Mr. Coffee 2176667 Drip coffee maker: Full Review

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is an affordable, entry-level drip coffee machine ideal for brewing up to 12 cups of coffee. It features a simple, no-frills design focused on the essentials of drip coffee brewing.

This basic coffee maker lacks some of the bells and whistles found on more expensive models, like a built-in grinder or smart connectivity. However, it delivers solid performance for the price. The Mr. Coffee 12-cup brews a decent pot of standard drip coffee that gets the job done. It's a great option for anyone seeking an inexpensive, easy-to-use coffee machine without extra features they may not use.

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup is compact and simple, making it a good choice for apartments, dorms, offices, or anywhere space is limited. It doesn't take up much counter space. The design focuses on user-friendliness, featuring a front-facing interface and one-touch controls. This coffee maker is ideal for people who just want a fuss-free machine to quickly brew coffee.

Design & Build Quality

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has a simple, no-frills design that focuses on functionality over flashy features. The materials used in the construction feel decent but not premium. The black plastic housing doesn't look or feel high-end but it gets the job done.

The coffee maker itself feels pretty sturdy and durable thanks to its plastic housing. It doesn't have a lot of breakable glass parts like some fancier coffee makers. The carafe is made of glass but is decently thick and sturdy. Overall the build quality is satisfactory for the price but don't expect luxury touches.

One nice design aspect is the removable filter basket which makes for easy cleaning and maintenance. The water reservoir is also easy to access and features water level markings for accuracy.

While it may not win any awards for sleek or elegant design, the functional no-frills aesthetic of the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker should hold up well over time. Just don't expect beautiful polished metal and glass construction at this price point.

Features

The Mr. Coffee Later 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has several useful features that enhance the brewing experience:

• Programmable timer - You can program the coffee maker to brew a fresh pot of coffee up to 24 hours in advance. Simply set the timer before going to bed and wake up to freshly brewed coffee. This is perfect for busy mornings or when you want coffee ready as soon as you wake up.

• Pause and serve - The pause and serve feature allows you to sneak a cup of coffee mid-brew. Instead of waiting for the full pot to finish brewing, you can pause the cycle, pour a cup, and then allow it to resume brewing the remaining amount.

• Removable water reservoir - The water reservoir can be removed from the coffee maker for easy filling at the sink. No need to awkwardly pour water into the coffee maker in place. The water window also lets you see the water level as you fill it.

• 2 hour auto shut-off - For safety and energy savings, the coffee maker will automatically turn off after 2 hours. No need to worry about accidentally leaving it on.

• Dual water window - Dual water windows on each side of the reservoir make it easy to see the exact water level as you fill it.

Overall, the programmable timer, pause and serve function, and removable reservoir help make the brewing process more convenient.

Brew Performance

The Mr. Coffee 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker brews a full pot of coffee in under 15 minutes, which is fairly standard for most drip coffee makers in this price range. The water is heated to the optimal brewing temperature between 195-205°F before being showered over the coffee grounds. This ensures proper extraction of the coffee oils and flavor compounds.

The resulting coffee has a balanced, smooth taste without any bitterness. It's not as rich and full-bodied as coffee brewed in a high-end machine, but the flavor is surprisingly decent for the price. The automatic brew timer allows you to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee ready to drink. Overall, while this machine won't brew specialty cafe-quality coffee, it makes a very drinkable pot of classic drip coffee to start your day.

Ease of Use

The Mr. Coffee 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker is designed to be easy to set up, use, and clean.

Controls

The control panel is simple with buttons for on/off, pause/serve, 1-4 cups, clean, and program. There is also an LED clock display that shows the current time or the program settings when enabled. The buttons have a nice tactile feedback and are easy to press.

Cleaning

A removable filter basket lifts out for fast and easy cleaning. The carafe, lid, and filter basket are all dishwasher safe. There is also a clean cycle that can be run with vinegar to clean out the internal components.

Setup

Setting up the coffee maker is very straightforward. Just add water to the water reservoir, insert a #4 cone filter, add ground coffee to the filter, and slide the filter basket into place. Programming the clock takes seconds with the well-marked buttons. The instruction manual provides clear guidance for first-time users.

Overall, the Mr. Coffee 12-cup Programmable Coffee Maker scores very high for usability and convenience. The simple interface and dishwasher safe parts make it easy for anyone to brew great tasting coffee.

