Customer Reviews

KRUPS KM8105, 12-Cup Die-Cast Programmable Coffeemaker

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

Had I read these reviews before buying this coffee maker, I would have stayed away ..... far away. But it looked good in the store, so I went for it. The dripping carafe is the biggest problem. It's really bad. So I called Customer Support (1-800-526-5377) and I must say they were accommodating (must be getting a lot of calls on this one, or they're simply blowing me off!). They took my name and address and said they would ship a redesigned replacement carafe when they become available at the end of December (apparently the carafe's are in the process of being manufactured). I'll wait and see. I like the look and feel of the machine and the coffee is fine, it just makes a mess when you pour.

They did ask if I had the receipt and if I had the machine in front of me (yes on the receipt, no on the machine as I'm at work). However, they did not ask that I fax anything, unlike other reports I've read. So for now, I'll pour over the sink and hope they keep their word.

My one concern is in regards to a company that would actually manufacture and market a product that is obviously poorly designed to the point of being defective. Makes you wonder about the quality control for the rest of the unit. But if you own one of these, and can't or don't want to return it, call Customer Support, ask for a new and improved carafe, and keep your fingers crossed.

Update Dec 18, 2009:
True to their word, my new carafe arrived yesterday. Basically, they widened the spout and removed the baffle. Works perfectly. I'm pleased with the quick response, as I really want to like this machine. No other complaints, although the 2 stage timer advertised on the box would have been a nice addition, especially at this price. So I'm revising my rating from 1 star to 4. If you own one with the old style carafe, call customer service at the number above. The concern someone else mentioned about the removable tank eventually leaking is a possibility, I guess. Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm OK with it.

I really wanted to love this pot, because of its looks and the fact that it did brew really good coffee. But it had annoying issues I could not get over. The carafe is designed like a dribble glass. Nomatter how careful we were, we could not pour from a full carafe or an almost empty carafe without spilling. Second, while using coffee ground specifically for an electric drop pot, we found that the machine consistently made a mess when brewing a full pot - the grounds would overflow the basket & be pushed up through the steam vents on the top of the machine. Also the machine I received did not support the advertised 2 automatic settings feature, even though the Krups box listed this as well as the Amazon add. The manual did not list this feature and the simple and intuitive programming menu didn't allow setting more than one start time.

I was grateful for Amazon's return policy, which made it easy to send this disappointing machine back.

After having this product for 1.5 months I have dealt with the leaky pouring and it is bad as the other post mentions. I called Krups and they told me to pour slower and even doing that it still leaks. The unit has a tank on the back that is removable so you can take that to the tap and put your water in. The other week it began a steady drip of water which my solution was to put my finger over it when I carry it over from sink to coffee maker. That has turned into a full on pool of water under my coffee maker. It is pouring out water in the back on the machine. I now have to send it to Krups for repairs and it takes 3 weeks. This unit costs too much money to have basic issues as I am having.

I had the same problems as everyone else with the poor design of the original carafe, but I just called Krups, gave them some information over the phone, and they sent me the newly designed carafe in just a few days. The new carafe works perfectly: no drips. This machine has a more powerful heating element than most, so the water really gets hot enough to properly brew coffee. It also has a great spray head. I looked at many machines before finding this one, and it exceeds my expectations.

Normally I wouldn't sit down and write a review for anything since I own and operate 3 companies and just don`t have much free time, but after reading some of the negative reviews that made Krups sound like it was responsible for the start of Armageddon I felt I needed to say something in the interest of honesty.

I was looking for a coffee maker that was not only built well, but that could also produce the high temperature water necessary not for a GOOD cup of coffee, but rather for a GREAT cup, so on June 1st of 2010 I bought the Krups KM8105.

The label on the bottom of the machine says it operates at 1400 watts. Not enough to power a small city, but certainly enough to get the job done right. As a matter of fact, Starbucks and Peets use machines that operate at high power levels like this..

The machine itself is built like a tank. All metal, and all solid construction. Granted, stainless steel will get finger prints, but so will stainless refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, etc. I really like the very large drawer that slides out to accept ground coffee. It's right in front and makes the process of putting coffee in very easy.

The water tank in removable, but since my other machine didn't have a removable tank I found that just pouring water into the back was not big deal. Some people may say that they can't get to it because it sits under their cabinet, but it shouldn't be under your cabinet when making coffee because of the steam that any coffee maker produces. The heat and moisture would quickly ruin your cabinet, so pull it out and pour it in.

