I received this grinder and coffee maker combo as a wedding gift in 2009. I was really excited to use it and knew it cost around $100 so had high expectations. It does make a great pot of coffee since the beans are fresh ground and I was very happy with it for the first few years. After a few years, however, the brew basket kept jamming and I could not get it open most of the time without a lot of force. Then it wouldn't shut properly. I would think I had the brew basket shut, but it would spontaneously open mid-brew or worse, mid-grind, spewing coffee grounds everywhere. I had to stand next to the coffee maker and hold the basket shut to ensure that this didn't happen! I was about ready to give up and buy a new coffee maker when I came across the same one (very cheap) because the owner had broken the pot and didn't want to buy a new one. The maker still worked fine. I've had better luck with the second one, but now after a few years the brew basket is starting to stick again. I've been more careful about keeping it clean from coffee grounds as they tend to leak down from the grinder and that has helped. You will also need to rinse or wash the grinder each time you use it. And, if you have hard water or lime you will need to run a brew cycle with vinegar every now and then. I love the grind & brew idea and if you don't mind regular maintenance to keep things clean, it's not a bad coffee maker. I just expected the Cuisinart name and the price tag to follow up with a longer lasting and sturdier coffee maker.

Steinamight

Wapello, Ia

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew 12 cup Coffee Maker DGB-500 is the best all around coffee maker today. In 2006 after being displaced after Hurricane Katrina hit and moving to the Pacific Northwest, I was given a used model DGB-500 Cuisinart Coffee Maker. After all these years, this coffee maker still makes the perfect pot of coffee. I love waking up and smelling the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and even hearing the fresh coffee beans being ground makes me want to hurry, get up and drink my first cup of coffee every morning. The gracious lady who gave me this Cuisinart Coffee Maker told me that if I did regular cleanings and take good care of the coffee maker that it would last many years. The maintenance for this Cuisinart 12 cup Coffee Maker is very easy and simple to perform and if for some reason you need to replace the glass pot or buy additional parts then you can readily find them available on many various websites. Although the Cuisinart Grind and Brew 12 cup Coffee Maker DGB-500 has been discontinued, you can still purchase refurbished ones through many outlets on the internet. So enjoy a perfect cup of coffee while using this Cuisinart Coffee Maker.

bama777

USA

I have one of these, purchased it it about 5 or 6 years ago. BEST coffee pot ever made. I love the grind and brew feature it's perfect for setting up fresh coffee beans ( Dunkin Donuts coffee beans) the night before work and of course every day of the week. I dont have to worry about making coffee in the mornings this machine does it all for me all I have to do is set it up the night before and push the program button and I am done when I come out of my bedroom in the morning I can smell the fresh brewed coffee and it's soooo good !!! I highly recommend this product to anyone that loves coffee and loves making it with ease. Brew Performance Awesome I get the perfect pot of coffee every time Ease of Cleaning Not to bad nothing a little vinegar and water cant clean. Ease of Use FANTASTIC!! I love the timer and everything is readable very easy to use. Design No complaints Durability I have had this product 5-6 years now and it's holding its own.

punkizback

Fort Lauderdale, FL

first, let me say that this machine makes a great cup of coffee. However, I have had a few issues with the  quality of the appliance.  I love Cuisinart and they stand behind there product and that is why I'm not bashing them.  I first received this product as a Christmas present 4 years ago. After the first year I had to call Cuisinart because My lid totally fell apart. It would stick and the top part just fell off. Cuisinart,being the quality company they are,mailed me a new machine with no cost to me.  I have had the second one for around three years with no problems except within the last month, the same lid on the pot is no sticking. It takes my husband's muscles just to twist it off so I can clean it.   So, to sum it up, the coffee tastes great, I love the water filter in the machine. I think that is one of the reasons the coffee is so good. I love the  grinder built in. However,I  am hesitent to recommend this product because so of the parts are breaking. Yet again, Cuisinart will stand by their product.         

instructorkdk

Battleboro, NC

I bought this coffee pot for my husband to replace his old one. It works wonderfully. I can set the timer the night before so it will make his coffee for him the next morning. I love it and so does he. This coffee pot also allows you to choose the brew strength of your coffee. It has a digital clock as well. I have not used the self cleaning cycle yet, but I'm sure that will make things much easier on me.

