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If you are anything like me, your coffeemaker is the most important small appliance in your home. I think this is a hang up I inherited from my parents. They spent a year buying and returning several, I’m talking at least five, different models in search of one that would make their brew as hot as possible.
Now, this isn’t a quality I’m necessarily looking for. In fact, the model currently in my kitchen is one of their rejects that they didn’t realize was non-refundable. However, I do have some qualities in mind for the brewer that makes it on to my wedding registry.
The one I have right now does make a nice cup of joe, but it’s a very simple machine. This is good and bad: I really don’t need anything with a lot of options since my fiancé and I just drink a few cups of black each morning, but it would be nice if it was able to do a little more.
For example, I’d love one that self cleans and is programmable so that there’s one less thing I have to worry about when attempting to get ready for work in the morning. After some research and really thinking about what I did and did not need in an automatic drip pot, I chose to go with the Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker.
Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Chrome
Capacity
As with all the small appliances my fiancé and I are considering putting on our wedding registry, I had to ask myself this question: how big does it really need to be? After all, it’s only brewing for the two of us. I will admit that we are pretty heavy coffee drinkers.
We usually have two or three cups before work and might take a couple more in a travel mug when we remember. I usually brew six cups every morning to be safe.
However, like I said, we come from families of heavy java junkies who we plan to host every now and then, so I wanted something that was big enough to safely serve them, too.
After taking all of these things into consideration, I decided on the 12-cup. Typically, the size of the carafe doesn’t make a huge difference on how big the appliance is, and this automatic drip pot has a dedicated spot on our countertop. With 12 cups, I can ensure that everyone gets a cup with their dessert and won’t have to worry about running back and forth to brew another batch.
Programmable
The programmable feature was one that I was really excited about when looking for a brewing system. It would be so nice to get the grounds ready to brew before bed and wake up to it already made, especially on those mornings when I forget to do it before hopping in the shower.
On this model, this feature is called the Delay Brew Timer. It allows you to set the device to brew up to 24 hours in advance! I can’t imagine myself ever needing that much time, but it’s great to know I have a cushion. It even has an alert to tell you when you’re batch is no longer fresh and it’s time to brew a new one, which is great for long Sunday brunches.
It gets even better:
In addition to the delay brew timer, it’s also set to keep the plate hot for two hours after brewing before shutting off. To my parents still on the lookout for brew that stays hot: I think we’ve found a winner! Even though my fiancé and I don’t get many of them, I love this feature for those precious long and lazy mornings.
This unit even has a brewing “pause ‘n serve” feature so you can pour yourself a cup while it’s still brewing without making a huge mess. The model we currently have is supposed to do this, but often fails. I love this feature because it lets me get started on my first cup while I’m waiting for the rest of the pot to brew!
Brew Strength & Taste
One feature BVMC-SJX33GT (say that real fast! kind of catchy? nah?) has that I saw on very few others is that you can tell it how strong you like your java brewed. I look at this as built-in insurance. I love to try new varieties, but my fiancé and I like our brew strong and it’s always a bummer if I accidentally come home with something on the weak side. With this setting, I can amend the problem to some extent.
Now I have no excuses not to join that monthly coffee club!
This appliance also has a built-in water filter. I really love living in Portland, but although our water is totally safe to drink, it does not taste all that good. Thanks to this feature, I don’t have to filter the water and then use it to brew, or worse, just live with the slightly metallic undertone in my morning cup. The filter removes up to 97% of the chlorine from the water during the brewing process.
The water reaches 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit when brewing, which experts say is the optimal temperature for getting the most flavor out of the beans. This little java-brewing fact was something I didn’t know before writing this review and now I know why my cup of joe tastes so good!
Of course some of the great flavor that I’m getting is do to the fact I grind my beans fresh most morning but this device is responsible for getting the water to the correct temperature and managing soak time so it is definitely part of the equation.
Accessories
This package comes with a glass carafe, but if you’d prefer a thermal carafe, Mr. Coffee offers one as a separate accessory. The device is programmed to recognize which carafe is being used and the hot plate will automatically shut off if it detects the thermal carafe. Although both options will keep your drink nice and hot, the thermal is great because it can be portable and still keep your liquid piping hot.
