Customer Reviews

Capresso 440.05 MT-500 10-Cup Electronic Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe

5 star:		(106)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

after months of dealing with burnt coffee from my trusty krups coffeemaker...i decided that there just HAD to be a better way. i launched an exhaustive search for what would be the best (you know this is always a compromise, anyways) machine for the job. i knew i wanted a thermal carafe...and wasn't as concerned with the price as i was concerned with the quality and durability.

i read many reviews here on amazon...including reviews for this machine. after seeing a bunch of negative reviews (based on how difficult to operate, clean, or lack of really HOT coffee from this machine) i decided to look further, instead of just jumping in.

of course...as i searched the web, i finally realized that i was just going to have to try the machine...worst that could happen was that i could experience all the problems that some others had...and i'd have to return it.

expecting problems (i saw an awful lot of buyer whining about operation difficulty (it isn't a problem) temperature of coffee (although quoted as 170 degrees in the manual it generally stays in the carafe at 160 degrees) and all assortment of complaints about adding water to the reservoir (a no brainer), assembly/cleaning issues (also very simple), pause and serve issues (never had a problem)...

i had NO problems whatsoever with this unit. coffee tasted good from the first cup...and still tastes good (i've had the unit for over two months now)

as a matter of fact...the coffee is still hot and drinkable after 3 hours (although the manual does recommend that you dispose of the coffee after 2 hours)

so all in all? a VERY satisfied customer...i rated it at 4 stars because it IS expensive...and for the anal-retentive types out there...yes the coffee rarely exceeds 165 degrees...

but...if you are sitting on the fence (like i was) jump in! you won't be disappointed!

I went with 3 stars because of price and design. It is better than 3, but I can't bring myself to call it 4. 3.5 is very fair. The coffee that this machine brews is far superior to any machine I have owned. It easily rivals coffee house machines. However, the carafe was poorly designed and the price tag is way too steep. I won't return it, but I retain the right gripe a bit.

PROS:

- Coffee taste is INCREDIBLE! Unmatched by any home machine I know of.

- Coffee is brewed hot. That is a fact. Do not let bad reviews about temp scare you. This machine brews hot.

- Coffee remains hot. Again, don't be scared. I don't pre-heat the carafe. The hot water heats it fast and since steel is a conductor, the carafe warms quickly. FWIW, I dumped a couple cups this morning after they sat all night. I kid you not when I say if you take it black, the temperature was still passable.


- It extracts max flavor from the grinds, therefore less coffee is required.

- The keypad is easy to use and understand. The cord compartment is very handy.

CONS:
- One hundred and sixty bucks is too much money. First off, the whole machine is not stainless steel. There is a lot plastic and fake steel. The brew technology is good, but there is no way on earth this machine is worth more than 2x a Braun 180. The coffee is a bit better, but you really have to be a fanatic to taste it.

- The carafe is TERRIBLY designed in the way it receives the brew. YES, YOU WILL HAVE COFFEE POUR ALL OVER YOUR KITCHEN IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL! The entry hole is too small. You can set the carafe in place and it will still overflow. It needs to be set PERFECTLY. The lips should be bigger by about 1/4" to prevent spillage. In fact, I feel this lid should be recalled. It is that bad. Exercise caution and you will be fine, but always be aware. Sometimes the ball sticks so even if it is lined up perfectly, it will still overflow. Make sure the green ball is moving before putting the lid on the pot. Use the tip of a knife to jar it loose if it is stuck.

- The lack of a removable water resovoir is inexcusable at this level. The machine is a little on the heavy side and doesn't slide easily, plus you hide the cord. A removable water resovoir would have been great.

- The carafe does pour slow. Make sure the dot is over the spout for best performance. Turning it past the spout only slows it further, it doesn't make the opening bigger! If it gets annoying, remove the lid, pour normal, then replace the lid.

This review may sound negative, but it isn't. Again, the coffee quality is unmatched. However, you do need to put up with mind-bogglingly dumb engineering and tiny quirks. But, like that lawnmower that only you know how to start, this is a machine you'll grow to love as you figure out how to control it.

When I ordered the Capresso MT-500, I had mixed feelings. I'd never before bought a coffeemaker that cost more than [$$], and I was nervous about spending so much. But at the same time, I was weary of the ongoing battle with calcification in my old Mr Coffee 'Accel' coffeemaker (we have very hard water here). Furthermore, the coffee never did taste all that great, and after two or three hours on the warming pad the last cup was guaranteed to taste burnt and bitter.

In shopping for a new coffeemaker, my requirements therefore included both a thermal carafe and reasonable assurance that it would make decent coffee -- and that it would do so for at least a few years. Unfortunately, most of the reviews I read reported that the carafes were flimsy and broke, or failed to keep the coffee hot enough.

