BLACK+DECKER CM618 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The BLACK+DECKER CM618 is a single serve coffee maker that brews coffee, tea, and hot chocolate into travel mugs or regular sized mugs. It is designed to be compact and easy to use with adjustable brew sizes. The CM618 allows you to brew a fresh cup of coffee in under a minute using K-Cup pods or ground coffee. With its space saving design, built-in cord storage, and brew size dial, the CM618 aims to provide convenience and customization for your morning coffee routine.

Design

The Black+Decker Single Serve Coffeemaker CM618 has a sleek and compact design that won't take up much space on your kitchen counter. It has a durable plastic housing that comes in black or white color options. The materials feel solidly constructed.

This single serve coffeemaker measures 9.6 x 11.3 x 12.1 inches and weighs just 5.4 pounds. So it has a small footprint perfect for apartment living or setting up in an office pantry. The compact rectangular shape allows it to sit against a back wall without sticking out.

Despite the small size, the water reservoir can hold up to 14 ounces of water. That's enough to brew a large travel mug full of coffee. There's also a removable drip tray to accommodate taller to-go mugs.

Overall, the coffeemaker has a simple and streamlined look. The slim shape and neutral color options help it blend in seamlessly with most kitchen decor styles. It takes up very little counter space for a personal coffee maker.

Features

The Black+Decker Single Serve Coffeemaker CM618 offers some useful features for brewing a customizable cup of coffee.

Brew Sizes

This single serve coffee maker can brew coffee in 6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz cup sizes, allowing you to make anything from a small espresso to a large travel mug. The different brew sizes are easy to select using the buttons on the front of the machine.

Strength Control

The CM618 has options for regular and bold coffee strength. Choose regular for a standard cup of coffee or bold for a more intense, concentrated brew. This gives you more control over the flavor and caffeine level.

Removable Parts

The coffee maker has removable parts including the drip tray, water reservoir, and brew basket. The drip tray and reservoir can be taken out for easy cleaning and filling. The brew basket is removable so you can use your own reusable filter if desired. This is convenient for switching out coffee types.

Additional Option:

For those looking for an alternative, consider the Keurig K-Slim 5000357869. This model is designed to be compact and space-saving, fitting perfectly in small kitchens or dorm rooms. The K-Slim can brew 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz cups, giving you flexibility with your drink size. Additionally, it features a strong brew option for a bolder coffee flavor and has a multi-stream technology that ensures even saturation of coffee grounds for a delicious cup every time. The removable 46 oz water reservoir is easy to fill and clean, making your brewing process smooth and convenient.

Ease of Use

The BLACK+DECKER CM618 single serve coffeemaker is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It has an intuitive control panel with buttons for power, brew, and cleaning.

The display is easy to read, showing the selected brew size and any maintenance alerts. There are visible water level markings on the reservoir so you can see at a glance how much water is left.

Programming the brew sizes is straightforward - just press and hold the brew button to toggle between 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz brew sizes. The default is 10 oz.

The water reservoir pulls out from the back of the machine for easy filling. Likewise, the removable drip tray and brew basket make cleanup simple.

Overall, the CM618 aims to take the guesswork out of brewing. The simple interface and programmable features allow you to get your morning coffee just the way you like it with minimal effort.

Another great option for single serve coffee makers is the Mixpresso DCM-P-TM. This model offers a compact design with one-touch operation for brewing your favorite coffee quickly. It features a removable water tank for easy refilling and a drip tray that can accommodate larger travel mugs. The Mixpresso DCM-P-TM is known for its durability and efficiency, making it a reliable choice for coffee lovers.

Brew Performance

The Black & Decker CM618 brews coffee fast, with a brew time of less than 60 seconds for a 6 oz cup. This is quite speedy for a budget single cup brewer.

The water reaches close to the optimal coffee brewing temperature of 195°F to 205°F for proper extraction. The hot water extracts the full flavor from the coffee grounds efficiently.