Best of all:
You can brew right into the carafe, so no need to risk making a huge mess (or is that just a risk for me?) by transferring it to a different container.
Mr. Coffee DRD95 8-Cup Stainless Steel Double-Walled Thermal Carafe Accessory
Mr. Coffee also offers a permanent filter that you can purchase separately. This type of product is brand new to me, and I love the idea of not having to waste a filter for every pot I brew. It’ll also save me money and tears on those mornings when I open the cupboard to find that we’re out of filters and can’t have our morning cup of joe!
Mr. Coffee GTF2-1 Basket-Style Gold Tone Permanent Filter
Cleanup
Cleanup is made nice and easy with the Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffeemaker. Just like I was looking for, this one has a self-clean setting. Although this may seem fairly minor, it really impacts the flavor (old oils go rancid and will transfer the rancid/sour taste to new batches), as it can be difficult to actually get a brewing system clean all the way through if it doesn’t have this setting.
The filter basket is removable so you can thoroughly clean it to get out any grounds or build up. Since this is the part of the appliance that usually requires the most attention, I really love that it’s removable! It’s a lot more difficult than you’d think to really get it clean if it’s stationary.
In case you’re feeling especially lazy, the glass carafe is even dishwasher safe. However, it’s very easy to clean by hand with warm water and soap, just make sure you rinse it thoroughly. To clean the outside, just use a cloth with warm, soapy water. Make sure to never submerge the appliance or power cord in water.
Other Considerations
A few users have reported a strong plastic-like smell when using this model and a few of them said this impacted the taste of the drink. Some of these users were able to get rid of the smell by running water through the coffeemaker a few times, but it may be worth exchanging if you find yours also has this problem.
The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty, so if anything does break or go wrong within the first year, you do have a safety net.
Most users reported that this model brews nice and quickly, so you won’t be waiting too long in the morning to get your caffeine fix! This is a great perk for those of us who head out to work early.
For those of you that plan to store the appliance under cabinets, note that some users said they couldn’t open the top to pour in water and add the filter and grounds. You’ll likely just need to slide yours from under the cabinet when using.
Summary
Although there were a few reviews about a funny smell coming from the coffeemaker, most reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and knowing how great Amazon is about returns, this is well worth the purchase.
This model has all of the features I look for, like a delay timer for brewing, and then some, like being able to choose a brew strength. I love that it’s compatible with thermal carafes as well as the glass one it comes with. And best of all, it brews the perfect cup for me!
I know that I always struggle to actually press the “Buy” button with purchases like this, so I hope this review of the Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker helped you make a decision about your preferred appliance to make your morning cup!
Want more product choices? Read our detailed drip coffee maker buying guide now or see more reviews.
About Chelsea Miller
Chelsea Miller, born and raised in Portland, Oregon, graduated from the University of Oregon where she discovered both her love of football and cooking great food. She's the founder of the food blog "A Duck's Oven" and began writing for Foodal in 2014.
This appliance certainly seems like a bargain!
Personally I never really understood the fad of newer coffee machines like Nestle’s Dolce Gusto series. While the coffee might come out tasting more like store-bought versions, with the addition of evaporated milk and froth, the high premiums that the coffee capsules demand over normal coffee beans simply makes it not worthwhile. You could get some really fancy coffee beans at that price!
I think with this appliance and a little more effort, you could get nicer tasting coffee for cheaper 😀
I can understand why people don’t understand the idea of a capsule coffee machine, and from a coffee fanatic’s point of view, you may have a point.
However, a lot of capsule coffee machines are often cheaper, at least at the point of sale, and look nicer than traditional pot coffee machines or even more expensive coffee machines. However, they’re very convenient. No trouble programming the machine, very little trouble cleaning it, etc. It’s the “just push the switch” feel that consumers love!
Expensive? You can normally buy a large back of coffee capsules online for just $5! Although it does take a bit of hunting to find the one that you want.
I’ve used a few coffee makers and usually got it wrong somehow. Programmable ones make it so much easier and having a water filter makes all the difference to the taste of the coffee.
This one looks easy so even a guest can use it without having to read the instructions or ask how to use it.
