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10/07/2010

Cuisinart CGG-200 Tabletop Gas Grill


Cuisinart CGG-200 All-Foods 12,000-BTU Tabletop Gas Grill

My old, very large gas grill finally fell apart after many long years of use. I've been using a charcoal Weber while looking for a replacement gas grill. I love all things Cuisinart so was very intrigued when I found this grill here on Amazon. After reading the reviews I knew my search was over; this was the grill for me.
I actually found it on ebay for 10.00 less than Amazon at the time, same free shipping, so I ordered from there (it's the same price now, 159.95). The seller was Beach Camera, the only seller listed here on Amazon currently. I also bought the cover, which is much heavier/nicer than any other grill cover I've ever owned. Beach Camera is a great seller, you won't be disappointed with their service.


The grill is heavy duty and I'm guessing it's going to last a long time. The grate is genuine cast iron, so season it before using to get the full cast iron effect, and extend the life of the grate. It has a very fine coating of wax on it for protection, so you should wash it the first time with very hot water to remove the wax. Dry it well then coat it, both sides, with an oil of your choosing - I used olive oil. Put it into your oven (pre-heated to 450), turn heat down to 300, leave it for an hour, turn heat off and let it cool. Your grate is now seasoned. You won't need to wash it again. Just keep it debris-free with your grill brush, and oil before each use.



This grill heats very quickly, and the surface of the grate is evenly heated. The size is more than adequate for an average size family. I recommend reading more of the reviews for more info and helpful tips! I could not be more pleased with this purchase.

5/29/2010

Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker: Kitchen & Dining

Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker

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Product Features

Color: Black/Stainless

  • Retro-style, brushed stainless-steel finish coffeemaker brews 12 5-ounce cups
  • 24-hour clock/timer for wake-up coffee; brew-pause; programmable shut-off
  • 1-to-4- or 5-to-12-cup brewing options provide maximum flavor; GoldTone filter
  • Charcoal water filter; decalcification indicator; heat-adjustable warming plate
  • Measures 14-1/4 by 8 by 10-3/4 inches; 3-year warranty against defects

Product Description

Color: Black/Stainless

Strikingly retro in brushed stainless-steel with black-plastic accents, this 12-cup coffeemaker includes Cuisinart's best brewing technology and premium features for ease and flexibility. The digital clock/timer is programmable for automatically brewing "wake-up" coffee at a selected time and for turning off the warming plate up to four hours in advance. Removing the glass carafe from the warming plate automatically pauses the brewing process for a quick pour, and the warming plate's temperature can be adjusted. For maximum flavor, the machine can be set to brew one to four 5-ounce cups or five to twelve cups, and it includes a charcoal water filter. For convenience, a permanent Gold Tone filter eliminates messy paper filters and an indicator-light shows when decalcification is needed. The coffeemaker measures 14-1/4 inches high, 8 inches wide, and 10-3/4 inches deep (including carafe handle) and carries a three-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack
Product Description

This state of the art coffeemaker lets you fine tune the process from filtering the water you brew with to keeping the brewed coffee at the precise temperature you desire. If you're the impatient type you can grab a cup before brewing is complete (or program your coffee to be ready and waiting at wake up time), and if you tend to be forgetful, this appliance has auto shut off. Seems as though Cuisinart has covered all the bases in this deluxe coffeemaker.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

536 of 547 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Found It!, March 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless Steel (Kitchen)

After purchasing 3 other coffee makers, the 4th one is the charm! This coffee maker makes great tasting coffee. I never knew there was a difference -- it's worth spending a few more dollars on. It also has all of the features I was looking for such as: adjustable warming plate, 1-4 cup selection, water filter, programmable. It is a rather tall machine, but certainly not a problem as it fits fine underneathe most cabinets. Als, the carafe is well-made and has a spout that pours nicely without spilling. No complaints about this one!

By
Pawel Fludzinski (Zionsville, IN United States)

This review is from: Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless Steel (Kitchen)

Two weeks ago, I needed a new coffee maker. The Krups Aroma Control maker is in all the stores and catalogs, so I bought one in the local mall BEFORE reading the Amazon reviews. BIG MISTAKE. Lesson learned - read the reviews - many negative comments. I used it for 3 days, and readily understood the description (...) of "eye candy" (looks nice, but seems like cheap plastic) and weak coffee (what they describe as a feature - allowing the coffee to steep - is really a euphemism for a poorly designed system that is guaranteed to give you a weak cup of coffee). One redeeming feature - the carafe is very nice.
Within 2 days of having the Krups, i was on Amazon looking for a replacement coffee maker (a good cup of coffee is critical in the morning!). I went out on the risk curve and ordered the new Cuisinart - no reviews yet. The Cuisinart has a more classic brewing system (water goes through grinds via gravity), yields a delicious cup of HOT coffee, has a variable temperature hot place, and looks and feels solid. We happen to have stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, freezer, stove), and it matches beautifully. Best news - excellent coffee!. I would highly recommend the Cuisinart.

By
Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) (VINE VOICE) (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)

When my Braun FlavorSelect coffee maker unexpectedly stopped working, I had to scramble to find a new machine. I wanted another Braun, but unfortunately, they seem to have stopped making a 12 cup coffee maker. So I had to begin an intense search for a machine that had the features I wanted combined with good value. I finally found it with this Cuisinart model.
The advantages? For one, it makes excellent and HOT coffee. The carafe is solidly constructed and fits securely in square body so there's no chance of someone accidentally knocking it loose. Because the lid fits tightly, the pour is precisely narrow and smooth, with no side leaks even when the pot is full. The basket fits inside the housing instead of swinging free like so many models which prevents a misalignment between the water and the filter; the conical (Krups/Braun style) basket accepts both paper filters and gold-tone, although I learned the hard way that not all gold filters fit. The timer is very easy to program, as is the clock. The carafe warmer can be set at low, medium, or high for the temperature that's right for you. I found the "high" setting too hot since I drink my coffee black (I like my coffee hot but not scalding!), but those who add a lot of milk might appreciate it. The brewing is quick and efficient, with the process taking about a minute a cup, maybe less. The retro/stainless look complements most modern kitchen décors. There's a 1-4 cup setting to make sure such small amounts stay hot, and you can select how long the warmer remains on. The pot beeps five times when brewing is complete and just before the warming plate shuts off. Parts are top rack dishwasher safe. It comes with a water filter system designed to improve the taste of the brew.
But the Cuisinart does have disadvantages. The water reservoir is located on the right side, in the back, which makes it a little challenging for lefties like me to dump the final bit of water inside even though the carafe pours very accurately. Although I haven't yet missed the opening, I do struggle briefly with those last few drops unless I use my right hand. The housing is fairly tall, so if your counter space is only under the cabinets, you may not be able to lift the top in its entirety. (This is when the small rear reservoir becomes a major issue as you have to have room to completely lift the rather large top toward the back.) Clearance required: 7.5" wide by 8.5" deep of counter space with no overhead obstruction to pull out for filling OR 21.5" of overhead space to fully lift top. Without the top open, the coffee maker measures 7.5"w x 8.5"d x 14.25"h.
If you have the space for this coffee maker, you'll love it. I can't attest to how long it will last, but, as it comes with a three year warranty, I'm hoping for a good run.