In the ever-evolving world of home brewing, finding the perfect balance between quality and convenience can feel like a search for coffee’s Holy Grail. Ergo my KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review. As a drip coffee maker, it promises to elevate your morning ritual from mundane to excellent.
But does this gleaming appliance deliver delicious coffee? Or is it just another pretty face in the coffee maker landscape?
In this review, I’ll dive deep into what makes the KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker tick. I’ve explored its design and features, tested its ease of use and identified those little extras that might sway your decision.
Solid and dependable
KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker
Approachable coffee maker with some great features
Consistent brew temperature
Solid construction
Adjustable settings
Stylish design
No thermal carafe option
| KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker | |
| Manufacturer | KitchenAid |
|---|---|
| Model number | KCM1209 |
| Product category | Drip coffee maker |
| Housing material | Plastic with stainless steel parts |
| Color options | Matte Charcoal Grey, Onyx Black |
| Carafe | Glass |
| Keep warm function | Yes (adjustable) |
| Milk frother | |
| User interface | Text display with buttons and dials |
| App | |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l |
| Brew capacity | 60 fl oz / 1774 ml |
| Single cup function | |
| Reusable coffee filter | |
| Coffee pod compatible | |
| Brew styles | 2 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Coffee strength adjustment levels | |
| Hot water function | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 900 W |
| Weight | 7.3 lb / 3.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.3 x 7.2 x 13.4 in |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| SCA certified home brewer | |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, reusable gold tone filter |
| Current price on Amazon | BUY NOW ON AMAZON |
| All specifications | |
Table of Contents
Overview: KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker Review
As someone who’s sipped their way through more brews than I care to admit, I approached the KitchenAid with excitement and skepticism. After all, the brand’s reputation for quality kitchen appliances precedes it. But, I asked myself, has this drip coffee maker brought to life the brand’s expertise?
For a start, The KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker stands out for its blend of style and function. At its heart lies an innovative 29-hole spiral shower head. Its design promises maximum flavor extraction from coffee grounds. This, KitchenAid promises, guarantees you the perfect cup with every brew cycle. Additionally, the variable brew strength selector allows you to fine-tune your coffee’s strength.
The clear, easy-to-read digital display and intuitive controls make brewing a breeze. Yes, even in your pre-caffeinated morning haze! Also, convenience features abound. These include 24-hour advance programming for wake-up-ready coffee. Oh, and lest I forget, a pause-and-pour feature for those mid-brew cravings.
Unfortunately, as drip coffee makers go, the glass carafe and programmable keep-warm plate are not my favorite. But, the good news is, maintenance with this KitchenAid coffee machine is simple. The carafe, brew basket and gold-tone filter are all dishwasher-safe. Plus, the permanent filter saves you big bucks on paper filters.
True, this KitchenAid coffee maker lacks some advanced features like programmable temperature settings, a milk frother and built-in coffee grinder. Still, the KCM1209, by its very design, prioritizes delivering great coffee. At $N/A, that’s not too bad, is it?
KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker Advantages & Disadvantages
Before moving on with this KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review, let’s take a quick look at what I consider to be the machine’s main advantages and disadvantages.
PROS
- Consistent brewing temperature
- Large-capacity water tank & carafe
- Good build quality & great design
- Display with dual timer
- Adjustable brewing strength
- Coffee is very tasty and well balanced
- Permanent filter included
CONS
- Comparatively expensive
KitchenAid KCM1209 Features
Now, onto the meat and potatoes of this KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review. Besides its stunning looks, this coffee maker does have some stand-out features.
Let’s take a closer look.
Build Quality & Design
The KitchenAid KCM1209 coffee machine doesn’t just look like the real deal. It feels that way too. Thanks to its stabilizing non-slip feet, the coffee maker remains rock-solid on the counter, even if you remove the water tank too enthusiastically or pull a little too hard on the filter basket.
