Cuisinart SS16: A Two-in-One Powerhouse for Your Coffee Drinking Experience

The SS16 coffee maker by Cuisinart aspires to be the Swiss Army knife of coffee machines, brewing both full pots and single cups to cater to even the most eclectic coffee drinkers. Now we shall take a deeper look into what makes this machine tick.

But what makes the SS16 singular is its dual brewing system: it whips up 12-cup carafes for groups and single servings for solo sippers. For single-serve, there are five cup sizes available, ranging from 4 to 12 ounces. It accepts any brand of coffee pod, including Keurig K-Cups. For ground coffee devotees, a reusable filter comes standard.

Cuisinart boasts that the SS16 features Extreme Brew technology. It maintains the device can brew coffee 25% faster than the other regular machines. The brew strength and temperature are adjustable by the user to personalize taste. The 24-hour programmable start allows fresh-brewed coffee to greet the morning person.

The SS16 is jam-packed with features to make your coffee routine easier. The Brew Pause feature allows users to grab a cup when brewing is halfway through. Auto-off gives forgetful users a little bit of piece of mind. An easy-view water window makes overfilling out of the question. This machine will let you know when your coffee is ready.

Both brewing sides employ reusable gold-tone filters, saving you the expense of paper filters. The carafe side also has a charcoal water filter to further improve flavor. A self-clean function makes maintenance a breeze.

The SS16 tries to get in on the action when it comes to iced coffee, with its “over ice” feature. It falls woefully short. You’re left to make an educated guess about how much water and how much coffee to use. Cuisinart’s directions are weak, which makes iced brewing a bit hit-or-miss. The SS16 is an attractive, brushed stainless steel. Dimensions: 10.88″D x 10.13″W x 16.25″H. Weight: 12 pounds. It has 1100 watts of power for fast heating and brewing.

The Coffee Master’s Channel gave the SS16 a run for its money. Their thoughts were that it makes hot, tasty coffee. Single-serve brews reached about 168°F, an ideal temperature for most every coffee enthusiast. The carafe side yielded perfect results for both regular and bold brews.

But they did note a few flaws: sometimes, the basket in the filter doesn’t quite align, leading to issues with lid closure. It is not possible to mute the beep that signals the end of the brew cycle, which may annoy some users.

The Cuisinart SS16 works as a very versatile coffee maker. It does an extremely good job brewing hot coffee, be it in single cups or full pots. Added features of brew strength control and programmable start make for convenience in one’s coffee routine.

It’s not perfect, though: The iced coffee function is in need of refinement, and design quibbles, such as the fit of the filter basket, could be better. Still, considering these tiny missteps, the SS16 is a pretty good value, particularly given its dual functionality.

For those who like the well-applied functions of making both a single serving and a full pot, usually drinking hot coffee, the SS16 is worth looking into. Its versatility and smart features outweigh the little flaws that make it a frontrunner in the crowded market of coffee makers.

The SS16 proves a commitment to innovation on the part of Cuisinart in home brewing. Though it may not quite nail every feature, it does offer an interesting package for those looking for a do-it-all coffee solution. Be it brewing for one or many, be it hot or iced-the SS16 attempts to cover all bases. It’s not the perfect coffee maker, but it can be a great addition for many households.