Comments on: Oster 4281 Counterforms 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

By: Maureen Warrender

Maureen Warrender — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:10:28 +0000

I have an oster coffee maker all I need is the glass pot . Cant seem to find one that will fit anywhere

By: latte lover

latte lover — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:57:48 +0000

bought one 2nd hand reduced with slight dent in thermal carafe. Giving it a 2nd chance, Clock works, coffee is hot but constantly wiping, alot of unavoidable spillage…a few other brands have the same issues.

By: dan

dan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:47:51 +0000

” it stops perkey after a few seconds and the bell starts dinging..it won’t allow me to clean it, nothing ” We had same problem. Design flaw of this machine — too easy to accidentally spill small amounts of the ground coffee into the reservoir. Clogs up the plumbing. The only thing I haven’t tried is taking the whole thing apart.

By: Kelly Zimmermann

Kelly Zimmermann — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:05:03 +0000

I bought this coffee maker in September 2007 and it makes absolutely the best pot of coffee I’ve ever had from a home brewing machine. I am short (5′2) and have standard counter height in my home and don’t have any trouble filling the reservoir. I think some people are just more comfortable with the clear gauge on the outside of other machines.

In December 2008, the pot stopped brewing and the warming plate did not get hot. Sunbeam says I blew a fuse. My very handy husband tried taking the pot apart to replace the fuse, but the mechanics of the machine are sealed, so I bought a new one. I searched and searched … finally found one. I’m even looking for a third, in the event that my current machine fails – that is how much I love this coffee maker!

I find the carafe well balanced and although I am careful, I don’t think it would easily break, it feels solid.

By: pearl schakett

pearl schakett — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:42:41 +0000

help..my coffee maker decided to quit today..it stops perkey after a few seconds and the bell starts dinging..it won’t allow me to clean it, nothing..please help

By: Fabiola Arriarán

Fabiola Arriarán — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:55:34 +0000

I bought this coffe maker a week ago to replace my old Thomas coffee maker. Even when its nice to have this new electronic features, my main interest when I opted for this machine, was in the coffee flavor and aroma which I have noticed it failed to produce. I am using the same amount of coffee and water, and the same brands of coffee (a combination of the best Peruvian coffee brands) which were producing an excellent cup of coffee in my Thomas coffee maker, but it did not work with the Oster Programmable Coffee Maker 4281 I bought last week for 90 dollars. My concern is with the type of filter it has. The owner´s manual does not say whether the filter is made of plastic, nylon, or metal, or what kind of metal it is. I am interesting in having this information which is vital to obtain a good cup of coffee. I also tried with a paper filter and it did not improve the flavor of the coffee.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:03:51 +0000

I have the Oster 4281 – was glad to see that info on the clean button. I read my manual and decided I was an expert and threw it out. Turns out I’m not! I put water in when I hit the clean button…oh well. However, I was cleaning it because its started brewing very slowly and not as strong, even with the strong button pressed. Any ideas?

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:18:35 +0000

I love the coffee maker however we’ve had it over six months now and the black on the heating plate is starting to peel. Does anyone know if we can still use it that way?

By: Lou Duphily

Lou Duphily — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:23:38 +0000

I love this coffeemaker features, value for cost. Worked great. BUT. I don’t care how good somethng is, if you cannot purchase a replacement pot or lid and have to throw out a one month old appliance… then don’t buy this! Never again an Oster-Sunbeam product!

By: Traci in Texas

Traci in Texas — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:57:30 +0000

We got this coffee pot a couple months ago and it is wonderful! Mine came with directions; but the DH thought they were unnecessary and tossed them before I could read them….

It has a temperature adjustment so you can customize how hot to keep your coffee while it is on its 2-hour “stay warm” cycle.

The brew strength doesn’t seem to make any difference, but it makes me feel good to turn the Strong Brew on — like I am saving some coffee grounds or something.

The finish is GREAT! I have kids and a hubby whose smudgy little finger prints no longer show!!! The chromey color and black blend in pretty well in our kitchen.

The carafe is sturdy and the handle feels well balanced and comfortable. I’ve not had any issues with spillage, as I read in someone’s comment above …

Filling it doesn’t seem too difficult. The quantity marks are inside the water tank, but clear and easy to see. My counters must be lower than theirs, or maybe I am taller — but I have no problem gauging how much water I’ve put in it. Usually I use the carafe to pre-measure it anyway, and then just pour it in the holding tank. No problemo.

Overall, for $30, this is by FAR the nicest and easiest coffee pot to use. That self-cleaning cycle is fantastic and something I’d not seen in another pot. (Having hard water on tap, I find this a wonderful benefit!!!!!)

Overall, it’s gotta be a 9.5 out of 10! in my opinion.