Mr. Coffee SK13-RB Drip coffee maker: Full Review

The Mr. Coffee SK13-RB is a 12-cup programmable coffee maker that offers simple operation and decent performance at an affordable price point. This drip coffee machine has a no-frills design aimed at the casual coffee drinker who wants an easy-to-use machine that can brew a pot of coffee on demand.

With its compact footprint and rectangular shape, the Mr. Coffee SK13-RB has a utilitarian look that will fit right in on most kitchen countertops without taking up too much space. The black and silver finish gives it a classic drip coffee maker aesthetic. This is an ideal machine for households that want the convenience of hot, freshly brewed coffee every morning without the extra bells and whistles of more high-end coffee makers.

Design and Build Quality

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has a simple, yet rugged design that prioritizes function over form. The housing is made of black plastic that feels sturdy and durable. While it may not look as sleek as some stainless steel coffee makers, the plastic does not dent or scratch easily.

The handle and knobs are also made of plastic, but they feel solid when gripped and turned. There is no wobbling or looseness. The carafe handle has an ergonomic curve and rubber grip to provide a comfortable, non-slip hold.

The water reservoir and basket filter are constructed from lightweight, BPA-free plastic. They are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The heating plate is made of stainless steel and stays warm without getting dangerously hot.

Overall, the build quality and component materials feel substantial. While mainly plastic, the coffee maker does not seem flimsy or cheap. The design choices favor practicality over aesthetics. For a budget 12-cup programmable coffee maker, the construction quality is excellent.

Another great option is the BLACK+DECKER CM2045B-1, which features a sleek and modern design with a glass carafe that complements any kitchen decor. It boasts a programmable timer and an auto shut-off feature for convenience and safety. The easy-to-use controls make brewing your morning coffee a breeze. The adjustable brew strength and quick brewing capabilities are appealing to coffee lovers. With its sturdy construction and user-friendly features, it’s an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced coffee enthusiasts.

Features

The Mr. Coffee SK13 features a 12-cup capacity with a removable water reservoir for easy filling. It has dual water windows to easily see how much water is in the reservoir and the carafe.

There are several useful brew settings including regular brew, strong brew, 1-4 cup brew, and auto pause and serve. The auto pause and serve function allows you to grab a cup mid-brew without the rest dripping all over the hot plate.

An adjustable warming plate keeps your coffee hot for up to 2 hours. There is also a 2 hour automatic shut off for safety.

Other convenient features include a ready indicator light, cord storage, and measuring markings right on the carafe. The Mr. Coffee SK13 does not include a programmable timer.

The water filter and basket-style filter are removable for easy cleaning and replacement.

In comparison, the Amazon Basics CM4008C-UL also offers a 12-cup capacity and features a straightforward design. This coffee maker comes with a simple on/off switch and a water window to help monitor water levels. The non-stick warming plate ensures that your coffee stays hot for an extended period. Its compact size makes it easy to fit into any kitchen without taking up too much counter space, making it an ideal choice for both small and large households.

Ease of Use

The Mr. Coffee SK13-RB is designed to be very easy to use with intuitive controls and setup. It has an on/off button with indicator light, simple dial controls for choosing cup sizes from 1-12 cups, and a brew pause feature to temporarily stop brewing to pour a cup if needed.

The buttons have clear icons to indicate their functions, like play/pause and power symbols. The brew size dial makes selecting your desired amount of coffee fast and straightforward. There's no complicated programming or multiple confusing buttons to deal with.

Setting up the machine is very simple - just add water to the water reservoir, fill the filter with grounds, then press the desired brew size. The water window shows the level at a glance. The included reusable filter basket pops in and out easily for filling and cleaning.

Overall, the Mr. Coffee SK13-RB offers effortless usability. The controls are basic but functional, without too many bells and whistles. The simple yet effective design means most users should find it intuitive to operate right out of the box. It's straightforward enough for daily regular use, without sacrificing customization options for cup sizes.

Brew Performance

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker brews a full pot of coffee in under 15 minutes, which is fairly standard for drip coffee makers in this price range. The water reaches an optimal brewing temperature between 195-205°F to properly extract the flavors from the coffee grounds.

