can tuck any remaining cord into the unit and just leave the desired amount thats needed to plug the coffee maker in. Makes for a nice tidy look.

Permanent filter - I've often wondered how well these work. When I first got this coffee maker I used the permanent filter for the first several days. My experience with it is that it is a nice feature to have if you are out of filters, but it isn't something I like to use everyday. It has a plastic bottom and a gold tone tight woven mesh like material. You fill the basket like you would a disposable filter. I have found this works pretty well, however there are times when the grinds end up in the coffee pot, and if you have ever got a mouth full of coffee grinds, it can quickly turn you off to risking that again! Perhaps I am not doing it properly because sometimes it does it and sometimes it doesn't. I really don't notice a different taste to the coffee when using this as opposed to the disposables.
To empty, simply lift the filter out, dump into the trash and then rinse well with water. It is also dishwasher safe, which is a bonus.

Auto timer - the main feature I was wanting! I like to have my coffee all ready in the morning.
To start the auto timer, add coffee to filter, pour in water, hold the 'set delay' button in and press the hour and minutes buttons to select the time. There is a red led button to show if you have selected am or pm. Once you have picked your time, release those buttons and press 'delay brew'. A red led button lights to show the unit is ready for delayed brew.

Digital clock/display - Very well done with this feature. Not only is the time in digital format, it's a bright red and easy to read. The main clock is easy to set with simply holding the hour and minute buttons until it gets to the desired time then release. A red light shows if you are currently set for am or pm.

Experience
As I've stated, I wanted a black model to hide some of the stains you often see on white models after a period of time. So far so good where that is concerned. I usually just wipe the whole unit down with a wet cloth or even a paper towel. The warming plate even with coffee spills cleans up easily. The pot itself I toss into the upper rack of the dishwasher and the permanent filter as well. It is a clear glass 12 cup pot with easy to read level lines on both sides of the pot and the coffee maker has dual water indicators as well.
My biggest beef with this coffee maker is it seems to fill rather slowly, since I use the auto timer I don't get too frustrated with it, but on the days I don't I'm disappointed in the amount of time it takes to fill the pot.
The other disappointment I have is often times when you remove the pot a few drops of coffee drip onto the warming plate from the area in the top of the unit where the coffee comes out. This requires a quick wipe up, or your other choice is to set the pot back in and listen to it sizzle, I opt for wiping it up.

I love the style/look of this model. The buttons are on the front lower panel and are a dusty blue color. Larger round button is to the far left which is the delay brew button. Next to that is three smaller blue buttons that are to set the clock and the delay timer. To the right you will find two half moon shaped buttons for on and off and a red light indicating if the unit is on or off. Size is 12" tall, 7 1/2" deep, 8 1/2" wide at the broadest part of the machine.


Other
Use standard 12 cup disposable coffee filters, though the larger ones will fit in this unit.
It is recommended like any coffee maker that you occasionally clean the inside out with vinegar and water running through the machine. As far as factory warranty, I'm sorry, seems I've misplaced the owners manual.

All in all I'm pleased with my purchase, with the exception of the slow filling, if you use the auto timer this shouldn't be an issue, just set it to be ready in time for you to wake up.