Kenmore Coffee Maker 12 Cup Review: Worth the Buzz?

Kenmore Coffee Maker 12 Cup Review

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Last Updated on March 23, 2024

If you’re like us, nothing beats starting your day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The journey of finding the right coffee maker can be quite a quest, but we’ve recently tested the Kenmore 12-cup Machine and it’s caught our attention.

This vibrant red appliance isn’t just a pretty face on your countertop; it’s got some cool features that cater to diverse coffee drinking preferences. We’ve brewed everything from a single mug to a full carafe and the Aroma Control feature makes a noticeable difference, especially when you want that extra bold flavor. The “Pause and Pour” function is handy for those who can’t wait for a cup. It’s smart, with digital controls that allow you to set it the night before and wake up to the aroma of your favorite blend.

Kenmore Coffee Maker

However, we must admit, the loud beeping when the coffee is ready could be a minor annoyance if you live in a quiet household or are sensitive to sound early in the morning. And if you live with someone who’s a light sleeper, they might not appreciate the alarm-like notification that your coffee’s done.

Bottom Line

After our hands-on experience, we think the Kenmore 12-cup Coffee Maker would make a solid addition to your kitchen. It’s functional, stylish and seems to brew a quality cup every time.

If this Kenmore machine piques your interest, don’t hesitate to give it a try.

Check it out for yourself and add a touch of color and convenience to your mornings.

Koolatron Kenmore Coffee Maker Overview

Having recently brewed a fresh pot with the Koolatron Kenmore, we can say its modern red and stainless steel design certainly pops on the kitchen counter. This machine balances functionality with aesthetics, offering users the ability to program their brewing schedule and adjust the aroma intensity for that perfect cup every morning. The digital display and timer add convenience to the brewing process, while the reusable filter is an eco-friendly touch we appreciate.

While the machine performs well in delivering a hot and flavorful cup of coffee, we did notice the five-beep alert when the coffee is ready is quite loud. It’s a double-edged sword; great for those who need a robust call to wake up but potentially jarring for quiet morning routines. The durable glass carafe suits its purpose, and the charcoal water filter is a boon for taste and purity.

On the downside, one user did report a crack in the pot, which could be a point of concern regarding the carafe’s durability with long-term use. In terms of customer service, however, they mentioned reaching out to the seller, which implies there’s a responsive feedback loop for troubleshooting.

In our collective experience, the Koolatron Kenmore is a solid choice, particularly for those who value the programmable features and bold coffee flavor. It’s not without its minor quirks, but it stands as a competent appliance within its price range.

Programmable Convenience Feature

In our experience, the programmable aspects of this Kenmore Coffee Maker add notable convenience to any morning routine. The ability to set the timer the evening before means that we are greeted by the welcoming scent of coffee as soon as we wake up, without any hassle. It’s simple to use with a digital control panel and a clear LCD display, so there’s no fumbling around in the morning fog to get it started.

Yet, for all its convenience, we’ve noted some limitations. While you can program the machine for your morning brew, you can’t save multiple settings or preferences for different days of the week. Despite this, the ease of programming still stands out, especially when we need that first cup of coffee as quickly as possible without compromising on taste—a plus for anyone with a tight schedule.

The pause and pour function is also handy when we can’t wait for the full pot. We’ve been able to snag a cup mid-brew without coffee dribbling onto the hot plate, a testament to the well-thought-out design aimed at real-life use.

Pause and Pour Function

In our experience, the pause and pour feature on Koolatron’s coffee maker is a game-changer for those morning rushes. We’ve all been there, standing around, waiting impatiently for a pot of coffee to finish brewing when we really just want that first cup. This coffee maker addresses this common scenario by incorporating an automatic interrupter that halts the brewing process if the carafe is removed.

We found we could sneak a cup mid-brew for up to 20 seconds without any drips or mess. It’s incredibly convenient and doesn’t compromise the remaining coffee’s brewing process. However, we noticed it’s essential to replace the carafe quickly to prevent the brewing from being cut off for too long, which could potentially affect the strength and flavor of the final pot.

The feature worked consistently during our tests, providing that much-needed first cup without the usual wait time. It’s a simple yet effective solution for coffee lovers who don’t want to compromise between convenience and quality.

Aroma Control Brewing

In our experience, the aroma is a crucial part of the coffee experience, and this machine doesn’t disappoint. Its aroma control feature really stands out. For those mornings when the scent of coffee is as important as the first sip, this feature enhances the coffee’s fragrance and flavor intensity. It’s perfect for both light and dark roast preferences.

