Black & Decker should stick to workshop tools and quit the coffeemaker business.
Positive Product Points
The heating element and electrical work.
Negative Product Points
The carafe's design was ill-conceived. The plastic 'feet' are off-center; the base is weighted more heavily on one side than on the others. The whole of the machine is off-balance. Finally, the amount of water the reservoir holds is less than the amount of water the carafe holds.
Detailed Commentary
My husband chose Black & Decker because they make terrific tools, so he expected good quality. The VersaBrew Plus disappointed us both.
Although the electrical unit works, the physical build of the glass carafe, the plastic base, and the plastic reservoir are poorly designed, mis-matched, and weighted off-center.
With each pot of coffee there is a liquid mess. The liquid quantities of carafe and reservoir are different. Water splashes over the top of the reservoir when its filled via the carafe. The shape of the glass carafe is molded so that liquid spills over each time you pour water in the reservoir; coffee splashes over when you pour coffee into the cup.
The entire unit totters and shakes as it brews. We had to stick wadded plastic bag underneath one side in order to balance and stabilize the coffee maker.
These errors one expects from seventh grade shop class, and not from Black & Decker. What a let-down!!
Buying Experience
My husband picked out the VersaBrew Plus at Walmart's. His logic behind his choice: Black & Decker tools are all he buys because they are good quality and reliable. This coffeemaker was a big disapointment.
