Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-Way 49976 Coffee Maker Review 2022: 12 Cup Dual Brewer

Efficiency is the name of the game here, and that is what the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-way coffee maker exhibits. You can either brew a full pot on the carafe side or make yourself a single serve using a K cup on the single-serve side. That’s a 2 in 1 machine you would want to have.

I have done the legwork for you and created a comprehensive review of the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew model 49976. Read on below to find out if this would be a worthy purchase for you. 

Design and Construction

What can you expect from a functional 2 in 1 coffee maker like the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew? Larger size and weight but with added flexibility. 

Machine Size

The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2 way coffee maker comes in at 11.4 x 12.2 x 13.7 inches. If you are planning to own this coffee maker, you’ll need a spacious enough counter to store it over. However, there is also an added convenience to the size that it brings. The single serve side of the machine allows you to use a 5-inch cup for brewing with the removable drip tray attached. Without it, you can use an 8-inch cup. 

Machine Weight

Given the size of the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew coffee maker, you can expect it to weigh quite a bit more than your standard drip coffee machine. It comes in at 6.37 pounds and depending on where you are moving it to and from, lugging it around could become a hassle. 

Material Type and Quality

The Hamilton Beach 2 way Flexbrew is mostly made of plastic. If you take good care of it, this machine can still look brand new even a few years down the line. 

Plastic also makes for easy cleanup, making it a rather low-maintenance appliance to have. A good wiping with a damp cloth should be more than enough. 

Safety Features

Many of us tend to be somewhat absent-minded, especially upon waking up in the mornings. The Flexbrew 2-way coffee maker takes care of that with its automatic shut-off function. 

After two hours of idle time, this machine automatically turns off. That should give you peace of mind as you travel to work, saving you the worry of whether or not you left it on before leaving. 

Accessories Included

The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-way coffee maker comes equipped with a number of accessories. The first one you will likely see is the glass carafe that can brew up to 12 cups of coffee at a time. That should be helpful when serving a full household of caffeine lovers. 

The machine is equipped with a single-serve basket for ground coffee as well as a pod holder, which comes with a pod-piercing needle for easier cleaning. 

It also comes with a removable cup rest that also acts as a small storage bin. In it, you can put one k-cup, as well as the single-brew basket. Both the cup and the drip tray are removable for washing. 

Special Features 

The Hamilton Beach dual coffee maker is an ideal product for the digital age. One of its best features is the built-in programmable timer, which allows you to brew at a desired time of the day. 

Match your alarm clock with your Flexbrew clock in the mornings so you can wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. That is one item off your daily checklist, allowing you to turn your attention to other important obligations. 

What adds to the convenience value of this coffee maker is that the carafe side and single-serve side have their own water reservoirs. While you can only use one side at a time, you won’t have to worry about refilling water whenever you want to use either side. Each reservoir has a water window to allow you to keep track of your liquid levels.  

Brew Time

Another thing to laud about this Hamilton Beach coffee maker is the speed it brews coffee. For six cups of coffee on the carafe side, the machine can get it done in just six and a half minutes. 

Do note that going for the bold option will take a slightly longer time, but it does not take all morning to brew up a whole carafe for a small household. That, right there, is efficiency. 

Brew Quality

It seems to be a standard among Hamilton Beach coffee brewers to have dual brew-strength functionality and the Flexbrew 49976 is no exception. You can choose to go for either bold or regular, depending on your preference. 

Neither coffee strength nor flavor is compromised with the Flexbrew 49976. With the water window to guide you on the amount of water to use, you are guaranteed to get a full-bodied cup per brewing. That applies to both settings, either bold or regular. In the same manner, the coffee strength is not watered down. You will get to enjoy a strong cup of coffee if you set it right. 

Ease of Use

If you are not used to a coffee machine with multiple buttons, operating the Hamilton Beach 49976 Flexbrew coffee maker could be a bit overwhelming. However, once you get the hang of it you will see how simple it is to use. 

