The Hamilton Beach 6-cup BrewStation 48274 is a smaller version of the popular dispensing coffee maker. This unit lets you prepare up to six cups of coffee, which is stored and kept warm in the unit's holding tank. When you are ready to drink it, you dispense the coffee by pressing a cup or mug against the release tab.

We found this unit incredibly easy to use. There are three main parts: the base, which has a built-in water reservoir; the coffee tank, where the hot coffee is held; and the filter basket. The parts stack atop one another. The coffee tank doubles as a device for filling the water reservoir. There are step guides indicating the correct quantity of water to add for two, four or six cups of coffee. The numbers (2, 4, and 6) are printed on the steps; however, the black lettering against a black background is hard to see. Conversely, the water reservoir is marked with white lettering against a black background, which is easier to see.

Whether you use the tank or a separate measuring cup to fill the water reservoir is a matter of personal preference. We had no trouble filling the coffee tank up to the top step, pouring the water into the reservoir, adding coffee grounds to the filter basket and activating the brew cycle by pressing the on/off button.

Conveniently, this model also offers a programmable option, which lets you preset the machine to brew automatically at a time that you specify. Simple one-touch pushbutton controls let you set the hour and minute you'd like brewing to begin. A digital clock displays the time of day when the unit is in standby mode.

The brew time for this model is approximately 7 minutes. The only indication that the brewing has finished is a cessation of the soft pumping noise. While we would have liked a more concrete brew cycle completion indicator (e.g., an indicator light or beeping sound), we felt, on the whole, that this omission was minor. We loved the convenient one-handed dispensing, which worked flawlessly in our tests. The coffee was dispensed in a steady stream with no dripping. The dispensing slot can accommodate cups or mugs up to 7 inches tall.

The instruction manual, while clear and straightforward, fails to mention whether you can sneak a cup while the coffee is brewing. We found that while it is possible to begin dispensing the coffee before the brew cycle has finished, you'll achieve the best flavor and temperature by waiting the full seven minutes for the brewing to finish. The coffee tank is equipped with a stainless steel warming plate that sits atop the unit's main heating mechanism. This contact delivers a gentle heat to the coffee tank, keeping the brewed coffee at the ideal drinking temperature. We measured the temperature of the coffee in the tank at approximately 173 degrees Fahrenheit.

The troubleshooting guide lists several problems that can occur if grounds accidentally get into the area below the filter basket. To prevent this, be sure to always use the correct paper cupcake-style filter and add grounds while the filter is detached from the machine.


Pros: Programmable clock/timer, easy one-handed dispensing of coffee, compact housing
Cons: Water-level indicator hard to see, no indicator to alert you when coffee is done brewing

Warranty
1 year, limited