Hard to tell if it makes better coffee than a $40 equivelant, but it SURE does look BETTER sitting on my countertop for an extra $25!!!!
Positive Product Points
Hands-Down Aesthetics Winner in the $100 category 1-4 Cup "Double Heat" Option Integrated Carbon H2O Filter Gold Mesh Filter Included Cone Shaped Filter Shower-Head Water Dispersal 1025 Watt Element Adj. Temp Burner Plate
Negative Product Points
Even with a discount, this is a bit pricey for a drip coffee maker, comparitively speaking. But with all the features and the stylish design, I'm not displeased. Clear winner over Braun, Bunn, Krups, Capresso,etc. Surprisingly, the element in this machine is not as big as say the Braun (1025 vs. 1200), and is not the category leader compared to other models as well (read: Mr. Coffee). I have yet to achieve the @205 degf brew temps everyone is talking about.
Detailed Commentary
When I sat down a few weeks ago to read my morning mail (email), I was shocked to attention by the stagnant flavour that beparted my lips, from what would be a normally pleasurable oral sensation! I knew it was time for action, and past time to part with the old Mr. Coffee!!! I almost went cheapo with Mr. Coffee, again. I've had several Mr. Coffee's in the past, and I have to say - they have not been that bad! ~even as particular as I am about my coffee! I was eyeballing the Brew Central for WEEKS, but couldn't justify the extra expense. I figured there HAD to be more to this stylish machine other than just good looks, right?! So, I did my research - and low and behold I found my answers! First-off, for the money - the aethetics of this machine cannot be beat. Very stylish (I bought the all Black model, since I don't own SS appliances, and I figured it would hide fingerprints better). I'm too snobby about a Fresh-Grind in the mornings to require a TIMER on my brew machine, but it's nice to have on occaision when time is tight. I like the 1-4 feature the most on this machine, because I rarely brew more than 4-5 cups at a time (single guy) and I think this is what really hurt the flavor of the coffee in my last machine. The Cone shaped filter, gold basket, and water filter were MUST HAVES for me, and again the BC didn't disappoint! I had a hard time finding ANY information on the internet or otherwise to indicate the size (watts) of the heating element in this or other machines. I Do remember reading a review of the Technivorm where a gentlemen had posted the (1400watt) element size there, but nowhere to be found on others. This was important to me, because THIS is the ENGINE that drives the TRAIN!! Lo & Behold, get to the store - turn the machine over, and voila!! Ratings are all stamped on the bottoms of the applicances!! Although not a deal-breaker, I was surprised to find that the BC was NOT the biggest in the lot (1025 watts) and EVEN the lowly Mr. Coffee models had larger heating elements(1100 watts), if only marginally so. In the $100 auto-drip category, the Braun had the whopper of the bunch, at 1200 watts! Again, I'm still waiting for that magic 205 degf at the spiggot that everyone raves about, but for now - the coffee is hot and tasty, and I'm not complaining one bit!! I find it somewhat Ironic that the model number of this machine is BCC-1200.....isn't that somewhat MISLEADING??? In any case - nice machine, I got a good deal - and it makes great coffee!
Buying Experience
I went, I saw, I purchased. BBB was cheaper than most @ $79.99 retail, + a 20% off coupon. I was pleased with that!
