Appliance Reviews

This year my wife & I will celebrate our 25th anniversary. We got one of these units as a wedding gift in 1978. I won't tell you we've still got the original; the new one we just bought is our fifth. We keep buying this product because it makes good coffee and it does so in a hurry. After 25 years, our Bunn-O-Matic is a part of the family!

This coffee maker is different from most of its competitors in that it is basically a miniature hot-water tank. Whereas most coffee makers heat the water as they go, the Bunn stores enough inside to make a full pot. The water is always hot. When you want coffee (or just hot water) there's no waiting. Typically, we make about a pot-and-a-half a day. It's nice to always have the hot water ready.

Over the years, we've gotten anywhere from 5 to 9 years out of each of our Bunn-O-Matics. Like all hot-water tanks, if you keep one long enough it will eventually start to leak. Others of our units, however, have failed after several years of daily use due to one or the other of the heating elements going out. We've also had other complaints. Twice we had to return a new unit (to [local store], at the time) because the first pots of coffee came out with a burnt metallic taste. Presumably this was due to a manufacturing problem that has since been corrected. Our latest unit doesn't seem to suffer from this problem.

Another complaint worth noting is as follows: Because the Bunn-O-Matic dispenses water much faster than other coffee makers, we have had some trouble with generic grocery-store brand filters overflowing and letting grounds down in the pot. (This is actually more of a complaint about the cheap filters than the coffee maker.) The Bunn brand filters are just enough larger than the generic ones to prevent overflow. If you use less coffee or make partial pots, this won't be a problem. But if you like to make full pots of strong coffee, you will probably find you need to stick with Bunn-brand filters unless you don't mind some grounds in the bottom of the decanter.

The "new" Bunn model selling today (the GR10) is practically identical to the one we got 25 years ago as a wedding gift. They have tweaked some features and spruced up the external design a little bit, but it is essentially the same. Don't be fooled by the 10-cup claim, however. Bunn increased the "capacity" from 8 to 10 cups by increasing the size of the decanter by two ounces (from 48-oz to 50-oz) and redefining the size of a cup down from 6-oz to 5-oz. Otherwise, the machine seems nearly identical to the 8-cup version they used to sell. Many of the accessory parts (decanters, funnels, etc.) are still interchangeable, and the unit is the same physical size. The "new" 10-cup capacity is just marketing hype.

They did, however, raise the price a lot. We were shocked! I think we paid about $$$ for our previous unit at [local store]back in 1992 ([local store]doesn't sell them anymore). I couldn't believe the current $$$ price tag. We bought one anyway.

Still, we remain fond of our Bunn-O-Matic and will probably keep buying them if they keep making them. We think you too will like the product.

Suppose you need a fresh cup of good coffee after you roll out of your bed and before you drive off your driveway. Common solution from coffee machines manufacturers: timer. You fill the machine with coffee and water and set time when to brew. Some of these machines even can grind coffee beans. I don't like this solution for the following reasons: 1. It's overkill complicated, too many things to break and too many clocks to set before I go to bed. 2. Often I don't know when I wake up and need that coffee now. 3. Having ground coffee stay overnight spoils the aroma, those coffee machines that grind don't do it as well as full time dedicated grinders.

So, Bunn offeres solution a bit different. It does not double as an alarm clock, coffee grinder or kitchen sink. It only brews coffee. And does it fast: you just grind your beans, pour the ground beans onto their filter, stick the filter in, pour some water onto the grate on the top, put the jar under the funnel and instantly, without no detectable delay the coffee starts pouring. Ready to consume.

Bunn just keeps water pre-heated at all times and that's the whole idea. Which works best for me: day or night it's there. Coffee and/or hot water. Since it's dedicated to one purpose and designed to do one thing but do it well, the coffee tastes considerably better than of other makers I owned.

One wish though: the jar heater does not have a shut off timer.

If you live in the mountains, pay attention to the model you are bying: Bunn machines are sensitive to the altitude. The model I bought from Amazon turned out a low altitude model, I only found it out reading the manual. The Bunn technician explained to me that if I attempted to use it at my altitude of 7,000 ft the heater would never shut off, that's how finely tuned this machine is. Bunn exchanged the unit for free for the high altitude model and Amazon compensated me for the shipping expenses. Group hug. So, if you live above 5,000 feet make sure you get a model marked with the capital D, that's the high altitude model.

