Black and Decker Coffee Maker: Delivers More Than You Expect

A basic and easy-to-use programmable coffee maker is a welcome addition to any kitchen counter. Who doesn’t enjoy waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee? Almost no one, as it turns out, which is why there are so many near-identical models on the market. It can be hard to pick the quality out from the crowd.

We’re here to tell you the Black and Decker CM1160 Coffee Maker is one of the best – simple, functional, and affordable. Read on to learn more.

Summary: The Black and Decker CM1160 Coffee Maker

• 12-cup coffee maker with programmable brew timer
  
• Comes with a glass carafe and built-in warming plate
  
• Includes brew timer, Sneak-A-Cup, and Auto-Off functions

Nice quality coffee maker. It brews coffee in a timely manner, and the heat plate works well for keeping the coffee hot!

– Henry, Black+Decker CM1160 owner

See on Amazon

The Black+Decker CM1160 Coffee Maker Review

The Black+Decker CM1160 12-Cup Coffee Maker is one of the most popular coffee machines on the market, worthy of an Amazon’s Choice designation. This programmable brewer offers a nice balance between price and features – everything you need, nothing you don’t. Let’s dig into what it has and lacks.

The Black+Decker CM1160 Coffee Maker Review

• Design
• Features
• Ease of Use
• Value for Money

4.1

See on Amazon

Design – 4/5

The Black+Decker coffee maker has a look that is classic but not showy, available in traditional black and a more modern white. Its compact design is suitable for any size kitchen, even those with limited counter space, measuring 21 x 31.1 x 27.9 cm. The build is mainly plastic with a few stainless steel accents. Plastic is never our top choice for durability, but you should expect it at this price point.

The rubberized buttons and extra large display make it a joy to use, whether setting the timer, checking the time, or accessing other programming options.

Both colour options come with a 12-cup Duralife glass carafe. While still fragile, the Duralife glass stands up to life’s bumps and bruises better than average.

Features – 3.5/5

This Black+Decker model is a basic coffee maker with few special features. But let’s talk about what it has before mentioning what it lacks.

A Great Coffee Maker For Multitaskers

The 24-hour timer lets you program your coffee to brew whenever you want, up to 24 hours in advance. Program it at night and have a fresh pot waiting to fill your travel mug when you wake up in the morning. Or set it in the morning so that a steaming cup of joe awaits when you roll in the door after a long work day.

Did you forget to set the timer? With the Sneak-A-Cup Technology, you can still get your caffeine hit ASAP. It allows you to pull out the carafe for a quick cup at any point in the brewing cycle. The water flow pauses automatically to avoid a messy spill.

This is a wonderful function for the forgetful among us. Nothing is worse than arriving at the office worrying you left the coffee maker on.

A Note on Filters

The removable filter basket is compatible with standard basket-shaped paper filters, which are affordable and widely available. Alternatively, you can install a reusable metal filter if you prefer the fuller body of metal-filtered coffee. A metal filter saves you money over time and has the environmental benefit of generating no waste. But you may need to experiment with a different grind size (1).

What’s Missing

Two obvious features are missing from this Black+Decker 12-cup coffee maker. There is no option for controlling brew strength or brew water temperature. While many people will happily trade this control for a lower price, serious coffee lovers may find this model lacking (2). You can control brew strength to some extent by varying the amount of ground coffee you use, but it won’t have the same impact as adjusting the brewing technique.

Ease of Use – 5/5

The benefit of having a few features is that this Black+Decker coffee maker is straightforward. If you’re wondering how to program a Black and Decker coffee maker, QuickTouch Programming makes it simple and intuitive. There are four buttons labelled Prog, Auto, Hour, and Min – plus an On/Off button. A child could operate this coffee maker, not that we advise caffeinating your children.

A clear window lets you see the water level in the reservoir, which is always a handy feature. I like that you can see it from the front of this model rather than pulling the coffee maker out or crushing your head around the side.

Cleaning

You know what they say? A clean coffee maker is a happy coffee maker. Maybe that’s not quite the quote, but experts will tell you that a clean coffee maker means a happier coffee drinker (3).

Keeping this coffee maker clean is easy, thanks to the removable brew basket. Just open the lid, dump the used coffee grounds, remove the basket and rinse it with soapy water or pop it in the dishwasher. The glass carafe should be hand washed. Once a week, inspect the outside of the machine and the hot plate and wipe up any spills with a wet cloth.

Value for Money – 4/5

The low price of the Black and Decker 12-Cup Coffee Maker makes it excellent value for money. For around $70, it’s hard to complain about its minimal features and plastic build. I’m impressed by the programmable brew timer and auto-off function at this price. With proper care, expect 3-5 years of life from this coffee machine, and less than $15 per year for coffee is pretty good!

My only complaint is that it doesn’t include a reusable metal filter basket. This is a common addition to many affordable coffee makers, but in this case, you’ll have to buy it separately.

Black and Decker vs Mr. Coffee

These two brands are frequently compared. Both are well-regarded manufacturers and produce similar 12-cup programmable coffee makers. Currently, the Black+Decker model reviewed here is marginally cheaper, but the difference is slight. When deciding between the two brands, consider your preferred aesthetic and note that Mr. Coffee machines often produce weaker coffee.

Do Not Buy the Black+Decker Coffee Maker If…

You want more capacity: If 12 cups aren’t enough to get you (or your family or co-workers) through the day, consider a larger capacity model like the Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker. Along with its larger carafe, it offers brew-strength control, hot plate temperature adjustment, and a striking metal case. Be prepared to dig a little further into your wallet, though.

You want better style: For a coffee maker that will add a little flair to your kitchen, check out our Drew Barrymore Coffee Maker review. This stylish pick features smooth curves, trendy colours, and a 14-cup capacity – and costs slightly more than the Black+Decker.

You want to brew specialty coffee: If you’re spending a lot of money buying specialty coffee beans, they deserve better than a cheap coffee machine. I recommend investing in a model certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which will treat your beans right. Brewers with this designation, like the GE Cafe Specialty Coffee Maker, have met rigorous standards to ensure they can brew a “Golden Cup.”

The Verdict

The Black+Decker CM1160 12-Cup Coffee Maker is one of the simplest and most affordable programmable coffee makers. If you have a hectic morning routine, the brew timing and auto-off features are well worth the cost. On the other hand, if you’re in the market for something a little more stylish or a little more specialized, consider increasing your budget and expanding your search.

SEE ON AMAZON