Cuisinart SS-10 Review : A feature-rich, affordably priced competitor to Keurig single-serve coffee makers.
You can brew your own ground coffee, or make one from a pre-packed K-cup or coffee pod. Or even use the hot water button to make tea, hot chocolate, oatmeal or soup.
With a nicely backlit LED display and easy to use functions, this single-serve coffee maker from Cuisinart is a well-deserved popular best seller.
(Updated on 12th February, 2023)
TABLE OF CONTENTS – What’s In This Coffee Maker Review? |
Cuisinart SS-10 Review : An Overview
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Special Features:
The Cuisinart SS-10 Premium single-serve coffee maker has many unique features:
- programmable functions like temperature control
- large 72 oz removable water reservoir
- inbuilt charcoal water filter
- adjustable/removable drip tray
- ability to brew 4 to 12 oz
- uses K-cups or fresh ground coffee
- auto-off function
- BPA free plastic construction
Pros:
- Fast brewing, heats up in record time
- Choice of brewing 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz servings
- Large reservoir with 72 oz capacity means fewer refills
- Accessory to store ground coffee is included
- Auto-off function saves hassle of switching off
- Programmable brew time upto 24 hours in advance
- Adjustable water temperature (hot or extra hot)
- Compatible with K-cups
- Side storage facility for reusable pods
- Serves tasty and delicious hot coffee
- 3 year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- Rather large for a single-serve coffee maker
- Occasionally has trouble with piercing pods
- Some inconsistency in brewing temperature
Technical Specs
Brand: Cuisinart
Model: SS-10
Category: Single Serve brewer
Type: Drip Coffee Machine
Color: Silver
Material: Plastic BPA free
Capacity: 72 oz
Brew size: 4 to 12 oz
Programmable: Yes
Auto off: Yes
Strength control: Yes
Warranty: 3 years
Weight: 9.5 lbs
Dimensions:
Width – 13 in
Depth – 14.8 in
Height – 16.4 in
Cuisinart SS-10 Review
Taste Test
Coffee quality is often the key test of any coffee maker. On this count, the Cuisinart SS-10 premium single serve wins.
Using the extra hot setting, you’ll brew at 190F which is excellent to extract flavor from your coffee beans or pods. Fresh ground coffee clearly tastes better than pods.
However, if you expect the Cuisinart SS-10 to prepare gourmet coffee, stop dreaming. This is a budget coffee maker that’s pretty good for its price.
The removal of chemical and other impurities with an inbuilt charcoal filter enhances the taste of your beverage. And even without more control over strength and temperature, you’ll enjoy servings of various sizes – from 4 to 12 oz – using this excellent little coffee maker.
Cuisinart SS-10 Review
Clean Up & Maintenance
The Cuisinart SS-10 Premium coffee machine is easy to clean up after use.
All components can be disassembled for cleaning. The K-cup funnel and reusable coffee pod are dishwasher safe. You can clean the drip try and reservoir by simply rinsing them under running water.
Like any other K-cup system, the pipes can clog and are readily cleaned out using a paper clip.
For a more detailed descaling every few months, you simply push the rinse button and it will clean out the brew chamber.
A Descale icon on the panel glows to let you know when it’s time for that.
The charcoal water filter must be replaced every 2 months.
Cuisinart SS-10 Coffee Maker Review
Design
The Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker has a classy premium appearance.
Even though it is of entirely BPA-free plastic construction, the device is sleek and compact. It’s also surprisingly sturdy yet lightweight and handily portable.
A water reservoir is located on the side and is easily refilled. Buttons on the control panel are conveniently sited on the front.
Programmable settings are accessed through the blue-lit LED display panel. A ‘Menu‘ button helps you navigate all settings, like the auto-on, temperature adjustments and brew size.
An instant ‘Brew‘ button launches the machine and you’ll enjoy hot coffee within minutes. Brew time is however a bit slower than a Keurig machine.
A Hot Water button lets you select between hot and very hot.
A Rinse button is used when you clean the interior.
Water Reservoir
The water reservoir of the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker is huge, with a capacity of 72 ounces.
This means you won’t have to refill it too often. As it is located on the side, the lid can be easily opened to fill it up. One drawback is a lack of backlight that would indicate more clearly when the chamber is almost empty.
Auto on-off
By pre-scheduling the time when your machine begins brewing coffee, you can be sure of waking up to the aroma of fresh java. You can program the machine upto 24 hours in advance.
Auto-off ensures you won’t be hassled by having to remember when to switch the coffee maker off.
The LED display has a clock that shows the time, making it easy to program your auto-on.
