Pros: Great tasting coffee brewed fast, simple, long warranty and no electrical things to fry.
Cons: If anything, it would have to be the price.
The Bottom Line: I just wanted to find a brewer that did its job well, and I found it in this machine. Buy from a reputable dealer to avoid getting a recalled unit.
duckie68's Full Review: Bunn BT10B 10-Cup Coffee Maker
My experience with the Bunn BT10B Brewer:
When you buy the Bunn BT10B brewer, what you get included with your machine (what you see in the picture) is one deliming tool, which is basically a 10" flexible metal coil. Also included is a pack of filters, one wet napkin wipe and the use/care manual.
I think the one little napkin they include is a waste, because if I need to clean it right away I could just use my own cleaning cloth.
The pack of filters (I think its about 25 filters)is a nice way to get started. Bunn recommends using genuine Bunn filters because they are deeper than the regular store bought. I would have to agree with that because even in the short time I've had my machine, I've noticed some close calls when I go to throw out the filter. The coffee can get about 1/8" away from going over - but I have always used alot of coffee that is store bought fine grind, even before the Bunn machine. As for buying genuine Bunn filters, I live in Canada and I can easily get them at any Tim Hortons restaurant for the same amount of money as regular filters.
I recently received a flow restrictor in the mail (which you have to request from the company after you buy the machine - but it is sent free of charge). It slows the water flow, but still brews faster than any regular machine. It definately helps keep the coffee grounds away from the top of the filter.
After its unpacked, it stresses that you must follow directions exactly. It sounds scary, but its really very simple. Before plugging it in, first you fill up your carafe with water and pour into the machine. Wait a few minutes (I waited for about 5), then get another full carafe of water and pour into the machine again and then place the carafe in its place. You wait until all the water has come out and then - viola - DONE! Now its ok to plug in the machine and let it warm up, which in reality probably takes a few hours.
It also stresses to place the carafe into position BEFORE closing the water fill lid. This rule is something that you should NEVER, EVER forget because the machine will start to brew the second the lid is down!
I think the only difference in size is its longer than most machines. Its height is just over 15", its width is 7" and its length is just over 14". I find it easy to pull it out from its base where the carafe sits to fill, and to push it back under the cupboard when its brewing.
Forget the fact that it doesn't have a timer. You will not miss that feature. The Bunn brews just as fast as is claims it does - in three minutes. REALLY. I have always been one of those kinds of people who needed my coffee ready when I woke up, but within two days of using the Bunn, I easily got into the habit of making a pot first thing in the morning.
How hard is it really to scoop your desired amount of grounds, filling the carafe, pouring it in the machine, closing the lid and waiting for a few minutes. Maybe I'm superwoman or something if I'm able to do these simple tasks to get a pot of coffee as opposed to others who find this a chore.
And the one thing that really drew me to Bunn machines is that there is absolutely no electrical things to fry so I won't have to worry about the machine working fine one day, then the next day its dead. Its just like having a compact commercial brewer all to myself. Also, because this has a thermal carafe, I don't even have to worry about a warming plate.
Bunn recommends to preheat the carafe to keep the heat of the coffee longer. I've tried it with preheating and without preheating, and when I do heat it, the coffee seems hotter and stays that way. Full brewed pots seem to retain the heat better than partials, so when I make less than a full pot I do preheat it. Maybe the thermal carafe isn't as commercial quality as the carafes you would find in the workplace but that could be because the brewing temperature of the machines at work is set really hot. If you've ever taken a gulp of freshly brewed coffee at work and felt the burn, you know what I'm talking about. With the Bunn, the first sip of freshly brewed coffee is pleasantly hot, but not scorching. I find that after about an hour and a half the coffee starts to cool down, but by that time I'm almost finished the pot anyway.
I've only had the brewer for a few weeks, so I can't personally stand behind the long life of it yet, but I've never had a three year warranty with any other coffee machine before either. So I'm good for at least three years. Based only on what other people have written about their experiences, I think its a safe bet that these machines last longer and don't need to be replaced as often as other brands.
I never thought I would be so crazy to spend the amount of money I did for a simple coffee machine, but after my last one stopped working without warning AGAIN, I thought it would be crazier to spend yet another $60 or $70, only to have it last for a year to a year and a half...and go through the hassle of buying a new one time and time again. Now that I have my Bunn brewer, I am so happy I decided to look no further. This is what home brewing is all about. It is a hard working but simple machine that brews good coffee fast. And if you like good coffee, what's more important than that.
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