If you are looking for a reliable and versatile coffee maker that can brew enough coffee for a crowd, you might want to consider reading my Ninja DCM201BK review. It is the programmable XL 14-cup Coffee Maker PRO we are talking about here.
This coffee maker has a sleek and modern design, a large 14-cup glass carafe, and a removable water reservoir that makes filling and cleaning easy. It also has some advanced features that let you customize your brew strength, size, and timing. In this review, I will go over the main features, pros and cons, and comparisons of the Ninja DCM201BK coffee maker.
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In this blog post we will look at the following:
Features of the Ninja DCM201BK Coffee Maker
Let’s start this Ninja DCM201BK review with the different features. The Ninja DCM201BK coffee maker has several features that make it stand out from other coffee makers in its price range. Some of these features are:
- Hotter Brewing Technology: This feature ensures that the water temperature is optimal for extracting the best flavor from your coffee grounds. It also keeps the coffee hot for up to 4 hours on the warming plate, which has an adjustable temperature setting.
- Classic and Rich Brew Settings: These settings allow you to choose between a smooth and balanced classic brew or a more intense and full-bodied rich brew. You can also use the rich brew setting to make specialty drinks with frothed milk, such as lattes or cappuccinos.
- Small Batch Setting: This setting lets you brew just 1-4 cups of coffee without compromising the flavor or concentration. It is ideal for when you want a smaller amount of coffee or when you are using different types of coffee grounds for different people. Not sure why you need this though, as it is meant for bigger coffee consumption…
- 24-Hour Programmable Delay Brew: This feature lets you set the time you want your coffee to start brewing up to 24 hours in advance. You can wake up to a fresh pot of coffee or have it ready when you come home from work.
- Removable Permanent Filter: Now, this is smart. This feature saves you money and reduces waste by eliminating the need for paper filters. The filter is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
- Ninja Smart Scoop: This feature helps you measure the right amount of coffee grounds for your desired brew size and strength. The scoop is attached to the side of the machine for convenience and has markings for each option.
- Ninja Easy Frother: Maybe the best feature. This frother is a bonus accessory that comes with the Ninja DCM201BK coffee maker. It is a handheld frother that whisks milk or cream into a creamy foam. You can use it to make delicious milk-based specialty drinks with your rich brew coffee.
Check out my other post: Is Black Coffee Good For You
Out of the Box
The Ninja DCM201BK coffee maker comes with everything you need to start brewing delicious coffee right away. In the box, you will find:
- The coffee maker unit
- The 14-cup glass carafe
- The removable water reservoir
- The removable permanent filter
- The Ninja smart scoop
- The Ninja easy frother
- The instruction manual
- A quick start guide
The only thing you really need next is a good bag of coffee. Like for example the the one you can read more about in my Stella Blue Coffee Review here.
To set up your Ninja DCM201BK coffee maker, you will need to:
It is as always best to clean any products you will be drinking from before first time use. Here is how this can be done:
- Wash all the parts and accessories with warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly.
- Plug in the coffee maker and fill the water reservoir with cold water up to the max fill line.
- Select the full carafe brew size and press the classic brew button to start a cleaning cycle. This will flush out any dust or residue from the machine.
- Discard the water and coffee grounds and rinse the carafe and filter basket.
- Your Ninja coffee maker is now ready to use.
Feel free to pin or share the image to find it later.
Ninja DCM201BK review – Pros and Cons
The Ninja DCM201BK coffee maker has many advantages, but it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it. When I started to set it up on the table, I realized there were way more pros than cons.
See for yourself under:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It can brew up to 14 cups of coffee at once | It is relatively large and heavy |
| It has a removable water reservoir that makes filling and cleaning easy | It does not have a thermal carafe option |
| It has a hotter brewing technology that ensures optimal flavor extraction and temperature | It does not have any advanced features such as over ice, cold brew, or specialty brew settings |
| It has two brew strength settings that let you customize your coffee taste and intensity | |
| It has a small batch setting that lets you brew just 1-4 cups without diluting the flavor or concentration | |
| It has a 24-hour programmable delay brew feature that lets you schedule your coffee ahead of time | |
| It has a removable permanent filter that saves money and reduces waste | |
| It has a ninja smart scoop that helps you measure the right amount of coffee grounds for your desired brew size and strength | |
| It comes with a ninja easy frother that lets you make milk-based specialty drinks with your rich brew coffee |
Ninja DCM201 vs CE251
The Ninja DCM201BK is not the only Ninja coffee maker on the market. Another popular model is the Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer, which has a 12-cup glass carafe. How do these two models compare? Here are some of the main differences between them:
- The Ninja DCM201BK has a larger capacity than the Ninja CE251, brewing up to 14 cups of coffee versus 12 cups. However, the Ninja CE251 has a mid-brew pause feature that lets you pour a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle is finished, which the Ninja DCM201BK does not have.
- The Ninja DCM201BK has a hotter brewing technology that ensures optimal flavor extraction and temperature, while the Ninja CE251 has a flavor straw that circulates the coffee throughout the carafe for even flavor distribution. Both models have a warming plate that keeps the coffee hot for up to 4 hours, but the Ninja DCM201BK has an adjustable temperature setting, while the Ninja CE251 does not.
- The Ninja DCM201BK has two brew strength settings, classic and rich, while the Ninja CE251 only has one brew strength setting, classic. Both models have a small batch setting that lets you brew just 1-4 cups without diluting the flavor or concentration.
- Both models have a 24-hour programmable delay brew feature that lets you schedule your coffee ahead of time. However, the Ninja DCM201BK has a freshness timer that shows you how long your coffee has been sitting on the warming plate, while the Ninja CE251 does not have this feature.
- Both models have a removable permanent filter that saves money and reduces waste. However, the Ninja DCM201BK also comes with a Ninja easy frother that lets you make milk-based specialty drinks with your rich brew coffee, while the Ninja CE251 does not come with this accessory.
Ninja coffee maker ratio chart:
I made a coffee water ratio post with a calculator you can check out, but if not you can follow the table here:
| Brew Size | Classic Brew | Rich Brew |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cup | 1 Scoop | 2 Scoops |
| 2 Cups | 2 Scoops | 3 Scoops |
| 3 Cups | 3 Scoops | 4 Scoops |
| 4 Cups | 4 Scoops | 5 Scoops |
| Half Carafe | 6 Scoops | 8 Scoops |
| Full Carafe | 12 Scoops | 16 Scoops |
Conclusion – Ninja DCM201BK review
So, let’s sum up my Ninja DCM201BK review. The Ninja DCM201BK Programmable XL 14-Cup Coffee Maker PRO is a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and versatile coffee maker that can brew enough coffee for a crowd.
It has some advanced features that let you customize your brew strength, size, and timing. It also comes with a Ninja easy frother that lets you make milk-based specialty drinks with your rich brew coffee.
However, it is relatively large and heavy, and it does not have a thermal carafe option or any advanced features such as over-ice, cold brew, or specialty brew settings. If you want more variety in your coffee options or a smaller and lighter machine, you might want to look for another Ninja model.
Ever since it got my first Ninja product I tend to really like their stuff and would give this a 4,7/5. Not bad!
Happy brewing you too.