Cuisinart Grind and Brew: Fresh Coffee With One Machine
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Cuisinart has long been a familiar name on kitchen counters, and its Grind and Brew coffee makers are a big part of that. The idea is simple: pour whole beans into the machine, add water, and it grinds the beans just before brewing, so the coffee tastes fresher than coffee made from a bag of pre-ground grounds. If you are buying a Cuisinart coffee maker grinder for yourself or as a gift, this guide explains the few coffee terms you need and compares six options.
In one sentence: two of these machines brew full carafes with a blade grinder, one mixes a carafe with single-serve pods, two brew single cups with a burr grinder, and the last is a separate burr grinder you pair with any coffee maker.
Cuisinart Coffee Makers With Grinders Compared
Cuisinart
Cuisinart Coffee Maker, 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer, Single Serve 8/10/12 oz
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Cuisinart Coffee Maker
Best for: Homes wanting pots and single cups
Pros
- 12-cup carafe plus pod brewing
- 8, 10 or 12 oz servings
- Removable 40 oz reservoir
Cons
- Listing mixes in espresso notes
- Grinder type not stated
| Model | Grinder type | Brew style | Water reservoir or capacity | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup (DGB-400NAS) | Blade | 12-cup glass carafe | 12 cups | Not listed |
| Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 10-Cup (DGB-450NAS) | Blade | 10-cup glass carafe | 10 cups | Not listed |
| Cuisinart Coffee Maker 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer | Not listed | 12-cup carafe or single-serve pod | 40 oz removable reservoir | Not listed |
| Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker (DGB-2, Black) | Conical burr | Not listed | 48 oz removable reservoir | 3 years |
| Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker (DGB-2SS, Stainless) | Conical burr | Not listed | 48 oz removable reservoir | 3 years |
| Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder (DBM-8) | Flat burr | Grinder only | 8 oz bean hopper | 18 months |
Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup for Full Morning Pots
Cuisinart
Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker with Blade Grinder, Programmable Coffee Machine Glass Carafe with 1-4 Cup Setting, Brew Pause, Grind-Off Option, DGB-450NAS, Black/Stainless Steel
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 10-Cup
Best for: Couples and small families
Pros
- Automatic blade grinder
- 1-4 cup setting
- Grind-off for pre-ground coffee
Cons
- Blade grinder
- Fewer extras listed than 12-cup
Best for: Busy households brewing full pots
Pros
- Automatic blade grinder
- 12-cup glass carafe
- Brew Pause and 24-hour programming
- Gold-tone and charcoal filters
Cons
- Blade grind less even than burr
The Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup (DGB-400NAS) is the classic Cuisinart Grind and Brew 12 cup model. A blade grinder chops whole beans right before brewing, then the machine drips hot water through them into a glass carafe. Note that Cuisinart counts a “cup” as about 5 ounces, so 12 cups is about 60 ounces of coffee, roughly five or six regular mugs.
The listing names several helpful features. Brew Pause lets you pour a cup before brewing finishes. A grind-off option lets you skip the grinder and use pre-ground coffee. The 24-hour programmable start means coffee can be ready when you wake up, and a 1-4 cup setting adjusts brewing for small batches. A permanent gold-tone filter replaces paper filters, and a built-in charcoal water filter helps remove off-flavors from tap water. The specs also mention auto shut-off and a self-clean feature, 1025 watts, and a body about 15.5 inches tall, so measure under your cabinets.
This model suits households where several people drink coffee each morning, or anyone who likes a full pot for guests. If you rarely brew more than a few cups, the 10-cup model is a slightly smaller option.
Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 10-Cup for Smaller Households
The Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 10-Cup (DGB-450NAS) is the Cuisinart Grind and Brew 10 cup version. It uses the same idea as the 12-cup: a blade grinder that grinds whole beans before brewing, with a grind-off option for pre-ground coffee. It also includes Brew Pause, the 24-hour programmable start, the 1-4 cup setting, a permanent gold-tone filter and a charcoal water filter.
Its listing is shorter than the 12-cup one. It lists 1025 watts and a 10-cup capacity, about 50 ounces by Cuisinart’s 5-ounce cup, but does not repeat the auto shut-off and self-clean items from the 12-cup specs, and it does not give dimensions. If those details matter, check the manual on the product page.
It suits couples or small families who want fresh-ground coffee without brewing more than they drink. For bigger crowds, the 12-cup model makes more at once.
Cuisinart Coffee Maker 2-in-1 Grinder/Brewer for Pots and Pods
The Cuisinart Coffee Maker sold as a 2-in-1 grinder/brewer is the Cuisinart 2-in-1 option for households that cannot decide between a pot and single cups. The description calls it the Grind & Brew Plus coffee center: a built-in grinder mills whole beans just before brewing, and charcoal-filtered water drip brews up to 12 cups into a glass carafe. You can also choose the pod side, insert any brand of single-cup pod, and brew 8, 10 or 12 ounces into a mug or travel mug.
The listing names a 40-ounce removable water reservoir, a removable adjustable drip tray, auto shut-off, 24-hour advance brewing, a boldness setting and a grind-off option. The 12-cup carafe has a drip-free spout and a knuckle guard. It draws 1100 watts. Be aware the listing is confusing in places: it labels the machine an espresso machine and includes notes about tamping and espresso extraction, which do not match a drip and pod brewer. It also does not say whether the grinder uses blades or burrs.