I have a really cheap coffee maker right now and it is on it’s last leg. I’ve bought low-end coffee makers in the past, but I think it’s time that I invest in one that will last longer than a year or so. I really like that this one comes with a one-year warranty. I’m always on the fence when looking to purchase new appliances. Thanks for the review of this product. You pointed out a lot of great features.
I like the look of this model. I too have a really simple coffee maker. I’ve had it since college. It gets the job done but has no bells and whistles. I would love a programmable one so it would auto start in the mornings. A water filter would be great too. I’d also like the ability to choose strength. Mine would always be set on strong 🙂
The design somehow looks really retro, it reminds me of the Mr. Coffee we had when I was a kid. This looks like it would be great if you have a lot of people over for breakfast or brunch (or whenever!). The price is also quite reasonable for a programmable model. Maybe I’ll pick one up!
I’ve used a few different brands of coffeemakers, but honestly, I can’t beat the great taste coffee has when brewed in a French press. I still have a coffeemaker in the cupboard, however. The French press is great for one or two cups, but if I need to make more than that — like when guests are here — I pull out the automatic coffeemaker. That 12-cup Mr Coffee machine looks quite nice.
I am a big coffee drinker that being said I want a coffee pot that is going to last. They are not all created equal in my eyes. The last coffee pot we bought was a Mr. Coffee it was the type that didn’t have an actually pot you would pick up and pour from. It had a tap that you place your cup against, and press out came the coffee. I loved it, It lasted 4 years.
Not only am I a coffee addict, I’m a coffee machine/gadget addict!!! I have at least 6 different machines to brew with, my latest being my Nespresso which I’m really enjoying.
My husband mostly sticks to making coffee in the French Press, but if I’m not having espresso based coffees, I like mine through a drip machine, just as you do. We drink a lot of coffee in our house too, and being able to programme a machines that has coffee ready when you come downstairs in the morning would be absolute heaven!
As it happens, the machine I will be upgrading next is my drip machine – I have a bean to cup model right now that’s on its last legs. I’ll definitely be looking into a programmable one to replace it.
Thanks for the heads up!
Mr. Coffee is a great brand. I’ve got one of their coffeemakers that I got as a wedding gift almost 10 years ago. We use it daily, and it still works like a champ! I really like the looks of this model. I especially like the thermal carafe and the reusable coffee filter. I would love to have one of those on my model. My coffeemaker has the brew strength on it as well, and this is one of my favorite features. I love a really strong coffee, but my husband doesn’t. When I make my own pot, I just push the button to make it stronger. I’m pretty sure if I was upgrading mine right now, that this would be a strong contender.
I’ve heard a ot of positive things about the Mr.Coffee range, particularly how they are supposed to be really good value for the price. This article has gone some way to convince me to make that investment, so thanks!
I let out a little whimper when I realized that my coffee maker is getting ready to die. It took forever to make coffee yesterday, and even after another good and thorough cleaning, it’s still only puttering along. So, now I have to find a new one.
I usually don’t fuss much over it, but I have been debating about getting a programmable one. It would be really nice to wake up and have my coffee ready and waiting for me. So, I have to say, thanks for this great review. It’s given me some things to think about (and be tempted by).
I do not even really drink coffee but this makes me want to. I do like frappes and iced coffees so maybe I can make that with this. If I drink coffee I do not like it black I like it to be very light with lots of sugar and creamer. all of the features sound great even if I do not drink coffee. I still know that these are good options for a coffee machine.
Wow, I need a good coffee maker so badly so before I go off to college. This sounds like the perfect one for me; I tend to drink a lot of black, though I know it isn’t necessarily healthy for me to do so. I’ll definitely keep these features in mind when I go shopping for one. I appreciate how you separated this article into separate sections; it really makes my choice easier.
I currently have a cuisnart and I love it. It did break one time but I brought it back to bed bath and beyond and they gave me a new one. It’s a 14 cup brewer which is great when we have people over.
I had a me. Coffee brewed in collage and in sad to say it didn’t last more then a year. If you are putting it on your registry id go for something a little bigger incase you do have company over. You aren’t going to want to have to make 3 or4 pots of coffee. I can’t imagine the price difference is much.