Primarily, the outer body of this KitchenAid coffee maker consists of durable plastic with stainless steel accents. And like the iconic KitchenAid stand mixer, the outer body is smooth with rounded edges. Retro coolness in Onyx Black looks good in almost any kitchen. Plus, the glass carafe feels good in your hand and doesn’t spill when pouring.
With a height of around 14 inches (36 centimeters) and a width of 7 inches (18 centimeters), the machine doesn’t exactly need its own room. Still, it’s far from an ultra-compact mini machine like the Zojirushi Zutto.
Then again, the KitchenAid coffee maker boasts an impressive 60-ounce (1.7-liter) brewing capacity. With that in mind, I can imagine it being ideal as a small office coffee maker. Overall, this drip coffee maker balances visual appeal with functionality. It also feels substantial without being cumbersome.
Colors
One of KitchenAid’s most distinctive features is its extensive color palette. This has become a significant selling point for the brand. The KCM1209 is no different, offering buyers two hues: Onyx Black and Matte Charcoal Gray.
Now, I know color may not seem like that big of a deal. But here’s the thing: You’d be wrong to think that. Just like SMEG lovers, many customers loyal to the KitchenAid brand obsess over coordinating their KitchenAid appliances. These two colors, therefore, will fit in with any kitchen decor.
In my opinion, KitchenAid has done well here. By allowing buyers to personalize an everyday appliance, they’ve zoned in on design-conscious coffee lovers.
User Interface
Another feature that got me all excited for this KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review is the user interface.
Sitting right at the side of this drip coffee machine, it consists of a control panel with a clear, backlit LCD digital screen. It has a brew timer and clock that provides at-a-glance information on brew settings and status. In addition, this interface includes one-touch power, programming and two ergonomic brew buttons.
Need piping hot coffee ready first thing in the morning? Done! Use the programmable advance 24-hour timer. Need to choose between a regular and bold brew? Simple, select for coffee strength using the adjustable brew strength selector. Can’t wait for the machine to brew a full carafe? No sweat. Grab a quick cup mid-brew, using the pause-and-pour function.
This drip coffee maker also features a variable cup selection. And because it has a programmable keep-warm function, you can maintain multiple cups of coffee at optimal temperature for up to two hours.
Water Tank
One of the most handy features of this KitchenAid coffee maker is the clear removable water tank. This design element, located at the rear of the machine, addresses common brewing and cleaning pain points.
As it’s a removable water reservoir it’s pretty easy to refill. Simply detach, carry to the sink or fridge and fill with water before reattaching. To add to this, this plastic tank comes with a sturdy top handle and clear lid. This ensures a secure grip during removal and reattachment.
I also love how snugly this removable tank fits into the body of the machine. Not only does it maintain a sleek design, but it also mitigates spillage risks.
At 60.9 ounces (1.8 liters), this removable water tank holds enough water for a full-pot brew. As such, it reduces the risk of running out of water mid-brew or frequent refills.
Now when I tell you this tank simplifies brewing, I mean it. You’ve gotta check out the clear measurement lines on its side! These ensure you add just the right amount of water for your desired brew size. Plus, these markings make it easy to monitor water levels. Now if that isn’t awesome, I don’t know what is!
Carafe
I’m sure you know by now! I’m not a big fan of glass carafes. They just don’t have the heat-retaining capability of thermal carafes. So does that mean I write off this KitchenAid coffee maker, outright? Not a chance. Even though the carafe’s material is glass, it is borosilicate glass that’s durable and heat-resistant.
In addition, the glass construction won’t impart any unwanted flavors to your coffee. It also makes it easy to track brewing and coffee strength. I suppose every cloud has a silver lining.
Typically, this full carafe holds 12 cups of filter coffee. Also, the ergonomic handle, well-fitted lid and drip-free spout make for an easy pour while minimizing spills. The spout has a silicone surround to avoid chipping your precious coffee cups and travel mugs as you pour.
Like the water tank, the carafe side has clear markings and measurement lines. These allow you to check for coffee levels.
