In this Ninja CE251 review you’ll discover a solid, affordable coffee maker that brews a delicious beverage without any fuss.
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker is a popular model that’s compact, stylish, easy to use and has some programmable features as well. No wonder most Ninja CE251 coffee maker reviews describe it as good value for the money.
It may not be a high-profile coffee machine. But it has a devoted legion of fans who love their Ninja coffee maker.
(Updated April 10th, 2023)
TABLE OF CONTENTS – What’s In This Coffee Machine Review? |
Ninja CE251 Review : An Overview
Key Features:
- Brews upto 12 cups at a time
- Sleek finish, looks classy
- 60 oz removable water reservoir
- 2 brew modes – Classic and Rich
- Auto-off function
- Brew time selector
- Hot plate keeps coffee warm
- Filter is permanent, gold tone
Pros:
- Compact model, fits even small spaces
- Stylish and elegant design
- Easy to use
- Offers small batch setting for upto 4 cups
- Large 60 oz glass carafe with lid
- Pause and pour functionality
- Water tank is removable
- Pre-set brew time upto 24 hours in advance
- Flavor Straw mixes coffee for uniform taste
- All components are dishwasher safe
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Plastic construction feels flimsy
- No thermal carafe
- Not compatible with coffee pods
What’s Inside The Box?
- Ninja CE251 coffee maker
- Reusable gold tone filter
- Measuring scoop
- Glass carafe
- Water tank
- Warranty card
- User manual and documentation
Technical Specifications
Manufacturer: Ninja
Model: Ninja CE251
Category: Drip coffee maker
Material: Plastic
Color: Black, Stainless steel
Carafe: glass
Milk frother: not included
Water reservoir: removable
Capacity: 60.9 oz
Coffee filter: gold tone, reusable
Coffee pod compatible: No
Wattage: 1000 W
Warranty: 1 year
Weight: 7.0 lbs
Dimensions:
Height – 14 in
Width – 10 in
Depth – 8 in
Ninja CE251 Review
Design
A sharp stainless steel finish lends a touch of class to this slick coffee maker. A ribbed water reservoir with a control panel labelled intuitively make this an elegant yet functional machine.
All of this is packed into a compact design, which makes the Ninja CE251 coffee maker easy to fit even into limited spaces. It will easily be accommodated in dorm rooms, camper vans or cramped offices.
Ninja CE251 Review
Special Features
Even without a milk frother or iced coffee functionality, the Ninja CE251 coffee maker is a popular favorite for good reason.
Water Tank:
Unlike some coffee machines that take effort to refill, the Ninja CE251 coffee maker has a removable 60 ounce reservoir that’s a cinch to refill.
Water levels are clearly labelled, so you know exactly how many more cups of coffee you can brew. Removing the tank makes it simple to fill up when it’s empty.
You can also clean it conveniently, ensuring delicious coffee.
Boiler:
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker boasts an advanced aluminum boiler that can keep temperatures constant while brewing.
While some Ninja CE251 reviews opine that the water is too hot for optimal brewing, it only averages 200 F which is fine for most coffee lovers.
Flavor Straw:
What’s this feature? Well, it’s inside the Ninja CE251 coffee maker‘s glass carafe and is useful in keeping coffee circulating while you brew.
This means the first cup isn’t weak or dilute, but uniformly rich and strong.
Coffee Filter:
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker comes with a mesh filter that can be reused. It saves the trouble and expense of using and discarding paper filters each time you brew coffee.
One downside of a permanent filter is the little residue you’re forced to accept in your coffee. Paper filters can also be used instead, if you wish.
Brew Strength Adjustment:
With the Ninja CE251 coffee maker you can select from two brew strengths:
- Classic – for a clean, balanced cup of coffee
- Rich – for a rich, strong deeper extraction
Not all users agree that there’s a significant difference between either setting, though.
