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59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review updated after 6 months: Absolutely the best ever!!!, December 23, 2002
I originally gave this coffeemaker only an average rating... but I've come to understand it better and totally love it. Perhaps I can make up for my doubts by showing you how well it works when you have gotten to know it... far better than the others.Preface: The lids on the mugs are updated and have air holes that open and close, so the other reviews that complain about that are out of date. There is no problem drinking through the lids. 1. This machine makes exquisite coffee ONLY if you start with good coffee in the first place. If you dump in preground store name coffee that is bulked up with innert fillers, you will have a very average cup of coffee. But if you grind good beans and brew properly, you'll have as good a cup of coffee as the very best machines can make... for considerably less bother and less expense. 2. Cleaning of this machine is simpler than any other. The coffee only touches the little funnel where you put in the filter and ground coffee... it lifts right out with a little handle, rinses easily, then falls right back into place with a nice detent that lets you know it's home.
I live in the country and have a lot of minerals in my water. They build up in everything, pipes, faucets, water heater, showerhead... and coffeemaker. All it takes to remove them is a cup of vinegar every few months. You know when the Zojirushi is having problem because it stops measuring the water properly and you get less than a cup at a time. Simple to see, easy to remedy.
Outside cleanup is very easy because there are no grooves or corners, wipe it and you're done. 3. Speaking of measuring water, most machines bubble out all of the water you put in. This one gives you exactly one cup of water or two cups of water. It measures them for you. So there's no worries about how much water you need to put into the machine. Adding water is very easy, unlike some of the other single or double cup machines.
The only caution here is that it's possible to put in too much water, in which case it will run out the back of the machine. I guess that would happen with any coffeemaker, but since you usually dump it in with the coffeepot in the old type, it's not a big deal. With this machine you fill it to a mark inside... with the cup or with a pitcher or a water bottle. With me, the only reason it's a problem is that I don't see well in the morning and coffee comes before thought for me... meaning I fill it blind quite often. Solved the problem to some extent by keeping the coffee machine in a little oval tray, which at least contains my silly spillage. 4. The coffee mugs work well and keep the coffee warm for quite some time if you put the lid on. Closing the slide between sips helps even more. Originally I brewed the coffee without the lid and found that if I took too long to retrieve it, sometimes it was cool already... of course because the heat escapes through the top! Keep the lid on and this is not a problem. But of course, you need to remember to open the slide when brewing!...hah! Otherwise once again you have a mess. Another good reason for the oval tray. I'm sure there are more secrets I've forgotten. You'll learn them quickly if you buy one. Main point here is that if you're single or even a couple, this machine makes fast, easy and delicious coffee for a low price. Keep an open mind, learn it's quirks and you'll never be sorry you bought it. It's well worth the original price and it's a steal at the discounted Amazon price. Go for it!
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