Spiral Showerhead
This machine’s spiral shower head is a must-mention in this KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review. Its design is a testament to KitchenAid’s commitment to a quality brewing process.
It has a circular stainless steel shower head with 29 small holes arranged in a spiral pattern.
This design creates a cascading hot water flow for optimal extraction, preventing dry spots.
In addition, this shower head has seamless integration into the brewer’s top section, adding to its accessibility. Finally, it’s self-cleaning, which helps prevent mineral buildup.
In short, this spiral showerhead design helps extract subtle flavor notes from single-origin coffees and premium blends that less advanced systems might miss. In fact, in my opinion, it elevates this coffee maker from a basic appliance to a precision brewing tool.
Filter Basket
Another stand-out element of this KitchenAid 12-cup coffee machine is the permanent filter basket with gold-tone filter. The main body consists of heat-resistant BPA-free plastic that can withstand repeated use and cleaning.
The filter portion itself is a fine, gold-tone stainless steel mesh, which is both durable and efficient. Crucially, this type of filter allows for more of coffee’s natural oils to pass through during the brewing process. This results in delicious coffee and a fuller, richer brew.
Besides, this reusable filter coffee basket fits neatly into the removable brew compartment of not only this coffee machine, but also compatible KitchenAid drip coffee makers.
To use, simply add your desired amount of ground coffee to the filter basket and brew. And as it’s a reusable filter, it eliminates the need for No. 4 paper filters, reducing waste and saving money.
Programmable Warming Plate
The warming plate with a keep-warm function is an integral part of this KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker design. It sits at the bottom of the coffee machine, matching the circular base of the glass carafe.
As it happens, this hot plate has a smooth, heat-resistant surface with a slight lip around the edge to help keep the carafe centered and stable. In addition, it’s ring-fenced with heat-resistant plastic to prevent burns.
But programmability is what really sets this warming plate apart. You can program it to maintain brewed coffee at a specific temperature and for specific time up to two hours. That means hot brewed coffee all morning!
That said, I’m not a big fan of hot plates. Sorry, not sorry. While they’re a useful feature for coffee makers with glass carafes, prolonged heating does affect coffee taste. Worst case scenario – it can leave your coffee with a horrible “burnt” taste.
As such, for optimal coffee flavor, I recommend consuming brewed coffee within 30 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, transfer your just-brewed coffee to a thermal carafe.
How to Use the KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker
There are plenty of automatic drip machines in my best coffee maker guide. And you’d be forgiven for thinking that they’d all perform to around the same level. After all, it’s a fairly simple concept, right?
As it happens, the KitchenAid KCM1209 drips better than most. Its spiral-shaped, 29-hole showerhead really does make a difference. I quickly noticed that the coffee grounds are evenly dampened, resulting in more aromatic coffee than you’d get from a cheap alternative.
Otherwise, there is nothing else you need to consider. If you know how to use a filter coffee machine, you’ll also know how to use the KitchenAid. The LCD display and the corresponding buttons are easy to understand. Besides, if you have any questions, you can always refer to the user manual.
When you unpack your KitchenAid for the first time, rinse all removable parts, from the water tank to the carafe. Then, fill it with water and add freshly ground coffee to the filter. You can choose between two brew strengths. It’s up to you to decide which you prefer.
This also applies to the question of whether you want to use a permanent filter or the (programmable) keep-warm function. Personally, I prefer a paper filter, as the coffee tastes cleaner. And you already know how I feel about warming plates!
The dual timer is pretty cool, though. It allows you to program two different start times for brewing, for example for weekdays and weekends. And once you’ve found your KitchenAid program, the machine remembers the settings and shows you the current status on the LCD display.
If you need your coffee to go before the brewing process is complete, you can pause the machine and transfer your coffee to a travel mug. A simple drip stop would certainly have done the trick, but opinions differ on this.
Ultimately, I think that this KitchenAid coffee maker definitely offers more than a run-of-the-mill machine.
How Does Coffee from the KitchenAid KCM1209 Taste?