Cuisinart SS-10 Coffee Maker Review
Ease of Use
The Cuisinart SS-10 coffee maker is easy to use.
A bright and large LCD screen displays all available options clearly.
With a push button system of operation, all you have to do is locate the appropriate one and regulate features like
- adjustable temperature
- auto on-off
- cup/brew size
This interface is so intuitive, you won’t even need to refer to the user manual included with your purchase.
Who Should Buy a Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker?
Is a Cuisinart SS-10 premium single serve coffee maker right for you?
This is a stylish coffee machine with excellence performance, a worthy alternative to a Keurig coffee maker.
You should consider the Cuisinart SS-10 model if:
- you’re looking for convenience and speed, this is a good choice.
- you want a quick and simple solution to brew a single cup of coffee.
- you find the blue-backlit digital display control panel attractive.
- you’re impressed by the stylish, sleek chrome appearance
- you prefer infrequent refills, thanks to a 72 oz water reservoir
- you want a storage space for coffee pods or ground coffee
In all these aspects, the Cuisinart SS-10 premium single serve coffee machine compares favorably with the popular Keurig K-Elite model.
By any metric of value for money, the Cuisinart SS-10 is among the best single-serve coffee makers.
Who is it NOT suited for?
Two core elements of the Cuisinart SS-10 premium coffeemaker are price and ease of use. You don’t get much control over your brew itself.
True coffee lovers might find this limiting. And you can’t use this machine to prepare big batches of coffee.
And from a lifetime cost perspective, even though the Cuisinart SS-10 premium single serve is inexpensive, the cost of coffee pods can add up over time.
Cuisinart SS-10 Coffee Maker Review
Why Buy A Cuisinart SS-10 Coffee Maker?
There are many good reasons you may want to buy a Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker.
1. You can quickly brew a delicious, hot cup of coffee using either single pods (K-cups) or ground coffee.
2. You have a choice between 5 different brew sizes, ranging from 4 to 12 ounces.
3. You get an easy to use, easy to clean, intuitive and simple coffee machine which doesn’t waste your time or energy in brewing your favorite drink.
4. You can use it to make non-coffee drinks also, like tea, hot chocolate, or soup.
5. You get to program the time at which your coffee machine turns on and starts brewing – upto 24 hours in advance.
If you want a good single-serve coffee maker, but aren’t sure about a Keurig model, then the Cuisinart SS10 Premium coffee maker is a good option.
Warranty
You get a limited warranty of 3 years from the manufacturer that safeguards you against defects or flaws in the piece.
You can also extend this with an added warranty when you purchase the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker online from Amazon.com
Cuisinart SS-10 Review
Alternative Single Serve Coffee Makers
If the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker doesn’t sound ideal for your needs, maybe one of these other single serve coffee machines will be a better alternative.
Each one has similar features to the Cuisinart model – but is significantly different in some ways.
1. Cuisinart SS-5P1 Single Serve Brewer
Cuisinart SS-10 Coffee Maker Review
Our Verdict
So, should you get the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker model?
Here’s what we think.
The Cuisinart SS10 makes delicious coffee – and the adjustable temperature setting is a nice extra.
Programming is only basic. Still, the ability to pre-schedule your brewing the night before is convenient.
Being able to brew with K-cups, pods or ground coffee and having reusable filters that save time and cost are also advantages.
Cuisinart is a well-known and reputed brand, with quality products in all areas of household appliances.
So if you’re looking for a decent single-serve coffee brewer, then the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker is certainly a good choice. It is also affordably priced to match any budget.
Cuisinart SS-10 Coffee Maker Review : FAQ
Can you brew with non-Keurig pods with a Cuisinart SS10?
Yes, the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker works with any K-cup pod.
What is the ‘Brew’ button – and is it different from ‘Hot Water‘ button?
The brew button starts the coffee making process. Water is forced under pressure into the pods or grounds to extract flavor optimally.
The hot water button only heats water to the programmed temperature setting – hot, or very hot.
How many cups does a Cuisinart SS10 hold?
The 72 ounce reservoir can make around 9 cups of coffee before you have to refill it again.
Do you need a water filter with Cuisinart SS10?
No, there’s an inbuilt charcoal water filter inside. That will remove chemical and particulate debris, enhancing the flavor of your coffee.
The filter needs to be replaced every 3 months or so.
Can you make iced coffee or drinks using a Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker?
No, there isn’t a setting for cooling the water. You could brew a coffee and then add ice cubes to it, though.
Can you brew with a K Carafe using the Cuisinart SS10 coffee maker?
No, only single serve brews with K-cups or ground coffee.