Size -- seems bigger than necessary. Brew interrupt valve too easily fouled.
Detailed Commentary
After having owned several different brands of drip coffee makers, and having most fail within about one year, the Coffee Tec has been a pleasant surprise. This is one fast machine! And the coffee it makes is hot! Unlike most machines I've used that seem to poke along and result in coffee that's not quite as hot as I like. This is about as fast and hot as you'll get from an automatic drip.
But speed may be a problem, too. This machine pumps the water into the basket so fast, sometimes grounds escape the basket and foul the interrupt valve. Whether you want a quick cup during the brew process, or even well after it's over and water is just about finished coming through the basket, you end up with coffee running all over. Make sure you clean the valve after each use, and avoid too fine a grind.
Occasionally I find dry areas in the grounds, too, which means wasted coffee and weaker than expected results. From experience, I have found this doesn't happen if the coffee is heaped higher in the middle of the basket -- don't put a depression in the middle.
The stainless steel carafe is sturdy and I like the way the lid seals during the brewing process -- no need to tighten or change the lid position once the brewing is done. But I think it lets the coffee cool too quickly, so I still find myself using a vacuum bottle style (glass thermal bottle) carafe for large quatities of coffee I want to keep hot for a while.
I have used the frother a lot, it is very convenient, and does a reasonable job -- not quite as fine as you can get from your espresso machine, but still better than most can do who have not yet mastered the art frothing. When needing a lot of foam for a party, this machine can't be beat, especially if you have a single boiler espresso machine as there is no problem with switching back and forth making espresso and steaming milk.
The option to take milk from the provided container or even the milk carton is a nice convenience. The valve used to adjust the degree of foaming works well. The parts are well made. Just one warning -- always wash all the frother parts after use, otherwise the milk residue will do "unpleasant things" -- you can imagine! Don't just try to flush the parts with steam while still on the machine. Take them off (including the threaded piece they connect to) and wash with water.
Buying Experience
Nothing special. Saw the display, read the description, picked up a box, paid and left. However, did have a problem with the first machine -- it suffered from something the Capresso company called "slow start" (wouldn't start brewing until after a long delay if I tried to restart the machine immediately after finishing a brew cycle or foaming -- when making a second carafe of coffee for a large group). I called them, and they sent a new machine that has worked perfectly for over a year. Nice people.
