I can't find reviews for this. Anyone know this model. I saw it at Target for $80.00 and it's selling point is that it heats water significantly more than others at this price or higher. I'm looking for a thermal and the main feature I want is that the coffee must serve as hot as possible. I've had a few thermals in the low price price and they all are crap. I end up putting the coffee in the micro, even the first cup.
I went ahead and purchased this at Target. Today was my second day using it and it seems to get hotter than past thermals in the $30-40 range I've had in the past, but still not as hot as I would it to be. How do I find out the true temperature like I've read other posters doing it? Do you simply put a thermometer in the water as it pours into the carafe or what? I want to compare it to the higher premium thermals.
I've heard that you can get hotter temps with drip machines by using hot water instead of cold, you might give that a try. I think you are supposed to use a styrofoam cup to test the temperature.
How do I find out the true temperature like I've read other posters doing it? Do you simply put a thermometer in the water as it pours into the carafe or what? I want to compare it to the higher premium thermals.
Thanks for the replies and advice, I have to get me a thermometer. No, I haven't pre-heated the carafe. Though it may help, I want a unit that doesn't require that, but that means getting one that heats the water enough to obviate that need. I bought the Mr. Coffee with the intent of checking out the claim on the box and if didn't live up to that claim I would return it. After a few days now I am leaning toward returning it but don't know if the temperature of it is standard even with the premium thermals, because the reviews I read of almost all the thermals have some complaints about the temperature.
No such thing. Thermal carafes NEED preheating, otherwise a lot of heat is lost to heating the inside surface of the carafe; it doesn't matter how well insulated the carafe is. You can't really compensate for this with high brew temp because optimal brew temp falls into a narrow range. By the time the water goes through the grounds and filter, it has lost temp (that's why you measure temp at the shower screen, not in the pot), and then it loses more hitting a cold carafe.
With my KMB, I boil water in an electric kettle while I am grinding and loading the machine, Then pour the boiling water in a Nissan carafe before I turn the KMB on. This gives about 10 minutes of preheating time, which is optimal (see Mark Prince's Nissan reviews). It works really well, and the coffee out of the carafe stays too hot to drink immediately for a LONG time.
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justgoodcoffee Senior Member Joined: 4 May 2010 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue May 4, 2010, 9:51am Subject: Re: Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew Thermal BVMC-PSTX95GTF anyone?
I have been looking at this coffee maker too. How long does it take to brew a full pot? We have a Bunn that is starting to die, and I thought this might be a decent replacement.
glennk Senior Member Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 106 Location: lansing, mi Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso Drip: Technivorm CDT, Aeropress Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Tue May 4, 2010, 7:42pm Subject: Re: Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew Thermal BVMC-PSTX95GTF anyone?
I use to have to microwave my coffee right after brewing with a Quisinart Thermal. I now use a Technivorm CD Thermal and even without preheating, the first several sips will BURN you if you are not sipping carefully. I only preheat the caraffe if I'm drinking the pot alone. But my wife and I both drink from Nissan spillproof travel mugs, so heat isn't as big of an issue.
mrb Senior Member Joined: 9 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: San Diego Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sun May 23, 2010, 5:23pm Subject: Re: Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew Thermal BVMC-PSTX95GTF anyone?
If you are trying to decide between the Bunn and Mr. C Optimal Brew get the Bunn. The Optimal Brew does do what it says about delivering hot water for I measured the water temp out of the coffee basket without the filter as it flowed out of the pour hole at 193 degrees. It does make good cup but takes twice as log if not longer than the Bunn. There were two occasions when I brewed half pots (24 oz) that when I took out the coffee basket to dump the coffee I noticed that 30 to 40 percent of the grind was dry meaning the Optimal Brew did a poor job spraying the water evenly onto the grounds. It may have been the unit I bought but this really disappointed me for this coffee maker had so much promise. With full loads the beans all looked good and soaked but this may be the results of the basket filling with water as opposed to a good even spray distribution from the nozzle. I bought this unit to give it a try and to save money on energy since my Bunn is always on.
The Bunn on the other hand is a Bunn. Predictable, reliable, good water temp (195 deg. out of the basket) and lightning fast. For full pots they made comparable brews but the Bunn thermal carafe poured much better and kept the coffee warmer longer. The coffee also tasted hotter.
For small batches like a single cup nothing beats the Malita single pour over manual pour cone with #2 filter. With this method you know you are getting the right brew since you have 100% control over the whole process.
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