Its design is elegant and it consistently makes the best coffee I have had in my home.
Positive Product Points
Heats water quickly to perfect temperature. Produces consistently excellent drip coffee. Easy to fill reservoir. Easy to clean.
Negative Product Points
Flimsy handle on carafe.
Detailed Commentary
After experimenting with specialty coffees for a few months and beginning down the espresso/cap route, I realized I simply liked a great cup of drip brewed coffee so much better than espresso drinks. Rather than plunk down $1500+ plus for that beautiful chrome E61 sporting beauty that would take up a huge chunk of counterspace but get used less often than my $60 Cuisinart Brew Central (which just doesn't make great, or even very good, coffee), I was actually thrilled to spend the relatively bargain price of $235 for the Moccamaster.
This thing has a massive 1500 watt copper boiler that rapidly heats filtered water from the fridge in seconds flat and makes a really great cup. Even my wife who laughs at all of my insane neurotic ventures said immediately that the coffee from this thing really tastes better every time. I should note that I am using a Rancilio Rocky grinder which actually makes a huge difference, even over the Maestro Plus I used for a few months. I also am using a Swiss Gold filter, which makes a richer cup but requires a slightly courser grind than paper.
A few other nice points : It takes up less counterspace than any coffee maker I have had. Its seemingly odd design makes it easy to keep very clean and I find I clean it more often as a result. I was originally concerned about the low volume, it makes 40oz which is 8 cups on the american coffee makers, but I have yet to need more on a daily basis, even with a few guests.
Overall, I love making coffee with this machine and I love the coffee that it makes. Now I can spend my time exploring all that great specialty coffee without worrying about all of that tamping, pulling, blah blah blah.....
Buying Experience
As good as it gets. Called Boyds on phone to check availability, placed order and received in 4 days. They threw in a box of paper filters and a decent bag of their coffee.
