Ok, so this is coffee machine #2 in my quest for the best cup of simple, everyday, drip coffee....The first machine I ordered is the Capresso MT-600. (More on that in a separate review!)
So, my number one criteria is taste! I want hot, fresh, bold, vibrant coffee. My old $40 Braun served lukewarm, mediocre coffee....but that machine worked reliably for 10 years.
Overall, this machine is tall and somewhat flimsy with thin plastic as its base and tower. The Capresso has a very thick, solid base and very sturdy tower.
I loved the design of the spray arm on this machine. (The water source.) It is round with quite a few nozzles to saturate the grinds with piping hot water!! And it can be centered directly over the grinds. (The Capresso was seriously lacking in this dept.!)
Unfortunately, when making 10 cups, and the basket is filled with grinds, the arm is directly atop the grinds....like a 1/4 inch, making for quite a mess as the grinds splash all over the arm and nozzles and top of cover. Plus, does the water really have room to spray out when so close to the grinds???
The end result on several occasions: grinds in the cup, like my French Press. (Good, rich taste though!)
Also, the #4 paper filters just barely fit, even when folding over the crimps!
Next problem....with such a small filter basket housing, the water backs up!! Every 10 cup pot resulted in the coffee rising up and up....sometimes overflowing from the top of basket, sometimes overflowing at the carafe!? And, yes, I tried using a more coarse grind each time!! I was up to med/coarse today and....watchout! another mess on the counter!!
Next.....The carafe lid....really? Who engineered this? And did they win a prize for "Most difficult design for a simple product'? Grip the spikey nub top, twist hard, harder, to lock, repeat to open, repeat to close....I can manage....my hands are rough; my wife grew quickly frustrated and impatient. This is no way to start the day!!
So, overall, very disappointing. Yes, the Zojirushi coffee tastes remarkably superior to the Capresso, really.....better than any drip coffee I think I've ever had!!! BUT..... the quirks are FAR too numerous and too serious to warrant keeping the machine. I wish it were made, and worked, as well as the Capresso!
Luckily, I purchased from target.com and can bring it back to the store without paying shipping.
Next up....the Cuisinart DTC 975 and the Newco OCS-12! Any ideas, comments, suggestions??? |
