As Close to the Local Diner As You Can Get

Author's Rating:

Pros: Commercial look and quality. Keeps coffee hot all day.

Cons: No stop drip or sneak-a-cup feature. Unit warm-up time.

The Bottom Line: 
A heavy duty coffee maker for heavy duty coffee drinkers.

Author's Review
I am a big coffee drinker and have owned several Cuisinart machines over time. I was quite pleased with their operation (one even ground the beans).  Each one, however, developed problems after about one year. In search of a more durable machine- one that would be as close to commercial grade as possible- I purchased my Waring Pro several years ago and use it at least several times per day.

Commercial coffee makers all have a utilitarian look to them- stainless steel, toggle and rocker switches, multiple pot warmers and plumbed water supplies. The Waring has all of these features, except the later. You put the water into this machine.

Important: Do you plan on putting the maker on your kitchen countertop?  This machine is tall and long (deep). I have seen different measurements advertised so I don't want to give the specs here. As I said, mine is two years old and they may have changed slightly. My Waring just clears the overhead cabinet by ½ an inch. I have no need to use the top pot warmer (this unit has one below as well), but this may be of concern to you.

Plug in the machine and flick the metal toggle switch up. The red power light comes on. To the right is a blue light. If that comes on, you must add water to the unit as it has to have a certain level of water in it in addition to the water you are going to add to make coffee. When you add some water, the blue light will go out once the proper level is reached. I rarely find myself needing to do that though, probably because I rarely use the hot water dispenser located on the right side. Now, you can put in a standard filter basket and add ground coffee while waiting for the unit warm up. When it's ready to go a green light will come on. This takes about ten minutes. I have cheated at times and added water before the green light came on after waiting only five without any ill effects. When adding any water always be sure you have a pot under the dispenser because, even when just adding water to the reservoir, some will inevitably drip out. There is no mechanism to stop the dripping water. While on that subject, once you begin dripping coffee into the pot, you have to wait until it is done. This takes about five minutes for a full 12 cup pot. There is no way to sneak a cup before the machine is done dripping. Also, Waring recommends you make at least 4 cups at a time. When I get up early in the morning, I flick the unit on before I take my dogs out for a few minutes. By the time I come back in, it's ready to go.

By now you may be thinking this whole procedure is a hassle, but it really is quick and easy once you get used to it. If you are usually pressed for time though, especially in the morning, this may not be the machine for you. As you can see, there is a little more time required with this coffee maker.

There are two red lighted rocker switches that control the pot warmers. One is for the top warmer and one for the bottom one. These pot warmers keep the coffee hot all day long if you want, not just warm. Other coffee makers I have owned didn't keep the coffee as hot as this Waring does.

The only problem I have experienced is with the plastic pot covers with pour spouts. Two pots and covers come with the unit and one has never snapped properly in place since day one. Recently, the other pot cover was reluctant to snap in place until the pots warms. By the way, one of the two coffee pots, which are glass, has an orange symbol on the handle for decaf if needed.

In ending, I really like my Warning Pro and will buy one again if anything ever happens to the one I own now. It makes a great pot of coffee and keeps it hot all day. At about two years old and still going strong with daily use, it appears to be much more durable than other coffee makers I have owned. It even looks and feels like a quality product.

Some may not like the large size and commercial look for home use, but is right up my alley. You can expect guests in your house to say "wow" when they spot this stainless steel unit with the multi-colored lights glowing. About as close to the local diner you are going to get without buying a true commercial coffee maker. It just has to be your cup of te...coffee!