Pre-Select Brew Time:
You can program the Ninja CE251 coffee maker to brew your coffee at a specific time, upto 24 hours in advance. This feature may not appeal to some people, but if you enjoy the thought of waking up to the aroma of coffee brewing, you’ll love this.
Brew Sizes:
You can brew upto 60 ounces of coffee in one batch. This is roughly 12 cups of 5 ounces each. If you have a large family, or will brew coffee for a group of people, then this is ideal.
Just make sure there’s enough water in the tank for the number of cups you plan to brew.
You could also choose to brew a smaller batch of coffee. This means the Ninja CE251 coffee maker will make slight adjustments to optimize your drink, even when it makes smaller amounts.
Pause and Pour:
You have the option of pausing the brew midway to draw yourself a quick cup of coffee when you’re in a hurry. But be prepared for the strength to be slightly different.
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker pauses for a while to let you pour a cup. It then restarts automatically. As long as you return the carafe before this, you’ll avoid messy spills.
Glass Carafe:
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker‘s glass carafe is functional. It has a handle that makes it convenient to lift and pour. A brew-through lid collects coffee after it’s brewed, and the spout doesn’t spill liquid all over the counter.
Warming Plate:
The Ninja coffee machine’s warming plate can be set to keep your coffee warm for upto 4 hours. How well this works, and how useful the feature is, will depend upon your preferences.
Warranty:
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker has a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Ninja CE251 Review
Ease of Use
The Ninja CE251 coffee maker is simple to operate and even beginners will quickly get the hang of it.
All you have to do is place a carafe beneath the spout and press the power button. Choose the appropriate brew strength. If you’re making fewer than 4 cups, select the ‘Small Batch’ option.
If there’s enough water in the tank, your coffee maker will start with a beep. Sit back, and in just a few minutes your coffee will be ready.
Oh, and if you’re in a rush, you can pause and pour yourself a cup right in the middle of a brewing session.
Ninja CE251 Review
Clean Up and Maintenance
Cleaning the Ninja CE251 coffee maker isn’t complex or time consuming.
You can remove all parts and pop it into a dishwasher. Or you can rinse it in warm water with a minimum of soap, and then dry it all before reassembling.
Once in a month, descale your machine to remove any mineral debris. Missing out on this will affect the taste and quality of your coffee.
The cleaning is automated. Just add descaling solution and press the Clean button to launch the cycle. It runs for 30 minutes.
Ninja CE251 Review
Alternatives to Ninja CE251
Despite its features and benefits, you may not want to get a Ninja CE251 coffee maker. If so, there are a few other alternatives you might consider.
Cuisinart DCC 3200 can brew 14 cups rather than 12, and costs a little more.
The Braun BrewSense machine also makes 12 cups, is programmable in some aspects, and has PureFlavor brewing technology.
And of course you can choose one of the Keurig coffee maker models if you value convenience above everything else.
Ninja CE251 Review
Our Verdict
The Ninja CE251 12 cup coffee maker is stylish, compact, easy to use and has several special features.
It will appeal to any user looking for a reliable, affordable, quality coffee machine.
This is a simple, no-frills, no fuss model that can make a decent cup of drip over coffee. It has no milk frother, so specialty coffees cannot be brewed on the Ninja CE251.
For the price at which it retails, this offers good value for money.
Ninja CE251 Coffee Maker Review
Frequently Asked Questions
How to descale a Ninja CE251 coffee maker?
It’s easy and automated. Add descaling solution and water to the reservoir, and push the ‘Clean‘ button. In half an hour, the system will be descaled and cleaned.
Rinse out the machine using plain water, and you’re good to go.
Is the Ninja CE251 coffee maker programmable?
Some features can be programmed, such as brew size, strength and brew time. Upto 24 hours in advance, you can select when the coffee maker should turn on and begin brewing.
What grind size is ideal for a Ninja CE251 ?
Medium grind usually gives the best results with this drip coffee maker. You can experiment with coarser or finer grinds, to discover which is your optimal best.