Cuisinart SS-15 Combo Coffee Maker Review 2022: 12 Cup Dual Brewer

Our Rating:

Our Rating:

4

Build Quality
4
Features
4
Brew Anatomy
4
Ease of Use
4
Brand & Warranty
4
Value for Money
4

Material:

Stainless Steel

Brew Type:

Drip

Cup Capacity:

12 Cups

Price:

$$

Pros

  • Comes with a built-in programmable timer
  • Automatic shut-off feature you can set from a few minutes to one hour
  • Gives you the variety to brew a single mug, a 12-cup pot, or use a Keurig
  • Adjustable carafe temperature to keep your coffee warm at all times
  • Comes with a brew-pause function to give way to in-between pours
  • Longer warranty offer

Cons

  • Lengthy descaling process to clean the inside of the machine
  • Mid-range price
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Cuisinart SS-15 Combo dual coffee maker on kitchen bench with carafe coffee

An ideal appliance comes with a number of important features. The more options are available, the better it can serve you. 

When it comes to coffee makers, a prime example is the Cuisinart dual coffee maker. It is a 2-in-1 brewer that works efficiently to provide you with your much-needed caffeine fix every morning. Thanks to its several features that offer convenience and ease of use. 

This practical machine allows you, the coffee drinker, to either brew a pot of 12 cups or a single serving for yourself. If you are a k-cup kind of person, this appliance can give you that, too. 

Design and Construction 

Machine Size

The Cuisinart coffee maker SS 15 may be bulky, but that is mostly because of its dual purpose. With a 10.38 x 14.25 x 10.13-inch frame, it is quite like two coffee makers combined into one multi-functional machine. 

Owning one will require some counter space, and it would be best to have sufficient room for it before you make that purchase. 

Machine Weight

As you would probably expect from a 12-cup dual brewer, the Cuisinart coffee maker SS 15 is a bit of a heavyweight. You will be working with 12.2 pounds of machinery here, and that is something to consider when you move it around from one spot to another. 

Moving it around from one place to another may require you to exert some effort, or to ask for an extra set of hands. 

Cuisinart SS15 Combo Structure

Material

The top part of the best 2 way coffee maker that holds both water reservoirs and control panel for both single-serve and 12-cup brewer is made of stainless steel material. The rest of the machine’s body, as well as the water lids, is made from plastic.

Overall, you are working with a durable-bodied appliance here. And with proper care, it is easier to keep it looking good as new, even after a few years of use.

Safety Features

If you are the forgetful type who is always rushing out the door each morning, you may have the tendency to leave the machine on as you rush to work. If this was a run-of-the-mill machine, you would likely end up with high electricity bills or a more disastrous outcome. 

The Cuisinart dual coffee maker, however, has an automatic shut-off feature that is activated after some idle time. The great thing about it is that you can set the timer to your preference, from a few seconds to one hour. 

Accessories Included

The Cuisinart coffee maker SS 15 comes with just the right number of accessories, making it a lot less complicated to maintain. For one, it comes with a reusable filter cup where you could just dump out the previous batch of coffee grounds and put it back in for another round. That saves you some time in between brewing cycles. 

The 12-cup glass carafe comes with water level markings for easier and more accurate measurements. It also has a wide enough handle for a better grip when pouring. 

To ensure the cleanliness and taste of your coffee, the machine comes with a charcoal coffee filter. Both the water reservoir and drip tray are also removable for added convenience. 

Cuisinart SS15 Combo Accessories with Reusable Filter Cup

Special Features

A unique feature of the Cuisinart coffee maker SS 15 is the carafe temperature, which you can set to low, medium, or high. This function allows you to control the temperature of your coffee and keep it as hot as you wish. 

Coffee drinkers prefer love to add milk into their brew would benefit from the high-temperature function. Black coffee lovers, meanwhile, are better off with the lowest setting. 

Another special feature is that you can set the automatic shut-off to your preferred setting, between 0 and 4 hours. You can keep your coffee warm within the period you set and you won’t have to manually turn off the appliance. 

Brew Time 

 It only takes five minutes to brew all 12 cups of hot coffee. That is a super short amount of time, given the volume of coffee to make.

The machine comes with an automatic-on functionality which you can program at your chosen time. This works best if you want your coffee brewing at exactly 8 AM each morning as you wake up.

Brew Quality 

Cuisinart does not play around when it comes to the brew quality of the coffee. With regular and bold settings to choose from, the Cuisinart SS-15 gives you two varieties of a coffee cup to enjoy. The regulated water levels also help balance the coffee’s strength. 

