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Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254

Price range:

$49.99 - $91.79

Summary: This model has been tested by our experts.

6 people have reviewed this model.

See all 6 user reviews

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Type: 8- to 14-Cup Drip Models with Carafe

User Reviews

Consumer Reports User Reviews

Other User Reviews

jim1824

from

Palm Bay, FL

2.0

Brews weak coffee and has design flaws

5/17/2010

Pros

Brews Quickly

Durable

Easy To Use

Large Pot

Cons

Hard To Clean

Weak coffee brew

Best Uses

Everyday

Comment:

Used every day. Has no internal water level measure, unable to remove the carafe top so it can be cleaned in the dishwasher. <br /><br />The first time we used it my wife and I both noticed how weak the brew was compared to the same amount of coffee used in the Mr. Coffee machine it replaced. We compensate by adding more coffee grounds that results in more costly daily use.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

from

Windsor, CT

2.0

Eh, not that great

2/18/2010

Pros

Large Pot

Stylish

Cons

Brew is not robust

Best Uses

Comment:

It's pretty poor for brewing. The coffee has no body to it, regardless of how much grounds you use. <br /><br />The place where you pour the water into the resevoir is not all that great either. It's a small target and prone to spills.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

MikeS

from

Wimauma, FL

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Overall good, but, a couple of faults.

11/9/2009

Pros

Brews Quickly

Easy To Use

Large Pot

Cons

Best Uses

Everyday

Comment:

Overall, a pretty good coffee maker. My only complaints: 1. The carafe cover can't be removed without breaking the plastic tabs on which the cover pivots. The carafe can't be cleaned in the dishwasher (until you break the pivot nubs!); 2. The plastic rim (upon which is mounted the carafe cover), is permanently mounted on the glass carafe. It isn't designed so that 100% of the coffee (or water when rinsing the carafe) can be removed...about 1 teaspoon of liquid remains behind. This coffee maker replaced an old Braun coffee maker...Hamilton Beach: The Braun had a really well-designed lid on their glass carafe. Back to the drawing boards!

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

The Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 is part of the Coffeemakers test program at Consumer Reports. The Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 Coffeemakers features and specs include Brew-strength control, Dispenser-style, Small-batch setting, Thermal carafe/mug, Dimensions H x W x D (in.), Programmable. In our lab tests, Coffeemakers models like the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 are reviewed on Carafe handling, Convenience, Overall score, Brew performance. Consumer Reports subscribers share reviews of the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 based on personal experience. The Consumer Reports user reviews of the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 include star ratings, pros, cons, best uses, and a bottom line review to help guide your purchasing decision of the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254.

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