Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Quality and Style, February 21, 2005
Are you tired of parts made of plastic and not real metal? This coffee maker is made of genuine brushed stainless. If the part on this machine looks like metal, it is metal. The overall look and style is very European, even the buttons and display are good quality and simple to use and understand. The carafe is stainless inside and out, and keeps the coffee hot for at least 4 hours. The water resevoir lifts out for easily filling from the tap, so you don't have to fill the carafe first and pour it into the machine. The resavoir has graduated markings. Also, the filter holder comes out for easy cleaning. The only quirk I found is that, as with other themal carafes, you have to pour slowly to keep from dripping. It also helps to read the manual that explains how far to unscrew the top before pouring to avoid drips.
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34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A POSITIVE Experience (and update), October 7, 2005
I purchased my DCM485 as a "gently used" and inspected unit, with a 30 day guarantee. Ok, I'll admit that these reviews (and the fact that it was "used") scared me into spending a few dollars on an extended warranty. I've had it now for about a week. I am, so far, very happy with my "new" Thermal Carafe Coffeemaker.
I had researched similar units for quite a long time, wanting the quality coffee that a thermal carafe maintained without the hot plate burn. I balked at paying the high price to "adopt" one, as Bikerman astutely pointed out. I found mine on an auction site for around $60.00, (including shipping), so I felt it was a bargain, and that I was taking less risk due to the smaller investment. But I digress.
When my package arrived, I excitedly checked out my new purchase. I ran a few vinegar/water cycles through it to clean it, and was pleased with the lack of leaks during that process. I quickly read the instructions (which I felt were pretty straightforward), set the clock and programmed it for a 6 AM brew time the next morning. Call me impatient, but I found it annoying that there was no way to reverse when setting the clock/timer. If you were a minute or two over, you had to go around 24 hours again. Small potatoes really, as I realize many digital clocks are this way, but still...annoying.
After all the negative reviews on this site, I fully expected to wake up to a lake of coffee the next morning. Unusually, I overslept and my husband was leaving for work as I walked out. We barely had time to say goodbye, and I continued on to the kitchen to see if I'd made a wise purchase. To my dismay, there was a wet towel on the counter! On further inspection, the coffeemaker looked normal. I poured a cup, and it was good. After sitting for nearly an hour and a half, it was hot, tasted fresh...I was pleased. After consulting with my husband a little later, I found that I'd over-watered a plant, but the coffeemaker had behaved fine. He did agree that it poured slowly from the pot, but he thought the coffee was good and had no other complaints.
Over the next few days, I've had similar, consistent results. I've experienced none of the steam condensation, drip, dribble, or overflow problems other reviewers have mentioned. There are parts that need to be properly seated to function correctly, and I see how this could cause problems for those that didn't understand the importance of this. I did not feel that it was difficult to align the lid on the pot or the pot in the receptacle. I didn't really even think much about it, and had excellent results. The carafe lid is clearly marked "open" and "close", with a "fin" to help you gently push it into the desired position. Though the pouring is slow, I've not found it to dribble at all. One can always remove the lid if you're in more urgent need of your coffee. It's a personal choice... I have used a paper filter with the included gold tone filter, out of habit more than anything. I do grind my beans pretty fine, and worry that I may end up with sludge in the bottom of the pot. I'll certainly give it a try eventually. I was more worried that it wouldn't function right with my normal "basket" filters, but no problems, even with the wrong type paper filters.
I wanted to share my experience in finding replacement water filters. I contacted the US distributor for DeLonghi by email and this is what they sent in reply to my inquiry.
Thank you for contacting us in regard to Delonghi products. Since the DCM485 is a recent addition to our product line, it has not yet been added to the website. You can order your parts from Fox International Ltd., Inc. Fox is the Authorized National Distributor for Delonghi USA. You can call us Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm ET at 1-800-322-3848. One of our order agents will be happy to assist you.
So there you go. I could not find the filters through any search engines I tried on the web, nor at Amazon, not to say that they were never offered. I wish they were. I have not ordered any from Fox Inc. yet, so can't share the price or experience. I have used the coffeemaker without the filter and it functioned fine, but feel we have good quality water available on tap. To be honest, these are unusual filters, specifically made for this coffeemaker. I would guess that they will not be manufactured by anyone but DeLonghi. But remember, the coffeemaker works fine without them. Filtered water may be a lesser "evil" for some owners.
In summary, this is a very sturdy and well built coffeemaker. The top completely lifts up on a hinge, making the "gold tone" coffee filter and basket, as well as the removable water reservoir, easily accessible and handy for filling and cleaning. The controls on the top, front of the machine are very visible and easy to use, with straightforward programming and instructions. This model has the extra features of "Accuflavor selector", automatic brew (programmable timer), pause and serve, and the aforementioned water filter for better tasting coffee. It is not "idiot proof", and as with any appliance, requires the user to assure it is assembled correctly for optimum functioning and results. I may have just been lucky, and gotten the proverbial cherry in the bowl of lemons, but I find very little to fault this coffeemaker at. I gave it 5 stars, and highly recommend it.
UPDATE- After over a month, I've noticed a few things about my DeLonghi. I've had a drip or two when I've used the pause and serve to sneak a cup before the brew cycle is complete. I've also noticed the coffee isn't as hot then, as it's had to warm the pot with the lesser amount of liquid. For me, it's about drinkable at that time, so it's perfect for that first cup. If you wait until the pot is full, the coffee I pour is too hot to drink immediately. I also noticed you need to be aware of placing the pot back correctly during the pause and serve. You can hear the coffee running into the pot, so I don't find it that difficult, but it is important. The brew cycle is pretty fast, so you don't want to dawdle or you will have a run-over. Yes, if you try to pour too rapidly from the pot, you have dripping...but not extreme. I'm still happy with my DeLonghi, just respectful of it's personality. It makes great coffee, and the thermal carafe assures consistency from first to last cup.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Coffee, October 27, 2005
I've had my DeLonghi DCM485 for a few months now and am very happy with it. It makes great coffee, brews quickly and keeps it hot for hours without the burning effects of a hotplate. It isn't a small unit, but I was more concerned about having a big enough capacity carafe than the total size of the unit. The brushed stainless and black exterior is rich looking so I don't mind that it occupies a bit of the countertop. I like the convenience of the hinged top allowing access to the filter basket and the water reservoir, which lifts out for easy filling or to clean. The gold tone coffee filter works well by itself or you can use a paper filter if you prefer. An "accuflavor" dial allows you to tweak to your preferred brew strength. The light blue-toned digital clock on the front face of the machine is attractive and large enough to see easily. The buttons to program the clock and timed brewstart are conveniently located and the instructions easy to understand. I will admit that the coffee pours somewhat slowly from the carafe and if you get in too big of a hurry, you may have some small drips. This has been my experience with any coffeepot (or pitcher for that matter) that I've ever used so I don't really understand the complaints and expectations from other reviewers. I've had no problems with positioning or overflow during brewing, nor condensation causing puddles around the coffeemaker.
During the time I've owned and used my DeLonghi, I've learned to appreciate it's various features and how well made it is. I recommend it without reservation.
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