Black & Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

First impressions and setup

I set this Black & Decker 12-cup on my counter and had it brewing in minutes. The footprint is friendly for a standard kitchen: roughly 13.7 inches tall, 9.4 inches deep, and 12 inches wide. It feels stable, with enough weight that the carafe slides back onto the hot plate without nudging the machine around. The design is straightforward—an easy-view water window, a clean digital clock, and clearly labeled buttons. Nothing flashy, just purposeful.

The removable filter basket lifts out easily and takes standard basket-style paper filters. The basket and carafe lid are both top-rack dishwasher-safe, which I appreciate after back-to-back brews. One small setup quirk: the filter basket must align with a keyed notch and press fully down; if it sits flush at the rim, the lid won’t close properly. Once you know the “click” you’re listening for, it’s second nature.

Brewing performance

This brewer focuses on the basics: consistent, hot coffee for a crowd. A full 12-cup pot (remember, this “cup” is about 5 oz per serving) finished in around the time I expect for a drip machine in this class. In my testing, it produced reliably hot coffee with a balanced profile using a medium grind and a standard 1:15–1:17 coffee-to-water ratio. The flavor is clean and straightforward; if you’re looking for bloom control, temperature stepping, or SCA certification, this isn’t that kind of machine. If you want a dependable pot to fuel a busy morning or a small office, it gets the job done.

The keep-warm plate is nonstick and brings the carafe up to sipping temperature quickly. Over the two-hour keep-warm window, the coffee stayed hot without developing an overly “cooked” character. After that, the automatic shutoff kicks in, which is both a safety net and a taste saver—no scorched pots if you forget to power down.

Noise is typical drip-brewer fare: a gentle chuff and gurgle near the end of the cycle. Not silent, not intrusive.

Controls and scheduling

The QuickTouch interface is refreshingly simple. Clock setting takes seconds, and scheduling an auto brew for the morning is obvious even without the manual. There aren’t strength modes or fancy profiles; that simplicity works in its favor because you won’t be hunting through menus before caffeine kicks in.

I like the 2-hour automatic shutoff. It’s the right default for households with different schedules and for reducing “did I leave it on?” anxiety. If you’ve ever returned home to find a hot plate running from the morning, you’ll value this.

Carafe, pouring, and Sneak-A-Cup

The included Duralife glass carafe is sturdy, with a lid that pops off for cleaning. Pouring is controlled and doesn’t dribble if you go at a normal pace. For mid-brew grabs, the Sneak-A-Cup feature works reliably. You can remove the carafe mid-cycle to pour a quick mug; you’ll want to replace it within about 30 seconds to prevent the basket from backing up. In practice, that’s enough time to fill a standard mug and get the carafe back on the plate. I didn’t see drips from the shower area while pouring, which keeps the plate cleaner.

Cleaning and maintenance

Maintenance is where this brewer shines for busy households:

• The filter basket is fully removable and dishwasher-safe.
• The carafe and lid clean up easily, by hand or top rack.
• The smooth hot plate and housing wipe down fast.

For longevity, I’d descale with a vinegar or descaling solution cycle every month or two, or more often if your water is hard. It keeps the internal tubing clear, helps maintain flow rate, and reduces the risk of slow or uneven brews over time. Using filtered water will also cut down on scale and can improve taste.

Day-to-day usability

I brewed everything from half pots on a weekday to full pots on weekends without fuss. The water window is legible at a glance, which helps avoid overfilling on autopilot mornings. The control panel is bright enough to read, but not glaring in a dark kitchen.

One small annoyance: the power cord is on the short side. On a typical kitchen counter that’s not an issue, but it limits placement flexibility if your outlets are scarce or you’re trying to run it on a sideboard or work lounge without an extension. Plan on keeping it within easy reach of an outlet.

Build and durability

The design is utilitarian plastic with a stable base and glass carafe—exactly what I expect in this price bracket. The weight lends it a planted feel, and the lid hinge is firm enough to inspire confidence without snapping shut. Internally, this class of brewer typically relies on heated-tube percolation to move water to the showerhead. That system is simple and effective but benefits from regular descaling to keep the path clear. I didn’t encounter flow issues during testing, but heat and scale over many months can stress internal components on any budget brewer. The included 2-year limited warranty offers a reasonable cushion if something goes sideways early.

What it does well

• Brews a full 12-cup pot reliably and hot enough for everyday drinking.
• Simple QuickTouch controls make scheduling and daily use painless.
• Sneak-A-Cup pause works as advertised and doesn’t leave a mess.
• Cleaning is low effort: removable basket, dishwasher-safe parts, nonstick plate.
• Thoughtful safety with a 2-hour automatic shutoff.
• Water window removes the guesswork.

What could be better

• No brew-strength settings or bloom control for enthusiasts.
• The cord length constrains placement if outlets are limited.
• The filter basket requires proper alignment; if you don’t seat it, the lid won’t close.
• No built-in filtration or permanent metal filter included.
• As with many budget brewers, long-term reliability benefits from consistent descaling and filtered water.

Who it’s for

This brewer fits households and break rooms that need volume and predictability more than features. If your priorities are set-and-forget auto brew, an easy mid-brew pour, minimal cleanup, and a generous carafe, it checks those boxes. It’s not aimed at pour-over purists or people chasing specialty-extraction precision. It is for families who want coffee ready when they wake up, students or offices that need to keep a steady pot on, and anyone who values a straightforward control panel over a crowded feature list.

Tips for better results

• Use a medium grind and a consistent coffee-to-water ratio (start around 1:16 and adjust to taste).
• Rinse your paper filter before brewing to reduce papery notes.
• If you regularly brew half-pots, dial your recipe accordingly—this brewer handles smaller volumes fine.
• Descale on a schedule, especially with hard water, and consider filtered water for taste and maintenance.
• Make sure the basket clicks into place before closing the lid.

Recommendation

I recommend this Black & Decker 12-cup for people who want an affordable, uncomplicated drip brewer that reliably makes a lot of coffee with minimal fuss. It nails the fundamentals—steady brewing, intuitive programming, easy cleaning—and the Sneak-A-Cup feature is genuinely useful without being messy. You give up advanced controls and some placement flexibility due to the short cord, and like any budget brewer, it will reward you for staying on top of descaling. But taken as a daily driver for households or shared spaces, it’s a solid, practical choice backed by a reasonable 2-year limited warranty. If your goal is dependable hot coffee more than bells and whistles, this brewer delivers.