Black & Decker 12-Cup Switch Coffee Maker

A straightforward brewer that nails the basics

Some coffee makers try to be kitchen gadgets; this one is content to be a coffee maker. After several weeks with the Black+Decker 12‑cup switch brewer, I’ve come to appreciate its simplicity. There’s a single lighted on/off toggle, a glass carafe, a removable brew basket, and a warming plate. No app, no clock, no menus. If your priority is a hot, full pot without fuss, that design choice makes a lot of sense.

Setup and footprint

Out of the box, getting to first brew is quick: rinse the carafe and basket, fill the reservoir, add coffee, flip the switch. The machine is compact enough to live under standard cabinets (about 12.8 inches tall) and light enough to slide forward when filling. The side water window is readable and accurate, so I didn’t feel compelled to pre-measure water in the carafe every time. The carafe itself is a 12‑cup Duralife glass model with clear markings and an easy-grip handle.

One note on build: the housing is basic black plastic, and the carafe handle feels lightweight. Nothing failed during my testing, but it doesn’t convey a premium vibe. At this price, that’s expected; just don’t anticipate brushed metal or thick glass.

Brewing performance

Brew speed is brisk. A full 12‑cup pot took roughly 8–10 minutes in my testing, and smaller batches (4–6 cups) landed in the 4–6 minute range. More importantly, the coffee comes out properly hot. Cups were ready to drink without a microwave reheat, and the flavor was consistent across the pot when I dialed in grind and dose.

This brewer uses a traditional shower flow and basket, so technique matters. With a medium grind and a 1:15–1:17 coffee-to-water ratio (about 60–67 grams of coffee for a full pot), I got a clean, balanced cup with enough body for everyday drinking. If you tend to grind fine, expect a touch of bitterness at the end of the pot and some sediment, particularly with the reusable filter (more on that below).

The pause‑and‑pour feature works as advertised. Mid-brew, I pulled the carafe twice; the drip stopped promptly, and I didn’t see splatter on the plate. Replace the carafe within 30 seconds to avoid over‑concentrating the basket and prolonging the total brew time.

Warmth and the hot plate

Once the pot is done, the heated carafe plate keeps coffee hot. In a temperate kitchen, I found the coffee stayed drinkably hot for about 90 minutes. Flavor starts to flatten after 30–45 minutes—as it does on most warming plates—so if you won’t drink the pot promptly, transferring to an insulated carafe is the better route.

A usability note: the plate runs close to the front edge, and it gets very hot, as it should. Be mindful when you’re sliding the machine or reaching for the carafe; it’s easy to graze the edge right after brewing. A little extra clearance or a lip would have made this more forgiving.

There’s one omission you should be aware of: there is no auto shutoff. The illuminated switch is a helpful reminder, but I still managed to leave the plate on once until I came back to the kitchen. If you’re forgetful, consider pairing this machine with a smart plug or a simple outlet timer set to cut power after an hour.

Filter options and cup clarity

The included washable brew basket is convenient and reduces paper waste, but it lets some fine grounds and “coffee dust” through, especially with a finer grind or at the bottom of the pot. In day‑to‑day use, I noticed a light silt layer in the final cup. Switching to standard basket‑style paper filters eliminated the sediment and slightly brightened the cup. If you prefer a clean, tea‑like finish, paper is the way to go. If you like a touch more body and don’t mind a little grit, the reusable option keeps costs down and simplifies cleanup.

Either way, cleaning is easy. The basket pops out and rinses quickly, and the carafe wipes clean without stubborn oils. The brew head and lid have simple surfaces; a damp cloth and a weekly descaling cycle with a vinegar-water solution kept everything fresh during testing.

Everyday usability

• Controls: One lighted on/off switch. I came to appreciate the lack of a clock—there’s nothing to set or reset after an outage—but it also means no auto-brew.
• Water filling: The reservoir opening is wide enough for a faucet fill, and the side window makes dosing straightforward. No overflow issues as long as you keep the carafe level while pouring.
• Carafe: It pours cleanly at typical angles. Tip too aggressively and you can provoke a small dribble down the spout; a slower pour avoids it.
• Noise: Standard drip-coffee gurgles. Not loud, and the final “done” sounds are distinct enough to hear from the next room.

At 975 watts on 120 V/60 Hz, it pulls modest power for a full-size brewer. The weight (about 3.4 lb) makes it easy to move for cleaning, and the footprint (roughly 11.7 by 11.4 inches) won’t dominate a counter.

What it doesn’t do

You don’t get programmability, brew-strength toggles, small-batch settings, or a thermal carafe. If you’re looking for a timer to have coffee ready at 6 a.m., you’ll need a different machine—or again, a smart plug workaround. There’s also no audible beep at the end of a cycle. For some users, those omissions are the point; for others, they’ll be dealbreakers.

Tips for better results

• Use paper filters for a cleaner cup if you notice sediment with the reusable basket.
• Grind medium rather than fine to avoid over‑extraction and grit.
• Dose by weight when possible: about 60–67 g coffee for 1.0–1.1 L (a full pot).
• Pre‑rinse paper filters to remove papery taste and warm the basket.
• Don’t let brewed coffee sit on the hot plate for hours; transfer to a thermos if you’ll linger.
• Consider an outlet timer for a DIY auto‑off if you’re forgetful.

Value

For an affordable, no‑frills brewer, this Black+Decker hits the essentials: it’s easy to live with, brews hot and fast, and cleans up without drama. The corners it cuts—no auto shutoff, basic plastics—are understandable at this price. The addition of the pause‑and‑pour and a clear water window make it friendlier than the cheapest generics, and the 12‑cup capacity handles households and small offices without stretching brew time.

If you want bells and whistles, you won’t find them here. If you want reliably hot coffee from a simple machine that stays out of its own way, you will.

Recommendation

I recommend this coffee maker for anyone who values simplicity, hot coffee, and a full 12‑cup capacity at a budget-friendly price. It’s a great everyday workhorse for families, roommates, or small teams that don’t need programming or a thermal carafe. Pair it with paper filters for the cleanest cup and consider a smart plug for auto‑off peace of mind. If you need timed brewing, built‑in auto shutoff, or premium materials, step up to a more feature‑rich model. Otherwise, this straightforward brewer gets the core job done well.