Less is more!

I used to own a Braun, one of the older, "barrel shaped," drip machines. It always, despite its simplicity (or because of it?), brewed the best tasting coffee -- provided, of course I used a premium brand.

I lost my Braun in a move, and never replaced it...fool that I was. I went through a couple of cheapies and regretted my choice every time. I finally decided to find another Braun ("duh..."), but discovered they had redesigned the old machine; voila'; the new KF510.

Anyway, typically, and in very Braun fashion, "less is more." This is a simple, well designed, no frills coffee maker, and as long as you use a decent brand of coffee, and good water, it will make you a very fine morning java. It keeps the coffee hot too...but I only make enough coffee to drink at one time. Coffee on any burner gets, well, burned!

Try this Braun. The design is new, but I think simple and improved over the older model. The filter section slips on and off very easily for filling or just cleaning. It also stands on its own right on the counter; neat trick.

Best of all, it is very reasonably priced for it's quality output. Win, win, win!

[Sunday, September 21, 2008]

A quality basic coffee maker

I don't often write reviews but having gone through two coffee makers in quick succession before buying the Braun KF510, I thought I'd share my experience and recommend the Braun. We had had a basic Braun for years and when it finally broke down I replaced it with a DeLonghi (I looked for another basic Braun originally and couldn't initially find one locally). It broke down after a couple months, despite good reviews. The retro-style Mr Coffee that I next bought made coffee that wasn't hot enough for us and I returned it.

Just when I was despairing that nothing is made well anymore, I finally nabbed a Braun at our local Ace Hardware. It was inexpensive and extremely basic - no auto-off which I thought I'd miss but which my husband viewed as a bonus. Too often, the other coffee makers would turn off automatically just when he wanted a cup. (Personally, I would make a fresh pot by then ...) And the Braun makes nice, hot coffee.

Design-wise, I like the handle - which is also comfortable - and the big red on/off button. I echo other reviewers in thinking that a cup level on both sides of the machine, not just one, would have been sensible, but it isn't a huge problem. Filling the Braun with water is simple and not the strategic nightmare I encountered with the two previous coffee makers. Having done a fair bit of shopping for coffee makers this year, it is a relief not to have all the finicky bells and whistles. Just pure form and function.

I don't bother with the water purifier that comes with it. I haven't had any problems with the filter cage popping open, as someone else reported, nor with the burner. It is just a great, simple, economical machine that makes hot coffee and which looks good but unobtrusive on our kitchen counter. My next coffee maker will also be a Braun.

[Saturday, September 13, 2008]

A few drawbacks

I think I wish I had spent a little more money on a new coffee pot; didn't pay enough attention to features. This pot does not turn off automatically; the light stays red, does not turn green as others do after brewing. And as you're filling reservoir, the water drips quite a bit unless you hold the pot just so.
Coffee itself is very good.

[Sunday, September 07, 2008]

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