We won't buy any other coffee maker....but only practical if you're a household who runs a coffee bar type atmosphere, i.e. lots of guests who because of the Bunn, won't have to wait over three minutes for their cup of coffee. We've had at least five of them over the years...some last as long as seven years, some only three or four..but compared to the Mr Coffees, etc. that's a long time!

THIS IS A GREAT MACHINE THAT HAS ALL THE RIGHT BELLS AND WHISTLES, LIKE AUTO PROGRAMING, STOPS TO POUR A CUP, COFFEE KEEPS RELATIVELY HOT IN THERMOS AND THE FROTH IS GREAT (WHEN IT WORKS) WE'VE OWNED THIS SINCE CHRISTMAS AND HAVE ALREADY HAD TO ORDER THE "T" PART FOR THE FROTHER. (EVEN THOUGH THEY INCLUDE 2) THEY MUST KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IF THEY GIVE YOU AN EXTRA ONE FROM THE GET GO! BUT LIKE I SAID WITH A LOT OF CLEANING & MAINTAINING OF THE FROTHER PARTS AND SOMETIMES JUST ADJUSTING THE WAY THE MILK CONTAINER(THAT IS INCLUDED) SITS, YOU CAN GET GREAT FROTH FOR A NICE CAFFE LATTE! I WOULD THINK FOR $200 YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A FROTHER THAT WORKS WITHOUT YOU DOING SO MUCH WORK - BUT ATLEAST WHEN IT DOES...ITS WORTH IT!

This coffee machine combines brew-through the lid technology, stainless steel thermal carafe, and a detachable milk frother. We use the frother just as frequently for making quick hot chocolate drinks from chocolate milk. The coffee brewer is superior and so is the well-designed stainless steel carafe. Capresso is the leading edge in coffee maker design and has an outstanding customer service department. We just were in such a hurry to use our new machine we didn't bother reading the instructions, so we ended up calling the toll free number twice and each time we were treated courteously and efficiently. We got the impression that this is a small enough company that still cares about it's customers. This machine is a winner and we are now giving them as gifts.

This is a fine, easy to use, machine that I'm really enjoying having in my kitchen. I had never used a milk-steamer before, and found the idea a little intimidating. But the process is really quite painless, and now I'm wondering why I did without it so long (even my java-phobic bride is enjoying homemade hot chocolate thanks to the steamer).

Anyone who enjoys having a pot of coffee on-call throughout a morning should avoid glass pots like a cliché and instead use a thermal carafe like this one. Not only does it keep coffee steaming hot without constant re-heating, but the wide top and easy-off lid make for easy clean up when you're done.

The coffeemaker is elegantly designed, seems relatively sturdy, and looks nice on a countertop. Plus, it's fast, fairly quiet, and -- as I said -- easy to clean.

For someone like me who just wants to enjoy coffee without trying to become a home barista ('professional maker of complex espresso drinks'), this is as much machine as I think I'll need ... at least until the one with the built-in burr grinder arrives.

Lots of reviews on how the Ultima performed in the first few rounds, so I though I would add my 2 cents on "longer term" performance.

This machine is dangerous. Dangerously addictive, that is. If you love espresso based drinks, you WILL feel like making a cup after every meal to accompany your dessert. And then the morning pre-breakfast cup and the afternoon one with an almond-hazelnut double-chocolate biscotti. Control, control...

It is super easy to make a drink, and not tamping and cleaning after each cup is a god-send. You have to try a non-automatic and know what a chore those tasks are to appreciate the simple advantages and joys of this semi-auto baby.

And the taste - ah, beautiful. For all of you living around a Trader Joe's store, I highly recommend the Roma Coffee Beans - less than 20 cents a cup gets you a coffee that rivals some of the best in Roma.

Hope it keeps running for along time, but it has served me and my guests well for over 8 months.

Cheers!

