Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 4:11pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
TK2FAST Said:
... I was trying to share "real life" experience with the Brazen and yes that included using tap water at times. Shame on me for sharing my experience about the Brazen. Obviously I am a minority. Looks like most who purchase this machine are "coffee connoisseurs" and always use filtered water.
Have you tested your water for GH and KH (general hardness and alkalinity)? Both have to be present to form scale. The Aquarium Pharmaceuticals combo kit (search on amazon) is inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use. It could also be that there is something in your water that is coming out of suspension when the water is heated (possibly to a higher temperature then in other similar appliances that you have had). it could even be that the mineral content of your water recently changed. I have had that happen and I have my own private well. Regardless as to whether you have experienced this with other similar appliances, without quantifying your water's contents or mineral balance any other comment on causation is moot.
I felt like one of the few that actually used tap water sometimes.
Yes, especially if no one posts about that, like me (I use tap water exclusively).. {:-/
It is interesting though, that you have had no problems.
Lucky I guess, but when I noticed that not all the showerhead dispersion holes would drain water, I checked the screen with a little LCD light for scale. I found nothing as I had only done a couple of brews by then, but I ran a citric acid solution flush through to see if that had any effect on the dispersion pattern. It seemed to right after that have all the holes flowing, but after now reading Joe Behm's recent explanation on how the channels in the showerhead for each row of holes work., I had an answer.
After I cleaned the machine it still was over 3 minutes to drain the reservoir. It was not until after turning the machine upside down and using the sink sprayer to clean out the micro screen was I able to get it back down under 3 minutes, so that screen must be catching other particulate matter. My point is the screen is doing it's job but the surface area is small so it clogs quickly, at least in my case.
Yep, I understood your point about the tiny micro screen. {;-)
MonkeyK Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 214 Location: Twin Cities, MN Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Vivaldi II Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Aeropress, Bunn Phase Brew Roaster: Behmor
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 12:37pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
Can anyone tell me if the BraZen has the following features: 1) a visual way to tell if there is coffee in the carafe 2) a way to pour a cup of coffee from the carafe while the machine is brewing without making a mess
My wife will not let me buy a machine that doesn't meet these requirements. We had a Bunn Phase Brew that didn't and after a month it wound up at Goodwill.
roastmybeans Senior Member Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Chicago Expertise: I live coffee
Drip: Chemex, Brazen Roaster: Nesco
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 12:45pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
MonkeyK Said:
Can anyone tell me if the BraZen has the following features: 1) a visual way to tell if there is coffee in the carafe 2) a way to pour a cup of coffee from the carafe while the machine is brewing without making a mess
My wife will not let me buy a machine that doesn't meet these requirements. We had a Bunn Phase Brew that didn't and after a month it wound up at Goodwill.
1) no. 2) It does have a spring loaded shut off to pause when the carafe is removed. The carafe can make a mess if you don't pour/tip it at the right speed/angle.
MJW Senior Member Joined: 25 Jul 2012 Posts: 74 Location: Silicon Valley Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 1:43pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
MonkeyK Said:
Can anyone tell me if the BraZen has the following features: 1) a visual way to tell if there is coffee in the carafe 2) a way to pour a cup of coffee from the carafe while the machine is brewing without making a mess
A few years ago my dad was shopping for a car, he said he wanted a two-door, and preferred automatics. I suggested to look at the Mazda3 even though it was not 2-door. Long story short he bought a Mazda3 stick shift because he really enjoys how it drives and feels. If a person shops according to a "single issue" or requirement, they risk overlooking the better choice, that is, the choice that they themselves would prefer if they tried it.
With that out of my system... Requirement 1) would seem to imply a glass carafe. The Technivorm KB-741 is probably the best machine that fits the requirements, and the only possible drawback is that you have to flip a switch on the cone before removing the carafe during a brew. The Brazen has a clever no-drip valve that works perfectly and automatically. At these prices the Bunn / Curtis commercial machines should also be considered, but remember they are always on.
MonkeyK Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 214 Location: Twin Cities, MN Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Vivaldi II Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Aeropress, Bunn Phase Brew Roaster: Behmor
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 2:29pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
Thanks for the replies!
Personally, I prefer thermal carafes. But my wife has a point in wanting to know if she will be able to get a full cup of coffee or needs to make another pot. We have a teapot that has a window to let you know how full it is. A solution like that would probably leak heat, but is a decent compromise (for me).
I also agree on not shopping with single issue criteria, but I do need to take my wife's (very strong) preference into account.
Actually, as I think of it, her two requirements are addressing the same issue. There have been situations where she doesn't realize that she needs to brew another pot and has to leave so she wants the coffee before the brew cycle is complete. If she could at least Bogart the coffee it might not be so bad.
TK2FAST Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Posts: 15 Location: PHOENIX AZ Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 3:51pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
FRCN...
Thanks for the reply and yes I have had the water tested a while ago and it is very hard. I was doing descaling on my previous coffee machine about every three months, and that was fine... could have gone a lot longer without any problems too. I was using this previous experience with regards to the Brazen and was stunned that it had to be cleaned at 3 weeks! This site is pro Brazen and most will not acknowledge the above.
bebopdeluxe Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Philly Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2013, 1:07pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
Sorry if this question has been answered (I guess I could go through 88 pages of posts...), but what is the exact technique to keep from making a drippy mess when pouring a cup of coffee? I mean, I can do it occasionally, but most of the time the pour from the carafe leaks all over the countertop.
Don't get me wrong - I like the brewer...but something as simple as pouring a cup of coffee should not have to have the steady hand and laser-like focus of a surgeon - should it?
(especially when I am grumpy and sleep-deprived in the morning)
roastmybeans Senior Member Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Chicago Expertise: I live coffee
Drip: Chemex, Brazen Roaster: Nesco
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2013, 1:14pm Subject: Re: Now we know what GORT is (Behmor BraZen Brewer)
The only way to pour without making a mess is a steady hand and laser-like focus of a surgeon. Don't forget to preheat the carafe with hot water or else you will have cold coffee.
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