Customer Reviews

Krups FME4-14 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

I'm at a loss as to the problems some other reviewers have had with this coffeemaker. I actually purchased the white unit but it's the same as this one except for the color and metal trim. I bought this machine locally and then went and read the reviews here on Amazon to make sure it was an OK unit. I was on the verge of returning it due to some of the negative comments but I figured "ah, to heck with it" and went ahead and set it up. First off, it makes a great cup of coffee and it's EASY to program. The pot is easy to pour...NO DRIPS and the water level indicator works as it should. I just wonder if all the negative reviewers work for the competition because I found no problems with this unit at all. Now, of course, time will tell if it will last many years as did my last machine but my first impressions are very good.

If looks were everything, this product would rate five stars. The Krups FME4-14 12-cup coffeemaker has a very attractive design. The brushed stainless steel top and front panel with a squared off matte/gloss black plastic case presents a very elegant appearance. Most users will no doubt be very interested in the coffee this machine makes.

The 1100 watt heater affords a fast brewing cycle. The cone shaped filter basket uses #4 filters and the water is pumped over the grounds through a small but effective showerhead-style water outlet that's ideal for concentrating the water in the best way to extract full coffee flavor.

This is not a machine just for the coffee purist who always begins with fresh, cold water while putting freshly ground beans into the filter basket and appreciating the heady aroma of the coffee from grinding to brewing. A useful feature is the programmable timer that's perfect for those instances when you want to setup the machine in advance if you need a head start on coffee drinking. The operating buttons are big and clearly marked; the LCD clock display is large and it is back lighted in blue when the machine is turned on.

Some negatives that reduce the rating of this machine are:

1. A glass carafe that has cup markings on one side only; you can only measure by them if you hold the lid open with your right hand while pouring in the water with your left hand.

2. The carafe drips far too much when you pour the coffee...unless you pour very slowly.

3. There's a hole in the back center of the machine about 1 inch below the top of the water tank. Apparently it's an overflow port to prevent overfilling the machine. Under any circumstances, if you were to grossly overfill it, water would spill out on your counter. But, the tank barely holds 12 cups of water as measured by the carafe, and since this overflow is hidden from view in the back of the machine when it works you might think the machine is leaking. Unbelievably, it is quite possible to pour the water at just the right angle out the tank's overflow since the tank is molded just like a funnel above the hole.

4. The water level indicator is useless regardless of whether you fill the machine all the way to the 12 cup level or somewhere in between. Water forms several bubbles in the magnifying plastic tube that prevent it from indicating anything at all.

Nonetheless, this Krups machine does make an excellent cup of coffee from start to finish. Whenever you let the coffee sit on the so-called "warmer" plate, the flavor of your brew will degrade. Therefore, you would do well to get an insulated carafe (in brushed stainless steel for coordination) if you want to make some extra.

Go ahead, enjoy all the exquisite drip coffee you can drink, and enjoy life.

I don't know how to understand some of the previous, extremely negative reviews.

I have not had any problem pouring a cup of coffee without dripping/spilling.

I think that the 1-3 cup feature is great: With my previous coffeemaker, it really wasn't possible to brew a small amount of coffee and have it taste good; with this Krups' machine's 1-3 cup setting, I get a few nice, strong cups of coffee without having to use too many coffee beans.

The programming feature is easy to use. I read the manual once and then, two days later, remembered how to program the coffeemaker to brew at a specific time. It's really as simple as pressing the "Prog" button quickly, toggling with the "hour/minutes" button" to set the timer. As to the fear that the machine will be a fire hazard by turning itself on without water because the timer is set, the manual clearly states that there is a safety feature that will turn the machine off if it gets turned on without any water in the reservoir. Yes, I would prefer a separate button to turn on/off the timer setting, but it isn't that big of a deal.

I haven't had any problem with water spilling out the back of the unit. In fact, I don't even see the overfill hole in the back of the unit that a previous reviewer mentioned. I seldom brew 12 cups of coffee at once, so perhaps I'm not the best person to judge whether this is a problem. I did do the initial "clean the machine" routine by filling it up all the way to run clean water through it and I didn't notice and spilling at that time.

