Good coffeee make / Well-designed
581985
This device is well made and solid (not made in China). Very easy to use with a single blue light that toggles as an on and off switch. Appears to be made in Erope so superior construction compared to the cheap plastic Chinese-made stuff you buy everyone in America now. I would recommend it. Perfect size and very hard to break. Reliable.

Only flaw in this coffee maker I have found is the coffee filter holder not going in all the way. If thats not place in its slot just right, and the lid does not completely close, it fills with water and the grounds and coffee come pouring out all over the counter. That's because the bottom of the plastic filter has to push through the hole below that drips the coffee karaffe below. So make sure thats in its slot just perfect and the lid is completely closed otherwise its a mess!
1011836
Canisters work well, Good Design, keeps coffees fresh, Stores well in cupboard.
3877634
This little coffee maker is ideal for those who enjoy a small cup of espresso in the morning. The coffee it produces is nicely saturated and rich in flavor. The design is sleek and feels sturdy.
4086867
I spent a lot of time thinking about buying this machine as we were used to the norm of brewing a big pot of coffee and drinking over the course of the morning and wasn't sure a machine like this would satisfy our usage. Our old coffee maker, a Krups with a thermal carafe didn't keep the coffee hot very long so by the end of the pot, so the idea of brewing a cup when needed seemed like a good way to resolve that. The Espresseria has turned out to be great and makes a very satisfying cup of coffee - Lived with it for about a month now and have made over 100 cups of coffee.

I was concerned about the complicated mechanism in a fully automatic, but the good reviews and comments on the service being in the U.S. gave me the confidence to try it out. Here are the thoughts of someone fairly particular about coffee (and products), but not particularly into espresso ( I enjoy it but coffee is my lifeblood):

-I started using the machine with  regular beans from our local cafe, we used to use dark roast but because the manual suggests avoiding dark roast we wanted to see how it was. Because there is no strength setting other than the grind coarseness, I didn't think the coffee was strong enough. I solved this by making an espresso shot and then a coffee. Once I switched back to dark roast, the coffee was great, even on medium grind setting. The dark roast we use flows fine without the insert part btw.

-The machine is very easy to use and tells you clearly what to do and when to do it. The interface is pretty basic which is a good thing.

-The dial knob feels a bit cheap, I was expecting something a bit more substantial especially as the main interface item. Very minor, and wouldn't keep me from buying the product It is also a bit annoying as the dial does not cycle from bottom to top of the menu or vice versa- you have to turn it in the correct direction to get it to go up or down. I'm not sure this describes it well, but it is a minor interface tweak that would have made the experience much better.

- The fit and finish of the product is good, it is pretty handsome compared to most of these machines. It is all plastic which is a bit unfortunate, but I can only assume and hope the money went into the internals. Time will tell.

- the steam wand is a bit too short so is a bit annoying to use. I don't use it much, so it is nice that it tucks out of the way, but something to consider if you plan on using it a lot.
2004630
I've had this for several months now. It works really well. It makes coffee good. It makes coffee quick. The carafe is not very fragile as I have banged it into the sink while rinsing several times and it has not broken. You can program two different times for automatic brewing so you don't have to reset the timer for weekends. The only drawbacks to the design are that it's really not possible to fill the reservoir with the carafe, and that the fill level indicator is kind of hard to read depending on the lighting. These are only minor drawbacks to an otherwise excellent product.
3468521
This is a well built coffee maker that makes a great cup of coffee. The construction is rugged. It is easy to clean as you can get to most of the internal surfaces with a cloth or scrubbing pad (clean out the well at the bottom and gun a good brush for the tube) I clean it and run some vinegar through it every so often and it keep making great coffee. Get a pack or so of the flat, round Merlita filters while you are shopping.
Some have pointed out that the top is not glass. Not an issue - you don't need it. If you want to adjust the taste of your coffee do it with more or less coffee and water.
It is a great pot and you will not get better even if you choose to pay a lot more for something else
4505168
The De'Longhi EN550S is a attractive, sturdy, and compact coffee maker that works well for people looking to make a big impact in small kitchens. Setup is pretty easy, although it took me a little bit of back-and-forth in the instructions to make sure I understood the parts it was referring to for the initial cleaning/turn-on. Making coffee requires zero effort, just do the initial cleaning (which it does on its down) and then when it's finished, put in your capsules (the machine comes with a set of them if you don't have any) and make your coffee. This machine allows three different cup sizes when making it. When finished, the used capsule is dropped into a tray within the machine; just remove the tray, dump the capsule(s), and reinsert. As far as the cappuccino, you are supposed to disassemble the cappuccino parts and wash them in the dishwasher first before use. This is easy enough but a diagram could be helpful to make the disassembly and reassembly foolproof. The milk steamer is also a nice feature. The only other real con is that for Starbucks fans, it would be nice if those capsules could be used in this, like Keurig allows now, and a hot chocolate feature would also be a plus.

