Customer Reviews

Krups FMF4-14 10-Cup Coffeemaker, Black and Stainless Steel

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

We have had a Krups carafe type coffee maker and a Krups espresso machine that we were very happy with, so when our ten-year-old coffeemaker died (perforation in the heating element that was unfixable, but after almost ten years of twice daily use), we didn't even think of going to anything but another Krups machine. Two days after our old Krups machine died, we had a new Krups FMF4 on the counter. Two weeks later, I can say unequivocably that it is junk. We've given Krups products as gifts before, and the only silver lining in this cloud is that we didn't give anyone one of these. Leaks, nonfunctioning (bubbles) unreadable water level indicator, cheap plastic, strong plasticy taste to coffee even after running several cleaning rounds, terrible ergonomics (can't really easily empty the pot), slow pour, drips, on and on. I honestly can't believe that a company that has made such good products in the past could fall so far so fast. We're taking it back asap, and I'll not buy another Krups product. This product functions like a no-name cheapo coffee maker, but at a premium price.

Most of the criticisms are true. Bubbles in the indicator, hard to remove the pot (tip it and it'll come out one handed), pot is hard to pour and can't be emptied 'til its inverted, brew interrupter sometimes doesn't work, and the materials aren't up to Krups'old standards.

But, I use the pot to fill the reservoir, so I measure the water as I put it in the pot. I've now figured out how to get the pot in and out with one hand, and, although somewhat awkward, you can get all the coffee out of the pot, I don't sneak cups during the brew cycle since it messes up the strength of the whole pot, and although the materials and design and construction aren't what I came to expect from Krups, I just haven't found a better unit with a thermal carafe.

Also, I don't understand the criticisms about the filter holder coming out. . . IT'S SUPPOSED TO PEOPLE, SO YOU CAN CLEAN IT!

It's also worth noting that NONE of the machines I've ever owned measured the number of cups by the size of my personal cofee mug. It IS a 10 cup machine, if your expectations are realistic and if compared to other machines claiming to be 10 or 12 cup machines. A CUP IS A STANDARD UNIT OF MEASUREMENT PEOPLE, GET REAL. "CUP" DOES NOT MEAN YOUR COFFEE MUG!!

What you can find, however, is one with similar or other flaws for a cheaper price.

If Krups wants to compete with Mr. Coffee and Black and Decker, then this one does, at twice the price. But, if they want to keep their reputation and compete with DeLonghi, Braun and other top names, they had better start firing some managers and designers and do something to save their reputation because this unit is perfectly acceptable . . . if sold at Kmart for 59.95.

I bought this unit on New Year's Eve of 2004. I have been a faithful KRUPS customer when it comes to their coffee machines. This is the first unit I purchased that I am really disappointed in.

The overall design is good but the materials used and thought behind it must have been out to lunch when this product was first designed and then reviewed in the QUALITY ASSURANCE department. The coffee is hot and the thermal pot keeps it that way for a couple of hours. One of the features I purhcased this unit for. I had the Duo filter unit previously for 10 years. The Duo unit worked fine but wanted to update it. The first FMF4 unit I purhcased I returned within a week since the water level indicator started to get air pockets in it and getting a proper measurament was a guessing game afterwards, I did not spend over a $100 to play let's guess the water level. I returned the unit (under the impression that this particular unit must be faulty.) I exchanged it for the same model. I read the instruction manual like you should. The manual should be written only for the model that you purchased not any other model that you didn't. Saves a lot of time and confusion. When pouring the water into the resevoir and watching the indicator to make sure that there is no air pockets forming. The air pockets did not return for a while. Was feeling like I did the right thing this unit is working fine it just must have been the unit itself. Spoke to soon. The air pockets have returned. Sent KRUPS an email to report this particular problem, the return email was no help on this at all. I found a way to eliminate the air pockets and make the numbers much more legible at the same time.

