If you care about proper extraction, and are willing to make a simple modification, then go for it!
Positive Product Points
Looks cool; no filters to buy, works great with modification.
Negative Product Points
Made of plastic; annoying to clean
Detailed Commentary
We wanted something that would make better coffee than our old Gevalia drip machine, but would be less labor-intensive than our Bodum French press. We came across the Electric Santos at Marshalls during the Holidays, and decided to give it a go.
We were impressed at first with how close the coffee tasted to French press coffee. But then we noticed inconsistency with the results. I began getting up earlier to make French press coffee just because we could trust the results.
After reading other reviews here, I timed the steeping time (in the upper chamber) and registered about 1:15 (proper steeping time should be about 4 - 5 minutes). I followed the advice of a couple of other reviewers here and hacksawed off the bottom 1/4 inch of the tube. This caused the steeping temperature to increase (I didn't measure it, but it's noticeably hotter.) The steeping time pushed the 5-minute mark. The extraction is much better.
So, before you return it or write a negative review, try lopping off 3/16 to 1/4 inch off the tube, and you'll have noticeably different results.
Thanks, Coffeegeeks!
Buying Experience
Aside from jostling with Holiday shoppers, it was totally normal.
