Home > Consumer Reviews > Black & Decker AM8 Home Caf? Single Serve Coffee Brewing System, White

This coffee maker certainly has its flaws, but I've generally been satisfied with it for the two months I've owned it. I really like how fast it works and how little I have to do to get it going and clean the unit. The flavor of the various coffee pods is fine--not outstanding, but not objectionable in any way. When I go out for coffee I actually prefer mochas, so I'm anxiously anticipating the release of the promised mocha pods. They've just released the cappuccino flavor pods (ordered today); at this time they can only be purchased on the homecafe website. Many other reviewers have mentioning the coffee dripping out after the brewing is done. I have had the same experience. I simply place a folded up paper towel over the metal grate where the cup sits when I remove the cup, and it catches the drips and prevents further splatter. The unit did leak a large volume of water on the counter and floor once, but that was only after I filled the water resevoir all the way to the max line. I haven't done that again, and it hasn't leaked again. It might be nice if the coffee were hotter when it came out. Some of the other reviews said they'd had good results by using only room temperature water in the resevoir. I do this, using filtered water directly from the Brita pitcher that sits out on my kitchen counter, but the coffee is still not quite as hot as I'd like when it comes out, and is cold by the time I finish my cup. I'd imagine that drinking it from an insulated travel mug would help a lot with keeping the temperature up during consumption, but I still haven't been able to find a travel mug of the size that will fit directly under the spout. If any other reviewers know of one, please share!

New remarks added on 12/7/04: Just an update--the longer I've used this machine, the better I've liked it! It took a full month to get the cappuccino in the mail from Procter & Gamble. If you were buying it for the cappuccino pods you should know that...It was yummy once I added sweetener, BUT said yumminess comes at the cost of 9 fat grams/170 calories per serving! I usually use Splenda and fat free creamer in my coffee, so I was a bit disappointed about that.

I originally bought the Melitta and although I tried and tried, I just couldn't drink the coffee. Also I never got a full cup. Switched to the Home Cafe and think it's great. Folgers and Millstone coffee is much, much better. It does not leak. It could be a tiny bit hotter. I typically use the 14 oz side with 2 pods and it's just enough for the trip to work in the morning -- fills a regular travel mug right to the top. Put a medium sized measuring cup under it and pour it into a travel mug if the mug doesn't fit. Some splash, but nothing a quick wipe of the counter doesn't fix (always have to wipe the counter in the morning anyway). Do have a concern as noted in another review, that the arm will last using it twice a day every day...time will tell.

This is, by far, the worst appliance that I have ever had the misfortune to own. The first worked great for 3 cups of coffee, and then quit working entirely. The second brewed for a week. You get the idea, so I won't bother to describe the problems with units 3-7. Yes, that's right, I had 7 of these in less than 9 months.

The company gladly replaces these regularly defective units for a $7 fee. You have to mail the cord and payment in before the replacement is shipped. Of course, when you are paying this every few weeks (no, the units don't actually last weeks, you just have to wait a few weeks while the replacement ships), it adds up. So, in addition to the purchase price, I paid $49 for replacements. On top of that, the pods would go stale between units, so I lost more money there. With three months left on the warranty, I have decided to not even bother with replacements.

Save yourself time, money, and frustration, and RUN from this product.

I looked at the Phillips, Melitta, and the B and D. Might have choosen the Phillips but couldn't find it in white, heard too many complaints about the Melitta coffee, but it may be fine, that's a personal taste for each person, but saying that my wife and I drink Folgers Columbian. Used to drink alot of Starbucks but just got burned out on it, we only have one cup in the morning's now. I used the Millstone Colombian Supremo, and too me that came out to be a really good cup of coffee, reminded me of one of Starbucks very light coffee blends,medium too strong but not overpowering and not like a French roast blend with the smokey favor. Much better tasting than my B and D VersaBrew, that has served us well for years. Pros: Quick, Quiet,Cleaning up is easy, It looks like a larger water reserve than other brands, the reserve did leak a few drops at the rubber gorment until I moved the plastic valve up and down a couple of times and then it seated. The reserve does slide out very easy and will stand up on it's own. I would suggest that you use the 14oz side of the pod holder even for smaller cups, I think that's where some people have had problems with leaks, if you use the 7-9oz side make sure the edges of the pod are tucked down. I use one pod for 9oz cup of coffee, The B and D will accept larger mugs or travel cups up to just under 6 inches high, but the tall Starbucks plastic travel cup is too tall at 6 3/4 inches high Cons: The arm that clamps down over the pod is a little hard too open and close, plus as someone else said it may not be very durable over the long haul, and I'd like to see it open up higher than it does, it take some manuvering to get the pod holder out. That's where the Phillips really outshines the other brands. I do think at some point B and D will have to redesign that. Overall I'm very very pleased with with the Home Cafe!

The Home Cafe from Black & Decker is for brewing one cup of coffee at a time. There's three cup sizes to choose from when you brew.

A very large unit. As large as most 8-12 cup drip makers. The unit comes in white also.

I couldn't believe my ears! This is a very noisily unit. My cat was wide-eye and scared when she heard it growling and spitting. My wife yelled from the bedroom " What the $*&# is that?". Guess I won't be using this early while others are still sleeping.

Well I tried a few cups. The taste was okay but not as good as a drip maker. The clean up was decent I suppose. The one thing that disappointed me the most was the temperature. It was luke warm right out of the machine. I could actually drink the cup right down like water if I wanted to. After I added cream... well.... I think you get the idea.

I'm afraid that the Black & Decker "Home Cafe" is quite a disappointment. If the unit at the very least served hot coffee then it may of been worth the purchase.