Beautifully styled in black and brushed stainless steel, the Black & Decker 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker CMD3400MB is a top-of-the-line unit at a bargain price. This machine has all the bells and whistles, including a programmable clock/timer, digital LCD screen with blue back lighting, a water filtration system, an adjustable temperature warming plate, brew pause and automatic shutoff after two hours. There is even a coffee freshness indicator, which shows you if the coffee is freshly brewed or if it's been sitting on the warming plate a while.

The brew cycle takes about 14 minutes to complete a full 12 cups. The temperature of the brewed coffee is a pleasant 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: The drinking temperature will vary based upon factors such as whether the cup/mug was cold initially and which ingredients (e.g., milk, sugar) are added. The warming plate has an adjustable selector that lets you increase or decrease the temperature according to your personal tastes. The temperature can be changed at any time (before, during or after brewing), as long as the machine is turned on.

The Delay Brew feature is a favorite with many people because it allows them to predetermine the time of brewing. To set the CMD3400MB to brew automatically, you simply need to press the Program button, set the desired brew time and then press Program again. Pressing the Auto button activates the delayed brew function. An indicator light and the word "Auto" appear on the LCD screen to alert you that the function has been activated.

Other features we liked include the lighted exterior water-level indicator; a coffee strength selector, which lets you choose mild, regular or strong coffee; and audible signal beeps that tell you when the brew cycle is done. This model also has a small carbon water filter, which can be used to remove impurities from your drinking water prior to brewing. The water filter fits inside a plastic compartment and is inserted into the water reservoir. Each filter lasts up to 60 brew cycles or about two months.

It's hard not to love the Black & Decker 12-cup Programmable Coffeemaker CMD3400MB. With its many features, and elegant styling, this unit is sure to please.


Pros: Programmable clock/timer, water filtration, brew pause, adjustable temperature warming plate, auto shutoff
Cons: None

Warranty
1 year, limited