This suits a home where one person wants a quick single cup on weekdays and the family wants a full pot on weekends. If everyone drinks from pods only, the single-serve models below are simpler.
Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker DGB-2 for One Fresh Cup
Best for: Stainless kitchens and one-cup drinkers
Pros
- Conical burr grinder
- Stainless steel finish
- Works with single-cup pods
Cons
- Brews one cup at a time
Cuisinart
Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker + Coffee Grinder with 8 oz., 10 oz., and 12 oz. Serving Size, Compatible with Single-Cup Pods, 48-Ounce Removable Reservoir, Stainless Steel, DGB-2
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Single cups from fresh beans
Pros
- Conical burr grinder
- Sealed bean hopper
- 48 oz removable reservoir
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- No carafe for full pots
The Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker (DGB-2) is a Cuisinart single serve coffee maker with grinder, and it takes a different approach from the carafe models. Instead of a blade, it uses a conical burr grinder. A burr grinder crushes beans between two ridged surfaces, which produces more even grounds than a spinning blade, and even grounds usually brew a more balanced cup.
The grinder sends fresh grounds directly into the HomeBarista reusable filter cup, and a sealed bean hopper helps keep beans fresh. You can also skip the grinder and use any brand of single-cup pod. It brews 8, 10 or 12 ounces, has a 48-ounce removable reservoir with an easy-view water window, a charcoal water filter and a removable drip tray for travel mugs. It is BPA-free, carries a limited 3-year warranty, and the listing shows it in black.
This is a good gift for someone who drinks one or two cups a day and wants fresh-ground flavor without making a whole pot. It will not brew a carafe, so larger households should look at the Grind & Brew models above.
Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker DGB-2SS in Stainless Steel
This second Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker is the DGB-2SS, the stainless steel version of the model above. Its listed features match: fully automatic brewing, 8, 10 or 12-ounce servings, compatibility with any brand of single-cup pod, a conical burr grinder that fills the HomeBarista reusable filter cup, a sealed bean hopper, a 48-ounce removable reservoir with water window, a charcoal water filter, a removable drip tray and a limited 3-year warranty.
Both share the same 11.02 x 7.28 x 12.67-inch size. The main difference in the listings is the finish, so choose this one if the rest of your kitchen is stainless steel.
Like the black DGB-2, it suits single-cup drinkers. For more on combined machines, see our Cuisinart coffee maker and grinder combo guide.
Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder DBM-8 for Any Brewer
Best for: Adding burr grinding to any brewer
Pros
- 18 grind settings
- Grinds for 4-18 cups
- Auto shut-off timer
- Removable 8 oz hopper
Cons
- Grinder only, no brewing
- 18-month warranty
The Cuisinart Electric Burr Coffee Grinder (DBM-8P1) is not a coffee maker, and that is the point. It is for people who already own a brewer they love, or who want better grind control than a built-in grinder offers. The Cuisinart burr grinder DBM-8 uses flat burrs with an 18-position slide dial from ultra-fine to extra-coarse.
Its removable grind chamber holds enough grounds for 4 to 18 cups. The 8-ounce bean hopper is removable for cleaning, a one-touch power bar starts grinding, and an internal timer shuts the grinder off when done. It includes cord storage and a scoop/cleaning brush, weighs 4.5 pounds and has a limited 18-month warranty.
This suits the drinker who likes to experiment or who uses several brew methods. Our Cuisinart electric coffee grinder guide covers more grinder options.
How to Choose the Right Cuisinart Coffee Maker With Grinder
Grind and brew vs separate grinder is the first question. An all-in-one machine saves counter space and does everything with one button, which makes it an easy gift. A separate burr grinder like the DBM-8 gives you 18 settings and pairs with any brewer, but you need two appliances.
Next, consider blade versus burr. The two Grind & Brew carafe models use blade grinders, which are simple and quick but make less even grounds. The single-serve DGB-2 models use a conical burr, and the DBM-8 uses flat burrs.
Then think about how much coffee the drinker makes. Several mugs every morning points to the 12-cup or 10-cup carafe models. One cup at a time points to the single-serve models. A mix of both points to the 2-in-1 grinder/brewer.
Finally, look at features that save time: Brew Pause and 24-hour programming on the carafe models, pod compatibility on the single-serve and 2-in-1 models, and the 3-year warranty on the DGB-2 models.
FAQ
Which Cuisinart Grind and Brew should I buy?
For full pots, choose the 12-cup or 10-cup Automatic Grind & Brew. For single cups with a burr grinder, choose the DGB-2 or DGB-2SS. For both, choose the 2-in-1 grinder/brewer.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in a Cuisinart grind and brew?
Yes. The carafe models and the 2-in-1 model list a grind-off option, and the single-serve models accept single-cup pods.
What is the difference between a blade and a burr grinder?
A blade grinder chops beans with a spinning blade, making grounds of mixed sizes. A burr grinder crushes beans between two surfaces for more even grounds.
How big is a Cuisinart cup?
Cuisinart counts a cup as about 5 ounces, so a 12-cup pot is roughly 60 ounces.
Do I need paper filters?
The carafe models include a permanent gold-tone filter, and the single-serve models use the HomeBarista reusable filter cup, so paper filters are optional.
