Cuisinart Grind and Brew: A Thorough Look at the DGB Series
The Cuisinart Grind and Brew line (the DGB series) is one of the most popular grind-and-brew coffee makers in the US, and it has been for over a decade. The flagship model, the DGB-900BC, grinds whole beans with a built-in burr grinder and brews up to 12 cups of drip coffee automatically. At around $100 to $130 depending on sales, it hits a price point that makes fresh-ground coffee accessible to most households. For the money, it's a solid machine that does what it promises.
I've used the Cuisinart DGB-900 and its predecessors for several years across different kitchens. It's not perfect, and I'll be upfront about the things that annoy me. But it consistently produces better coffee than any basic drip maker using pre-ground, and the programmable timer means I wake up to fresh-ground coffee every morning without thinking about it. Here's everything you need to know before buying one.
The DGB Model Lineup
Cuisinart has released several Grind and Brew models over the years. The naming can be confusing, so here's a quick breakdown:
DGB-900BC (Grind & Brew Thermal): The 12-cup model with a thermal carafe. This is the one most people should buy. No hot plate means the coffee stays fresh-tasting longer.
DGB-850 (Burr Grind & Brew): An older 10-cup model with a glass carafe and hot plate. Still available in some stores but being phased out. The hot plate cooks the coffee after about 30 minutes.
DGB-550BKP1 (Grind & Brew): A blade-grinder version that's cheaper (~$70) but uses a blade instead of burrs. Skip this one. The blade grinder produces inconsistent grounds and barely outperforms pre-ground coffee.
DGB-400 (Automatic Grind & Brew): The original model. Discontinued but shows up used. If you find one with burrs in good shape, it still works fine.
For the rest of this article, I'm primarily talking about the DGB-900BC, since it's the current model and the one I recommend.
How the Grinder Performs
The DGB-900 uses a conical burr grinder with 5 grind settings (extra fine through coarse) and a dose dial that controls how much coffee is ground (2 to 12 cups). The burrs are stainless steel and produce a reasonably consistent medium grind for drip coffee.
At medium settings (which is where most people keep it), the grind consistency is good enough. Side by side with a standalone Baratza Encore, the Cuisinart produces slightly less uniform particles, but the difference in the cup is minimal for drip coffee. You'd need a trained palate and a careful tasting to pick out the Cuisinart from the Baratza in a blind test.
At the fine and coarse extremes, the consistency drops off. The finest setting isn't fine enough for espresso (not even close), and the coarsest setting produces a mix of medium and coarse particles that's not ideal for French press. But for standard drip coffee, settings 2 through 4 work well.
The Grind Knob
One quirk: the grind amount is set by a dial measured in "cups," but Cuisinart's cup is about 5 ounces, not 8. So "12 cups" on the machine fills a standard travel mug about three times. Adjust your expectations accordingly. I typically set the grind for 2 cups more than I actually want, which gives me a stronger brew that matches my taste.
Brewing Performance
The DGB-900 brews at around 195 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is within the SCA-recommended range. This is genuinely good for a machine at this price. Many sub-$100 drip makers only hit 185 to 190 degrees, which leads to under-extracted, flat-tasting coffee.
The brew cycle for a full pot takes about 12 to 14 minutes including the grind phase. For a smaller batch (4 to 6 cups), expect 7 to 9 minutes total. The grinding phase is the loudest part, lasting about 45 to 90 seconds depending on the dose.
The Thermal Carafe
The DGB-900's thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for about 2 to 3 hours. After that, it drops to lukewarm. This is typical for a double-wall stainless steel carafe at this price. More expensive carafes from brands like Zojirushi hold temperature longer, but the Cuisinart's is adequate for a morning's worth of coffee.
One complaint I have: the carafe lid design tends to drip when pouring. This is a well-known issue across Cuisinart thermal models. Pouring slowly and tilting gradually helps, but it's still messier than it should be.
The Programmable Timer
This is the feature that sells the machine for most people. Set the time the night before, load beans and water, and wake up to a pot of fresh-ground coffee.
The programming is simple. Press the Program button, set the time with the hour and minute buttons, and press Program again to confirm. A small clock on the LCD panel shows the set time, and a "Program" indicator light stays on. At the scheduled time, the grinder activates, runs for its cycle, and brewing begins automatically.
The timer works reliably. In my experience over several years of daily use, it has never failed to start on time. The only thing to watch for is the auto-shutoff, which kicks in after the brew cycle completes. The thermal carafe keeps things hot without power, so the shutoff doesn't affect anything functionally.
