Good thermal carafe drip

[KarlMaldensNose]

Apologies, as I might have asked about this last year but can't find the thread, so...

Here's the deal. Automatic drip machine is a must. I prefer manual pour through, but need a machine to do at least four cups for two people quickly and easily in the morning. Of the four, two will be consumed wtihin minutes of brew time and the other two will be poured about 45 minutes post brew for the road, so the need for thermal carafe is evident. Also, on the weekends we will need the thermal carafe for casually hitting up the pot throughout the morning and early afternoon. Proper brew temp is also important, if that even needs to be mentioned. I grind my own beans so integrated grinder not needed.

Looking for something not too ridiculously priced. Is there anything under $150 that would match this description. I really like the Breville brand for kitchen stuff but haven't tried anything by them for coffee. But ultimately brand isn't important if it does the job. Thanks.

[global_dev]

I have a Capresso ST600 that i love... http://coffeegeek.com/proreviews/fir.../capressost600

unfortunately, it was discontinued... however units pop up here and there at a nice discount...

[Rughi]

Sweetmaria's recently did a review of the Technivorm and the Bonavita that you might find interesting.

[StillShaving]

There may certainly be other options, but the Technivorm, Capresso, and Bonavita brewers are the ones most often mentioned as being capable. I have an older Capresso thermal carafe (ST600) which makes good drip coffee IMO, and keeps it hot for a few hours. These days I do more single cup brews, but whenever I do use the Capresso I still quite pleased with the result.

[barko78]

Save your money for a Technivorm. I know they're expensive but it's the last brewer you'll ever buy. I bought mine 5 years ago and have put it through two summers of commercial use making about 50 pots every Sat/Sun in addition to using it daily at home. To this day it still looks and operates like the day I bought it. At the lower price range I've found the Kitchen Aid burr grinder works well, but I had a hard time dialing it down for espresso.

[StillShaving]

...At the lower price range I've found the Kitchen Aid burr grinder works well, but I had a hard time dialing it down for espresso.

Same here. You probably know about Adjusting Pro Line Coffee Grinder Burrs, to tighten up the lower end of the range. I have considered making the last few notches step-less, while leaving the middle and upper end as stepped for better control.

[NJBob]

Save your money for a Technivorm. I know they're expensive but it's the last brewer you'll ever buy. I bought mine 5 years ago and have put it through two summers of commercial use making about 50 pots every Sat/Sun in addition to using it daily at home. To this day it still looks and operates like the day I bought it. At the lower price range I've found the Kitchen Aid burr grinder works well, but I had a hard time dialing it down for espresso.

Couldn't agree more. I really get the best drip coffee ever from my TV. Worth the extra cost IMHO.

[Walter Sobchak]

I have 4 year old version of THIS Capresso MT600. I'm not sure what this version has that mine doesn't, they appear identical. I'm a coffee snob to some extent, but not a Third Waver, so I wanted a good machine. My wife wanted one with a timer that she thought was worthy from a aesthetic standpoint. I thought about getting the Technivorm, and they're nice machines, but I wanted to try this first since it's significantly cheaper. I've been very happy with it.

There was a small problem with a small (1/4") crack on the base of the unit near the digital clock. It didn't affect function at all, and it's possible it happened when removing the machine from the styrofoam it came packed in, but Capresso quickly sent a replacement machine under warrantly.

When you read reviews on thermal carafe type machines you'll inevitably see a few 1-Star reviews due to having "overflow" issues and the carafe "dripping" while pouring. These are bunk complaints. You'll definitely have overflow issues if you're not smart enough to make sure the carafe is empty and sitting properly in the machine before you brew a new batch, and the carafe doesn't drip at all if you line up the mark on the screw-top with the spout.

We had one overflow issue when my MIL brewed a batch once without checking to see if it was empty. I usually keep the carafe out on the counter top until its empty as a simple preventative. It has little feet on it and looks like a stainless tea kettle, so it's not doing any harm physically or visually by being on the table or counter top.