The coffee comes out with a smooth, balanced flavor without any bitterness or acidity. It extracts the natural flavors from light, medium, and dark roasts well. The flat-bottom filter basket ensures even water dispersion and saturation of the grounds for full flavor extraction. Some reviewers noted the coffee had a bit weaker flavor compared to higher-end drip coffee makers, but overall the taste is solid for a budget machine.

The brewer has a simple on/off switch and lacks programming features to schedule brew times or set strength preferences. But the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup gets the basics right to quickly brew a hot pot of standard drip coffee. It's a no-frills brewer focused on convenience and simplicity.

Ease of Cleaning

The Mr. Coffee SK13-RB is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance. It features a removable filter basket and carafe for simple handwashing. The water reservoir is also detachable for cleaning.

One convenient self-cleaning feature is the auto clean cycle. By running a brew cycle with plain water and vinegar, you can descale and flush out mineral deposits. This helps prevent any buildup of limescale inside the machine over time.

The heating plate underneath the carafe can be easily wiped down as needed. Overall, the smooth plastic surfaces don't have many nooks and crannies where coffee residue can accumulate.

Descaling fluid or tablets can be used alongside the self-clean function periodically to thoroughly remove mineral buildup. The owner's manual provides a schedule and instructions for descaling maintenance.

The simple design and removable parts allow for quick, fuss-free cleanup. Users report that keeping this machine clean is quite manageable with regular care.

Price

The Mr. Coffee SK13-RB 12-cup programmable coffee maker typically retails for around $25-30 USD. This puts it at the lower end of the price spectrum for drip coffee makers. More expensive models can range up to $150+ for high-end brands. However, the Mr. Coffee provides excellent value for the price. It costs significantly less than comparable programmable coffee makers from brands like Cuisinart, Braun, and OXO that offer similar features and performance. The great price makes the Mr. Coffee an ideal choice for budget-focused shoppers that want a programmable coffee machine without breaking the bank. It provides an impressive balance of useful features, ease of use, and good performance for day-to-day coffee brewing at a very wallet-friendly price point. Overall, the excellent value offered by the Mr. Coffee helps make it one of the best selling and most popular drip coffee makers under $50.

Pros

Easy to Use Buttons and Controls - The Mr. Coffee SK13 has simple, intuitive buttons for on/off, start/pause brewing, and a dedicated button for the clean cycle. The buttons are large and easy to press. There's also an auto shut-off feature to save energy.

Quick Brewing - This drip coffee maker can brew a full 12 cups of coffee in under 10 minutes. The water reservoir fills quickly and there is ample heating power to rapidly heat water and smoothly extract coffee flavor.

Removable Filter Basket - The filter basket easily lifts out, making it simple to add coffee grounds, change filters, and clean. The basket also has a release button to dump used coffee grounds into the trash.

Helpful Features - The Mr. Coffee SK13 includes useful features like a removable water reservoir for easy filling, a brew strength selector, cord storage to reduce clutter, and a pause-and-serve function to pour a cup mid-brew.

Cons

• The carafe lid doesn't seal completely, so liquid can drip out when pouring. This causes some mess.

• The water reservoir can be tricky to properly line up and lock into place. It takes some fiddling to get it seated just right.

• The "Keep Hot" plate only keeps coffee warm for about 30-40 minutes before it starts cooling down. This may not be long enough for some users.

• The brew basket doesn't have a release latch or button. You need to pull up on the handle firmly to remove it after brewing. This can lead to splashing or spilling if you aren't careful.

Conclusion

Overall, the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a solid, budget-friendly option for brewing drip coffee at home. It has a simple, no-frills design and doesn't come with a lot of fancy features, but it gets the job done.

The coffee maker has a decent build quality and brews coffee relatively fast and hot. The brew performance is quite good for the price, producing flavorful coffee with a good balance. The pitcher style design makes it easy to serve and the auto shut-off function is useful.

While it lacks some convenience features like a backlit display or permanent filter, the coffee maker is very easy to operate. Cleanup is straightforward as well thanks to the removable filter basket and carafe.

Considering the very affordable price point, the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a good value. It provides great bang for your buck if you want basic drip coffee without paying for extra bells and whistles. This machine is recommended for those looking for an inexpensive, no-frills coffee maker for daily home use.