Not worth the problem with recurring plastic smell.
Positive Product Points
Brews very hot. Inexpensive machine.
Negative Product Points
Recurring plastic smell.
Detailed Commentary
Most people rave about this machine. I bought it in Dec 2005 based on the overwhelming positive feedback and reviews. When it arrived, I noticed a strong plastic smell right away. I prepped it by:
- Brewing 4 carafes of water. - Brewing a carafe of vinegar and water mixture. - Brewing 2 carafes of water to flush.
The plastic smell diminished. I then brewed my first pot of coffee. It was very good: properly hot and full-flavored. The warming plate does a great job of keeping the carafe hot too.
But with every pot of coffee, the plastic smell came back. I've brewed about 8 pots of coffee so far, with no change. It's as if the heating mechanism causes some of the plastic parts at the top of the machine to give off a bad odor. It goes away after a few hours, and it helps to leave the cover of the water chamber open to air it out.
Is this problem worth an inexpensive though effective brewer? I don't think so. To be fair, not all machines have this smell, according to reports in the forum, although at least 4 separate individuals besides myself have confirmed similar problems with theirs. Some folks report the smell going away after a while. The smell doesn't seem to affect the taste of the brewed coffee, but who knows whether any chemical fumes or residue have made its way into the liquid. For myself, I don't think it's worth the health risks.
Potential buyers should consider this major drawback.
