Very easy to use. Just fill the water in the glass container, filter basket lid flips open 180 degrees, one button/dial to adjust for number of cups, set clock and coffees ready when u ready to go out. All in all, a well thought out on design that makes coffee as good as you would get if you poured water over a filter yourself. Thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for about one hour and ensures you never get the burnt taste when coffee sits on a hot plate. Deducting one star since it's a bit overpriced. Also because 9 cups is a strange increment and not truly sized to a mug of coffee. Be aware that 9 cups equates to about 3 large size mugs of coffee. In short its a good coffee maker [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]