Cleaning and Maintenance
This is where the Cuisinart Grind and Brew requires more effort than a basic drip maker. You're maintaining both a grinder and a brewer.
Weekly Tasks
- Brush out the grinder chamber and chute with the included brush. Stale grounds accumulate here and will make your next pot taste off.
- Wipe the area around the burrs where grounds collect.
- Wash the filter basket and carafe with soap and water.
Monthly Tasks
- Run a Cuisinart descaling cycle. Fill the reservoir with a 1:2 ratio of white vinegar to water, run a brew cycle without beans (use the "Grind Off" feature to bypass the grinder), then run two cycles of plain water to flush the vinegar.
- Clean the burrs more thoroughly. The upper burr housing lifts out for cleaning on the DGB-900. Remove it, brush both burr surfaces, and replace.
The "Grind Off" Feature
This is a bypass switch that lets you use pre-ground coffee directly in the filter basket. It's useful for cleaning cycles, for brewing decaf without contaminating the grinder, or for mornings when you just want to skip the grinding noise. I use it once a week or so.
If you're comparing the Cuisinart to other options, our guide to the best grind and brew coffee makers has side-by-side comparisons. For single-cup alternatives, see the best grind and brew single cup coffee makers.
Common Issues and Fixes
Coffee Grounds in the Carafe
This usually means the filter basket is overloaded or the grind is too fine, causing the water to back up and overflow the filter. Try using a coarser grind setting or reducing the dose. Also check that the gold-tone filter (if using one) is seated properly. Paper filters can help reduce this issue.
Grinder Jams
Occasionally, the grinder jams on oily beans (typically dark roasts). The oils gum up the burrs. If this happens, unplug the machine, remove the upper burr assembly, and clean out the stuck beans and oil buildup. Using medium or light roast beans reduces the frequency of this problem.
Machine Won't Grind
Check the bean hopper. The Cuisinart has a safety interlock that prevents grinding if the hopper isn't fully seated. Push the hopper down firmly until it clicks. Also check that the Grind Off switch isn't accidentally engaged.
Weak Coffee
If your coffee tastes weaker than expected, try setting the grind amount 1 to 2 cups higher than the actual water level. Cuisinart's dosing tends to be conservative. You can also try a finer grind setting to increase extraction.
Who Should Buy the Cuisinart Grind and Brew
This machine is designed for people who want fresh-ground drip coffee every morning without managing separate appliances. It's perfect for households of 2 to 4 coffee drinkers who are happy with drip coffee and want the convenience of a programmable timer.
It's not the right machine if you drink espresso, brew pour over, or want the flexibility to switch between methods. The built-in grinder is dedicated to drip coffee, and it doesn't offer enough grind precision for espresso. For multi-method brewing, you're better off with a standalone grinder.
It's also not ideal if you're very particular about grind consistency. The DGB-900's grinder is good for a combo machine, but a standalone Baratza Encore or Fellow Ode will produce more uniform results at the expense of convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Cuisinart Grind and Brew last?
With regular cleaning and descaling, expect 3 to 5 years. The grinder motor is the most common failure point. Cuisinart offers a 3-year limited warranty on most DGB models, which is better than average for this category.
Can I use K-Cups or pods with the Cuisinart Grind and Brew?
No. The DGB series is a traditional drip machine with a flat-bottom filter basket. It's designed for whole beans (or pre-ground via the bypass) only. Cuisinart makes separate K-Cup compatible machines if that's what you need.
Is the grinder loud enough to wake people up?
Yes. The grinding phase produces about 75 to 80 decibels for 45 to 90 seconds. If your bedroom shares a wall with the kitchen, the programmable timer might double as an alarm clock. Some people appreciate this. Others set the timer for 10 minutes before their actual alarm so the noise blends into their wake-up routine.
Does it come with a gold-tone filter or do I need paper filters?
The DGB-900 includes both a gold-tone permanent filter and a charcoal water filter. You can use the gold-tone filter permanently (clean it regularly) or use standard #4 paper filters. Paper filters produce a cleaner cup since they trap more oils and fines. The gold-tone filter lets more oils through for a fuller-bodied cup. Personal preference.
Final Verdict
The Cuisinart Grind and Brew DGB-900BC is the best all-in-one grind-and-brew machine under $150. It grinds consistently enough for drip coffee, brews at the right temperature, and the programmable timer delivers on the promise of wake-up-to-fresh-coffee convenience. Buy the thermal carafe version (DGB-900), skip the blade-grinder model (DGB-550), clean the grinder weekly, and you'll get years of solid daily use out of it.