The Capresso addressed all of these concerns and more, and everything about this coffeemaker says "quality." There's a replaceable charcoal filter that goes in the reservoir to help remove chlorine and other impurities. All of the metal surfaces that come into contact with water and/or coffee are stainless steel. The electronic controls are straightforward and easy to understand, and the brew-through sealed carafe is virtually idiot-proof... Moreover, the carafe, which has a stainless steel liner (not breakable glass), is very easy to keep clean. The clock doesn't lose its settings during brief (<10secs) power glitches (a continuing annoyance with the aforementioned and now idle Mr Coffee). The Capresso is also very spiffy and attractive and looks great on our kitchen countertop.

And did I mention it makes great coffee? It does.

Although not absolutely essential, in my opinion, you will end up with hotter coffee -- and hot coffee for a longer period of time -- if you remember to pre-heat the carafe with some hot water for a few minutes before brewing. Just be sure to remember to -empty- the carafe before you start the cycle! Still, preheating isn't always practical, such as when you're using the automatic timer, and frankly, in my opinion the coffee's stayed hot enough for up to 3 hours even when I haven't prewarmed the carafe. Today, using a prewarmed carafe, my last cup was acceptably hot nearly 4 1/2 hours after I first made it.

I've been using my Capresso for a couple weeks now, and I have no regrets in shelling out premium dollars for a premium coffeemaker. I'd definitely do so again.

I've had a Bunn for years and recently bought a Capresso predominately for the filter on the Capresso machine. The Capresso also has a thermal carafe (Bunn makes a themal carafe machine now as well) and a timer. I tend to be searching for the perfect cup of coffee and my wife goes more for convenience so my review will reflect these diferences to a degree.
1. AESTHETICS: Though this is largely subjective, I think most will agree that the Capresso is smarter and more modern. The Bunn still has that retro-diner look. Not that big a deal to me but what I do like about the Capresso is it's more compact design. Give the edge to Capresso.
2. QUALITY: Both are quality machines. I've had the Bunn for years and it is a solid machine. The fit and finish of the Capresso is quite good.
Advantage...even.
3. QUIETNESS: I mention this because Capresso brags about how quiet it is...... Well, the Capresso still perks and girgles like any other machine. Nothing beats the BUNN for quietness because the water is always heated. When cold water is added to the machine, it displaces the hot water and it is a completely quiet operation. Advantage BUNN
4. SERVICE: BUNN has been great over the years backing up their machines and I think Capresso will be equally impressive. My first machine had a small electrical glitch that powered the machine off after brewing. I called Capresso...didn't have to wait long on the phone and with no hesitation, they said they would have a new one sent out the next day complete with a UPS label to return the faulty unit. Advantage...EVEN.
5. EASE OF USE: One reason BUNN has never put a timer on their units is that their is really no need. Pour the water in and 3 minutes later you have coffee...thats it. With a timer unit, you still have to put the water in the night before. So for me, that is just something else that can break and is wash as far as ease of use. I did find it a bit easier to poor the water in on the BUNN. The Capresso has a large top that opens and if it is under a counter you will probably have to pull the entire machine away from the wall....probably the single most thing I dislike about the Capresso. The Capresso does have about a 15 minute learning curve while the BUNN is completely intuitive and has about a 1 minute learning curve. Not a big deal in my book. Once you learn how to program the timer on the Capresso, it's a no brainer. Capresso also has the option of paper or paperless filters in the machine. Capresso has a feature to brew a 1/2 pot of coffee but for BUNN, simpley poor in the water amount that you want to brew and a smaller amount coffee in the filter and the same result.. Small Advantge...BUNN.
A WORD ON SPILLS: I've read a few reviews that say that the Capresso is prone to spills....I find the Capresso nearly spill proof. The thermal carafe needs to be lined up under the machine to allow the water to flow through, but the carafe sits in a cradle with very little movement and I just don't see how these people could have a problem with this. The BUNN on the other hand sits on a hot plate and is more suseptible in my opinion to misaligning the carafe. The BUNN in the past has had a problem with dribbling from their carafe, but that has been redesigned and works fine now. I do find it slow to poor from the Capresso carafe, but it does not leak or dribble. Advantage...even.
THERMAL CARAFE; The Capresso absolutely keeps the coffee hot....even an hour later you will still be sipping so as not to burn your lips. This is definately NOT a problem. In fact, I love the thermal carafe...it ensures good taste through the entire pot...Thermal carafes are the way to go in my opinion. BUNN has one now so I have to call this EVEN.
PRICE: The Capresso was $20 more.
TASTE: The advantage here is Capresso simply because the water is filtered, but if you use filtered water from your faucet or any other source it's a wash. Both machines brew a good cup of coffee.
Overall, both machines are great. The Capresso is more modern and has a few more bells and whistles, but the BUNN brews twice as fast and is absolutley quiet. ....you pick...both are quality machines.

I have always wanted to purchase a quality coffee maker, but the hassle of tracking down a store that carries one always wore me down and I would typically end up with the most expensive coffee maker that I could find. I was looking for a coffee maker that actually brought out the flavor of a good bean and didn't add the all so common burnt bitter coffee flavor. The Capresso MT-500 did the trick for me. It is an excellent machine, well constructed and engineered with quality in mind. Since the water heating element is stainless steel, it doesn't add any special flavorings to the coffee. For people who love ultra-hot coffee, pre-heat the thermal carafe with hot water prior to brewing or you might be disappointed in the coffee temperature.