Overall a great unit that is well-recommended.
71463
I've had mine for a couple months now. I have the thermos model (no burner), and after trying each am using the metal filter.

I don't know if it's because the coffee isn't constantly cooking or what, but the flavor of this coffee is excellent. Some say that the metal filter allows the water to drip through too easily, without sufficiently brewing the grounds. This has three options for water flow, the slower, the more complete the brew, so I've turned it up one notch from regular and it's just fine.

The coffee stays hot for at least a couple of hours, and pretty darn warm for a few after that. Did I mention that it still tastes good?

Getting used to the lid for the water reservoir having to open when you open the lid over the filter took all of a day and a half.

I'd say it makes around four-five REAL coffee cups when full. Which, given that I'm usually the only coffee drinker in the house, is perfect. (For years I used that very inexpensive, very convenient Black & Decker model--it served its purpose well, but the Melitta is so much better.) I fill the thermos pot about 3/4's, with three generously rounded teaspoons of medium roast drip grind in the metal filter, and get 2 1/2 to 3 good-sized mugs.  And did I mention how good it tastes?

Assuming it proves durable, I would highly recommend this for any half-serious coffee aficionado. Cheers!
4773268
For most people, this is an excellent choice. For me, I happen to like overly strong coffee, so it is not quite perfect - we had the previous 10 cup version of this Cuisinart thermal carafe grinder/coffee maker and it finally quit working. Our experience with that one included some rough patches (waking up to a giant mess of ground beans and sloppy coffee all over the counter) but we loved the fresh strong hot coffee so much that we stuck wit hthe brand and went with the new and improved version. The design of this one makes cleaning easier, and the hopper keeps the actual preperation time even shorter. The coffee comes down just as hot, and the advantage should be that this is a 12 cup pot verses a 10 cup one - but not quite. The coffee in this model is premeasured by the machine; no matter how you adjust the dial, only a certain amount of coffee is included in the drip, plus the amount of water entered. Therefore, 12 cups of water is not as strong as an 8 cup amount, using the same settings. That means, in the old machine (more cumbersome) I could add as much coffee as I wanted, generating really strong 10 cup brew. On this one, the closest I come is 8 cups at the same flavor intensity.
Not that most people would find the 12 cups of strongest coffee too weak; I happen to like my coffee stronger than most I guess. Other than settling for 8 fresh cups of strong hot coffee a morning (actually, 3 mugs between my wife and my), or having to make a new pot (which is really easy) this coffee pot is a winner and I highly recommend it.
Besides that, Cuisinart stands behind its' products and has replaced defective equipment that I have had from them after the warranty had edxpired, without a receipt - more than once - a great company.
2753167
Looks nice and makes a good cup of coffee. This is a pretty tall unit, bigger than it looks in the picture. Easy to use, and set up for delayed brewing. Built in mesh filter means no more messing around with cone filters (takes a #4 by the way), and easy clean up. Solid choice when I bought on sale for $40.00.
2968037
I bought this to replace my Clever Coffee Dripper, which broke. It makes a really nice cup of coffee and is simple to use. One worry I had was cleaning it, but that's proven to be very simple.
904166
I am not a coffee hobbyist, but I am glad to live at a place and time where decent roasted coffee is freely available and I can make my own cup. I've developed my personal tastes and have discovered the salutary effect of good preparation. So not just a snob.

