My mornings used to be a frantic dance of coffee-making chaos. My husband needs a full pot to get his day started, while I prefer a single, quick cup before heading out. Our kitchen counter was a battlefield of appliances—a bulky drip machine and a separate single-serve brewer, both vying for precious space. The clutter was maddening, and I knew there had to be a more streamlined solution. A dual-function machine like the Cuisinart Coffee Maker, 12-Cup Glass Carafe, Automatic Hot & Iced Coffee Maker would have been the perfect answer to my daily struggle.
A combination coffee maker is designed to solve a very common household dilemma: catering to different coffee habits without sacrificing counter space. It’s for the family where one person needs a travel mug filled with a specific pod flavor while another wants to brew a large pot for multiple cups throughout the morning. The ideal customer for this category is someone who values versatility and convenience above all else. They want the option to entertain guests with a full carafe or enjoy a quick, no-fuss single cup on a busy weekday.
However, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you are a coffee purist who only uses a French press or a pour-over, a machine like this might feel like overkill. Similarly, if your household exclusively drinks from K-Cups or only ever brews a full pot, a dedicated single-function machine would be a more straightforward and potentially more affordable choice. Before buying, you should consider a few key factors: your available counter space (especially vertical height), the water reservoir capacity for both brewing sides, the variety of brew sizes you need, and how important programmable features are to your daily routine.
- SINGLE SERVE: The Cuisinart Coffee Maker offers 5 serving sizes: 4 oz., 6 oz., 8 oz., 10 oz., or 12 oz. Compatible with any brand of...
- 12-CUP* GLASS CARAFE: Indulge in generous servings of coffee with a sleek glass carafe, featuring a stainless steel handle and matching...
A Closer Look at the Cuisinart SS-16
The Cuisinart Coffee Maker, model SS-16, is a sleek, stainless steel unit that promises to be the only coffee station you’ll ever need. It cleverly integrates a fully automatic 12-cup carafe brewer on one side and a versatile single-serve brewer on the other. When you purchase it, you get the main unit, a 12-cup glass carafe, a permanent gold-tone filter for the carafe side, a removable pod-compatible brew chamber, and a charcoal water filter to ensure a clean taste. This machine is built for the modern, busy household that refuses to compromise. It’s perfect for families, couples with different schedules, or anyone who hosts guests frequently. It might not be for the minimalist who only drinks one cup of black coffee a day or someone with very low-hanging kitchen cabinets.
Pros:
* Two-in-one design saves significant counter space.
* Highly versatile single-serve brewer with five size options.
* Fully programmable 24-hour brew start for the carafe.
* Includes reusable filters, reducing waste and long-term cost.
* Thoughtful design improvements over previous models.
Cons:
* Single-serve coffee temperature may not be hot enough for some users.
* Some plastic components, like the pod holder hinge, feel less robust.
* The machine is quite tall and may not fit under all kitchen cabinets.
- 2 BREW STYLES: Classic or Rich, each brew is flavorful and never bitter with custom brew strengths.
- STRONG BREW: Increases the strength and bold taste of your coffee’s flavor.
- 【3-in-1 Brewing Versatility】Brew with K-Cup pods, ground coffee, or loose-leaf tea for ultimate flexibility to match your mood and...
Key Features and Real-World Performance
After using this machine daily for an extended period, I’ve come to appreciate the thought that went into its design and functionality. It has truly streamlined my mornings and decluttered my kitchen.
Dual Brewing System: The Best of Both Worlds
The core benefit of the SS-16 is its dual nature. On the right, you have a robust 12-cup drip coffee maker, and on the left, a pod-based single-serve station. This has been a game-changer in my home. I can set the carafe side the night before, and my husband wakes up to the aroma of a full pot of his favorite dark roast. Later in the afternoon, if I want a single cup of decaf or a specialty flavored coffee, I can use the pod side without brewing another large batch. It eliminates waste and ensures everyone gets exactly the coffee they want, when they want it. This versatile coffee machine has seamlessly integrated into our different routines, making it feel like it was designed just for us.
