BLACK+DECKER CM2045B-1 Drip coffee maker: Full Review

The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM2045B-1) is a medium-sized, affordable drip coffeemaker with a modern, compact design. This automatic drip coffeemaker can brew up to 12 cups of coffee at a time and has a programmable timer so you can set coffee to be ready when you wake up.

Key features of the CM2045B-1 include:

• 12-cup glass carafe with black lid and handle
• Removable filter basket
• Permanent coffee filter included
• Digital clock with LED display
• Programmable 24-hour auto brew timer
• Sneak-a-Cup feature pauses brewing for a quick pour
• Dual water window shows amount of water in reservoir
• Nonstick warming plate keeps coffee hot after brewing
• Pause & Serve lets you pour a cup mid-brew
• 2-year limited warranty

With its combination of useful features, stylish design, and budget-friendly price, the CM2045B-1 aims to deliver convenience and tasty drip coffee for households and offices.

Design & Build Quality

The Black+Decker CM2045B has a sleek, modern design that looks great in any kitchen. The housing is made from durable plastic that feels solid and sturdy. While mostly black, it has some silver accents on the control panel and around the carafe that add visual interest.

The materials used in the construction feel premium, with no flimsy or cheap-feeling parts. The brew basket and carafe handle are both metal, adding to the quality feel. The carafe itself is made from thermal shock resistant glass that keeps coffee hot while looking elegant.

At around 10 inches wide, the footprint doesn't take up too much counter space. The shape is rounded and tapered, giving it a refined look. Overall, the aesthetics are simple but elegant, with nothing too overstated or flashy.

The build quality exceeds expectations for the price point. All the pieces fit together neatly with no wiggle or movement. The buttons have a satisfying click, and the rotating knob moves smoothly. It's clear attention was paid to the details in the manufacturing.

In addition to the CM2045B, the BLACK+DECKER CM1160 offers a practical choice for coffee lovers. Its compact size and user-friendly features make it ideal for small kitchens. This model also uses durable materials, ensuring longevity and reliability. Customers appreciate its fast brewing time and consistent coffee quality, making it an excellent addition to any morning routine.

Brewing Performance

When it comes to brewing coffee, the CM2045B performs very well. The 12 cup carafe can brew a full pot of coffee in about 10 minutes, which is fairly standard for drip coffee makers in this price range.

The coffee comes out hot - around 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit on average. This is the ideal temperature range for brewing coffee as it extracts the best flavor from the grounds. Lower temperatures result in weak, under-extracted coffee while higher temperatures burn the coffee leading to bitter flavors.

In terms of flavor, the CM2045B produces a solid, balanced cup of coffee. The filter basket and showerhead are designed to evenly saturate the grounds and extract flavor uniformly. The end result is coffee that is smooth, moderately strong, and free of any burnt or bitter notes.

Some users do note that very lightly roasted specialty coffees can come out slightly under-extracted and lack the vivid acidic notes you might get on a pour over or French press. But for mainstream medium roasts, the CM2045B delivers on good coffeehouse-style flavor. Overall the brewing performance exceeds expectations for a basic 12 cup programmable coffee maker.

In comparison, the Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 offers an excellent brewing experience as well, featuring a fully programmable 14 cup capacity. Its advanced features include adjustable brew strength and an easy-to-read LCD display. Many users appreciate the self-cleaning feature, which simplifies maintenance, while the brew pause option lets you pour a cup before the brewing cycle completes. The DCC-3200P1 consistently brews coffee at the optimal temperature, ensuring vibrant flavors and the perfect brew time every time.

Ease of Use

The BLACK+DECKER CM2045B-1 drip coffee maker is designed for easy, convenient use.

Controls and Display

The control panel is straightforward with buttons for power, brew, and the programming functions. The backlit LCD display clearly shows the clock, brew settings, and status. There are no complicated controls or overly technical displays on this model.

Programming

You can easily program the 24-hour clock and set an auto-brew time up to 24 hours in advance. Programming is done through simple button presses on the control panel. The instructions in the user manual walk you through the steps.

Cleaning

A key component to ease of use is how easily the coffee maker can be cleaned. The removable filter basket and carafe are dishwasher safe. The control panel just needs a quick wipe down if spills occur. Descaling is recommended every 3-6 months to keep the inner workings clear of mineral deposits. The user manual provides detailed descaling instructions.

Overall, the BLACK+DECKER CM2045B-1 offers convenient, user-friendly operation with its intuitive controls, clear display, and easy to clean design. The programming functions allow you to schedule brewing in advance with minimal effort.

Additional Features

The CM2045B-1 has several convenient additional features that improve the overall user experience.