I've had this espresso machine for about a month now, and I've used it daily to make 2 cups of crema coffee or two shots of espresso for lattes. So far, I'm loving it. I use it with Illy Scuro pre-ground espresso which seems to be the perfect grind for this machine, and I fill the water tank with filtered water from my Brita pitcher. The espresso has great flavor, the crema is rich and golden, and the easy cleanup means I have no excuse to buy coffee rather than making my own. Once a week, usually on the weekend, I empty the used grounds bin and clean all the removable parts, but between times there is basically no maintenance. Additionally, I live alone, and so the ability to make a single cup of coffee at a time is a big plus--it's what deterred me from daily use of my regular drip coffeepot, not to mention the cleanup factor. The machine is a little pricey, but when I consider how over the past month I have not been into Starbucks once, I've already made up a substantial percentage of the price. Overall, I am extremely happy with this purchase.

This machine makes *great* espresso and crema and is very easy to operate (after taking 5-10 minutes to review the directions). It is wonderful when making several cups at a time as the used grounds are automatically dumped into a hidden reservoir which reduces time and clean-up between brews.

I have only noticed problems with coffee temperature if I use the steamer first, then switch to coffee mode. Otherwise, coffee temps are perfect. I have not found a grind that is too fine for this machine, and it seems the finer the grind, the better the flavor.

My only real beef is that condensation collects in the coffee chute, so some of the grounds get stuck on the way to the brew chamber.

I've owned the Bunn BT10-B thermal coffee maker for about 1 month. Although this is my 1st Bunn product that I've personally owned, I have used their industrial coffee makers at work and was always impressed w/ their fast brewing speed. This home machine is no different. There is no need for a programmable timer when making 50 oz. takes 3 minutes! The coffee tastes wonderful and is kept hot for a couple of hours in the thermal carafe. So far, this machine has been a delight to own. I haven't had any problems at all.

Here are some important pointers regarding this machine:
-Bunn defines a "cup" as 5 oz.
-It can make partial pots of coffee, 2-3 cups is the minimum.
-It uses flat bottom basket filters. HOWEVER, the Bunn filters are taller than your average coffee filter. If you use a standard sized filter, you run the risk of having the coffee grounds overflow out, thus creating a mess. This is a complaint voiced by others, and that's the explanation for grounds in the coffee. So, you should be buying and using Bunn filters only for your machine.
-The water fill is in the front...very convenient.
-It stores water in a reservoir tank to keep it hot, thus the machine is always on. This implies several things: the machine is a little larger than most (has a large footprint); it is always on (it doesn't consume a lot of energy), but can be shut off (has a vacation switch); hot water is always available for other purposes...tea, hot cocoa, soup, etc.
-It is a quiet brewer...no burps or gurgles.
-The thermal carafe is of highest construction and design. I love it. No problems pouring or cleaning. Simply wonderful.

I love this coffee maker. The only reasons I gave 4.5 instead of 5 stars were: larger footprint than most home brewers and the need for Bunn filters (just make sure you are never running low b/c most groceries don't carry them. I think [local store] and [local store] do).

I just retired my Cuisine Art Grind and Brew after slowly died for 4 yrs. My husband wanted another one, but he was not the one who had to clean it everday. I am now a stay at home mom with an infant and a 2 yr. old. I NEED GOOD COFFEE AND I NEED IT AS SOON AS I DRAG MY SLEEP-DEPRIVED BODY OUT OF BED! I get up a few hours later than hubby, so I wanted a thermal carafe as I was tired of drinking scorched coffee. I also wanted something attractive and easy to clean. THE MOST important thing I wanted was EASY and EXCELLENT Coffee.

The initial set up was kind of a hassle. I don't like leaving the coffee maker plugged in and turned on all of the time. It has a vacation switch and Bunn recommends using this if you are not going to use it for 3 days. The coffee is SMOOTH and EXCELLENT. It stays hot for about 2 hrs, but after 3 it is lukewarm. I was hoping it would stay hotter longer. It is so easy and fast to make a fresh pot, I am willing to put up with it. Overall, I am very pleased with the taste of the coffee. I am amazed how the taste is even better than my Grind and Brew delivered.

