The Technivorm is made in Holland. Although Technivorm begins with “tech,” it is any but high tech. It is manual everything. Nevertheless, I like the Technivorm a lot, and would buy it again without hesitation. However, it has both pros and cons.
On the negative side, it is manual everything. It has no timer and no clock, although the heating element does turn off when the water reservoir is empty. The adjustability of the rate at which the water drips through the filter, which is a feature I like, is low tech. It is accomplished by a plastic lever that you lift up or push down to create a larger or smaller opening in the basket below the paper filter.
The stainless steel carafe is extremely attractive, but does not work very well. The heat retention is poor. To pour from the carafe, it is necessary to partially unscrew the cap. It is also necessary to be careful in pouring so that coffee does not spill over the side of the cup.
While making coffee, the top of the carafe is removed. However, when placed under the basket, with the top off, there is a 1 1/4 inch gap between the top of the supplied carafe and the bottom of basket. As a result, if you wait too long to screw the top on the carafe after the brewing is completed, the coffee will lose heat.
On the other hand, with the top of the carafe in place, the carafe does not fit under the filter basket. As a result, the carafe cannot be stored as part of the coffee machine.
At $195, the Technivorm is expensive for a basic machine. And if you replace the carafe, as I did, it is even more expensive.
I liked the manual. It is very short, and does not say much. Most modern manuals are mostly a compilation of safety warnings and disclaimers anyway. Although there is not much in the way of instructions in the manual, the machine is so simple to use that not much is needed. The manual has minimal safety warnings and disclaimers.
Given all the negatives I have described, why do I like the Technivorm so much. The answer is simple. It makes a superior cup of coffee and is exceptionally attractive for a coffee maker. It also heats the water very quickly. The 1400 watt heating element heats the water to over 200 degrees. I can grind the coffee more finely than with the other drip machines I have used, perhaps because of the adjustable flow rate feature. I think using more finely ground coffee, together with the higher water temperature, accounts for the superior brew.
The Technivorm is made in Holland. It is sleek, well built, and attractively designed. The housing is stainless steel, instead of plastic. I bought the black model, and think it looks great. The unit is not very wide, which also contributes to its good looks.
I replaced the carafe that came with the coffee maker with the stainless steel Thermos Nissan TGS 1500 1.6 liter carafe, for which I paid $39.99 plus shipping. It fits perfectly under the Technivorm, and can be stored under the Technivorm with the top on (unlike the carafe that came with the unit). It also retains heat much better. I highly recommend this replacement if you buy the Technivorm (although it makes the overall cost higher).
In short, because the good points are key to what I like in a drip coffee maker, I like the coffee maker a lot. However, the machine has a number of negatives. |
