Most Convenient Coffee Maker

I bought the Hamilton Beach BrewStation 47665 12 cup coffee maker approximately one year ago at a big box store for approximately $50...a little on the pricey side for me especially with living in an area with hard water that makes me have to purchase a new maker about every four to six months! After using daily all of this time, it turned out to be an AWESOME buy!

I was drawn in by the no glass carafe and press & fill concepts of the maker. I no longer have to put a glass carafe on the stove to sit until the hot plate cools or worry about it breaking. I no longer have to pour coffee just right so it doesn't spill. I just press my cup, whichever size cup I use that day, on the button and the coffee comes out in a nice stream to my desired fullness. I also use a powder creamer and sugar and can stir it while filling my cup...I didn't realize just how convenient that was til my machine broke about a week ago and I had to use my little 4-cup back-up/travel maker.

I also HAD to have a maker with an auto timer as I like my coffee ready to drink when I wake up in the morning. The timer is very convenient and very easy to use. The program button lights up green when pushed so you know it is on.

The 12-cup capacity is also a big plus for me. For some reason they seem to be hard to find and at a decent price.

I love the set up and ease of use of the machine. I like the big "bucket" to fill with water and pour into the water reservoir and how the coffee filter basket fits just right above with a hinged lid to enclose it all. Then you press the power button, which lights red to let you know it is on. I also like how the "bucket" has cup measurements inside of it to help when filling with water for your desired amount of coffee.

Until I got a new BrewStation (model 47334) machine today, I did not realize that the removable drip plate was also very convenient. It is definitely easier to clean than my new machine.

I also found that having such a large bucket makes cleaning the machine much easier. Once the cleaner or vinegar runs through, I can remove the bucket with ease and empty in the sink. No hassles. The shape of the handle on the bucket seems just right for my smaller hands too. My new machine is not near as easy to do this with.

The drawbacks on the BrewStation 47665 that I have encountered are...
1) you cannot see how much coffee is in the bucket from the outside measurement window. I have learned to watch the flow of coffee when I fill my cup to know when I will need to make more. But, until you use it long enough to get to that point, you have to open the hinged lid, pull out the filter basket and look inside the bucket and compare with the measurements on the inside of it.

2) be very careful not to break the seal on the drainage spout or you will not have a great coffee pot anymore. The seal is a rubber washer looking thing and is hooked on a little knob on the inside of the bucket drainage spout. That is the only thing keeping your coffee from flowing freely everywhere. It appears the rubber washer is melted on or glued on somehow but once it comes off, your machine will never be the same again. You may be able to get it to stay on for a few more pots but it will not last. This is the reason my BrewStation is no longer working. I cannot figure out how to fix it nor can I find a replacement part. I will probably have to buy a whole new bucket if I choose to keep it.

3) some people say the size is a drawback and I agree it is a large machine but the widest part of the 47334 I just bought is the same. I don't find the size of the machine to be a drawback unless you have very limited counter space. Even then, if you are a true avid coffee drinker, you'll move that blender to the cupboard to accomodate this wonderful but large machine.

If you were to compare this model of BrewStation to a few other models, the 47665 appears to be much easier to use.

I would definitely recommend the BrewStation 47665!