Grown Up Geek's Review
Black & Decker Spacemaker Automatic Coffee Maker ODC400
Reviewed by: Christina (GrownUpGeek staff-member)
Purchase date: June 2005
Purchased from: Target (online)
Price paid: $49
Overall grade/comments: DO NOT BUY IT! More coffee on the counter than in your cup!
We purchased the Black & Decker Spacemaker ODC400 out of the need to free-up some space on our counter-tops. Having purchased many Black & Decker products in the past, and being happy with every one of them, we assumed the Spacemaker ODC400 would be just as good. We were wrong.
Spacemaker Coffee Maker: Assembly and installation
Setup and assembly were a snap. The directions were clear and simple to understand, and the template provided made it easy to drill holes and mount the Spacemaker to the shelf above the counter top.
Spacemaker Coffee Maker: Programming and brewing coffee
Programming the Spacemaker was as easy as installation, as was brewing our first pot of coffee. The trouble came when we tried to pour the coffee out of the carafe (that's the 'pot' part) into our cup. To my horror, almost as much coffee dribbled onto the counter top as into the cup! We checked the carafe to make sure everything was tight (it was) and tried again. Once again, at least 25% of the coffee spilled and dribbled down the side of the carafe and onto the counter top. The other problem we ran into is that it is virtually impossible to get all the coffee out of the carafe. You have remove the top and literally hold the carafe upside down and shake it side to side to get the last bit of coffee out! I can safely say, this is the worst designed product (of ANY type) I have ever purchased in my life.
Spacemaker Coffee Maker: No heating element!
To our surprise, we found that the carafe holder has no heating element. The coffee stays hot only by the insulation in the carafe. This amounts to about 20 minutes of hot coffee, and about 45 - 60 minutes of warm coffee. Another bad quality for a coffee maker.
Spacemaker Coffee Maker: Overall impressions
Until we get around to replacing this poorly designed (yet stylish looking) piece of garbage, we have learned to leave a rag permanently on the counter where we pour or morning coffee to soak up all the spillage. The design of this coffee maker is horrible. Save your money, don't waste it on this model.
coffee all over the floor!
This is the worst coffee maker i've ever had. We recived this model as a gift for christmas, and by new-year's day it was in the trash.
Our main complaint: Coffee spilling all over the floor when you TRY to pour it into your cup!
if any lawyers are reading, we should make a class-action lawsuit to get refunded for these pieces of junk! (except for me, because i got it as a gift).
DON'T BUY IT!