Single-Serve Versatility and Convenience
The single-serve side of the SS-16 is impressively flexible. It offers five different brew sizes—4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces—which covers everything from a strong, small cup to a large travel mug. It’s compatible with any brand of K-Cup pod, so you’re never locked into a specific ecosystem. For those who prefer to use their own coffee grounds, it works with Cuisinart’s HomeBarista reusable filter cup (sold separately), which is great for both saving money and reducing plastic waste.
One of the most significant improvements from older models is the small, flip-down shelf. This simple addition is brilliant. It elevates shorter mugs closer to the dispenser, which completely eliminates the splashing that used to plague earlier versions. No more coffee splatters on the machine or the counter. The 42-ounce removable water reservoir is another fantastic feature. It’s easy to detach, carry to the sink to fill, and click back into place, far more convenient than trying to pour water into a fixed reservoir at an awkward angle.
The 12-Cup Carafe Brewer: Programmable and Powerful
The carafe side is the workhorse of this duo. The 24-hour programmability is a feature I can no longer live without. Taking a few moments at night to fill the reservoir and add coffee grounds means I wake up to a perfectly brewed, hot pot of coffee every single day. The machine is equipped with an auto-off feature, which can be programmed so I never have to worry if I remembered to turn it off when rushing out the door.
For those who are impatient, the Brew Pause feature is a lifesaver. You can pull the carafe out mid-brew to pour a cup, and the machine will pause the flow to prevent drips. The Cuisinart Coffee Center Combo Brewer also allows you to customize your brew. You can select a “Bold” setting for a more robust, stronger flavor profile, and you can even adjust the carafe’s warming plate temperature to low, medium, or high, keeping your coffee at your preferred temperature without scorching it. The included gold-tone permanent filter works wonderfully, saving money on paper filters and cutting down on waste.
Drawbacks and Minor Flaws
No machine is perfect, and the SS-16 has a few minor drawbacks. The most common point of contention is that the coffee from the single-serve side, while hot, isn’t scalding. For those who like their coffee piping hot, this might be a slight disappointment. Additionally, while the overall build is solid stainless steel, some of the smaller moving parts are plastic. I’ve been careful with the small plastic hinge on the K-cup holder, as some users have reported it breaking after extended use. It hasn’t been an issue for me, but it’s something to be mindful of. Finally, be sure to measure your space. At over 16 inches tall, it’s a stately machine that demands a good amount of vertical clearance.
What Other Users Are Saying
I wasn’t the only one looking for the perfect combo brewer, so I scoured the internet for other user experiences. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Many users echo my sentiments, praising the dual functionality of this Cuisinart coffee maker for solving the “different strokes for different folks” coffee dilemma in their homes. People consistently highlight the convenience and space-saving design. Several long-time Cuisinart customers note the thoughtful improvements in this model over previous versions, especially the anti-splash shelf and the easier-to-fill water reservoirs. While a few mention the minor issue of the single-serve temperature, most agree that the machine’s versatility and reliability far outweigh any small flaws.
The Final Verdict on the Cuisinart SS-16
The daily challenge of accommodating different coffee preferences can lead to a cluttered counter and a complicated morning routine. Wasting coffee by brewing a full pot for just one person or juggling two separate machines is inefficient and frustrating. The Cuisinart SS-16 elegantly solves this problem by offering a powerful, reliable, and versatile two-in-one solution. Its robust set of features, from full programmability to customizable brew strength, ensures every coffee drinker in the house is satisfied. For its combination of convenience, performance, and space-saving design, it is an outstanding investment for any coffee-loving household.
If you’re ready to streamline your mornings and enjoy perfect coffee, whether by the pot or by the cup, this is the machine for you. Click here to check the price and see more details.
Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API