First Impressions: Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic Single Serve Coffee Maker

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We've been using the Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic Single Serve Coffee Maker over the past week and we can say right away - this is an amazing single serve coffee maker, and perhaps one of the best single serve coffee pod brewers we've ever tested. At first we were a little taken back by the straight lines of the design, and the price at $199, but after a week of testing we think the brewer is more than worth it's weight in gold.

One of the things we really like is the brew methods. You can pick between bold or regular when using your favorite coffee or coffee pods, and it does really make a difference. The other big addition over other single serve coffee makers is the piston that squeezes out that last bit of coffee from the coffee pod at the end of the brew cycle, thus eliminating wet soppy coffee pods in the coffee pod holder.

We've been using mostly the Fratello coffee pods - Dixie Voodoo and the Yemen mocha coffee pods we recently reviewed, along with the Lavazza coffee pod that come with the machine. The coffee produced is a step above the coffee we usually get from the Bunn My Cafe or even the GPod coffee pod brewer.

Why? The brew method and time to brew a cup of coffee is greatly increased when using the Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic Single Serve Coffee Maker. The SS-1 does a pulsing brew and wait method that can only be seen to be believed. The resulting coffee produced by this method has a very good flavor, and much richer in tone than the same coffee produced by the Bunn or Gpod (or even the Opod).

We could go on and on, but that's for the full review. If you're sitting on the fence wondering if the Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic Single Serve Coffee Maker is for you. Don't sit any longer on said fence. This is an amazing machine right out of the gate, and we haven't been so excited about a single serve coffee maker that uses coffee pods and ground coffee in some time.

Here are the features of the Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic Single Serve Coffee Maker:

Brew basket can accommodate coffee pods as well as ground coffee
60-oz. water reservoir holds enough for ten 6-ounce cups of coffee
Low pressure pump and boiler system
Patented tamping and sealing method for better tasting coffee
Cup size selector – 4 to 12 ounces
Can select regular or bold coffee flavor
Removable drip tray can accommodate coffee cup from 4 ounces to Cuisinart’s travel mug (170mm)
2 minute pre-heat time
Charcoal water filter removes impurities
Auto shut-off (2 hours from last use)
Water level indicator on front
Scoop included
Easy to clean

At Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic Single Serve Coffee Maker

Read More in: Cuisinart | Single Serve Coffee Machines

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Comparison - Bunn My Cafe and Cuisinart SS-1 Single Serve Coffee Brewers - Mar 05, 2008

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Posted by Jay Brewer at October 10, 2007 7:18 AM

Have had the cup o matic for a week now. It is very noisy - not something you want to listen to first thing in A.M. Also, the cup moves on the stainless drip plate - had to hold it in place. Maybe the machine is not sitting level on my counter top. Put a folded paper towel down first and this has kept it from moving. I've put a rubber mat under the machine to see if it would absorb some of the vibration noise - didn't help. This is sitting on a stainless steel counter - so that my contribute to it - don't know. Also have a Francis Francis espresso machine - doens't make any where near this level of noise. The coffee however is great and the machine is very easy to use. I particularly like the coffee brand that came with the machine - except the de caf - which was horrible!
Posted by: albert at October 22, 2007 8:41 AM

I got an ss-1 for Christmas. I had the issue with the cup vibrating all over the place. I put a 3 X 3 piece of rubber mesh under the cup. Problem solved. I also had trouble with the rinky dink water filter assembly floating free. It didnt fit in the bracket tight enough. I opened up the clip that holds the filter in. Then I only closed it partially without letting it snap closed again. It hasnt floated loose since. The flavor of the coffee is excellent and HOT too. I really like the blue glowing buttons! I have been making 10 oz cups with the Lavazza pods and with Senseo pods and just one pod is strong enough for my taste. Not a big fan of gag-making Starbucks strength coffee. Buy this machine, you will like it in spite of its minor problems.
Posted by: Jeff at January 2, 2008 8:34 PM

GREAT first impressions....I'm off the fence and ordering one right away. Been waiting for a machine that brews a great cup of coffee AND allows me to use my own coffee or anyone's pods. THANKS for getting this done and I'll be passing it along to several people! Keep up the great work here!
Posted by: Mike at October 10, 2007 8:17 AM

oh darn...just bought a bunn my cafe ...anyone want to buy it for 115. and shipping costs...i have just had it a week and like it alot ..but prefer to have this new machine.
Posted by: dawn at October 10, 2007 9:03 AM

I'm new to the single serve coffe machine but am going to make the jump soon. My wife and I had purchased a Krups coffee machine last year and have never really been happy with it. We are currently leaning towards purchasing the Keurig B60 based on recommendations from friends but after reading your review on the Cuisinart SS-1 Cup O Matic I think I may change my mind. Which Machine do you think is better and why?
Posted by: Steve at October 12, 2007 10:02 PM

Can anyone shed some light on how loud this machine truly is? This will be my first single serve machine and in watching the video above, the sound is a little unpleasant - especially for first thing in the morning! Any clarification would be appreciated.
Posted by: Danielle at October 14, 2007 7:58 PM

It is pretty loud, but not as loud as most espresso machines. The pulsing is the culprit, but the cup of coffee is excellent. So there's your trade off - a little louder but better cup of coffee.
Posted by: Jay Brewer at October 15, 2007 9:20 AM

Kept this machine for one day. The noise and vibrations are too much. Our cups would not stay on the drip tray. After losing a cup of coffee onto the counter I brought it back to Williams Sonoma and returned it with no questions asked. It made good coffee but not good enough to overcome the downside. Bill
Posted by: Bill at November 6, 2007 1:31 AM

Hello: I was at a Hilton hotel, and I used their Cuisinart one and two cup coffee maker. They had pods (Lavazza). It was great cup of coffee. Upon coming home, I did a search and could not find this Cuisinart. Via Google, I see that Hilton has been using this since summer in all their hotels. Where do I find this one and two cup coffee maker? It is very small and you just have to use pods. No noise. Super clean, etc.
Posted by: eorse at December 16, 2007 11:21 PM

I love my new Cuisinart cup-o-matic. It is noisy but makes excellent coffee and that is what I wanted. It seems to be wellmade and takes ground coffee as well as pods.
Posted by: jackie ceragioli at December 26, 2007 11:50 AM