One might be tempted to accuse a somewhat exaggerated coffee machine like the KitchenAid KCM1209 of showing off and not keeping things simple.
However, the spiral showerhead and the “Bold” function clearly make a difference. My coffee becomes pleasantly velvety, extremely well-rounded and balanced in the best sense of the word. If you switch from the permanent filter to paper, the coffee machine should even be able to handle more complex flavor profiles.
During my testing, the brewing times and temperature showed that the KitchenAid coffee maker works reliably and consistently. Even after several 10-cup brew cycles, the temperature remained stable at 189 degrees Fahrenheit (87 degrees Celsius). This is an advantage over cheaper competitors, which already show different values after the second brewing cycle.
With a brewing time of 8.5 minutes (for 10 cups) and almost 4 minutes (for 4 cups), the KitchenAid coffee maker ranks in the upper midfield. In this respect, it isn’t as impressive as a machine like the Technivorm Moccamaster.
But the Moccamaster is even more expensive and focuses entirely on replicating pour over-style coffee. With its timer function, coffee strength settings and aroma options, the KitchenAid coffee maker aims to offer us the best compromise between convenience and optimal taste settings.
Cleaning & Descaling: Exactly What You’d Expect from a Drip Coffee Maker
When it comes to cleaning, the KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker is a jack-of-all-trades in the best sense of the word.
The removable water tank offers numerous advantages – and not just when filling it. You’ll have no excuses when it comes to cleaning either. Of course, you can also remove the filter holder. Together with the glass jug, it can be put in the dishwasher.
Fortunately, the machine’s exterior is smooth and relatively resistant to fingerprints, so you can simply wipe it down with a cloth.
Descaling is done manually; you won’t find an automatic descaling program like you would on a fully automatic coffee machine (of course). However, a small cleaning indicator helps you remember to perform this necessary step.
Don’t forget: If a drip coffee machine isn’t descaled regularly, it’s not just the taste of your coffee that suffers. Energy consumption increases, the temperature control no longer works properly and the water tank can become clogged.
So do yourself a favor and buy a descaler at least every now and then. The whole process only takes two full brewing cycles!
Verdict: KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker Review
Solid and dependable
KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker
Approachable coffee maker with some great features
Consistent brew temperature
Solid construction
Adjustable settings
Stylish design
No thermal carafe option
| KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker | |
| Manufacturer | KitchenAid |
|---|---|
| Model number | KCM1209 |
| Product category | Drip coffee maker |
| Housing material | Plastic with stainless steel parts |
| Color options | Matte Charcoal Grey, Onyx Black |
| Carafe | Glass |
| Keep warm function | Yes (adjustable) |
| Milk frother | |
| User interface | Text display with buttons and dials |
| App | |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l |
| Brew capacity | 60 fl oz / 1774 ml |
| Single cup function | |
| Reusable coffee filter | |
| Coffee pod compatible | |
| Brew styles | 2 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Coffee strength adjustment levels | |
| Hot water function | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 900 W |
| Weight | 7.3 lb / 3.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.3 x 7.2 x 13.4 in |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| SCA certified home brewer | |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, reusable gold tone filter |
| Current price on Amazon | BUY NOW ON AMAZON |
| All specifications | |
When it comes to KitchenAid products, I am often skeptical as to whether the appliance can justify its asking price. However, in the case of the KitchenAid KCM1209 Drip Coffee Maker, I have no objections whatsoever.
This isn’t a coffee maker with a bunch of unnecessary extra features. It’s more of a coffee maker with just the right amount of features. During my KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker review I liked everything from the Onyx Black color to the temperature control and special features. Plus, I can’t understate how tasty the coffee is.
With the right coffee beans, you’ll get much more complexity from the KitchenAid KCM1209 than is the case with many of its mediocre competitors. Is it the best filter coffee machine ever? No. Is it trying to be? No.
What are your thoughts on the KitchenAid Drip Coffee Maker? Is it the ideal coffee machine to elevate your morning routine? Let’s hear it in our comments section below!