GE Select Edition 12-Cup Coffeemaker 169101

by Deborah
(Massachusetts)

My GE Select Edition 12-Cup Coffeemaker 169101 was purchased at Walmart for $32.99. This model’s most distinctive feature is its design, which might be described as Art Deco redux. It also has a more upscale look than the traditional Mr. Coffee. Its sweeping arches, stepped banding, smooth “steel” surfaces and black trim are visually pleasing.

The unit’s metal-look body is plastic with a brushed-silver finish. Fingerprints will show against this finish, but cleanup is easy. This coffeemaker’s sides taper to the back, making it a good choice for a corner location. The model includes a sleek German glass carafe, yet a common replacement carafe will also fit.

In basic functionality this model is well-behaved. It is programmable and has coffee ready for me every morning. I find that the coffee is made quite hot and stays hot enough with a keep-hot feature, until an automatic shut-off occurs. The carafe sits quite sheltered within the machine, which might help keep the coffee warmer. There is a small, bright blue LED light for the digital timer, which is best appreciated when half awake. A window marked in cups also reveals water level. This coffeemaker requires basket-type filters, which are cheap and readily available. I have had this unit for almost two years, which outlasts my usual coffeemaker purchase.

A serious negative for me is the shape and positioning of the water receptacle. It is divided into two small curving sections on the back sides of the unit. Sitting on a counter, the coffeemaker tops at 53” from the floor. I am 5’4” and have a difficult time pouring water from the provided carafe neatly into it. As I write this, I’m contemplating getting a long-spouted plant watering can to fill this machine. Aside from the messy fill-up, I’ve been very pleased with the affordability, look, and performance of this unit.