daniellespoints

Winnsboro, LA

I have been on a quest to find a coffee maker that makes a cup of coffee as good as I can find at my local coffee shop.   Many pots have tired. Most fail.  I believe this pot has finally fullfilled my quest. The Cuisinart  model DGB-900  grind and brew coffee pot  makes an excellent cup of coffee.   It gives you a choice on brew strength,  and how many cups you are making from 2 to 12.     You have the option using ground coffee or beans.  If you choose to use ground, you do not have to take the beans out. If you want a pot of flavored and you have ground flavored you can make it, without taking the regular beans out.   The stainless steal carafe holds 12 cups not just  10. We have big cups, so 10 cups is not enough.   I really like the stainless steal carafe  because my coffee doesn't sit there an continue to get stronger all day. It comes with a gold filter but you also have the option of using paper filters.  I think I will be using the paper filters because some grounds get thru the gold filter and end up in the bottom of the pot One thing that I learned was important to make good cup of coffee was that the brew temp had to be hot enough.   I have returned many pots because the water didn't get hot enough .   This one is a keeper! Another factor important to a good cup of coffee is to use the best water available.   I have filtered water ( make sure you are not using softened water) that I use for making coffee but this coffee maker has it's own water filter.  It also has a timer so it can be set up the night before. I hope I can remember to set it up. I has several features to protect you from making dumb mistakes including letting you know that you did not empty out the old coffee grounds They have solved the problem of steam getting into the beans with this new design. The grinder is easy to get to clean if you need to. You do not have to clean after every use like you did with the DGB-600   There is a sparate grinder and filter area. The only negative I see is the opening into the carafe is small.   I like to get in there with a brush to give it a good cleaning.   I don't think my brush will fit. I will have to look for a new brush.  It is easy to use.   I figured it out without the instructions but read the book, The instructions are easy to follow. 

choclab7

Etters, PA

If you want fresh coffee house type coffee in your own home this is a product for you. It will impress your friends with its performance and results. It is something people like to watch make the coffee and will wow them with its outstanding flavor. Great coffee becomes even better with the fresh grinding. There is no spilling of grounds either like there is if you ues a seperate grinder. Less mess better coffee.

cmrish

Denver, CO

just wanted to let you all know,  my husband bought me this "way too expensive" grind & brew coffee pot for Christmas last year.  At first I wanted to return it, for a more practical- less expensive one, but beings he got a 5lb bag of KENYA coffee beans, we started using it.   boy, am I glad we decided to use it.  I now would not want any other.   you put the beans in, hit the button(or preset the night before) & it grinds & brews a perfect pot of coffee! It makes the house smell like a coffee shop & beings we love coffee, this has just been a great kitchen appliance to have, regardless of the cost!  

kdoles

New Castle, DE

The idea of ready brewed coffee in the morning sounds exciting since all you have to do is pour the water in and it works all by itself. Sadly, the measurements are off. According to the manual, it tells you that it makes 12 cups but if you only want 4 cups and pour in the water amount for 4 cups, it either comes out too watery or too strong. Is something wrong here? I kept experimenting on how much water to add or leave out, to the point I got fed up and gave the awful machine away. Let someone else enjoy watery coffee. I was very disappointed in how much this item costs and yet to make a decent cup of coffee I have to make 12 cups. I was so frustrated that I ended up and just went back to the old fashioned way of making coffee, of instant coffee! We can't expect anything to taste like it should if it costs so much and yet a machine doesn't know how we like our coffee to taste. Very disappointing! Brew Performance Can't get the right measurement of water without it being too watery and not strong enough cup of coffee.

missy1019

La Crescenta, CA

I really like my Cuisinart Grind & Brew, the coffee tastes great! I love the freshness of the coffee, but it is a pain to clean every time. It is not hard to clean, just time consuming when all I really want is to push a button and get some coffee. It makes a nice large 12- cup pot and keeps it nice and hot though. The grinding is a little loud, but it doesn't bother my sleeping baby or husband. I like the gold filter that comes with it, I don't have to waste money on filters and I like the environmental aspect also, no waste! It isn't too big, and doesn't take up too much space on my cluttered counter. I have the stainless steel version and I really like the way that it looks, all shiny and new. This is a great coffee maker if you are looking for fresh ground taste.

kbjerke

Novi, MI