Because of the aforementioned 1400 watt power, the KM8105 machine makes coffee at an extremely fast rate, not a cut the corners rate, just a fast rate. And oh what a cup of coffee it makes. I have filtered water at my sink but I still use the 8105 machines built in water filter since water is a key component to great coffee.

I can't speak to the purported problems with the carafe since mine came with what I assume is the new design. No drips, no spills No problems. Well OK there is one thing I don't like about the carafe (Krups take note), the lid is not removable so washing the carafe can be a bit awkward.

The timer that allows one to set a pre-desired time for starting the brewing is really something every coffee maker should have (that's a hint to Bunn coffee makers). There's nothing like waking up all dreary eyed and being able to grab the pot and immediately pour a cup of java. Programming the KM 8105 was simple, although in the interest of honesty, this machine is similar to my previous Krups when it comes to setting it up. But I can't imagine ANYONE not being able to figure it out. And there is always the 800 number that one can call for assistance. The warming plate keeps the coffee nicely hot too!

The digital readout on the KM8105 is extremely easy to read, and the back lights blue glow is rather cool looking.

I really can't say enough good about this coffee maker. Does it cost more than other brands, or even other Krups machines? Yes? Does a Mercedes or BMW cost more than a Ford or Chevy? Of course. Quality comes at a price. How bad do you want really great coffee?? Besides it's a lot cheaper than a daily trip to a coffee house for an expensive cup of their coffee.


Finally, to all the negative reviews that you may read..........either:

1. They work for other coffee maker companies and wish to try and sabotage Krups (I neither work for Krups or any supplier of Krups)

Or

2. They have an uncontrolled need to wring their hands and whine at the moon. Their high pitched whining was probably bringing dogs to their front doors.

Just my humble opinions. Enough said!!!

I ordered the KM8105 in early January, 2010. I was hoping that krups would be shipping units with the redesigned carafe by then. They weren't.

Knowing this was a possibility, I called Krups and they sent a new, redesigned carafe that works perfectly. The old one has a more rounded pouring spout, the new one is more squared off. The new one is also missing the kind of weir-like piece behind the spout.

With the new carafe, I'm really pleased with this machine, and I'll give it 5 stars.

5 stars aside, I have to wonder how it happened that this clearly flawed carafe ever left the factory. That's a story I'd like to hear some time.

This is the BEST coffee maker I have ever owned! And I've tried them all! It's not only top quality its a beautiful, elegant maker and very easy to handle. I loved it so much that I orderd two of them. One for my husband's coffee and one that I use to make green tea. You won't be disappointed with this one! If there was only one drawback it would be the spout for pouring. Very annoying! You have to pour VERY slowly! The second pot I ordered had the newly designed spout which is great!

My family and I love this coffee maker. It makes amazing coffee every time. I too had the same problem with the leaky carafe and was about to return it when I called Krups. They shipped me a new carafe that does not dribble, so now I can say I am 100% satisfied with this coffee pot. If you do purchase one, make sure it has the squared off spout, not the rounded one.

Took a chance and bought one of these knowing I might have to call Krups for a new carafe. However, mine came with a redesigned spout and was much better then my old ProAroma unit that lasted more than 15 years - had to pour slowly on that drippy model. This new unit seems overly huge in my opinion. Lets make it huge to match the huge American kitchen - more is more baby! The coffee drawer is a cool feature and slides out nicely activating a switch that brightens an already bright enough display. More fluff and gadgetry to go wrong imho. The water tank in the back can be filled from the top or removed and filled remotely at the sink. Based on reviews of this removal process causing eventual leaking, I decided to fill from the top. I think a fixed tank with a side view water level indicator would be better. The water filter is more fluff for me since I have a filter faucet at my sink. Programming is easy, coffee is nice and hot. It is a nice looking machine and makes good coffee so the basics are satisfied. I just can't give it a perfect score for some of the previous reasons.

I agree with all the reviews regarding the carafe. I will contact customer service as recommended for a replacement carafe. We also discovered that this pricy machine does not brew the amount of coffee it says it brews. It always brews 2 cups short of what is requested. This was a VERY disappointing purchase for us. We have bought 7 or 8 coffee machines over the years and this is the worst. We chalk it up to a learning experience (albeit a little costly) and will shy away from Krups products in the future.