Triglet Senior Member Joined: 6 Apr 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Tulsa Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 7:48am Subject: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
Hello all, I've been through some of the owner threads on the various models -- great stuff but it's hard to sift out info through 80 pages. Apologies if this has been asked and answered, it's quite possible I missed a thread while browsing.
I've got a Chemex, Aeropress, and a french press -- primarily use the french pot for day to day coffee. However, the wife wants an automatic for ease of use as well as capacity. Looks like the Brazen, Technivorm, & Bonavita get pretty good reviews here.
I want something I can just set and forget, and great build quality that will last me a good long while. The Brazen's adjustability sounds great, but to be honest I don't see myself playing with it like some would. I'd probably dial it in and that'd be the end of it. The Bonavita's price is right, but the construction quality/carafe issues give me pause. I don't know much about the Technivorm save that it's the most expensive -- is it worth the price?
PhillyRick Senior Member Joined: 17 Dec 2012 Posts: 21 Location: Philadelphia
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 8:22am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
Cheap... automatic... durable/reliable. Choose any two.
From my reading and the recent experiences of friends and relatives, the life expectancy of modern auto-drip coffeemakers is measured in months; except for the Technivorm. I'm happy with our 2-year-old Cuisinart DCC-1200 (modified; see my consumer review), but others have had their copies spring leaks, burn up, or electronically die at younger ages.
VKirby Senior Member Joined: 16 Mar 2012 Posts: 71 Location: World Wide Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 9:31am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
Triglet Said:
Hello all, I've been through some of the owner threads on the various models -- great stuff but it's hard to sift out info through 80 pages. Apologies if this has been asked and answered, it's quite possible I missed a thread while browsing.
I've got a Chemex, Aeropress, and a french press -- primarily use the french pot for day to day coffee. However, the wife wants an automatic for ease of use as well as capacity. Looks like the Brazen, Technivorm, & Bonavita get pretty good reviews here.
I want something I can just set and forget, and great build quality that will last me a good long while. The Brazen's adjustability sounds great, but to be honest I don't see myself playing with it like some would. I'd probably dial it in and that'd be the end of it. The Bonavita's price is right, but the construction quality/carafe issues give me pause. I don't know much about the Technivorm save that it's the most expensive -- is it worth the price?
Sifting. Yeah you read so many reviews, recommendations, complaints, but then there's kind of an army of supporters for them who shout down any & all reported problems as being solely due to user error lol.
I think the bonavita is the best value for the money, but per YOUR criteria it's pretty obvious which one maximizes SIMPLICITY x QUALITY, if you're willing to splurge. Because price is the only downside of the technivorm, & it's the simplest & highest quality. THe brazen's main selling points are features you're saying you're not interested in. I'd still go bonavita despite being 2nd to the T.v. in terms of build quality, its copper vs. Al heating element, >2x longer warranty etc. but it's an easy choice for you assuming you know you won't want the adjustability of the brazen in the future? & quality matters to you more than price. GOod luck!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,632 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 10:01am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
Don't forget the commercial makers. Bunn makes a good brewer, no I am not talking about the home units. The VPR series is an affordable quality unit. It can be bought in either the APS style which brews straight into an air pot or the normal pot o coffee hat everyone knows and some love.
It is right about $200 either online or from Sams club.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 10:18am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
The Bonavita is pretty simple and fire and forget. Although some have reported the issues with the thermal carafe, I haven't seen anything like that with mine - I don't know what the incidence rate is (self-reporting on forums is inherently biased towards reporting problems, and I suspect that a single bad batch of carafes could be at fault here). The good thing in mitigation of that potential problem is that the machine will take any carafe or mug that fits with a filter cone under the shower head - there's no interlocks or anything. It'll even supply water for a Chemex if yours is the size that fits underneath.
VKirby Senior Member Joined: 16 Mar 2012 Posts: 71 Location: World Wide Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 10:26am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
calblacksmith Said:
Don't forget the commercial makers. Bunn makes a good brewer, no I am not talking about the home units. The VPR series is an affordable quality unit. It can be bought in either the APS style which brews straight into an air pot or the normal pot o coffee hat everyone knows and some love.
It is right about $200 either online or from Sams club.
Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 10:28am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
calblacksmith Said:
Don't forget the commercial makers. Bunn makes a good brewer, no I am not talking about the home units. The VPR series is an affordable quality unit. It can be bought in either the APS style which brews straight into an air pot or the normal pot o coffee hat everyone knows and some love.
It is right about $200 either online or from Sams club.
I second that. I picked up a CWTF15 off of Craigslist for $80. You cannot beat the build quality. You can easily control how much coffee you make. They brew at the proper temperatures. However, one thing to keep in mind. It's a commercial machine, which means it's functional, built like a tank, and (some will argue but in my opinion) are ugly as sin. They do no compliment most peoples kitchens like a TV or Brazen. I would have gone for the Brazen but I needed 12 cup capacity. I also have the Cuisinart DCC 1200 and it's a nice machine. I'm going to try the mod mentioned above to see if that bumps up the brew temps..
I have had coffee from the consumer grade bunns, I can tell you first hand, it's just as good as the commercial units. They're generally cheaper. But, like the commercial units, they aren't pretty, and unlike the commercial units, they're pretty much all plastic.
I have had coffee from the consumer grade bunns, I can tell you first hand, it's just as good as the commercial units. They're generally cheaper. But, like the commercial units, they aren't pretty, and unlike the commercial units, they're pretty much all plastic.
Non adjustable for brew temperature too, they brew at a fixed 200°F.
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 12:24am Subject: Re: Recommend a Simple/Quality Automatic
Although I have a comparable commercial pour over (Wilbur Curtis Alpha - used for $15 at Goodwill), I have a hard time recommending them. The internal tank is large, which means energy efficiency in a low volume setting is poor. It makes a hot and fast 64 fl oz pot, but I rarely drink or want that much coffee at one time - the OP might though.
The Bonavita makes a great cup and is simple to use (glass carafe here) and the Technivorm is as well (8 cup glass carafe version here) - both are better suited in small volume environments (1 - 4 coffee drinkers) and both will make a full pot in 5 - 6 minutes. These are cone filter style machines. I your preference runs toward a basket filter style machine then the residential use Bunn coffee makers will do a great job. Mine is the same version I saw at Walmart for under $100 (bought used - forgot the price) and I prefer it to my commercial machine because it makes a similar tasting cup but is more efficient for my volume of consumption.
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
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