The water indicator is probably installed improperly at the factory with a little adjustment the numbers show up like never before and I have not had an air pocket since. At the top of the water indicator there is a little rubber gasket or plug. The tube is plastic/rubber. I bent the tube until it was able to come off the coffee maker. I blew into the tube to get the airpockets out. When re-fastening the tube to the unit I turned the tube until I saw the numbers that are printed on the tube became larger and legible. If you decide to do this make sure that you keep an eye on the little rubber plug since it seems to like to fall off and disappear on you. Like I said prior, this has seemed to correct the air pocket problem and I can now read the numbers on the indicator much better than before. I did the same procedure on my parents who have the same unit and also the same problems and theirs works fine as well. After over coming that little obstacle, the unit worked fine. There is more though. The thermal pot is hard to put back into the unit when the filter holder is in. I have to hold the back of the machine in order for it to go back in without it moving all over the counter, when removing the carafe while it is brewing, it does not pause like it is supposed to, it just keeps on dripping (sorry I do not have a quick fix for this one).

The door that the filter holder resides in is poorly made and flimsy. I do not think that this door is going to hold up for 3 yrs let alone 10 like my other KRUPS. The holder as I have read in the other review does not sit that securely in the door as well. Another potential problem to deal with in the morning or whenever you use the machine. The newest and latest mishap with this unit is the little white rubber gasket inside the filter cup. I made a pot of coffee one morning and while emptying out the filter, the little white gasket fell off causing the lever underneath the filter cup to come apart spring and all. I had to rummage through the garbage to retrieve this little white gasket thing once I discovered that, that was the missing peice which would fix this problem. Once I have found the missing part (another brillant thought out design), I put it back on the little plastic stick inside the filter holder and once again another problem fixed.

Outside of the problems listed above, the unit is great. The unit makes a good pot of coffee after the anxiety of making sure the unit is set up right before you hit the brew or on button. I have to ask KRUPS though, WHAT HAPPENED? This unit is not worth the $129+ I spent on it. It was a poorly designed unit not given much thought on the placement of the electronics (display/control buttons), the materials to construct the machine are flimsy at best. Not impressed. Just like a review I had read before witing my own Mr. Coffee is just as good at half the cost.

I purchased a Krups coffee maker, Type FMF4, on May 4, 2005. I specifically chose a Krups coffee maker as a replacement for another Krups coffee maker that we had used for many years. The previous Krups unit gave quite satisfactory service, hence the reason for choosing another Krups coffee maker which I expected to be as good or better than the original.

However, I have been dissatisfied with the new unit for a number of reasons ranging from, what I believe to be design flaws, to marginal service from a Krups Authorized Appliance Service Company. I will begin with the design faults:

1. Our unit is equipped with a stainless steel thermal carafe and, therefore, as a matter of principle, gains no advantage from outside heating. Yet, the heating element at the base of the carafe does, indeed, heat the plastic base of the carafe resulting in a strong plastic odor every time the coffee is brewed. In a glass carafe the heating would not be a problem but in fact is an advantage, but since manufacturing has chosen to make all units the same, the plastic gets HOT!

2. When water is added to the reservoir, air bubbles are often trapped in the water level indicator. Thus, it is impossible to determine the volume of water that has been added unless it is pre-measured in another vessel. Whether the water filtration system is in place or not makes no difference. Incidentally, the gauge is more difficult to read than on the previous model.

3. After using the unit for about 2 months (approximately 60 uses) the display window showed "CALC" indicating that descaling is required. I was very surprised by this since I use ONLY water that is first softened and then passed through a reverse osmosis unit (RO). There is virtually no method of obtaining purer water! Nevertheless, I performed the descaling operation as described on page 11 of the manual using 8 oz. of white vinegar. The CALC warning disappeared for 3 days after which it reappeared.

4. Although the carafe is quite attractively designed, it does not pour well. It is nearly impossible to pour the last bit of coffee from the carafe without spillage all over the table.

So, why am I bothering to write you with my concerns? I can truly say that I am terribly disappointed in this current Krups product. It does make good coffee but it is a nuisance to use. I believe that more evaluation should have been performed before this product was marketed to eliminate these faults. This is why I bring it to your attention. Obviously, I will not be purchasing another Krups product.

We bought this unit a couple of weeks ago expecting a product that would make good coffee.

