ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Inexpensive to purchase and operate (can use any pre-ground coffee and aren't limited to K-Cups)
- Fast brew time with automatic shut off
- Removable parts, mug and lid are top rack dishwasher safe
- Reusable, removable filter
- The stainless steel thermal travel mug included with purchase fits most car cup holders
- Convenient cord storage underneath the brewer
- Can be used for to make hot water for tea, hot chocolate or instant soup
- Compact design fits well in limited spaces
Cons
- Brew temperature and time not optimal for best coffee flavor
- No programmable features available
- Potential for grounds to overflow in mug or on machine
- No brew stop allows a post brew drip of about 5 minutes
Key Features
Type of Coffee Maker
The Brew 'n Go is a traditional drip coffee maker that brews one serving at a time.
Capacity
The DCM18S brews coffee directly into the 15-ounce thermal travel mug.
Product Size
The Brew 'n Go measures approximately 6.75" x 6.88" x 10.25" (D x W x H). It weighs about 2.4 pounds.
Brew Time
The brew cycle is about 3 minutes.
Programmable
No, the Brew 'n Go is not programmable.
Brew Strength Settings
No, automatic brew strength settings are not available, but, as always, coffee strength can be adjusted manually by changing the ratio of coffee grounds to water.
Brewing Technology
The Brew 'n Go features basic drip brewing technology and reaches a brew temperature of 162°.
Mug or Carafe
The DCM18S brews straight into an insulated stainless steel travel mug (included with purchase). Prior to brewing, it is recommended that cream and sugar is placed in the mug and the brew through lid is securely tightened. This helps to preserve coffee temperature as the hot coffee flows into the mug. Both the mug and its lid are dishwasher safe. Black & Decker also offers a plastic replacement mug that is microwaveable safe for $21.80. Any similar sized mug that fits beneath the brew basket may be substituted.
Brew Basket
The cone shaped brew basket is designed to accommodate the DCM18S reusable coffee filter.
Brew Stop
It does not have a brew stop feature, but it is largely unnecessary given the short brew cycle.
Filter
A permanent, reusable cone shaped filter is included with purchase. Paper filters are not intended for use with the Brew 'n Go's, however #1 size paper filters are compatible.
Water Reservoir
The 15-ounce water tank is easy to access and refill. There is a clearly marked line on the inside of the reservoir to indicate when the tank is full.
On/Off Switch
The Brew 'n Go DCM18S features a lighted on/off switch with an automatic shut off once the brew cycle is complete.
Product Design
The body of this compactly designed personal brewer is made of shiny black plastic and is accented by the stainless steel mug that rests on the tray beneath the brew basket.
Warranty
The Brew 'n Go has a 2-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.
Reputation
The Black & Decker Brew 'n Go Personal Coffee Maker has received good feedback from customers online including a 4/5 on Amazon.com (1507 Reviews). Despite the popularity of the brewer, it was difficult for us to gather accurate specs and details about it. We read the user manual, consulted numerous websites and spoke with Black & Decker's customer service, but none of these sources could provide us with exact information on the machine's dimensions, heating coil construction material and brew time. While the Brew 'n Go is easily available online, we visited 6 of our local retail stores to ask them about the machine and none of them currently had it in stock.
That said, owners of the Black & Decker Brew 'n Go consistently expressed high satisfaction with the brewer. Value, simplicity and convenience for the on-the-go coffee drinker were cited as top features. Since it is one of the few single serve drip coffee makers designed for use with loose coffee grounds placed in a permanent filter, it is much more economical than machines that require K-Cups and paper filters. Reliability also received high marks from reviewers with one person enjoying their machine for almost 8 years.
Some of the negative reviews touched on the potential for the grounds to overflow into the mug and the machine itself if the filter is not properly seated or if you overfill it with grounds that are too fine. Fortunately, the brewer is reportedly easy to rinse out in the event that an overflow occurs. Another annoyance noted was a post brew drip of about 5 minutes, which can get messy if the mug has been removed. All in all however, it is hard to beat the price/performance of the Black & Decker Brew 'n Go when it comes to single serve budget coffee makers.
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