Best Cuisinart 550

Grind and Brew Coffeemaker

Retire your alarm clock and wake up instead to the rich aroma of freshly ground, just brewed coffee, with the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic Coffeemaker. One of the Premier Series, this deluxe 12-cup model offers the best of Cuisinart’s expert coffeemaking technology to deliver unsurpassed ease of use and rich full-bodied coffee flavor. With streamlined European styling and a graceful carafe, it’s a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

The Grind & Brew Coffeemaker features a separate grinding assembly and filter chamber to make beans easy to add and used grounds easy to remove. A convenient “grind off” control turns the grinder off when preground coffee is used.

A nice addition to any modern kitchen, this 12-cup automatic coffeemaker automatically grinds whole beans right before brewing to produce a fresh and flavorful pot of coffee. The 24-hour fully programmable unit allows for “wake-up” coffee, plus its brew-pause function makes it simple to enjoy a cup of coffee before the end of the brewing cycle. The included 60-ounce glass carafe offers an ergonomic handle, knuckle guard, and dripless pour spout for graceful serving. Other highlights include adjustable auto shutoff for up to four hours, a grind-off option, a charcoal water filter to remove impurities, and a separate grinder chamber and filter area to ensure simple cleanup. Housed in elegant Italian styling, the coffeemaker measures approximately 12 by 10 by 17 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

A charcoal water filter and a permanent commercial-style gold tone coffee filter allow only pure flavor to flow through, and the popular Brew Pause feature lets you sneak a cup before the cycle is finished.

Dishwasher safe parts. Separate grind and filter chambers for easy cleanup. The freshest tasting coffee outside a coffee bar. What more could a coffee lover as for?

Product Parts and Benefits

• Charcoal Water Filter
  Charcoal water filter eliminates chlorine, bad tastes, and ordors from tap water

• Control Panel
  

  1. On/Off/Set Auto-Shutoff Switch with LED Indicator: Audible Tone which will sound 5 times when the coffee has completed brewing and Auto-Shutoff Tone which will sound twice at end of programmed auto-shutoff period
  2. Low Cups Setting with LED Indicator: set to 1-4 cup to imporove extraction and flavor when making fewer than 5 cups of coffee
  3. Hours Set/Minutes Set: press and hold either hour or minute button for approximately 2 seconds to enter Time Set Mode
  4. Clock Display
  5. Grind Off with LED Indicator: use to turn off the grinder when using pre-ground coffee
  6. Program Setting with LED Indicator: press to display program setting or to set programmed brewing

Product Features

• Elegant Italian Styling
• Automatically grinds whole beans before brewing
• 24 hour fully programmable
• Brew Pause™ feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before brewing has finished
• Adjustable auto shutoff – 0-4 hours
• Grind off feature
• 1-4 cup feature
• 12 (5 oz. each) cup carafe with ergonomic handle, dripless spout and knuckle guard
• Gold tone commercial filter
• Charcoal water filter removes impurities
• Separate grinder chamber and filter area make for easy cleanup
• Limited 3-year warranty

Easy Operation

Fully programmable, this is the ultimate user-friendly coffeemaker. Simply add beans and water, set the flavor control to 1-4 or 5+ cups, and program start time up to 24 hours in advance. An auto-shutoff feature even lets you set the unit to turn off up to 4 hours after the brew cycle ends.

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

Element 1: Water
Coffee is 98% water. The quality of that water is as important as the quality of your coffee. If water doesn’t taste good from the tap, it won’t taste good in your coffee. That’s why Cuisinart has added a water filter to the Grind & Brew Coffeemaker. The charcoal filter removes chlorine, bad tastes, and odors, for the purest coffee flavor, every time you brew.

Element 2: Coffee
While coffee is 98% water, all of the flavor comes from the beans. To achieve the same great taste you enjoy at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality of coffee.

Buy the beans fresh and whole, only about two weeks’ supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. That’s why the Grind & Brew grinds your coffee just prior to brewing. If it is not practical to buy small supplies, separate larger amounts of beans into one to two week portions immediately after purchase, and freeze them in airtight containers.

The best way to maximize freshness is to minimize exposure to air, light, and moisture. So, once beans have been removed from the freezer, maintain them in a sealed container at room temperature, since damaging condensation occurs every time the beans are removed from the freezer or refrigerator. Note that some coffee experts advise against freezing dark-roast beans, because freezing can cause the oils to coagulate. Other experts disagree. We suggest you experiment and decide for yourself.

Element 3: Grind
The grind is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, over-extraction and bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the maximum flavor will not be extracted. The Grind & Brew is preset for a medium grind, the optimal grind for this type of coffeemaker.

Element 4: Proportion
Coffee that is too strong or too weak is always a disappointment. Follow the recommended portions of ground coffee in the instructions included with every Grind & Brew, and later adjust the amount to suit your taste. The Grind & Brew makes up to twelve (12) 5-ounce cups of coffee

Enjoy the Fine Art of Cooking

Inspired by the great French kitchens, Cuisinart began making professional cookware almost 30 years ago. Constructed of the finest materials available to perfectly perform all of the classic cooking techniques, Cuisinart cookware continues a long tradition of excellence. Cuisinart’s commitment to quality and innovation continues with the MultiClad Pro Stainless cookware, designed to meet the demands of gourmet chefs everywhere. Unique triple-ply construction joins a brushed stainless steel exterior, a pure aluminum core that provides even heat distribution, and a stainless steel interior, for optimal performance. MultiClad Pro Stainless lets you celebrate the fine art of cooking.

What is MultiClad Pro Stainless Cookware?

Premium cookware that features professional triple-ply construction, a core of pure aluminum bonded to a stainless steel interior and a brushed stainless exterior. Heat Surround technology maintains even heat distribution along the bottom and side walls of the cookware, eliminating hotspots. Premium stainless steel cooking surfaces do not react with food or alter natural flavors.

Updated Cool Grip handle design

Tight-fitting stainless steel cover

Tapered rim for drip-free pouring

The Cuisinart Details

Designed to provide professional gourmet cooking results, this cookware offers perfect heat and perfect results, every time.

The Choice of Professionals
Aluminum core heats and cools quickly for precise temperature control. Heat Surround technology provides even heat distribution along the bottom and up the side walls of the cookware. Stainless steel interior is ideal for delicately simmering sauces, perfectly sautéing vegetables, browning meats, or boiling several servings of pasta.

Cover Seals in Nutrients
A tight-fitting stainless steel cover seals in food’s natural juices and nutrients for healthier, more flavorful results. The cover is dishwasher-safe.

Drip-Free Pouring
The rim is tapered for drip-free pouring.

Professional Results
Stainless steel cooking surface does not react with food or alter food flavors. Great for classic cooking techniques like sautéing, frying, browning, searing and slowly simmering sauces.

Superior Heat
Triple-Ply construction includes the unsurpassed heat conductivity of a pure aluminum core. It insures maximum heat retention and even heat distribution, eliminating hot spots.

Perfect Balance
The exclusive Cool Grip handle stays cool on the stovetop. The handle’s unique thumb rests are riveted for perfect balance and ultimate control when lifting and pouring.