We found that when using the bold setting, the longer brewing process extracts deeper flavors, resulting in a robust cup. Conversely, the regular setting speeds up the process for a quicker brew that still retains a pleasant scent and taste. Despite the intense aroma, the flavor never tipped into bitterness, which is a testament to the machine’s intelligent brewing controls.

However, on the downside, we noticed that the aroma control setting makes the brewing cycle slightly longer. Some may find the wait a tad inconvenient, especially when in a rush. That said, for true coffee aficionados, the extra minutes are a small price to pay for a significantly enhanced coffee aroma and taste. It’s clear the design was intended for those who savor their coffee rituals.

Included Water Purifier and Reusable Filter

Enjoying a cup of coffee should be a simple pleasure, unmarred by the taste of tap water impurities. With this drip coffee machine, we’re relieved to see that our morning brews are free from those unwanted flavors, thanks to the included charcoal water filter. It efficiently purifies standard tap water, ensuring each cup is as fresh and clean-tasting as possible.

Equipping this machine with a reusable gold-tone cone filter also garners our approval. Not only does it contribute to a richer coffee by allowing essential oils to pass through, but it’s also a win for the environment and our wallets, cutting the ongoing cost and waste of disposable filters.

However, as with any coffee maker, the process of replacing the charcoal filter will be periodic, a minor inconvenience we are happy to accept for the sake of better-tasting coffee. We appreciate thoughtful additions like these, even if they require a bit more upkeep.

Pros and Cons

In our time with the Kenmore Coffee Maker, we’ve discovered quite a lot to admire alongside a few points that might be considered less than ideal. Let’s break down what we’ve experienced with this machine.

Pros

  • Generous Capacity: We found the 12-cup capacity to be more than sufficient for our morning coffee needs, easily serving a large household or group of guests.
  • Convenient Pause and Pour: The pause and pour function was a hit among us, allowing a quick cup before the brewing cycle completed without any mess or fuss.
  • Simple Programming: Setting it up the night before for that wake-up aroma was straightforward, thanks to the user-friendly digital controls and LCD display.
  • Flavorful Brews: The Aroma Control Brewing, particularly on the bold setting, noticeably enhanced the coffee’s richness and strength for a more robust cup.
  • Eco-friendly Reusable Filter: We appreciated the inclusion of a reusable gold-tone cone filter, which is not only environmentally friendly but also saves on the cost of paper filters.
  • Charcoal Water Filter: The built-in charcoal water filter is a nice touch for purifying tap water and ensuring the coffee tastes clean and fresh.

Cons

  • Loud Alert Beeps: One aspect we couldn’t overlook was the startling five-beep alert that indicates when the coffee is ready. It’s quite loud and might be intrusive, especially in the early morning or late at night.
  • Durability Concerns: Although we didn’t experience this firsthand, we’ve noticed mentions of the carafe’s potential to crack when not handled carefully during cleaning.
  • Aesthetics Over Functionality: While the coffee maker has a chic design, some may find that it prioritizes appearance over some practical design aspects.

In our experience, this Kenmore Coffee Maker shines with its capabilities and thoughtful features, though it might have a few minor drawbacks, particularly concerning noise and carafe durability. It’s a solid choice for those valuing convenience and a good-tasting brew.

Customer Reviews

We’ve spent time with the Koolatron coffee maker and delved into a collection of user experiences. Boasting a commendable 4.5-star rating from a pool of 445 reviews, this machine’s sleek design consistently garners praise as a countertop eye-catcher. Users admire its array of features that cater to a hassle-free brewing ritual. The programmable settings, coupled with the audible alarm, assure us that our morning cup is ready just when we need it.

However, a common sentiment is the volume of the beep that resonates upon brewing completion—some find it too intrusive, especially during quiet morning or late-night hours. While the carafe’s durability is acknowledged, there are mentions of its vulnerability to cracks if not handled carefully.

On the upside, the flavor of the coffee is regularly highlighted as superior, which we can attest to after enjoying several richly aromatic batches ourselves. Additionally, the thermal consistency is praised for keeping the coffee hot for extended periods, without sacrificing taste.

A few consumers reported excellent customer service experiences, adding a layer of trust to purchasing from the brand. We’ve noticed the blend of functionality and style makes this an alluring choice for those who value both performance and aesthetics in their appliances.

In summary, there’s a resounding appreciation for its smooth operation and the quality of coffee it produces, despite some minor grievances regarding the loudness of its notifications.

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