Customer Reviews
Hamilton Beach 43253 Ensemble 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Red 
2008-09-03
Before purchasing, I read that some people were complaining that the pot leaks when you pour it. I just figured that people were overly picky and probably just weren't pouring it correctly. It makes excellent coffee, but to my dismay, this carafe DOES spill when you pour it. I don't know if it's a defect in a certain number of them, but I wish I wouldn't have purchased this model.
Dont order online buy from store! 2008-09-02
This coffee maker works fine but the light on the clock doesn't work. Too much trouble to ship back to get a new one. So best to buy at a local store so you can take it back easier if your light doesn't work.
decent drip coffee maker 
2008-08-28
This is a decent drip coffeemaker for the price. I haven't experienced any floating grounds in my coffee, it is easy to program & use. The machine looks great (even my fiance commented on that) so it is an attractive addition to your kitchen. I have had much more expensive coffeemakers and this one works just as well for a fraction of the price. Grant it, it doesn't do anything too fancy, but if you don't really need that and just want a standard drip coffeemaker that you can rely on to make coffee at the time you program it for, this is the machine for you. The only thing I would like is if this machine came with a thermal carafe. I'm not sure if they even offer a replacement thermal...I'll need to look into that.
Strength and flaws 2008-08-19
Works reliably, appears to be of solid construction. The basket system is better for brewing larger amounts of coffee but, in my opinion is not as good, for smaller amounts. I do not like that the plastic rim on the carafe makes it difficult to completely empty the carafe. It makes filling the water tank more inconvenient, too. I had a minor problem, and I am absolutely impressed by HB customer support. They offered to mail a replacement part in a very generous and hassle-free manner.
A Better Buy, But By No Means Spectacular 2008-08-01
I must say this is one of the best coffee makers I have ever purchased! I bought this coffee maker in January and have used it daily for 7 months. Here are some pro's and cons - you decide!
PROS:
*Pours better than 95% of most coffeemakers without spillage. If you drink coffee as much as I do, you will know, this is WHY it got 4 stars!
*Clock and timer are nice additions and work well.
*Makes a good pot of coffee every time - consistent drip brewing.
*Glass pot and appliance both clean up quickly and easily.
CONS:
*Lid broke after a few weeks; I didn't bother to return as holding my thumb over the lid when I pour prevents lid from falling off. A minor inconvenience, but have you ever tried to return something? Not worth the hassle. Cheaply made.
*If you accidentally put too much water into the holding tank, it pours out a hole in the back of the unit. Not a nice feature.
*Lacks a feature to make the coffee stronger or weaker. You get your coffee one way and that's it.
*Slow brewing.
*Very difficult to clean out inside the coffee grind resevoir.
leaks 
2008-08-01
This 12-cup Red and Stainless Coffee Maker features a drip-free carafe, programmable clock/timer and a 2-hour shutoff system so you needn't worry about it staying on in case you forget to turn it off. In addition, the sleek coffee maker offers an automatic ???pause ???n serve??? function and has a nonstick keep-hot plate so that your coffee will always be fresh and warm. A water filter is included. To clean, simply handwash the removable parts.Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., has expanded its support for the American Heart Association???s Go Red For Women movement into 2009 with a cumulative donation of $850,000 since 2005. The company will promote its ???Healthy Hearts Start in the Kitchen?????? campaign with interactive outreach that drives traffic to healthy lifestyle tips and recipes available on www.hamiltonbeach.com.Hamilton Beach has designated more than 30 Go Red products including distinctive red appliances to remind women every day to love their hearts. Hamilton Beach encourages women to take charge of their health, learn the risk factors of heart disease, and make eating healthy a priority.
Pretty Red Coffmaker 
2008-07-27
I bought this because my kitchen colors are red and yellow, the name brand and some of the reviews. I was disappointed and returned it. I could not get my coffee hot enough or strong enough. I tried several times but my morning coffee is very important to me! I bought the Quisinart and am very satisfied. One of the reviews said the opening to fill the water is too small - I did not find this to be true. I love everything about this. It brews a really hot cup of coffee, requires a standard ratio of coffee to water, it is easy to progrem and it is red!
Hot Hot Coffee 2008-07-20
I bought this after reading all the positive reviews. The best thing about this maker is that it makes and keeps extremely hot coffee. It is quiet, the carafe never leaks when pouring and overall I am satisfied. I took a star away for a couple of reasons. The main one being Amazon listed that a water filter is included, however, that is NOT TRUE. Since it is like trying to get in touch with the president to contact any one at Amazon, I just went ahead and ordered the filters from a vendor (at Amazon.) Also one of the prongs that holds on the lid was slightly bent straight out of the box and I know that it will not hold on long. I have emailed Hamiliton Beach about a replacment carafe in red because I know that is coming.
The coffee flavor I am working on. I am hoping the filters will make a difference and I am trying coffee brands as well. My old Braun made ok coffee but I still think for flavor you can not beat a Mr. Coffee. Also with well water I would probably fair better with using filtered water.
even my husband can use it 
2008-07-15
My last coffee maker had a grinder in it, and seven parts to clean. my husband hated it. when it finally gave up we bought this one. It is sooo easy, only the filter comes out. Now I get coffee in bed.
Great coffee maker 2008-06-21
What a great coffee maker this is....simple and FAST! Easy to program, easy to fill, light weight, attractive. You won't go wrong with this one. Our Mr. Coffee just died, no warning! We searched Amazon, read a few reviews and bought the Hamilton Beach 43253 12 cup in red (Go Red for Women).
