In my house, the life expectancy of a coffee pot is slightly less than one year. Last May I purchased a white 12-cup pot (Mr. Coffee), and the poor dear finally gave it’s all. I detest white appliances because they show every speck of dirt, but last year my husband had his heart set on the oblong carafe that came with the white drip-brewer. However, this time out I went after a Black & Decker Smart Brew, which produces twelve cups and also has a warmer (with temperature adjustment) and a subtle “alarm” when the coffee is finished brewing. The maker is also programmable, and is a nice shiny black. To make my husband happy, the carafe is also somewhat oblong.

 

My husband and I deduced we probably make about 1,460 pots of coffee per year in our kitchen (on an average, four pots per day for 365 days). When the figures are presented in that manner, it seems as if we consume an inordinate amount of coffee. So be it – I have to have some sort of legal substance to keep me going – besides that, I love the taste of the brew laced with copious amounts of liquid Coffee Mate (no sugar, please).