If you have all the settings according to your preference, including which side to use, the Flexbrew 49976 can do one-button brewing. While it does need some warm-up time before brewing, it should not take long given how straightforward these functionalities are. 

Clean-Up

All the removable parts of the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 49976 12 cup coffee maker are dishwasher safe. If you are a busy body who has no time to clean up your brewing equipment, you can just put everything in your dishwasher. 

Before using the machine again, you must first run one cycle of cold water through both reservoirs. This may be an added extra step, but it ensures that you get none of the leftover residues from the previous batch you brewed. 

Brand & Customer Service

When it comes to small kitchen appliances, Hamilton Beach is one of the most respected brands in the market today. With its reputation alone, the company sells around 34 million products each year. 

You can contact Hamilton Beach’s support team via phone or email and you are guaranteed to get an immediate response. They even have dedicated line for cookware, kitchen appliances, and microwaves to ensure each concern is streamlined based on the customer’s needs. You can also look through the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website to find more information about a particular issue (1).

Like all Hamilton Beach products, the Flexbrew 49976 comes with a full year of free replacement and repairs. If the exact model is not available, consumers are entitled to something similar or of higher value. That is a good enough deal, considering all removable parts are durable and dishwasher safe. 

Value for Money

These days, you rarely get an affordable coffee machine with two significant functionalities for the price of one. That makes the FlexBrew 2-way coffee brewer a welcome exception. 

For just above the $50 price mark, you get both a 12 cup carafe brewer and a single cup brewer with digital functions all rolled into one. 

Compared to other products that are priced over $100, Hamilton Beach lies at the low price range. You’ll get to enjoy multiple functions from one coffee maker at a relatively affordable price. That is a win-win situation, right there. 

Downsides

There are not many cons to buying a Flexbrew coffee maker other than its size. This machine is not exactly a practical purchase if you are living in a small space. But its bulky frame comes with multiple capabilities, so it is not a deal-breaker. 

Another possible drawback is that you will not be able to use both the carafe and single-serve sides simultaneously. But even with that on the table, it does not take away from the efficiency that this product can provide to their consumers. You can still brew up multiple batches at a time with not much waiting time required. 

Who Should Buy The Hamilton Beach 49976Flexbrew 2-Way Coffee Maker? 

Given the capabilities in relation to its attached price tag, the FlexBrew dual coffee maker is suitable for all coffee lovers out there.

A big household would greatly benefit from the 12 cup carafe. On the other hand, those who are always in a rush would save a lot of time with its programmable timer and automatic shut-off feature. 

No matter if you prefer to use a k-cup or ground coffee, this machine will accommodate to your needs. You do not need to be a techie either as the panel and buttons are very straightforward and easy to understand. 

As I have mentioned, this coffee maker is at the low price range. If you consider coffee as a necessity for your daily life, the Flexbrew 49976 is at a good enough price to give you the quality brew you will not get from your run-of-the-mill coffee maker. 

Final Verdict

For its built-in features and the amount it is sold for, I am giving the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew 2-way coffee maker a total rating of 4.2 out of 5. The convenience brought on by the timers and automatic shut-off features is the small premium you are paying for here. 

It did lose some points because of the amount of counter space you will need. However, if you have a spacious enough kitchen, that should not be an issue at all. 

Overall, I still consider this a very practical purchase. If you want to make your homebrewing mornings easier, get yourself one of these machines. It can definitely improve your life in more ways than one. 

Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-Way 49976 Video Review

Specifications

Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-Way 49976 Coffee Maker Specifications
Brand	Hamilton Beach
Model	FlexBrew 49976 12-Cup Dual Brewer
Material	Plastic
Brew Type	Drip
Cup Capacity	12 Cups
Programmable Timer?	Yes
Warranty	1 Year
Price	$

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. https://www.hamiltonbeach.com/customer-service