Whatever you choose, hope you enjoy!

[Snargle]

I have the Capresso MT600 it will brew the full 10 cups in about 6 minutes. It's lasted longer and stills makes better coffee then any of our prior units. They are about $125 on Amazon

My 10-year-old Capresso machine finally sprung a leak from the sight glass tube. I spent several days researching, reading reviews, and pondering a replacement. My final conclusion was to get another Capresso just like the old one. I replaced it with a new MT600 and I fully expect this one to last another 10 years. My wife and I have different schedules, so I end up making a pot first thing in the morning. When she gets up a couple of hours later, the coffee is still nicely hot.

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

I'll give you another option. Zojirushi. I had a Braun for 16 years that croaked and took a chance on this one. Brews at exactly 195 per my Thermapen instant read thermometer. Coffee stays warm for several hours. Just do not put any parts other than the paper filter basket in the dishwasher or water will force it's way inside.

http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-EC-B...6161976&sr=1-1

[benvh]

Wait for this puppy: http://www.behmor.com/brazen.php

[JacktownMI]

+1 on the TV, myself, Father and Brother all have one.

Greg

[garyg]

Well, I was going to recommend highly my thermal Braun, so I went to get the model # & looked it up - no longer available. This is the first thermal brewer I've had and was impressed with the brew (sprayer reads over 190F) & the keeping power with the thermal carafe. So, if you see a Braun thermal at a good price, grab it, I see Amazon still caries spare parts, just not the whole unit.

I'm also interested in the more contemporary ones if this one bites the dust, though at 6 or 7 years it is running fine ..

[JPDyson]

The problem I have with the Technivorm (philosophically) is the fussy, manual basket restrictor. The Bonavita has been reviewed quite well and costs less. The Behmor Brazen is a notch above either one in terms of functionality (with selectable temperature settings) but it's a bit of an unknown as of yet.

[JPDyson]

I really like the Breville brand for kitchen stuff but haven't tried anything by them for coffee. But ultimately brand isn't important if it does the job. Thanks.

You know, their grind-and-brew has been quite favorably reviewed, but I don't like combo-machines.

[takeshi]

Save your money for a Technivorm. I know they're expensive but it's the last brewer you'll ever buy.

...and if you don't care for it they seem to hold their resale value well in my experience. I think I sold mine 5 years down the road from purchase for the same price I bought it. I really liked it. I just wasn't drinking drip at all.

The problem I have with the Technivorm (philosophically) is the fussy, manual basket restrictor.

Never had problems with it myself. YMMV, of course.

[JPDyson]

I didn't say "problematic" I said "fussy". Perhaps I just find the notion of having to play with this counter intuitive for an auto-drip machine. That being said, others may find this helpful as I suppose it could assist with lower brew volumes.

[Jim]

Bunn makes a home version of their tank reservoir brewer that is pretty effective and well made.

[Matt S]

I started looking for the first time in a while today. If I can sneak the price by my wife, I might spring for the TV, but I read a lot of good things about the Bonavita so far for half the price. My question would be longevity. I'm not the type to feel the "need" replace something if it works just fine, so I'd gladly use the same coffee maker for the next decade or more. Especially if it is one of the best.

Heck, I am only looking since it looks like my Keurig might be kicking it after 2.5 years. I know, I know...the Keurig isn't the best for anything, but it was a gift and I found plenty of cheap k-cups over the years along with the Ekobrew and the Solofill. The amount of waste the Keurig creates is what has always bothered me, but not enough to just get rid of it while it was still operational. Now it seems the "legendary" Keurig quality is catching up to my machine as it is leaking out the bottom from somewhere.

[turtle]

I have a standard Bunn commercial that I brew in.

I transfer the coffee from the pot into a Bunn 2 liter air pot dispenser where it stays warm just about all day long.