jpm Senior Member Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 23 Location: LA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Dec 26, 2004, 10:13pm Subject: Is the MT500 the champ?
I will start by saying that i have, thanks to the folks on this website, immersed myself in the art and science of home espresso preparation. I've invested time and money into what i think is a great machine: The Elektra Semiautomatica. I enjoy the "ritual" every morning when i wake-up. I know most of the do's and don'ts about how to get the best cup.
Now, my wife, when she has time, will also enjoy a nice cappuccino from the Elektra. But, when its a work day, she has to wake up earlier than I do and wants an easy cup-a-joe waiting for her. Enter coffee makers with a timer.
Yes i know, I KNOW. TIMERS ARE BAD! They force you to use stale coffee. The coffee can "burn" on the hot plates of some machines after its been brewed. Nevertheless, this is a feature that she wants and needs, even at the sacrifice of quality coffee.
That said, if one were to plunge into the world of coffee makers with 24 hour timers, where does one start? I thought, here on Coffeegeek.com.
My question is this: The Capresso MT500 has been the drip coffee maker of choice here on this site partly because it brews at proper temperature. It also has a nice look and a nice thermal carafe. But, knowing fully that my wife will be using the timer function, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO TELL A DIFFERENCE IN THE CUP WITH THE MT500 vs. ANY OTHER DRIP MAKER?
The reason i ask is because i'm sure someone out there will say, "If you're gonna use a timer, mine as well get the cheap little $19.99 guy. Should I? Would it be pointless to spend $169 on the MT500 if you're gonna use it solely with the timer function?
What are the machine recommendations out there, taking into consideration me and my wife's parameters (timer function) for coffee machines that require little effort in the sleepy morning but can still give you a quality cup using good quality coffee? (yes i know its not quality if you grind the night before and brew in the a.m. By quality coffee i mean fresh micro-roasted beans ground the night before vs. pre-ground chock full o' nuts.)
Ditto. For < $50, you can have a very good machine with a timer. And of course the wonderful, lifetime, no questions asked warranty of Costco.
Don't stress out about the staleness of grinding the night before. Yes it is a compromise for convenience sake, but if the beans were freshly roasted, the water is decent tasting (and hot enough, which it will be), you will still be getting a very good cup of coffee. Try to time it so that it does not sit on the hot plate too long (say less than 10 minutes if possible).
gamajar Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Houston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quick Mill Andreja Grinder: Rancilio Rocky SD w/ Teflon... Vac Pot: Hario Deco; Cory Drip: Melior French Press;... Roaster: Not just yet, but leaning
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 7:07am Subject: Re: Is the MT500 the champ?
Just my 2 cents worth, but I bought the MT500 and returned it within a week, because it never brewed at a hot enough temp. The hottest water I got coming out of the shower head was around 184 degrees F and in the carafe (which I always preheated) it was in the 170's. I returned it after a week. I have owned 3 different Capresso coffee makers and none of them ever made water hot enough. I gave up on the Capresso brand forever. You might want to look elsewhere for you drip coffee needs if brewing at the proper temperature is important to you.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 