Coffee & Espresso Makers Tips

Kenmore KBC12 12-Cup Coffee Maker Product Technical DetailsKBC12 Key FeaturesTypeCoffee MakerCapacity12 CupOperation...

Kenmore KCM12 60-Cup Coffee Maker Product Technical DetailsKCM12 Key FeaturesTypeCoffee MakerCapacity60 CupOperation...

Over the years, we have learned to trust (most) Kenmore appliances, both large and small. This brand, though not manufactured by Sears themselves, is branded by them after being manufactured by other major appliance makers Maytag, Whirlpool, etc.). IN comparing the specs of the Kenmore products we own with those similar products carrying the manufacturers own brand, we have found that the Kenmore brand items are better built to higher specifications than those you would, at first glance, think they were simply relabeled versions of. This coffee maker, for instance, is manufactured by Salton. We own, or have owned, Kenmore refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, dish washing machines – as well as toasters, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens and, yes, coffee makers. When an appliance needs replacing, we shop around and consult the major consumer ratings and guides and, more often than not, wind up buying a Kenmore – either to replace an older one or to take the place of a failed or worn-out other brand. Most recently, a Braun coffee maker that had served us reliably and well for nearly 15 tears stopped functioning properly and first to the consumer rating nags, then out to shop we went, wound up –yes, at Sears, where we purchased this Model KBC12BLK (the model shown above in black.) On sale for $29.99 (about half of what we paid for the Braun 15 years ago) it has many of the same features – and then some – and appears to be as well put together. It certainly does what it claims – brews coffee well and can be pre-timed the night before – but has additional features to recommend it as well.

For one, it has a “4 cups” setting that allows for automatic adjustments for brewing less than a full pot. This is a particularly useful feature to us we do not often need a 12 cup pot of coffee – though we often use the full capacity to brew iced tea that gets put into a pitcher and stored in the refrigerator. It also has a ‘short cord’ feature which reduces the awkwardness of having a longer-than-needed power cord laying across the counter top. As is the case with most good coffee makers, it comes equipped with a Reusable filter – no, not gold (a ‘value added accoutrement actualized in the 70’s that I never appreciated, needed or understood the need for) but plasticized fabric of some kind. Ordinarily, I prefer using paper (Melitta) filters that fit perfectly (#4s) into the brewer. The electric clock and timer is clear and easy to set and program and the overall look of the machine is modernesque and attractive on the counter. The Automatic Shutoff shuts the heating element off after two hours - just in case you forget about it!

There really isn’t too much else to say. Before going to Sears, we checked out Macy’s where we found other brands costing 2 -5 times as much that appeared no more solidly made and that offered no additional needed features. After all, it’s just a coffee maker – and, often for us, a tea brewer. I can’t say with any certainty that it will serve us as well or as reliably as it’s predecessor did for the past 15 years, but I have every reason to expect that it will. Our luck with Kenmore products has been outstanding and we have no reason to suspect any different experience with this product.

If it fails us, I will be certain to update both this review and my 5-star rating of the product if/when it disappoints us. In the meantime, for the money, you can’t top the Kenmore products.

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