Cuisinart DCC-5570 Drip coffee maker: Full Review

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 is a stylish and well-constructed drip coffee maker with a range of convenient features aimed at making brewing coffee at home a simple and consistent process. In this comprehensive review, we'll take a look at the overall design and appearance, features, ease of use, brew performance, carafe, maintenance, noise level, and value of the Cuisinart DCC-5570 to help you determine if this is the right drip coffee maker for your countertop. From its programmable timer to the convenient auto shut-off, we'll highlight the pros and cons of this mid-range model from a leading brand to provide an unbiased review of how it performs for day-to-day coffee brewing. Whether you're looking to upgrade your current coffee setup or are purchasing your first drip machine, this review covers everything you need to know about the DCC-5570.

Design & Appearance

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 has an attractive brushed stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen counter. The metal construction gives it a sturdy, durable feel.

It is available in a sleek stainless steel color that matches well with other stainless steel appliances. The dimensions are 7.75 x 9 x 14 inches, so it has a relatively compact footprint without taking up too much counter space.

The style is contemporary and streamlined. The control panel is neatly integrated into the front of the machine with easy-to-read buttons. The curved lines and mix of metal and plastic give it an elegant modern look. The stainless steel carafe also adds to the upscale aesthetic.

Overall, the Cuisinart DCC-5570 coffee maker has a high-end look and feel that belies its very reasonable price point. The sturdy metal design and neutral color option allow it to seamlessly blend in with a wide range of kitchen decors.

Features

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 coffee maker comes with several useful features that enhance the brewing experience.

• Programmable Timer: This coffee maker has a 24-hour programmable timer so you can set it to start brewing at a certain time. This is perfect for waking up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

• Brew Settings: There are settings for regular or bold coffee strength as well as 1-4 cup settings. The 1-4 cup setting adjusts the brew cycle so smaller amounts don't get overextracted.

• Hot Plate: The hot plate keeps coffee hot for up to 4 hours without burning or overheating. There is also an indicator light that lets you know when the hot plate is on.

• Self-Clean: A handy self-clean cycle makes cleaning easy by automatically rinsing the interior with hot water.

• Water Filter: It comes with a charcoal water filter that removes impurities from the water for better tasting coffee. The filter is easy to install and improves coffee flavor.

Ease of Use

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The control panel features an LCD display and soft-touch buttons that are intuitive to operate.

There are buttons for 1-4 cups, 5-12 cups, and Bold brewing, allowing you to customize the brew size and strength. The "Brew Pause" feature lets you grab a cup before the full brew cycle completes.

Programming the 24-hour clock is straightforward - just hold down the program button to set the time. You can also set Auto On so your coffee is ready when you wake up.

The Cuisinart has 19 settings for grind size, allowing you to optimize based on your preferred roast. It retains settings even after power loss.

Overall, the well-designed interface makes the Cuisinart very simple to operate. The buttons are responsive, the display is clear, and customizing your perfect cup of coffee is a breeze.

Brew Performance

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 can brew a full 12-cup pot of coffee in under 8 minutes, which is faster than most comparable drip coffee makers. The water reaches an optimal brewing temperature between 195-205°F, allowing for efficient extraction of the coffee's flavors and oils.

Many reviewers praise the DCC-5570 for consistently producing a smooth, balanced, and flavorful cup of coffee. It saturates the grounds evenly during brewing to extract the full complexity of flavors from the beans. The coffee comes out with a medium body and robust, yet not overly bitter taste. The strength is also customizable via the brew strength control, allowing you to tailor each pot.

The auto shut-off and temperature control features help maintain a consistent brewing process each time. The DCC-5570 delivers a reliably delicious pot of drip coffee with each use. The brew is bold and aromatic without tasting burnt or overextracted. For those who prefer a classic drip coffee taste, the Cuisinart DCC-5570 is a solid choice.

Carafe

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 comes with a 14 cup glass carafe that has measurement markings etched onto the side. The carafe is designed with an ergonomic handle that makes pouring easy and comfortable.

