Brews quickly, keeps coffee @ good temperature, easy to clean and operate, nice stainless steel thermal carafe and filter basket
Negative Product Points
Aesthetics; needs less plastic and more stainless steel accents to improve counter-top appeal... it's light weight shell simply looks pathetic next to my new Mazzer, I'm contemplating keeping them on separate counter spaces because it just looks wrong.
Water level indicator tends to get dirty; collects dust or build-up, but can be cleaned.... see detailed commentary.
Detailed Commentary
I've used my Zoji for several years; it is my first drip coffee maker and had no reason to replace it. The stainless steel filter basket is convenient, I like the pause and serve feature; this feature allows you to pour a cup of coffee before the entire brew cycle has completed, I use this feature to run the machine without placing the carafe beneath the filter basket so the hot water covers and infuses the grounds, once the filter basket is filled (but not overflowing) I put the carafe in place as it continues to run and completes it's brewing cycle... I've convinced myself that this method makes the most of my coffee grounds.
The water level indicator collects build-up and dust, being a clean freak it just errrk'd me and would rather risk wrecking the machine trying to clean that eye soar... it was surprisingly easy to pry open the plastic cover with a butter knife at the top, clean it out and put it back together; although "accidentally" breaking it would have been an excuse to replace it with a more eye pleasing unit.
Aesthetics leaves more to be desired, but is still better-looking compared to others. The stainless steel carafe and filter basket is great, but the 80% (exaggerating) plastic on the opposite side gives it an unbalanced design, with one side looking heavier than the other. Yes the plastic looks cheap (I'm sure it is), but for some people who lack the guns the light weight scale is best, all in all it is sufficient enough to serve its purpose. I have to admit though, that it look SO pitiful next to my Ms. Mazzer and have decided to try to convince my hubby that it's sooooo amazing how long he's been getting along without his very own personal coffee maker and how he should take the Zoji for his exclusive cup o' jo at the office.... sob, sob, tear, tear and as much as I "love" my Zoji I'm willing to part with it and compromise (hopefully to something that compliments my new collection).
Carafe Tip: To keep coffee temperature longer run blank (without grounds) brewing cycle to warm up carafe. When ready to brew coffee empty carafe of hot water (blank brew), you can also pour enough to fill your coffee mugs to help keep your freshly brewed Jo satisfying.
Buying Experience
I'm probably the only one that purchased this at Costco online -- it was ok, it was a few years back and if I remember correctly it shipped on time.
