Run - don't walk - from this one. Buy something that works.
Positive Product Points
Thermal carafe keeps coffee hot.
Negative Product Points
Carafe lid vapor locks - always when you are away from pot - and brews all over the counter.
Detailed Commentary
I bought this brewer for $99. I had to wheedle for 1 lb of coffee to go with it - they wanted to give me 1/2 lb. I read the instructions, seasoned it, and started brewing. By the 3rd pot, I felt comfortable with it, and set the automatic timer. I came downstairs to coffee everywhere but in the pot. I checked everything out to see why it had overflowed, and could find no reason. I re-seasoned it, and tried again. Several pots later, again unwatched, it brewed all over the counter. I determined that the carafe lid was vapor-locking. I called Starbucks and they said that there was a problem with the carafes, and they sent me a new one. I was happy. Until the next unwatched pot. You guessed it. Nothing I have tried has helped. I have even salted the water to try and soften up my hard well water. It not only did not work, it made a terrible pot of coffee! I now brew with the lid off, at Starbucks suggestion. This works fine, but makes the automatic timer useless. I can no longer wake up to the smell and taste of fresh coffee. As soon as I can afford it, I will by a Krups carafe, and donate the Aroma to a charity.
Buying Experience
The store tried to give me 1/2 lb of coffee. I had read some stores were giving 2 lbs! I wheedled, cajoled, and pled, and finally he gave me 1 lb. He said it was up to the individual stores. Great.
