Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the one you've been looking for., September 1, 2007
I love my coffee more than most people, and although I wouldn't consider myself an expert or coffee snob, I know what to look for.
When looking for a replacement coffee maker, I made the decision that it was time to step up to a good model. No more compromises with $30 walmart specials you throw away after a couple years of cold, thin coffee. Life is too short to drink bad coffee!
I had a few criteria that I didn't want to compromise on. It had to be solidly manufactured, brew at a hot and consistent temperature, and brew at an appropriate rate. In the end, my search narrowed it down to the Technivorm, the Capresso with thermal carafe, and this one, the Kitchenaid. The capresso struck me as "gimmicky" for some reason. I'd used makers that brewed directly into a thermal carafe before and was always disappointed with overflow. I didn't want to waste time with that again, I can always brew into a traditional pot and pour it into a separate insulated carafe, like a thermos. The Technivorm, I heard good things about, but let's face it. It's just too ugly. In the end I settled on this one, and I'm very glad I did.
To begin, this thing is solid. You handle it and get the impression it'll be around for a while. I realize that doesn't say anything about the internal equipment, but given the attention to detail in manufacturing the exterior and visible components, it gives me some reassurance.
Secondly, it brews consistently hot. Right at the perfect 200 degree sweet spot. The water showers down on the grounds evenly for better extraction.
Finally, it's not too fast, and not too slow. I had a Bunn before this one, and my only complaint was that it was TOO FAST. The water would shoot out and it was this two minute race to finish. As a result I would always end up with weak coffee unless I used a ton of grounds. It got expensive fast. Plus it would overflow from time to time-- I like my coffee a bit strong and the amount of grounds I used would sometimes be too much. No such issues with the Kitchenaid. It takes about 6-8 minutes, an appropriate time for the water to be in contact with the grounds, and its completely silent the entire time. None of the gurgling and hissing you find with cheaper products. A little alarm bell sounds when the brewing is complete.
When the box arrived on a Friday afternoon, the glass carafe was broken. Imagine my disappointment after getting all excited about having a new toy for the weekend. I put in a call to the Kitchenaid support line, and aside from determining if it was shipping related damage, I had a new one sitting on my doorway Monday! Very happy with their support.
*Edit*
After one year of owning this coffee maker, the water pump died. Customer support sent me one a new unit with pre-paid shipping. It arrived next day UPS. The two year warranty was extended for another two years. Aside from that, my only complaint is that the lid dribbles coffee when you pour it. I think it gets sticky if you don't clean it well enough ? And while I'd rather not have to deal with customer service, the guys and girls at the kitchenaid support line are consistently the friendliest most helpful toll free line I've ever had the misfortune of dialing. They are amazing.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good Coffee, Replace Unit Frequently, July 6, 2008
I purchased this unit 3 years ago. After some use, I noted the following good points, from a design perspective:
* water gets hot enough to do a proper extraction
* coffee was delicious
* the unit's look and heft suggested that once acquired, it was here
to stay
And the bad points:
* no drip stop, and coffee continues to trickle down into the carafe
long after the 'done' light comes on. A K'Aid rep suggested that she
had the same problem, but used to work in a diner, where she learned
to remove both the grounds chamber and the carafe at the same time.
That's how she handled the drippy grounds chamber issue.
I suggested that perhaps the unit should come with a waitress' outfit
and a handkerchief embroidered with the name "Flo Freely" on it.
* the spout on the lid, doesn't always open sufficiently while pouring,
which can lead to a mess on the counter.
On the issues of its heftiness translating into reliability, I'm on my 3rd one in 2 years. On the first unit, one of the "time since brewing" lights burned out. On the second unit, the entire water distribution (the "roof" of the unit from which the hot water comes) cracked, and I only noticed this when the innards had spewed out onto the bed of spent coffee grounds.
Although I'm three units into the product, I see no improvements or corrections of the defects widely reported. While I understand that a brew-pause might be difficult to integrate into a unit like this, a redesign of the carafe lid so that it poured correctly should have been undertaken, given the feedback KitchenAid has received.
Customer Service has been wonderful in automatically resupplying me with units after a very brief phone call with them, and a pre-paid return of the defective unit. The purchase of this unit (which has demonstrated a mean survival time of 1 year) would have been a horrendous experience if the customer service were not there. However, let me remind all those who are extolling their experience with KitchenAid's customer service that there is far too much need to use it. If their coffeemaker performed properly and lasted (I paid $239 for mine), I would be happier not to know how good their customer service was. My objective, in purchasing so called "well-made" appliances is not to have the pleasure of good customer service, but instead to not ever have any experience with this area of the company. Its great to have good support if an occasional defect pops up, but I note on in these reviews that a fairly large number of people are enthusiastic about and appear to have a great deal of experience with K'Aid's Customer Service department. Becoming a daily communicant with Customer Service, despite their good support and responsiveness, was not my intention when I bought this appliance.
I don't know whether there is a better choice out there - I have a time share in which there is a cheap (19.99) type drip unit, which I would buy in a heartbeat and have no regrets about replacing each year - but it doesn't get the water hot enough to make good coffee. So go figure - get the KitchenAid and develop a great new circle of friends in the Customer Service Department and with your UPS man (or woman), since you will likely be using their warranty. Seems to me this is not a particularly reliable product with a better than average warranty.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Coffeemaker With Problems, Great Customer Service, January 27, 2008
I've gone through two of these coffee makers in two years (I'm currently on my third). That being said, the machine makes a fantastic cup of coffee, brewed at the correct temperature. It's easy to use and program, is quiet while brewing, and looks great on your countertop.
Problems I've had:
- The first machine, after a couple of months, developed a burnt-out light on one of the "Time Since Brew" segments. KitchenAid shipped a new unit and I sent the defective one back to them - no charge to me. (UPS even comes to your house to pick-up the defective unit.)
- The second machine eventually developed several problems. First problem: After about a year, the finish appeared to be peeling off near the water input grate on top of the machine. (There's a thread on the KitchenAid Support Forums about this.) Second problem: Again after about a year, pouring water into the top grate made about 4 tablespoons of water drip through the shower head. Since I pour the water with the carafe, that meant water on the hotplate, which was annoying. KitchenAid shipped a new unit and I sent the defective one back to them - no charge to me.
The carafe also exhibited a problem that I haven't read about anywhere else. The design is plastic and glass. After several months of use, the top plastic portion developed a small gap between itself and the glass. When coffee was brewed, condensation built-up between the plastic and glass, and a small amount would eventually drip through the tiny gap, down the outside of the carafe, onto the hot plate, and eventually onto my counter-top. KitchenAid sent a replacement at no charge. (The replacement carafes are normally $40, which is a bit steep considering that it's not stainless steel/thermal, so handle it with care.)
I also had a problem with the stainless-steel filter basket holder. The black plastic handle is attached with a metal screw and washer on the inside of the holder. The screw and washer rusted. KitchenAid sent a replacement at no charge.
I'm hoping my third machine holds up, time will tell. I'm glad that KitchenAid stands by their products - their Customer Service is world-class.
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