The glass carafe does a decent job of retaining heat to keep coffee hot for a few hours after brewing. It's not as effective at heat retention as a thermal carafe, but it allows you to see the color of the coffee which some people prefer.

The wide mouth opening and drip-free spout make pour precise and prevents messy drips. The carafe has a knob lid that seals in aroma when closed.

Overall, the glass carafe holds an ample 14 cups, pours smoothly, and retains heat reasonably well. It may not keep coffee piping hot for as long as an insulated thermal carafe, but provides the benefit of seeing your coffee color.

Maintenance

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 is very easy to maintain. Cleaning the carafe, filter basket, and water reservoir is simple and just requires handwashing with mild detergent and warm water.

Descaling is needed periodically to remove mineral deposits. The DCC-5570 has an automatic descale indicator that alerts you when descaling is required. To descale, you simply need to fill the water reservoir with descaling solution instead of water, place the empty carafe in position, turn on the coffeemaker, and allow it to cycle through the descaling process automatically.

The filter basket uses standard #4 paper filters, which are widely available and inexpensive. Replacing the paper filter after each use helps keep your coffee fresh and the carafe clean. The charcoal water filter should be changed every 60 days for optimal performance.

Overall, the maintenance of the DCC-5570 is very straightforward, with handy features like the descale alert to remind you when a task is needed. The ease of maintenance helps this coffeemaker deliver consistent performance over its lifetime.

Noise Level

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 is surprisingly quiet for a drip coffee maker. The grinding noise is minimal, and you can barely hear it running while it brews.

• Grinding: The built-in burr grinder operates very quietly. You'll hear some light whirring when the beans are grinding, but it's much quieter than most grinder models. Even early in the morning, this won't disturb anyone.

• Brewing: Once brewing starts, the machine is exceptionally quiet. There's a very soft hum as water is heating and dripping through the filter, but it's easy to have a conversation over. You don't hear any loud drips or gurgling.

• Beeping: Alert beeps when a cycle finishes are subdued. The beeps are audible but not jarring or obnoxious. Easy to sleep through these if the coffee maker is in your bedroom.

Overall, the noise level is impressively low for a drip coffee machine with a built-in grinder. The Cuisinart DCC-5570 won't disrupt conversations or wake light sleepers.

Value

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 offers excellent value given its build quality, features, and performance. This 12-cup machine typically retails for around $110, which is very reasonable for a mid-range drip coffee maker with stainless steel construction.

Cuisinart is known for making quality kitchen appliances that deliver performance and durability. The stainless steel exterior not only looks sleek, but also ensures the machine will hold up well over years of regular use. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty that covers manufacturer defects.

Users generally find this model provides consistently good brewing for several years. The commercial-style design, solid carafe, and easy maintenance contribute to the long lifespan. Replacement parts are also readily available if needed.

For the price, you get a programmable machine made by a reputable brand name. It has convenient features like a backlit LCD screen, 24-hour programmability, self-clean setting, charcoal water filter, and brew pause function. Performance-wise, it reliably delivers hot, full-flavored coffee.

Overall, the Cuisinart DCC-5570 combines quality materials, thoughtful engineering, and useful features at a reasonable price point. It's a great choice for anyone seeking an affordable, durable, and high-functioning drip coffee maker.

Conclusion

The Cuisinart DCC-5570 is a reliable and attractive drip brewer with several useful features. Key pros of the DCC-5570 include:

• Straightforward brew process and controls
• Programmable auto-brew timing
• Brew strength control
• Hot plate keeps coffee warm
• Large 14-cup carafe with ergonomic handle
• Brew Pause feature
• 3-year limited warranty

In terms of cons, the DCC-5570 lacks some extra settings and features found on pricier models, and some users feel the carafe could be better insulated.

Overall, the Cuisinart DCC-5570 performs very well for its price point. It brews a hot, flavorful pot of coffee and has convenient programming options without too many complex settings. The carafe pours smoothly and keeps coffee hot for a decent length of time. With its solid performance and thoughtful design, the DCC-5570 is easy to recommend for anyone seeking an affordable, user-friendly drip coffee maker. It delivers great day-to-day performance for household or office use.