You Get What You Pay For?
Written: Feb 25 '03 (Updated Feb 25 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cost-Effective
Cons: Clean-up; Taste
The Bottom Line: I recommend this machine for those that wish to save some money but don't throw out your "frequent coffee card" just yet.
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| chilantro's Full Review: Bodum Chambord 2032 6.34-Cup Coffee Maker |
I received this coffee maker as a gift to use at work and to save some money. This machine accomplishes that but at the expense of some convenience and taste. These are my observations after about two months of use.
Here is why this machine is useful:
1) It's easy to use and simply-designed. You merely fill up the included 15 oz. thermal cup with water (or as much or as little as you'd like), pour it into the machine reservoir, add coffee grinds to the included filter, close the lid, press a button, and within about 4-5 minutes, the machine brews the coffee directly into the thermal cup. The machine automatically turns off. There are no other buttons or settings to worry about. (This could be viewed as a pro or con, though.)
2) It's cost effective. The machine will certainly pay for itself after only 15 uses. This can add up to BIG savings over the long term if you'd otherwise buy your brew by the cup at a coffee establishment.
3) It's reasonably small enough and will therefore fit virtually anywhere and is easily portable.
4) The machine is reasonably quiet. You hear a little bit of the water steaming through but it doesn't bother me or my office neighbors.
5) The cup is reasonably sturdy, stays cool to the touch, and includes a handle and lid to keep it warm (yet there's a hole in the lid so you can sip the coffee with the lid still on). It has withstood numerous dishwasher loads.
Here are the downsides:
1) Taste. I'm disappointed that the machine simply can't replicate the coffee I used to buy at the cafe down the street or my home coffee maker (a nice fancy Braun). The taste is certainly "acceptable" given the price but seems to have a noticeable metallic/plastic overtone. I've tried to tinker with the brewing formula by using filtered water instead of tap, using a paper-cone coffee filter (not included; use No. 1 or cut down some No. 2's), and adjusting the amount and type of ground coffee. All of these things have helped, but only marginally, and only serve to add to the cost of operation which admittedly defeats the purpose of having the machine in the first place.
2) Poor filter. It's nice that a filter is included (as opposed to forcing the user to buy paper filters) but Black & Decker skimped nonetheless. It's a finely-woven plastic-mesh screen but it's simply inferior to a gold filter. That would add to the cost, no doubt, but I wonder if that would help improve the taste.
3) Clean-up. Instead of simply throwing away your used cup that you bought down the street for a buck or two, you are forced to rinse out your cup, the cup lid, and the two-piece plastic filter system after each use (if cleanliness is important to you). This can be a pain simply from a time/convenience point of view. It only takes a few minutes but I'd still rather not have to "do my dishes" in the company bathroom.
4) No settings. This isn't a problem for me but some readers might place a premium on things such as timers, adjustable temperature, and adjustable brew strength.
Despite the downsides, I've decided to keep the Brew 'N Go but have adopted somewhat of a compromise. I'll basically alternate between using this machine and going out for a cup o' Joe. I pay just a buck for a 12 oz. cup of wonderful coffee from the cafe across the street. So sometimes I'll go out and other times I'll save the buck and stay in.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
chilantro
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Location: North Bethesda, Maryland
Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 5 members
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