Whether you go with your favorite Colombian blend or caramel vanilla Keurig, you’re guaranteed to have the same full flavor and kick. 

Ease of Use 

The best 2 way coffee maker from Cuisinart is built easy and convenient to use despite offering several features. This is made possible with all the buttons legibly labeled according to features, which should not be difficult to follow. 

Cuisinart SS-15 Combo Control Panel with Button

What could pose a small challenge is how the buttons are arranged. If you are the old school coffee drinker who prefers a more plug-and-play machine, this may throw you off at first. Once you get used to it, however, the process tends becomes smooth-sailing. 

Clean-Up 

Cleaning the exterior of the Cuisinart dual coffee maker is not a headache at all. Using a soft cloth, you can easily wipe down the plastic and stainless steel surface. You may add some warm, soapy water if necessary. 

Descaling is another essential process to keep your coffee machine in tip-top shape. Do this by pouring up to six cups of water into the water reservoir of the carafe side. Follow it up with around four ounces of white vinegar. Press and hold the Clean button and let the machine finish the complete cycle. Do the same process for the single-serve side of the device.

This process takes out the impurities from the inside the machine, so it is essential to repeat it every three months. 

Brand & Customer Service 

Since 1973, Cuisinart has been an established brand when it comes to kitchen appliances. Apart from being a prime manufacturer of culinary machinery for nearly five decades, it has also provided the best service to its consumers. 

Should you have any concerns or questions about any of their products, a customer service team is on standby to address them personally. You may call a 1-800 number to reach out or send an email (1). 

What is also great about Cuisinart as a brand is that it offers a lengthy warranty for its products. If you buy yourself an SS-15 combo coffee maker, you will also get a three-year limited warranty. As a consumer, that entitles you to free repairs or replacements on defective parts for that entire duration. 

Value for Money 

In terms of price, the Cuisinart dual coffee maker is at the middle tier. It may be priced more than $100, but you will find that it is a worthy purchase because of its functionalities.

In terms of the accompanying functionalities, you are getting a good bargain because you get a brewer for both a 12-cup pot and a single-serve mug, as well as a Keurig. Other appliances within the same price range lack such a feature.

I would consider this an excellent buy mainly for the convenience it offers. You get to set the brewing time, and you would not have to worry about leaving it on. All of these functionalities can be set using a timer. 

Downsides

One glaring downside of the Cuisinart dual coffee maker is its selling price. If you are on a tight budget, this machine may not be for you. However, do keep in mind that you will be paying for the convenience that many of its features bring and that’s worth the price 

Another bit of a downside would be the slightly arduous descaling process to clean up the inside of the machine. Some may see it as an added hassle, but it will make your coffee tastes a lot better. It is not exactly a drawback if you look at it that way. 

Who Should Buy this Coffee Maker? 

If you are a coffee nut who also happens to be a fan of efficient machinery, the Cuisinart SS 15 combo coffee maker would be perfect for you. Be amazed by its programmable timer and Its ability to brew a cup for you at the time you set it to do so. This feature is also perfect for those who begin their day with a jolt of caffeine. 

It is a machine that is perfect for an entire family of coffee drinkers. Your household can be as many as a dozen people, and you will all be able to enjoy a cup while over fun and fruitful conversations. 

Because this machine is in the middle tier at the market price range, it can be quite costly for some. If you look at its features, however, it will be worth the investment.

Final Verdict

If you are looking for a machine that will add convenience to your life, the Cuisinart SS-15 combo coffee maker can do just that. You get an appliance that brews a 12-cup pot or a single-serve mug. There is also an option of a Keurig if you are a fan of that. 

Overall, I am giving this a 4 out of 5, taking into consideration some of its flaws. While the mid-range price may be a dealbreaker for some, the fact that you’re paying for more useful features makes it a good deal for me. 

I would consider this a solid purchase, and if you take your coffee seriously, you will agree. Hopefully, this review was able to provide you with enough information to decide whether the product is something you would spend your hard-earned money on. 

Cuisinart SS-15 Combo Video Review

Our Rating:

Our Rating:

4

Specifications

Cuisinart SS-15 Combo Coffee Maker Specifications
Brand Cuisinart
Model SS-15
Material Stainless Steel
Brew Type Drip
Cup Capacity 12 Cups
Programmable Timer? Yes
Warranty 3 Years
Price $

Frequently Asked Questions

References

  1. https://www.cuisinart.com/customer-care/contact-us
James Kilpatrick

Article By:

James Kilpatrick

I’m James, a self-professed coffee enthusiast in pursuit of finding the perfect daily brew and likes to live by the motto ‘Just brew it”.