Programmability

This drip coffee maker allows you to program it to brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance. You can set the exact time you want your coffee to start brewing so you can wake up to a freshly brewed pot. The programmable feature is easy to set - just press a few buttons to enter the desired time.

Auto-Shutoff

The auto-shutoff feature automatically turns the coffee maker off after 2 hours. This helps prevent overheating or burning if you forget to switch it off. The auto-shutoff provides peace of mind and safety when using this appliance.

Brew Pause

The brew pause function lets you grab a cup before the full brew cycle finishes. When you remove the carafe, the flow of coffee pauses so you can pour a cup. As soon as you replace the carafe, brewing resumes where it left off. This is perfect when you can't wait for the entire pot and need a cup right away.

Capacity

The BLACK+DECKER CM2045B-1 coffee maker has a generous 12-cup carafe capacity, perfect for making coffee for a larger family or gathering. The water reservoir can hold up to 12 cups of water, allowing you to brew a full pot of coffee at once.

Some key capacity specs:

• 12 cup glass carafe
• Max brew capacity of 12 cups
• 60 oz water reservoir
• Convenient water level markings on the water window so you can easily see how much water is inside

The 12-cup capacity is extremely useful if you regularly need to make coffee for a crowd. You can brew a full pot without having to refill the water reservoir halfway through. For smaller households that don't need 12 cups at once, the coffee maker does have settings for 1-4 cups too. So you can customize the brew size for your needs.

Overall, the sizable 12-cup carafe and reservoir make this coffee maker a great choice for larger households or events where you need lots of coffee ready at once. It can handle the demand with no problem.

Durability

The Black+Decker CM2045B-1 coffee maker features excellent durability and longevity according to customer reviews. This model is designed to handle daily use thanks to its sturdy plastic housing and metal internal components.

Many reviewers mention having this coffee maker for over 2 years with no issues, even with daily use. It continues brewing consistently without any decline in performance. The water reservoir and carafe are also built to last without cracks or leaks over time.

Black+Decker provides a 2 year limited warranty which offers protection in case any defects arise. But most customers find the coffee maker operates reliably beyond the warranty period. Repeated comments mention it still functioning like new after 3-5 years.

The longevity and proven reliability of the CM2045B-1 over years of real customer use highlights its exceptional durability. This model is clearly built to provide many years of enjoyable coffee brewing.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 12-cup capacity provides enough coffee for families or small gatherings
• Programmable auto-brew timer allows you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee
• Pause & Serve feature lets you pour a cup before the full pot is done brewing
• Simple button controls with LED indicator lights are easy to operate
• Durable stainless steel carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
• Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup quick and convenient
• Budget-friendly price compared to similar brewers

Cons:

• Lack of temperature control or brew strength settings
• Carafe lid can drip when pouring
• Brew cycle is relatively slow, around 10 minutes for a full pot
• Water reservoir fills from the top, which can be messy
• Exterior is mostly plastic so doesn't feel very premium
• No single cup brewing mode

Comparison to Alternatives

The BLACK+DECKER CM2045B-1 stacks up well against other 12-cup programmable drip coffee makers in its price range.

Compared to the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker, the CM2045B-1 offers a removable filter basket and dishwasher safe parts, while the Mr. Coffee has a permanent filter and must be hand washed. Both brew the same 12 cup capacity and have programmable timers.

Against the Mueller Ultra Coffee Maker, the CM2045B-1 is slightly larger, while the Mueller has more premium metal accents. Both are programmable with dishwasher safe parts. The Mueller edges out with its faster brew time and Keep Warm button.

The CM2045B-1 compares closely with the Mixpresso Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker. Both feature dishwasher safe parts, programmable timers, removable filter baskets, pause and serve functions, and brew strengths. The Mixpresso adds a backlit LCD screen and strength indicator.

Overall, the CM2045B-1 provides excellent value given its lower price point versus higher-end models. It covers all the basics of brewing and programming in a durable and easy to use package. Those needing premium accents or advanced features may want to consider spending more.

Conclusion

The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CM2045B-1 is worthy of consideration for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable drip coffee machine.

This coffee maker delivers solid brewing performance and convenient features like a programmable timer, pause-and-serve function, and removable filter basket. The carafe keeps coffee hot for hours, though some may find it doesn't retain heat as well over time as pricier thermal carafes.

The plastic design means it's not as durable or elegant looking as some alternatives. But for the price, most would find it gets the job done brewing good coffee day after day. Ease of use is a major plus with intuitive controls and dishwasher safe parts.

Overall, the CM2045B-1 provides very good value given its lower price point versus other 12-cup programmable coffee makers. For those seeking lots of bells and whistles or premium build quality, higher priced options may be preferred. But the CM2045B-1 makes an excellent choice for shoppers wanting a dependable, no-frills drip coffee machine with useful features at an affordable cost.