TheHolyCannoli Senior Member Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 9 Location: CT Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 9:36am Subject: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
Apologies in advance if there is another thread comparing these machines in particular, but I couldn't find it using the search function.
I decided I'll buy a separate grinder, probably the Infinity 560 or 565, so now I have to find the brewer. I am going back and forth between the Bonavita and DeLonghi and can't seem to find a reason to choose one over the other. Both apparently brew at correct temps and in the correct amount of time, so it seems that they should essentially produce very similar final coffee products. However, considering the price difference, I question if there are any other differences that I'm missing. As of now, I can get the thermal/glass Bonavita for $150/$130 or go with the DeLonghi for $43.
Not sure if this will make a huge difference, but typically I'd be brewing between 4-6cups, not the full 8-10.
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 354 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 12:47pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
I bought a DCM900 a little over one year ago, and it is still making great drip coffee. However, each of the two in-line fuses have failed, and I simply by-passed them and always use a GFI receptable.
I prefer the Mellita #4 Bamboo filter over the 'gold'....
If you think you can fix it, save the $100.00 and get the DH900. I doubt the Dh900 is still in production because the location of the mentioned in-line fuses insure their early failure...
TheHolyCannoli Senior Member Joined: 28 May 2012 Posts: 9 Location: CT Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 12:57pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
Thanks for the reply. I can fix just about anything, but I'm not sure if I want to for a basic appliance. I guess the added cost would be for durability at this point, and a thermal carafe for the $150
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 354 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 5:14pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
The DH900 is certainly well-built and durable. However, the designer failed to realize the fuses are located in a pretty hot location that de-grades their rating. But the fuses are easy to deal with, if you have a soldering iron.. mine: 1) Brews at 207F 2) Very easy to clean. 3) Warming plate at 450F doesn't burn the brew.
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 5:50pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
I have the DCM900. I just got it, as I informed before. For the short time I have had it I can say it is a breeze to use, and you can't beat the artsy look of it. I also like the fact that it doesn't cook the coffee on the burner; just keeps it warm. The build seems very durable.
I brew 6 cups on the average. I use the gold filter. It brews extremely fast.
I have not taken mine apart to look at the fuses; I wonder if there is a way to insulate them with ceramic insulation to prevent degrading.
There are videos of it operating on youtube if you wish to see it in operation.
At $59 the price can't be beat. Buy 3 of them and keep a couple as spares, or resell on eBay for higher price. You might just end up getting your original for free.
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
5yrs ago I barely escaped a home fire by climbing down the side of my 3-level home that eventually burned to the ground. The cause was linked back to a faulty toaster. Something in my head clicked and I realized I would be insane to knowingly bring a risk like that into my home. So, I decided against the DeLonghi as I'm not interested in role-playing as Spider-man again anytime soon.
Got the thermal Bonavita and Infinity 565 grinder due to arrive next week. I'm hoping this combo works well for me so I can simply enjoy a good cup of coffee!
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 8:50pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
Oldgearhead, is the fuse placed before or after the brewer on/off switch? Also, my understanding is that the fuses burn out due to the heat issue creating an open circuit, not a closed circuit. Is that correct?
Also, HolyCannoli, was the issue you had with the toaster due to a sticking switch that kept the toaster on and due to such caused the fire?
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 354 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 9:15pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
CraigJS - I'm a retired EE, and I did hi-pot test the unit after each fuse failure.
C.R.C. - The fuses were located after the on/off switch. One on each leg of the main heater element. Each fuse opened several weeks apart, and they were attached very close to the heater element. If they relocated them on later models, they might be fine. A 20A GFI breaker is plenty of protection for this 1500 watt drip brewer.
I've included an image of my one-year-old, one-pound, 120V, heat-recycling, fluid-bed, coffee roaster. It uses one, 1450 watt heating element::
Posted Wed May 30, 2012, 10:05pm Subject: Re: Bonavita BV1800 vs. DeLonghi DCM900
oldgearhead Said:
CraigJS - I'm a retired EE, and I did hi-pot test the unit after each fuse failure.
C.R.C. - The fuses were located after the on/off switch. One on each leg of the main heater element. Each fuse opened several weeks apart, and they were attached very close to the heater element. If they relocated them on later models, they might be fine. A 20A GFI breaker is plenty of protection for this 1500 watt drip brewer.
I've included an image of my one-year-old, one-pound, 120V, heat-recycling, fluid-bed, coffee roaster. It uses one, 1450 watt heating element::
Thanks for that info. Then from what I can see there is no way that the fuse issue you had could start a fire. That is reassuring. Just a typical blown fuse issue due to the fuse getting weaker due to proximity to the heating elements.
I've seen your fluid bed roaster on homeroasters.org site. I enjoy the efficiency you have brought to the fluid bed electrical heating method.
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
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