I agree that the coffeemaker is somewhat cheaply built -- surprisingly flimsy for a coffeemaker with a list price this high. I actually bought mine locally and chose the more expensive FME4-14 model because the stainless steel front added some solidity to the machine. The FME1 and FME2 models, all plastic, seemed extremely cheap and light. They all use the same filter basket mechanism, though, which appears to be fragile. This is not a machine for those people who are impatient or treat their possessions in a rough manner. I can see breaking the swing out door or the filter holder because of how thin the plastic is. On the other hand, I bought this coffeemaker to replace an even more expensive Cuisinart model that broke just out of warranty. (Well, the coffemaker still worked but the brew-and-pour feature stopped working because a piece of plastic in the filter basket broke. Actually, I couldn't even use the thing at all until I bought a 10 cent washer at a local hardware store and jimmied the thing back into somewhat of a workable condition -- at least it no longer just spewed coffee all over my counter, but the brew-and-pour feature still didn't work. And, of course, I couldn't find the replacement part I needed to actually make the machine whole again. Also, the water level meter in that machine stopped working after just a few months and the clock was so poor that it gained over one minute EVERY DAY, interfering with the machine's ability to actually brew at a specific time each day using it's programming function.)

I agree that there should be markings on both sides of the carafe. This pot is designed for right-handed people because the markings are visible when it's picked up in the right hand. However, given the water level read out on the machine itself (which, despite others' experiences, I haven't had a problem with yet), this doesn't seem to be a big deal.

As to the warming plate's surface flaking off, I have to wonder what that person was using to clean the machine. The manual specifically states not to use ANYTHING abrasive on the machine and that reviewer used the word "scour." Really, when cleaning off the small drips of coffee that inevitably get on a warming plate when using a brew-and-pour feature (I've never seen a coffee maker that was perfect about stopping coffee from dripping when the pot is removed during brewing), all one needs to use is the soft side of a kitchen sponge for a quick wipe.

My biggest gripe about this machine is the manual. It is poorly laid out: there is a picture of the machine on one page with letters pointing to various features, but the legend of what those letters means appears a few pages later. Obviously the legend needs to be on the facing page of the manual. I was also a little concerned when initially unpacking the thing. There's a large piece of styrofoam holding the pot in place and I was concerned about breaking the filter basket door when I was ripping it out of the machine. The manual contains NO instructions about unpacking the machine. Normally instructions for something this basic aren't necessary, but if Krups is going to pack something this delicate in such a screwy way, they should provide better information to the end consumer. Perhaps this is how some reviewers' filter holder doors became broken in the first place. Another problem with the manual was the instruction to "rotate" the water filter holder open in order to insert the filter. No illustrations were provided. I don't know about you, but I consider "rotating" to mean twisting something off. But the filter holder is actually designed to be flipped open (one side should remain attached while the other flips down). Given how flimsy the plastic is on this part, too, I could easily see someone breaking the filter holder if they weren't careful and actually tried to rotate the end of it off.

I cannot speak to the longevity of the machine as I've only owned it for less than one month, but so far I'm liking its features and, more importantly, the taste of the coffee it produces.

I've only had this coffeemaker for a short time, but so far I have absolutely no complaints and am totally satisfied. I haven't experienced any of the problems cited by other reviewers. I actually prefer it to my previous machine (the Cuisinart with all the unnecessary switches and buttons) -- it's very easy to use and easy to clean. It does seem a little less solid than the Cuisinart, but so far I haven't had any problems with its durability. (I will update if that changes.) Only minor complaint so far, not worth demoting the machine to 4 stars, is that the "program" setting isn't automatically turned off after it has been used. So, if you forget to turn the program setting off and don't fill up the machine one night, it will turn on with no water and coffee the next morning and presumably stay on for 2 hours. I'm trying to train myself to turn the programming off after each use to make sure this doesn't happen.

Overall, great machine and the best choice in this price range.

Coffee is practically a holy sacrament in my house, so we care about how it tastes and how it is madde.

Earlier this year I purchased a terrible Cuisinart coffee maker, the worst of my life. After a few months I couldn't stand it any more and bought this Krups model, with a similar (but superior) look.

It makes a great cup of coffee, the programmable timer works beautifully, the audible alert can be turned on or off. The machine not only feels more sturdy than many other coffee makers, but it's very good looking also.

Had to turn in the first unit I bought for a replacement because a small plastic piece on the filter basket door broke, rendering the door useless. The replacement has worked fine, but I am very careful in swinging the door open.
Can't understand the nitpicking of other reviewers on the spillage when pouring from the carafe, and the forming of air bubbles in the water level tube. Both problems are easily solved by pouring slowly enough.
As to the peeling of the coating on the heating plate, I haven't had that happen either in the original unit or the replacement.
I agree the instructions for setting the time on the clock and for the timer are a little complex - every time we have a power outage I have to refer to the manual to reset times. However, the timer feature has worked without fail, unlike the Mr. Coffees I've had.
I need to add that the poor visibility of the display is annoying. Unless I'm missing something, it's backlit only when the unit is on or you're resetting times.
Every coffeemaker has its pros and cons, for this one the pros far outweigh the cons. Overall, a fine machine which makes great coffee (hint: if you disagree with the great coffee try one of the Caribou coffees - the combination is terrific).