This is our first Bunn. Bought it on the recommendation of an aquaintance who LOVES his. We also really like a thermal pot and the fact that the Bunn can be used to make iced tea was a real plus. We found we had to change brands of coffee, but that was another pleasant surprise; the old St*rbucks at $12 a pound just didn't taste as good. Well we now buy an average Arabaca coffee sold in individual pouches and are saving a bundle of money in the process. No more getting ripped off by St*rbucks!
The Bunn is a very well-made product and I'm sure we'll be using it for a long, long time.

Boy was I delighted for a couple of months with this waffle iron. But as time passed, the temperature knob fell off. I was able to push it back in place and it worked for a while, but then the indicator light no longer worked and now I can't even get the iron to heat up. What a really big disappointment and it sure ain't inexpensive. I am about to buy a new iron for 19.99. This is what I should have done in the first place.

Overall I like the construction and ease of use of this maker, and the fact that it doesn't have the loud alarm people complain about on other models. Seems to be made okay (the plastic shell is a little thin, predictably, since it's made in China--I wish Amazon[.com] showed country of manufacture!). My first response, though, when I made the heart-shaped waffles, is that they're too thin. The Belgian waffle side is nice and deep, but I'm more a standard waffle pattern fan, and maybe because of the depth on the Belgian side, the heart-shaped ones don't have very deep holss. They seem about the thickness of a pancake with pyramid-shaped grooves instead of real square holes. The flavor isn't bad and I think I'll keep the thing (maybe I'll learn to like Belgian) but the texture also suffers a little, and if you have strong memories of standard waffles from an old iron or a restaurant, these don't really look like them. Also, they brown a little unevenly. Good points: waffles released easily, assembly and switching to the other waffle pattern is easy, the plates seem heavy duty. It will remain to be seen if they non-stick surface and the plastic shell's metalic finish hold up. I'd be dissatisfied except I also browsed stores and didn't see anything I thought was a lot better.

Good things about this waffle-maker:
Super-easy to clean
Waffles don't stick at all
the Belgian waffle side makes perfect waffles -- just the right thickness, cooked evenly
Nice-looking

Could use improvement:
the regular waffle plates produce a very thin waffle, not quite the same thing as I got from my old wafflemaker.

If I were going to buy again, I might go for a regular wafflemaker AND a Belgian wafflemaker (I'm not sure about price, but this was a pricey appliance), but then again, there's two appliances you have to store.... So I'm not sure, but on balance I'd have to say I don't regret this purchase.

I just bought this and it stopped working after 45 seconds. I understand that this is for home use, but I would expect it to work longer than that. I will return this product immediately and would not recommend it to anyone.

I have a Capresso coffeemaker that is terrific. So I assumed the Capresso coffee grinder would please me just as much. Wrong! The difference in grinds on the various settings is negligible. And when I take the grind receptacle out of the grinder, the grounds fly everywhere. Not only do I waste a lot of great coffee, but I have to clean up the whole countertop. My coffee tastes great, but the irritation of this coffee grinder just isn't worth it!

There aren't many things that I enjoy more than a fresh cup of coffee. And there is no way to get a fresher cup then to grind the beans just before you make it. I was using one of the blade grinders for a while but was getting inconsistant results. So I researched Burr grinders that I had heard about. I checked many different sites for types and prices. I spent a good amount of time reading the reviews that had been written here and finally chose the Capresso because of price and availability.

The results have been good.
The dust that some people spoke of isn't that bad. And if you clean out the discharge hole every once and awhile and surrounding areas it doesn't cause any problems.
It does make noise while grinding but it takes a lot of force to crush the beans and it isn't much worse then a blender or can opener.
It seems to be well enough made and the pieces fit together nicely. Like anything made from plastic it would brake if handled roughly.
I have tried every setting on the machine and have used several different types of beens and have not had it jam-up once. I do clean out the burr grinders between refills of beans.
To sum up I feel that this machine is well worth the money I paid for it, give me a consistant product, is easy to use and dependable. You can't beat the smell of fresh ground coffee and home muffins.

I bought a brand new torch. The top cap is sitting loose on the tank portion. Very cheap plastic construction and poorly designed and executed. Do not buy!!