Capacity

The Mr. Coffee 10-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has a generous 12-cup capacity, making it a great option for households that go through a lot of coffee. With its large carafe, you can brew up to 12 cups or 1.2 liters of coffee at a time. This means you don't have to brew multiple batches if you're serving coffee to a crowd in the morning.

The 12-cup capacity allows you to brew for multiple people without having to wait through multiple brew cycles. It's perfect for families, offices, or any situation where you need to make coffee for a group. You can wake up in the morning and brew enough coffee for everyone with just one batch.

The large capacity also gives you flexibility if you like to brew a full pot to have coffee ready throughout the morning and afternoon. You can brew the full 12 cups and then pour cups of fresh coffee as needed. The keep warm function will ensure the coffee stays at an optimal serving temperature for up to 2 hours.

Overall, the generous 12-cup capacity makes this an excellent coffee maker for households that go through a lot of coffee daily or frequently host gatherings. You can brew coffee for a crowd with no problem.

Value

The Mr. Coffee Later 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker offers good value for its price point. At around $30 on Amazon, it's very affordable compared to similar programmable coffee makers which can cost $50-100. The simple design and plastic construction help keep costs down.

You get a decent amount of features like a programmable timer, pause and serve, and a removable water reservoir for the low price. The 1-year limited warranty is standard for this category of coffee maker. It's not as long as more expensive brands, but reasonable for the cost.

The Later provides solid performance and ease of use that's impressive for the low price tag. The capacity to brew up to 12 cups is also generous. Overall, this Mr. Coffee model provides great bang for your buck if you want an inexpensive programmable coffee maker with useful features. It's a good value purchase for budget-focused shoppers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Simple, intuitive button controls for easy brewing
• Pause & Serve feature allows you to pour a cup before brewing is finished
• Removable water reservoir for easy filling
• Brew strength control for regular or bold coffee
• Permanent coffee filter included - no need for paper filters
• Compact 12-cup design great for kitchen counters
• Automatically keeps coffee hot after brewing

Cons

• Coffee may be weaker or watery compared to premium drip coffee makers
• Materials and build quality are average
• Lack of programming features compared to higher-end models
• Brew time is slower than average
• No thermal carafe, glass carafe only

Alternatives

When looking for a budget-friendly drip coffee maker, the Mr. Coffee Later 2176667 has plenty of competition. Here are some other options to consider in a similar price range:

• Cuisinart DCC-3200 - Cuisinart is known for making quality kitchen appliances. This programmable 14-cup coffee maker has excellent reviews and a stainless steel design. It includes a charcoal water filter and brew strength control.

• Hamilton Beach 49976 - For an even more affordable option, this Hamilton Beach model consistently tops "best value" coffee maker lists. It brews up to 12 cups and has handy features like a programmable timer and auto shut-off.

• BLACK+DECKER CM1100B - This simple 12-cup coffee maker gets the job done without a lot of bells and whistles. It has a removable filter basket and water level window. The BLACK+DECKER brand is reliable for budget appliances.

• Mueller Ultra Coffee Maker - This highly-rated model has a stylish design with glass carafe, programmable 24-hour start timer, keep warm function, and single cup mode. It brews up to 12 cups.

• Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System - For those wanting a 2-in-1 machine, the Ninja system can brew both hot coffee and iced coffee/tea. It's pricier but has tons of features coffee lovers will appreciate.

Conclusion

Overall, the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a solid drip coffee machine that offers good value for the price. It brews a decent pot of coffee and has useful features like a programmable timer, pause-and-serve, and a removable filter basket.

The plastic construction feels a bit flimsy but the simple interface and ease of use make up for it. The brew performance is acceptable, though coffee aficionados may find it lacks the full flavor of a premium drip coffee maker. Still, for a budget-friendly programmable coffee pot, Mr. Coffee delivers the basics.

In summary, this Mr. Coffee 12 cup coffee maker is recommended for anyone seeking an affordable and easy-to-use drip coffee machine. It makes a satisfactory pot of coffee given the low price point. The timer and pause-and-serve functions add convenience. Just don't expect complex customization or gourmet-level brewing from this basic programmable coffee maker. But for daily coffee on a budget, the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker gets the job done.