I just bought this coffee maker about four days ago and so
far I've been happy; I was NOT happy that the Black and Decker
Cafe Noir unit I bought died after about 9 months. I will never
buy a B & D maker again; stick to drills, guys. This Krups
seems fine. I owned a very inexpensive Krups before that lasted about 10 years, made good coffee, and was simple to clean and operate.
This unit is comparable although a good deal more expensive.
So far, the coffee has been great but I'm still figuring
out the water to coffee ratio for proper strength. I too
am I little mystified by some of the scathing reviews: what
do you people WANT? I want ease of use, durability (time
will tell), and good coffee. What else matters? I do agree
with some of the minor criticisms -- the measurements on
only one side of the carafe is stupid -- how much more would
it be to put markings on BOTH sides. Some of us (some of the
best of us!) are left-handed. So that's a minus. Carafe
seems thin; okay, so don't hammer nails with it for God's
sake! It has yet to drip for me, it looks nice on the counter and the 1-3 cup feature is a plus. One other thing: on my late and unlamented B&D unit, you could not access the used filter without also accessing the water reservoir; so if you wanted to take the used filter out, you had to either wait forever or get scalded by the steam left in the unit -- VERY bad design flaw. With the Krups, you can remove right after brewing without danger. As to the person who said the coffee
was not brewed hot enough: that's why God gave us microwaves --
and thumbs!

This coffee maker is very handsome, quickly creates a marvelous carafe of coffee, the carafe does NOT drip when poured, and it has a lovely alert signal that's not obnoxious to let you know when your entire pot of coffee has been dispensed. What's not to like? I am a coffee fanatic and have owned Bunn, Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee, Braun and many others. This one is wonderful, and it's an amazing value at this price. I'm writing this because I truly think the negative reviewers must either work for a Krups competitor or they are tea drinkers who wouldn't know the difference between a good or bad coffee maker.

And BEWARE THE "DUO FILTER". If you buy this device make sure you dig this bizarre contraption out of the box/coffeemaker before doing anything else. Its a long plastic thing that looks like an IUD and a filter packaged in a white plastic wrap. This is supposed to go into the water reservoir, although you wont find definitive instructions anywhere in the manual. (Arggghhh spit cuss!)

I had already bought the Krups FME2-14 model before buying this unit for my girlfriend and published the following review on Amazon:

"In my search, I read a LOT of negative reviews about the new Krups product family. Really not a surprise cause even the Pro Aroma had its many quirks, but still.....the coffee. So, after reading a bunch of bad reviews on Braun, Mr Coffee, Cuisinart, and Krups coffeemakers, I figured $60 was worth the risk to plunk down on this model. My first impression when I opened the box was that the coffemaker was solid and well constructed, but that the carafe was too light and thinly formed. But after two weeks of use I really cant find anything to complain about. Yes, the carafe is very light, but I like it. And it pours well with no drips. I havent yet attempted to program the machine cause thats not a necessity for me, but hit the "ON" button and in about 5 minutes you have a fast, hot, and extraordinarily flavored pot of coffee. And this is honestly the best coffee I've ever had from this machine, even much better than my old Pro Aroma from the same manufacturer. I dont know how Krups does it, and I dont care, this machine is just one of the best on the market today, and probably thee best when we're talking about the quality of the end result...which is all that matters. 5 beans"

OK, I dont feel any differently about this stainless model, it makes GREAT coffee. And these idiots that are griping about small little quirks with this machine are overlooking the bigger picture. And that is that the coffee from this Krups design is the best you will find anywhere, with or without the Duo Filter, which is my only complaint about this machine cause Krups doesnt tell you what to do with it. Well, you assemble the thing in the plastic IUD and place in in the reservoir, then pour your water in over it and its supposed to provide additional filtration for your water before brewing.

All in all a 5 star product, but I'm knocking it down because of this stupid slight by Krups, and because the afterthought and out of place placement of stainless touches is just a little too much of a good thing in a stainless kitchen. Besides, I have never seen a stainless facia that was so succeptible to difficult to clean fingerprints. 4 Cubes

I've read the other reviews, and find no quality problems with the construction of the unit. The pause-n-serve feature is miles ahead of the complicated-and-never-worked-right Braun. The ONLY drawbacks are the drips when pouring a cup (what a pain) and the water level indicator filling up with air bubbles. The coffee flavor is fine, and the programming (although more complicated than necessary) is actually convenient because you don't have to re-set it every day. Overall, a fine replacement for the Braun 12-cup flavor select.