The Aerobie press, in my judgment:

1. Makes espresso that indistinguishable from that made by professional baristas with the same coffee.
2. Simple and speedy preparation.
3. Easy to clean completely.
4. Unbreakable, far as I can tell
5. Can make two cups, in a pinch.
6. The price is beyond reasonable. The only consumables are really cheep little paper filter discs (included)
  and, of course, coffee.

Be aware:

1. You'll have to Follow the instructions closely (at least to begin with). Do NOT follow your instincts.
2. Once you're familiar with the method, you can tune your results by futzing with the variables.
3. Paper filters can be rinsed and re-used numerous times. (Permanent metal filter inserts are also available.)
4. Use the finest grind of coffee you can get. You can compensate for coarseness by using an additional filter.
5. If you put the thing in the dishwasher, the plastic WILL craze and it won't look pretty.
430248
I've gotten to fairly silly levels of obsession trying out various coffee brewing methods, with some of my recent favorites being the Chemex, AeroPress, and Hario V60 pour-over.  The Kalita Wave 185 was the next one I "had to try" and I think it's a keeper.

NOTE: I would start my review with the caveat that before you even bother obsessing over different brewing methods, look into your coffee grinder situation and upgrade that department first.  Super fine, pulverized grinds (or poor consistency in grind size), as are virtually inevitable with the $15 blade grinders many of us used at one time or another, are going to frustrate your efforts at great coffee.  It will result in over-extraction and bitterness, plus a very inconsistent brewing experience from one attempt to the next.  I have a $100 Capresso Infinity that does a pretty good job at work.  I have a lesser quality burr grinder at home and the difference is noticeable, but still a big improvement over a blade grinder.

I'm a bit of skeptic when it comes to all the different shapes and filter types for pour-over methods, yet I seem to be trying them all anyway!  I think that with a proper grind, fresh coffee, and correct water temperature, just about any method can be used for an acceptable cup of coffee.  That being said, the Kalita Wave 185 does a nice job and is among my favorite options right now.

PROS - The Wave 185 comes in a variety of materials, but I opted for the metal cone, which I believe is stainless steel.  It's surprisingly lightweight and easy to clean.  The metal helps with heat retention, also, as I have to think that the stainless dripper heats up more quickly than glass or ceramic (but may cool off afterwards, as well).  The stainless model is also a nice option to have if you need to travel with the dripper, and I worry less about slamming it down on a cup or glass carafe.  I should note I use the same pour-over carafe designed for my Hario V60 with the Wave 185 - it fits great.

I've used the Melitta "size 2" pour-over drippers, and liked them less than either the Wave 185 or V60.  One of the problems with some Melitta drippers is that they tend to clog up and not allow the water to sift through fast enough.  I wondered if that would be an issue with the Wave 185 - which has 3 small holes in the bottom - but, actually, it worked just as I hoped with a medium/drip grind.  I tend to prefer light-to-medium roasts and a lot of the African blends, and these tasted excellent with the Wave 185.  It's also ideal for brewing about 300 to 450ml (1-2 cups) of coffee, though the 185 model will probably allow up to 700ml or probably even more.

CONS - The primary complaint I would have about the Kalita Wave involves its signature feature, which are the wavy/rippled filters.  I find them difficult to separate from each other in the package and then it can be tricky to get coffee into them without dumping grounds around the edges and into the cone itself (which obviously is no good).  I've heard people recommend using the funnel that comes with an AeroPress to add grinds, and I suspect that will help.  It should also be pointed out that the Kalita Wave filters are a little expensive and generally can only be found online or in specialty shops.  This is also true of the Hario V60 filters, though perhaps to a lesser degree.

