Makes great fast coffee,don't have to be a coffee snob to appreciate it's difference.
Positive Product Points
Great tasting coffee,fast,hot,easy clean up
Negative Product Points
Does not shut off when done,plastic parts seem flimsy,plate under carafe not attached and is annoying.
Detailed Commentary
Our Kitchenaid pro line just died one morning and in deciding what machine to replace it with, I purchased the KB741 thermo based on the reviews from the Coffee Geek. While we are not huge coffee drinkers, my husband and I love our coffee first thing in the morning. We used to think the kitchenaid produced good coffee-but I was concerned with the hot plate and the bitter taste we were getting if it sat there for any time at all. Thank god the kitchenaid died!!! We now know what great coffee tastes like. We have a Rocky Rancilo that we set at 25 and grind fresh right before each pot. We use a gold filter, and using a kitchen timer I set the filter to no drip for 2 mintues to let the water infuse the grounds. I then open up the filter to the slow drip setting. The whole pot of coffee is done in about 5-6 minutes. The coffee has a sweet taste in the first cup, and the carafe keeps it hot to the last drip.
Buying Experience
Boyd's was great over the phone, and UPS delivered it in 2 days(1 day earlier than the tracking showed). Their price was as good as any others and they sent free coffee,and little goodies in the box.
Three Month Followup
After 3 months this is still the best coffee maker we have ever had. Produces hot,fast,tasty coffee. One thing I have found is the carafe holds more water than the reservoir. I fill the carafe with cold water to the top, pour the water into the reservoir and any extra water I place in my mug. After 2 minutes enough water has passed that I can add the extra water saved in my mug and get a fuller carafe of coffee. I also have added to my wall plug a lamp timer that I plugged in my coffee maker so I do not have to worry about leaving the on switch on, if I forget to turn it off. I give my self a 2 hour window to make coffee. I still highly recommend this great coffee maker.
