Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus - Built-in Coffee Grinder, Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer with 6oz, 8oz and 10oz Serving Size, Black/Silver, SS-GB1NAS
$236.44
In stock
- Freshly grinds whole beans right before brewing for peak flavor and aroma in every cup.
- Easily brew a full 12-cup carafe or a single 6-10 oz serving with one machine.
- Three single-serve sizes (6, 8, 10 oz) let you customize your cup strength.
- Programmable 24-hour timer wakes you to freshly ground, perfectly brewed coffee.
- Built-in grinder and brewer eliminate the need for separate appliances, saving counter space.
Our Score
Best For
Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus Review — All-in-One Grind, Drip
For coffee drinkers who want both a full pot and a quick single cup, the Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus aims to eliminate counter clutter. This machine combines a built-in burr grinder, a 12-cup drip carafe, and a single-serve pod brewer into one appliance. It targets households with mixed coffee preferences, offering freshly ground beans for the carafe and compatibility with K-Cup pods for individual servings. The grinder activates just before brewing to preserve flavor, and you can bypass the grinder to use pre-ground coffee. While it consolidates three functions, real-world use reveals trade-offs in convenience and maintenance that buyers should consider.
Product Overview
The Coffee Center addresses two common coffee rituals in one footprint. On the drip side, whole beans are ground directly into a permanent filter basket and brewed into a 12-cup glass carafe. The single-serve side uses a separate 40-ounce water reservoir and accepts any standard K-Cup pod, including third-party brands. Both sides can operate independently, but not simultaneously. The machine stands 15.9 inches tall and weighs 12 pounds, fitting under standard cabinets. The carafe features a drip-free spout and an ergonomic handle. Both water reservoirs are top-fill; the carafe side reservoir is visible through a water window, while the single-serve tank is enclosed in black plastic, making it difficult to gauge water level. The display panel lacks a backlight, so reading it in dim light requires ambient lighting. Cleaning the grinder chamber after each use is recommended to prevent rust, as stated in the manual. The included gold-tone filter is reusable, but many users opt for paper filters for simplicity. Pod brewing requires closing the lid firmly; some units develop a latch issue over time.
Key Features
Fresh Grind Before Brew
- ✓Grinds whole beans immediately before brewing to maximize flavor and aroma.
- ✓Grind-off setting allows use of pre-ground coffee when desired.
- ✓Grinder chamber removable for easy cleaning after each use.
Dual Brewing Flexibility
- ✓Brew a full 12-cup carafe or a single 8-10-12 oz cup with pods.
- ✓Single-serve side compatible with K-Cup and other standard pods.
- ✓Separate water reservoirs prevent flavor cross-contamination.
12-Cup Glass Carafe
- ✓Carafe features knuckle guard and drip-free spout for mess-free pouring.
- ✓Ergonomic handle with stainless-steel and black accents.
- ✓Carafe lid helps keep coffee warm after brewing.
Single-Serve Convenience
- ✓Choose from 8, 10, or 12-ounce serving sizes.
- ✓Removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to a certain height.
- ✓Quick brewing for a single cup without heating the entire carafe.
Adjustable Drip Tray
- ✓Removable tray allows use of taller travel mugs on the single-serve side.
- ✓Easy to remove for cleaning and reassembly.
Auto Shutoff and Programmable Features
- ✓Programmable brewing time for the carafe side.
- ✓Auto shutoff after brewing for safety and energy savings.
- ✓1-4 cup setting for smaller carafe batches.
Build & Materials
The Cuisinart Coffee Center is constructed with a mix of brushed stainless steel and black plastic. The grinder mechanism sits inside the machine and is connected to a removable chamber that must be cleaned after each use to avoid rust on the blades. The carafe is glass with a stainless-steel and black handle, and the drip tray is plastic. Both water reservoirs are integrated into the main body; they are not removable, which makes filling from a sink a bit cumbersome. The control panel features tactile buttons and a small LCD display that shows time and settings. The display is not backlit, so reading it in low light requires a separate light source. Overall, the build is solid for its price point, but the many plastic components and the non-removable reservoirs indicate a value-oriented design.
The grinder chamber is accessed by lifting a lid on top of the machine. It has a small capacity, holding enough beans for a full 12-cup pot. The grinding action is loud, comparable to a standalone blade grinder, which some users find bothersome early in the morning. The carafe side has a water level indicator on the front, but the single-serve side's water level is nearly invisible through the black plastic. These design trade-offs prioritize cost and compactness over convenience.
Pros and Cons
What Works
- ✓Freshly ground coffee improves taste compared to pre-ground.
- ✓Dual functionality saves counter space by combining two machines.
- ✓Carafe pours cleanly with a drip-free spout.
- ✓Single-serve side brews quickly for a quick cup.
- ✓Easy to program the carafe for auto-brew.
- ✓Gold-tone filter is reusable, reducing waste.
- ✓Compatible with most K-Cup pods.
What Doesn't
- ✗Grinder is loud during operation.
- ✗Grinder chamber must be cleaned after each use to prevent rust.
- ✗Single-serve water level is difficult to see through black plastic.
- ✗Display not backlit, hard to read in dim conditions.
- ✗K-cup lid may require pressure to seal properly, causing brewing issues.
- ✗Some units develop latch problems on the single-serve side.
The Verdict
The Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind and Brew Plus delivers on its promise of fresh-tasting coffee from both a full carafe and single-serve pods. The built-in grinder adds noticeable flavor improvement over pre-ground coffee, and the dual functionality genuinely saves counter space. However, the machine demands more maintenance than separate devices—the grinder needs cleaning after every use, and the single-serve water reservoir is poorly designed for visibility. The loud grinder and non-backlit display are added annoyances. For households willing to accept these trade-offs for fresh coffee and versatility, it offers good value. But if convenience is your priority, a separate grinder and brewer might be a better fit. Score: 8/10.
Who Is This For?
Drip Coffee Lovers Who Want Fresh Ground Flavor
The built-in grinder ensures you get freshly ground beans for every pot, enhancing taste.
Single-Serve Pod Users
The K-cup compatible side brews a single cup quickly, ideal for a quick morning fix.
Small Households with Mixed Preferences
One person can brew a pot while another uses a pod, without needing two machines.
Users Willing to Clean the Grinder Regularly
If you don't mind a 30-second cleaning routine after each use, the fresh coffee is worth it.
Is It Worth the Price?
What You Get
- Built-in burr grinder for fresh coffee
- 12-cup glass carafe with drip-free spout
- Single-serve brewer compatible with K-Cup pods
- Removable drip tray for travel mugs
- Programmable auto-brew and auto shutoff
What You Pay
$236.44 on Amazon
Maintenance Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Cuisinart Coffee Center grind beans automatically for the carafe?
How do I clean the grinder chamber?
Can I use pre-ground coffee with this machine?
What size single-serve pods are compatible?
Is the carafe thermal or glass?
How loud is the grinder?
Does the water reservoir come off for filling?
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Product Specifications
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