The CM618 produces a good, strong cup of coffee. It extracts a decent amount of flavor from coffee pods and ground coffee. The flavor is rich and bold, not watery. The coffee comes out hot and stays hot for a while after brewing.

Overall, the brew performance of the CM618 is excellent for the price. It delivers a flavorful cup of coffee quickly, at the right temperature. The fast brew time and hot water temperature result in a satisfying cup of joe.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The CM618 has a descale indicator light to let you know when it's time to descale the machine. Descaling helps remove mineral deposits that can build up over time and affect the machine's performance.

Descaling is straightforward - you'll mix vinegar and water in the water reservoir, run it through a brew cycle, and rinse thoroughly. Black & Decker provides clear instructions in the user manual.

Several parts are removable for easy cleaning - the drip tray, mug stand, and filter basket all come out and can be washed with soap and water either by hand or in the dishwasher. The water reservoir is also removable and dishwasher safe.

The exterior can be wiped down with a damp cloth to keep it looking clean. Overall, the maintenance of the CM618 is simple and quick. The descale process is not frequent and other cleaning can be done in just a few minutes. This helps keep the coffee maker in good working order.

Noise Level

The Black+Decker CM618 Single Serve Coffee Maker produces a moderate amount of noise when brewing coffee. The noise is comparable to other single serve coffee makers on the market.

The main noise comes from the brewing process itself. As water is heated and forced through the k-cup pod, it produces a humming sound. This lasts for around 1 minute as the coffee is brewing.

Some users may find this noise distracting if brewing coffee in close proximity to sleeping areas or early in the morning. However, the noise level is reasonable for a small appliance and not excessive. It's far quieter than many traditional drip coffee makers.

The control buttons don't make significant noise when pressed. And the unit is silent when not in use. Overall, the noise should not be an issue for most users. But it's something to be aware of if you'll be brewing coffee in a setting where you need minimal noise.

Pros

• Single cup brewing allows you to make one fresh cup at a time, perfect for households with varying coffee preferences. No need to brew a whole pot if you just want one cup.

• Compact, space-saving design is great for small kitchens, dorm rooms, offices, and other tight spaces. Measures just 10.2 x 6.9 x 10.6 inches.

• Brewer is very affordable compared to other single serve models, typically priced under $20. Great value for an entry-level single cup brewer.

Cons

Unfortunately, the Black & Decker single serve coffee maker does have some drawbacks to consider:

• Small water reservoir: The water reservoir only holds 16 oz, which is enough for one large travel mug or a couple smaller cups. You'll have to refill it frequently if making coffee for multiple people.

• No temperature control: There's no way to adjust the brewing temperature, which is a standard feature on higher-end single serve coffee makers. This could result in coffee that is slightly too hot or too cold for some users' preferences.

• Flip-top lid: While the flip-top lid allows easy access for filling the water reservoir, some users find it flimsy and prone to breaking over time. It also has to be open to brew, which can allow more steam to escape.

Conclusion

For a budget single serve coffee maker, the BLACK+DECKER CM618 is worth considering. This compact machine can help streamline your morning routine with its simple brew process and handy features like the charging base, removable drip tray, and auto-off.

The CM618 brews coffee, tea, and hot cocoa pods quickly. It produces average-tasting coffee that is hot enough and has decent crema. The water tank is easy to fill, though small. Programming options are very basic.

While plastic parts feel flimsy and there is some dripping after brewing, the CM618 is simple to operate, take apart, and clean. It is relatively quiet and doesn't take up much counter space.

Overall, the BLACK+DECKER CM618 single serve coffeemaker is an affordable option for people who prioritize convenience and simplicity over premium features or coffeehouse-style brews. It makes an easy-to-use, entry-level single serve machine with decent performance for the price. For those seeking better build quality or more customization, it's worth looking at pricier models. But for basic daily brewing needs, the CM618 gets the job done.