DeLonghi's 12-cup Coffee Maker DCF212T is uniquely styled for convenient operation. This unit has a clever all-in-one front access door that swings forward, enabling you to add water and coffee grounds, without having to pull the machine out from under a cabinet. Cold water is poured into a molded funnel and channeled into the tank instantly. Filling the tank via this method was quicker and easier than traditional machines, which often require you to lift the carafe much higher and pour from an awkward angle.

We loved the design of this machine, which is styled in black, with silver accents. An easy-pull handle opens the front access door. A handy cup warmer at the top of the unit holds two cups or mugs. The only feature missing is an audible tone to signal completion of the brew cycle or to alert you when the unit shuts itself off.

The DCF212T comes with a 12-cup glass carafe and has a permanent gold tone filter, which saves the hassle of using paper filters. Four pushbutton controls let you start the brew cycle immediately, set the clock or timer and adjust the aroma/flavor of the coffee by slowing the brew process to obtain a fuller flavor extraction. The brushed stainless steel control panel is clearly marked with each function and has two indicator lights to show when the power is on and when the Aroma function is in use. There is a water window on the front of the unit with markings to show the number of cups of water in the reservoir. We found the black lettering somewhat difficult to see. Likewise, the digital clock display uses black lettering against a gray background, which can be difficult to see in low lighting.

This model makes a great cup of coffee. The initial brew temperature is 178 degrees Fahrenheit. A typical brew cycle takes about 14 minutes to complete a full 12-cup carafe. During this time, you can remove the carafe briefly to pour a cup of coffee if desired. The Brew-pause feature halts the flow of coffee while the carafe is removed from the warming plate. The warming plate keeps the coffee at about 174 degrees Fahrenheit.

The DeLonghi DCF212T also features a 24-hour programmable timer, which lets you preset the brew time so your coffee is ready when you are. A two-hour auto shut off turns the warming plate off for you, so you never have to worry about accidentally leaving the coffee maker on.

The Aroma button is particularly useful with smaller batches of coffee, which tend to be weaker with shorter brew cycles. The Aroma button basically doubles the time it takes to complete the brewing, so be sure to allow enough time or use the Program button to begin the cycle early. The upside is you can use less coffee grounds and still achieve great flavor.


Pros: Programmable clock/timer, brew pause, Aroma button, front access door for pouring water and adding coffee grounds
Cons: No tone to signal completion of brew cycle, lettering on clock and water window difficult to see in low light situations

Warranty
1 year, limited