I'm pleased with my purchase and hope to get many caffeine-filled years out of this machine.
Positive Product Points
- Looks GREAT on the counter. The brushed metal finish is very attractive as well as functional. - Keeps the coffee warm, but not as warm as I've seen others claim here (i.e. overnight, all day long, etc.) - I love that there is no heater plate under the carafe. I can set the carafe down anywhere in the kitchen without having to worry about damaging/melting the counter surface. Plus I don't have to worry about shattering any glass by washing with cool water. For the most part, I love this design! - Accommodates a gold #4 filter from Wal-Mart perfectly
Negative Product Points
- The vacuum sealer lid took me some time to learn to open to the correct position to pour. The instructions are a bit sketchy in this area. - Once auto-brew is set, I haven't found a way to cancel it in the event that I decide I don't want auto-brew in the a.m. - Although I love the water window feature, the water I pour in doesn't register until WAY after I've poured two "cups" in. If I pour too fast, it zips up to 5 cups, bypassing 2, 3 and 4 cups completely. I'm training myself to pour slower. - A minor inconvenience, but brewing is LOUD. Sounds like it sputtering all over the place just like the unit it replaced, but it's really not. I've found no grounds in my coffee.
Detailed Commentary
I bought this machine based on the reviews I read here, and I have not been disappointed.
The machine looks great and brews a good pot of coffee, although I'm still fiddling with the water to coffee ratio to get it to taste right. Because the little red ball mechanism in the water window is a bit sketchy (or have I just not mastered physics??), I still haven't determined on a consistent basis how many ounces this maker deems a cup so I can get the coffee scoop to water ratio correct every time.
I had an old Faberware maker that was just generally sub-par and was leaking all over my counter, so this unit is like a Cadillac. If it sounds like I have no idea how to use it, it's because I've never used a maker quite like it before. I have found several negative aspects to it, but some of these may have to so with the fact that this machine works so differently from the previous "el cheapos" that I've had. The negatives I pointed out should not overshadow its overall quality and aesthetics.
Postscript: After writing this review and realizing that something was amiss with the pause and serve function, I called the manufacturer's customer support line. They are sending me an entirely new brew basket assembly free of charge. In hindsight, I realize that the product actually arrived with a key piece broken off, but this is okay because my customer service experience was SO GOOD. I'll do a follow-up post if all doesn't go as promised, but based on my conversation with their rep today, i think all will be fine. Great product, great support.
Buying Experience
For those of you considering this unit, I got it from Amazon.com with no shipping charges. Not only that, but it arrived in 3-5 business days, which really impressed me.
