A great machine - wonderful coffee, beautiful to look at on the counter, thermal carafe, high brewing temps - what more could you want?
Positive Product Points
Makes great coffee, better drip than I've found anywhere. Looks incredible. Thermal carafe keeps high temps for at least 2 hours if preheated. Has a timer (but we haven't tried it). Built in filter (we don't use it as we have an inline filter).
Negative Product Points
Difficult to get decent half sized brews. Expensive. No warranty in Canada. Have to replace charcoal filter regularly if you use it.
Detailed Commentary
Bought this on a bit of a whim! I'd heard lots about this coffee maker and had been wanting to get one. Good luck finding one in Canada - aside from mail order for over $300 after shipping and taxes. We had travelled down to Seattle on a pilgrimage to Vivace (everyone here raves about it - had to try it for myself - wasn't disappointed - best espresso I've had the pleasure of trying) and were wandering around the Pike's Market area. Strolled into Sur La Table and there it was in all it's stainess and aluminum glory! And for $169.99 American (about $70 Canadian cheaper). Still a chunk to pay for a coffee maker and guaranteed to be inferior to a cheap french press but, after much humming and hawing, we went for it anyway. Turned out the one on the shelf was the last one and there was no box so they knocked off 10% - total with taxes was $162. Good deal. We snuck it back over the border along with a pound of Vivace beans and David Schomer's book and videos (we're opening a cafe and are sucking up all available instruction on making superior espresso).
I'd read that this was the ultimate in drip coffee makers but also found mixed reviews out there regarding brewing temperatures. After spending that kind of money, we had high expectations. We weren't disappointed. Finest cup of drip I've ever had! I used some fresh sidamo beans from Andrew's Green Beans that I'd roasted myself on the bbq. All the nuances of a french press brew came through but with a seemingly fuller body. I haven't measured the temps but it's the hottest cup of coffee I've ever had straight off the brew cycle.
We've only had it a couple of weeks but, so far, we couldn't be more pleased. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Buying Experience
No problems at all - Sur La Table is an excellent kitchen store and their staff seems to know about their products. Their computer, however, did not - listed that they had 3 in stock but they couldn't find any. It worked out better for us as they gave us 10% off for the floor model which was in perfect condition anyway.
