Hamilton Beach 43254 Ensemble 12-Cup Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, Black

Before purchasing the HB 43254 Classic Stainless 12 cup coffee maker I read the reviews like I normally do before making any purchase. I decided to purchase this coffee maker knowing that there may be some minor issues with it - what doesn't these days? After many years of buying coffee makers I have found there is no "perfect" coffee maker that will make everyone happy. You just need to decide what is important to you and your family. That said, after about three weeks of use I found it to be exactly what I was looking for - it makes HOT coffee, the carafe DOESN'T drip and I didn't need to use a manual to set up the clock and timer! If this is what you are looking for stop reading and purchase this unit now. Enjoy the coffee maker...

For those that really need to know more before purchasing continue reading:
- This coffee maker uses basket shaped filters. So you can give your neighbor your unused cone shaped paper filters you may still have.
- The water... Read more

I purchased the Hamilton-Beach coffee maker after reading all its reviews on Amazon, and reviews for other comparably priced appliances. I had owned a Cuisinart coffee maker that died, but had been problematic all along, and I was reluctant to buy another of the same. Most of the H-B reviewers agreed about the product's benefits and drawbacks. The drawbacks were very few--there are some minor design flaws, but nothing egregious--and reviewers consistently agreed that the H-B made coffee at a very hot temperature and maintained that. That was what sold me on the H-B.

I have owned it for about six weeks now and have not been disappointed. I think the H-B coffee maker offers a good value and good design for its price. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but for me that's an advantage. I don't want a coffee maker that buys and grinds the beans, fills itself , and makes coffee at precisely 7.45 a.m. Those sorts of appliances have too many flaws, in my opinion... Read more

Keeps coffee hot
Large quantity of coffee
Carafe does not drip
Easy to fill and clean
Easy controls

For $50 I got what I wanted and it works well. No complaints... OK, so it looks a little boring, but I don't look at it much!