It does not make good coffee. The coffee comes out too strong but lacking in robust flavor. How do they do this? I'm not sure; I use the same coffee from the same grinder with the same water in my Braun Flavor Select and get excellent coffee - full flavor and good extraction. I tried using more beans but just got stronger coffee without more flavor. I also messed with the 'small pot' control and got slightly improved coffee but still nothing like what I expect.

Functionally the unit has some problems, as well. It is difficult to empty the carafe completely; the little rubber feet come out when I slide the thing across the counter and the level indicator is hard to see.

Poor use of money, materials and energy.

I ordered the Krups FMF4 - 14 even before production based solely on my prior good experiences with Krups and for the look of the stainless steel carafe which would match my newly remodeled stainless kitchen. This coffee maker has lived up to my expectations. Some comments:

The carafe itself is double walled, vacuum sealed stainless steel which, even immediately after brewing, remains cool to the touch. Yesterday I tested it's heat retaining qualities by hitting the brew button and then leaving to go shopping. I arrived home three hours later and the coffee was wonderfully, drinkably hot.

The pouring spout on the carafe seems to be drip resistant and the coffee goes where it is aimed. The deep contours of the carafe, however, require one to tip the carafe at a very sharp angle when pouring the last cup. For me, there was always a little left in the bottom of the carafe when I thought it was otherwise empty.

The unit is programmable although I have yet to use this feature. I was able to program the time without a problem. There is also a 1-3 cup feature which brews for a small amount ... also not utilized yet.

One quibble I have is the manual. It is written by a non-native English speaker which causes some confusion in following instructions and the manual is written for more than one coffeemaker ... the FMF 4 and the 12-cup glass carafe model. You will read that you can program the unit to stay on from 1 to 5 hours only to learn that that feature is only for glass carafe units. The stainless steel units remain on for 20 minutes and automatically turn off. The product manual has running instructions for two models.

This coffeemaker has a lovely deep indigo blue digital display and sounds with a series of two 3-beep alarms when the coffee is finished brewing. This feature can be turned off if desired ... I liked it.

Also, it should be mentioned that this model comes with a "Duo-Filter" water filtration system. Replacement filters, which we are warned not to use past 5 months, must be purchased from Krups or a Krups retailer. After reading the manual it does say you can use the unit without the filter. I have chosen this option as I am using soft water.

I would recommend this coffeemaker.

After purchasing three of these, I've decided to give up and purchase another brand. The first one leaked all over the counter and the second and third had faulty water level indicators. This was the first Krups product I had purchased and I will probably not purchase another. All in all, I would not recommend purchasing this coffeemaker.

I've always believed Krups was a very good, reliable brand. It may still be, but not as far as this coffee maker is concerned. I was very disappointed in this product.

The carafe was the main reason I bought and returned it. It did not keep the coffee hot and it's a very awkward design. Very big & "bulky". When you get towards the bottom of the pot, you can tell there is still coffee in there, but you have to turn the pot upside down to make it come out.

I have a $5.00 carafe from Walmart that keeps the coffee warmer than this one does. And keeps it hot overnight!

Good things I can say about it is your coffee is done very quickly, tastes good and it's easy to program. But for this price, I'd go with another one.

In a sentence, this coffee maker is over priced and not recommended.

Disadvantages:

- Carafe dribbles when trying to get last cup out

- Must tip carafe at a large angle to get all coffee/water out

- This was a gift for Christmas and was opened defective. The plastic tube leaked water on the first pot. Krups customer service did not resolve the problem. Took back to store and was able to get replacement. (Researching to replace)

Advantages:

- Styling nice

- Unit turns off to keep from making coffee "sludge"

- Stainless steel vacuum carafe keeps coffee drinkable hot for a couple of hours

This pot has a sleek design and a practical swinging holder for the coffee filter- both advantages. I filled the resevoir with close to 10 cups of water and the pot was overfilled with coffee. This was also an issue with my last krups coffeemaker- there just are not 10 cups of coffee in that carafe- most likely closer to 9. Other than that it functions well. I do heartily agree with previous reviews that mention the readability of the manual and the fact that the carafe is difficult to fully empty. The spout has a control feature that pours the coffee safely ( it is a hot liquid). I have yet to be able to turn off the noise indicator when the coffee is done, despite following the directions in the manual. I guess nothing is perfect . But I am overall pleased with this product.