BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology, Black/Steel

I am an avid researcher when making a purchase, especially when it's as critical as our daily coffee supply- lol! So when our third rather expensive Keurig died very early I decided we'd spend no more money on that brand. I was looking for the versatility of brewing a whole pot or a smaller portion AND the idea of a thermal carafe instead of a hot plate was very appealing. I looked at many, many brands and models ranging in price from $ to $$$. I read reviews, I watched videos, I looked up anything and everything I could. This little machine continued to offer features that I really liked without bells and whistles I would rarely use. We are a plain yet picky coffee drinking household and we nurse a pot all day long (one of us is day shift and the other night shift so it's always "morning wake up time" around here). As one who nputs milk in their coffee, I'll admit to being doubtful that I'd find a coffeemaker with a thermal carafe that would maintain a drinkable temperature (once milk was added to the cup) for very long and I hate microwaving my coffee. So I read reviews saying this carafe "kept coffee hot for hours" with a strong dose of skepticism. WOW! Has this exceeded expectations! Four hours after brewing the very last cup of the pot was still quite hot enough to steam and be very nicely drinkable after I added the milk. So, here is my run down of the lovely features this model offers:1. Capacity - It holds a full 12 cups which gets us through a day here. Everyone should remember that a "cup" when measuring coffee is actually 5oz. and not 8oz. So 60 oz. of water goes in and 60 oz. of coffee comes out (yes, the engineer in the house measured) which is more than our much more $$ Keurig could ever say.2. Ease of Use - The brew, size and programming options are quite straightforward to operate, not only in compexity but in button size and readablity, which is helpful when my elderly father wants to help prepare the next mornings coffee.3. Build Quality and Design - The machine fits easily under my kitchen cabinets, and takes up much less counter space than my Keurig. The markings on the water reservoir are easy to see. TIP: Do use a pitcher other than the carafe to fill the reservoir, not because the carafe doesn't pour well (IT POURS GREAT!), but because it is just easier if you are working under cabinets to pour from something smaller.4. The carafe - This could go under design, but it's honestly such a great feature it deserves its own note. It is clearly a quality thermal container and very easy to pour from and it's wide mouth when you take the lid off makes it extremely easy to clean (no need for that narrow brush when washing, you can get your entire hand in there, even my husband's larger hands find it easy to clean). And here is the tip that I've been most grateful for from other reviews: After brewing is complete, REMOVE the carafe from the coffeemaker tray. When it is on the tray the "brew through" feature of the lid is automatically open slightly (to allow for brewing) and I'm sure this could speed heat loss. We simply take the pot and move it over to the counter and hours later it's still plenty hot, yet the cool-touch handle and sides of the carafe are not too warm to handle easily. We have not needed to put a hotpad underneath the carafe when on the counter. Also, the spout pours nice and neatly, unlike other coffeemakers we've had where you were cleaning up drips each time you poured a cup.All this to say, if you want a quality, easy to use and easy to maintain machine AND actual value for your money, purchase this machine! I'm so glad I did!!!

I’ve been using the BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker for a while now, and I’m thrilled with how it’s transformed my morning routine and even my camping adventures.This is a pretty and sleek, black-and-silver machine, that features a stainless steel thermal carafe with a four-layer vacuum seal, keeps my coffee hot for EASILY up to two hours while staying cool to the touch.Its Vortex Technology, programmable brewing options, and user-friendly digital controls make it a standout in my kitchen. Priced between $50 and $100, it delivers premium features like a brew strength selector, a fresh brew timer, and a no-drip spout at a budget-friendly cost, making it an absolute gem for coffee lovers like me who value quality and convenience.The coffee this machine brews is consistently delicious, thanks to the Vortex Technology, which evenly saturates the grounds for rich, full-bodied flavor. Whether I’m craving a bold morning kick or a smoother cup, the brew strength selector lets me customize each pot perfectly. I love how the machine reaches the ideal brewing temperature of 195° to 205°F, as noted by reviewers, ensuring every sip is packed with flavor. The LCD display’s fresh brew timer is a thoughtful touch, showing me exactly how long it’s been since my coffee was brewed—up to 120 minutes—so I know it’s still at its peak. One morning, I brewed a pot at 7 a.m., and by 10 a.m., it was still piping hot, which is a game-changer for my busy days.The programmable features make my life so much easier. I can set the 24-hour auto-brew timer the night before, and waking up to the aroma of fresh coffee is pure bliss. The digital controls are intuitive, with large, clearly marked buttons for setting brew strength, batch size (including a 1-4 cup option for smaller batches), and the timer. I’ve found the 1-4 cup setting perfect for when I’m brewing just for myself without sacrificing flavor. The Auto Clean system is another lifesaver, alerting me when it’s time to run a cleaning cycle with vinegar, keeping the machine in top shape with minimal effort. One user mentioned, “Set it up the night before, and you wake up to that smell of freshly brewed coffee,” which perfectly sums up my experience.For camping, this coffeemaker is a dream. Its compact size (9 x 7.75 x 14.25 inches) fits easily in my RV, and the thermal carafe is a godsend for keeping coffee hot during chilly mornings by the campfire. I’ve taken it on weekend trips, and the no-drip Perfect Pour spout means I can pour coffee into my mug without spilling a drop, even on uneven campsite tables. The carafe’s wide mouth makes it easy to clean with a damp towel, and the removable, dishwasher-safe brew basket simplifies cleanup after muddy outdoor adventures. I once brewed a full 12-cup pot (each cup is about 5 ounces) for a group of friends at a campsite, and everyone was amazed at how hot and fresh it stayed for hours.Maintenance is a breeze, which I appreciate as someone with a packed schedule.The washable brew basket is compatible with reusable filters like the GOLDTONE, saving me money on paper filters and making cleanup quick. The carafe’s wide opening allows me to wipe it down easily, and the machine’s Auto Shutoff feature gives me peace of mind, turning off automatically after brewing. I also love the durability of the stainless steel carafe—it’s sturdy, and the vacuum seal ensures it keeps my coffee at 154°F or hotter for hours,The only minor downside is the LCD screen isn’t backlit but that is no big deal.I love this pot and its features and functions.

After three years I give this coffee maker 4.5 stars. The only reason it doesn't deserve five, is because it replaced a similar Cuisinart model that is still going strong at our second home after 20+ years and keeps the coffee hot and tasty twice as long as this B&D model, but at twice the price these days. Otherwise, this B&D model makes an excellent cup of coffee. We use a reusable gold filter.We clean it with regular dawn detergent daily. Once a week we soak all parts of the pot for about 30 minutes or so in hot soapy water with a couple tablespoons of Cafiza powder to remove any residue oils to make sure they don't turn rancid and effect future coffee flavor.The machine is easy to program, use and clean. We use filtered deionized water from the tap to make our coffee, which keeps the inside of the machine free of scale buildup. (Our water supply otherwise is considered very hard.) We grind our own beans once a week to medium coarseness so that we don't get too much sediment going through the gold filter. We brew the coffee strong, but the carafe protects the flavor from getting bitter for up to four or more hours.If the B&D doesn't last as long as our Cuisinart, we might not buy another. But so far, at half the cost, it meets the need just fine.