I was a little hesitant to spend (Than much)for this coffee maker, but after conducting a great deal of research (and driving to many stores and comparing brands and models) I am happy I made the investment! This machine brews an outstanding pot of coffee that tastes great and stays relatively hot for hours without burning.

I was also impressed with the solid construction of the machine. The machine is constructed without flimsy parts (like the Krups) and is very user friendly. In addition, the digital clock is easy to program and begins brewing coffee flawlessly on time each morning.

I did encounter one problem, however. After washing the filter basket and gold filter on a prior evening, I inadvertently placed them back in the machine slightly crooked. Then, when I tried to take away the carafe in mid-brew the next morning, the machine continued to pour freshly brewed coffee all over the counter until I hurriedly replaced the carafe. Of course, this whole ordeal was due to my stupidity (and I admit it) and not the fault of the machine.

The one item I would ask Capresso to consider including with this coffee maker in the future is a transparent (plastic) measuring container for water. Unless you have one readily available from an earlier purchase of a coffee maker from another company, if you fill your carafe with water, you have to look to the side of the machine (while you are pouring) to see how much water you have poured in. It is somewhat distracting to the a fairly simple process of brewing the perfect cup of coffee, but it is an improvement from which virtually everyone who purchases this coffee maker would benefit.

Other than this one suggestion, I think that (notwithstanding the price) this is the greatest coffee maker ever! I realize quality comes at a price, and again, I am happy I made the investment. (And to prove it, I will be giving a number of them as Christmas gifts this year.)

Here is a 12 month update. This coffeemaker has performed perfect. I recorded temperatures at the end of brewing, they averaged 179 deg.F. After two hours in the carafe the coffee still averaged 132 deg.F. The only problem with dripping when removeing the carafe was solved by washing debris from around the small o ring. The entire coffeemaker has remained in perfect "as new" condition. Happy brewing.

I've had Braun and Krups makers before, but my Krups went kaput and I wanted something a little better for preparing a variety of fine Arabica coffees, from Antigua types like Kona to rich Indonesian varieties, to their best. (I was raised in Mexico, where for candy I sucked on coffee cherries, not candies.) The reviews here seemed a bit mixed, but after some research, I bit the bullet and bought the machine.

I have had the Capresso 440 for six months, so I feel I can comment now... and I am very impressed! It prepares excellent coffee, in large or small batches (there is a selector switch), has a permanent goldtone filter (you can buy paper filters -preferably unbleached - if you prefer,) coffee comes out above 165 F / 74C, and it stays warm at least a couple of hours; the coffee-maker is easy to program, set up and clean. It even looks good, though my prime criterion is always the quality of the coffee produced.

One small thing I improved on was the small black dot on the top of the black lid used to open / close the opening to the spout - I used a dot of yellow acrylic paint to make it more visible, and it makes a significant difference. Two things I think could be improved on - the fill indicator float-ball-in-column is on the right side, ecessed, and the design of the machine makes it a bit difficult to see in the darkish corner of my kitchen counter; and of course, a lower price would please everyone. These are relatively minor - the Capresso, made by a company that makes upper end machines for professional baristas, is a high-quality coffee-making machine that's sure to please aficionados of good coffees.

If you can't program your VCR or radio-alarm, demand piping hot coffee that blisters the mouth, or prepare cheaper Robusta coffees like Farmer Bros., forget this machine - save your money and get a Mr. Coffee. If you prefer espresso types, Capresso makes machines that do that, you won't be satsified here. To each, according their own taste...

But if you enjoy fine Arabicas properly prepared, without the unhealthy effects of plunge / press makers, and a machine that is easy to use and seems substantial enough to last, I think you will be very happy with the Capresso.

I know, there have been complaints in these reviews that this coffee maker is too expensive. My belief, especially in the case of this appliance, is you get what you pay for. I enjoy using this coffee maker because it is easy to operate plus the taste and the temperature are perfect. I highly recommend following the instructions that come with this appliance for optimum performance. Having had my own gourmet coffee roasting shop for several years I used to sell Krups and had nothing but problems. I switched to selling Capresso products and always had satisfied customers. If you are particular about the quality in the taste of your coffee, you will be pleased with this product!

update: 2/2009 -- This coffee maker is still brewing the best cup since the day it arrived! I haven't found one that is perfect but this one comes close.

And to think I was close to buying a Cuisinart Grind & Brew a few weeks ago. After a week or so of research I came back armed with a list of requirements: thermal carafe (keeps the brew warm without cooking it), proper brewing temperature and water filter. Though pricey, this machine fit the bill. That there are stainless steel components to reduce calcification and it looks pretty slick on the counter are just the icing.

I haven't had a bad cup yet. The coffee comes out hot, hotter than I'm used to with a coffee maker but not fast-food restaurant scalding. And it stays that way for a good 1-2 hours. Best of all, only three parts to clean after every pot.