Overall, I'd be hard pressed to say if the Wave 185 is better or worse than the Hario V60 - I like them both.  But I do like the results I get with the Wave 185, and the stainless steel model, in particular, is a nice option to have for travel.
1453264
This is a very well-designed, unshatterable French press that makes 4 ordinary-sized cups or 3 large mugs of coffee at once, with a very nice "form factor" of clean lines, a comfortable and balanced handle, a deep-channeled spout, and an insulated lid that keeps the contents steaming hot for over 1 hour. (After over 3 hours, the remaining coffee was still a little warm.) It looks nice on the counter, and feels sturdy enough to take on the road when traveling. The only design change I would make would be to put an embossed indicator on the lid as to which side has the opening for pouring. I'm going to carefully etch a dot on mine with a Dremel to avoid accidental spills.
860001
I have been most impressed with both my super-fast Senseo single-serve and its coffee pods. But no, the coffee does not taste as good as that I freshly grind. I realize that is an option if I want to produce my own pods but that would defeat the undeniable convenience of the single-serve machine. The coffee produced by this pod arrangement is happily strong - with this Dark Roast; I haven't yet tried any others - and the crema is wonderful, over and over. I do pre-wet the pods before brewing. I guess I could also wet down the machine parts. And I do heat non-fat or 1% milk in the microwave, then brew directly into that cup. This procedure mixes moo and joe quite adequately.

There is some aspect to the taste of the brew that does not please me - not sure I can put it into words well. I think it is partly due to the inevitable not-entirely-freshness of the pods. In addition there is some kind of harshness that seems intended to masquerade as richness. Duh? Maybe someone more knowledgeable about coffee prep can identify it better. I do not see anywhere on the package that these coffee pods are 100% Arabica. Could that be it? But for the convenience and cost, I cannot complain TOO much. I am really happy with the purchases.

Want to say a word of thanks to other reviewers who have made helpful suggestions and observations. Here's one I've found through experimentation: There is still strength left in the pod after one brewing. I've started re-using them. The method depends upon my coffee needs at the moment. Sometimes I install the 2-cup holder in the machine and re-use one with a new one. Then I end up with two used ones, and darned if they don't have another use in them. Maybe you won't like this but it is an option to try if you wish. (By comparison, I've found there is absolutely no value in the used grounds after I've brewed a pot of drip.) By the way, the used pods still produce a fine crema; whether this is due to the pods or the well-designed machine I do not know.
667649
This is a fantastic choice for coffee fans that want single-cup versatility. Like traditional pour-over coffeemakers, the Bonavita Porcelain Immersion Coffee Dripper can deliver a light and bright cup of Joe. When using it in the same fashion you would a Clever or Chemex brewer, the results are very punchy. If you're looking for something richer and deeper then you can slide the lever over and let the coffee steep. This delivers a cup that's closer to what a French press would deliver, but without the sediment. Experimenting with steep times will yield different results, highlighting this product's excellent versatility.

Coffee drinkers that like their brew piping hot will probably not like this brewer. Even when preheating the porcelain with boiling water, the unit dissipates heat fairly quickly. The longer you steep, the more heat you lose.

The unit is well made. It's mostly porcelain, with some plastic parts in the switch mechanism. The porcelain will last a long time, as long as you don't drop it. It will be interesting to see how long the plastic switch lasts. Certainly it will eventually wear out, but it has held up for several weeks of abuse.

While there are many great pour-over brewers out there, the Bonavita adds a great twist through its steeping feature. I love that it can help you achieve very different types of tastes with the same beans. This is an innovative brewer that's well made.
348054
Bought this to replace a Melita grind and brew, and I'm really glad I did.  It makes a good coffee, and allows you to select the strength of your brew.  I'm using paper filters instead of just the gold-tone basket that comes with it because I found there were grounds in the bottom of the cup with out them.  The single cup brewing option works quite well too;; in addition to strength of the brew, you can select how long it steeps and make a perfect mug of coffee.  Some other people have complained that they use too much coffee, but I find that I make a smaller pot for first thing in the morning then make a single mug after breakfast if I want another cup.  I'm using less coffee because I used to make a larger pot and often threw part of it away.  It's a little fiddly to get set up like you want, but read the manual; everything you need to know is in there.