A well made coffee maker that will not disappoint.
Positive Product Points
This is an attractive machine with an incredible carafe. It makes an excellent cup of coffee (for a drip machine). Phillips concentrated on making good coffee rather than adding gimmicky features.
Negative Product Points
The carafe is a bit too small. Filling the water reservoir can be a bit awkward if you are not careful. Black version is hard to get your hands on. Thermos sticker on carafe is a bit ugly.
Detailed Commentary
We like to take our coffee out on the deck and read in the morning, and had been looking for a sturdy thermal carafe machine for quite some time. We could have used a standard carafe and poured the coffee into a separate carafe, but this leads to gigantic messes on occasion.
After having some bad experiences with vacuum carafe machines like the Capresso Elegance Therm, we were excited to find a machine with a stainless steel carafe. As far as I can tell, the Thermos branded carafe is nearly indestructible. This carafe will keep the coffee at brewing temperatures for hours. I was amazed to find steaming coffee in it after 3 1/2 hours the first time I used it.
Using the machine is as simple as it could be. No timers, no LED panel, no extra features. There are two switches - a brew selector and a power switch. The brew selector allows you to select a lighter or darker brew. I've never used the golden side, so can't comment on the results when it is selected. The "mocha" brew produces a dark, hot, and well developed cup of coffee. The power switch is a toggle switch that turns on the power and then "bounces" back into the off position. The machine automatically turns off when brewing is complete.
One frequent complaint about this coffee maker is the awkward water reservoir. The top lid only opens 90 degrees, so it tends to get in your way as you empty the last bit of water into it. There is a filter over which you pour the water that can also cause trouble. If you pour faster than the filter container drains, water may overflow all over the counter. This is not a show stopper, but is something to be aware of.
Buying Experience
I purchased this machine at Target. It was the standard superstore shopping experience. I've not seen the Philips coffee makers anywhere else.
