Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

UPDATE: I'm updating the review just to reinforce its pros and add another. After 4 months, it's working like a champ(as expected). I'd like to add another pro: Sometimes when I pour the coffee too quickly, the coffee overcomes the spout and coffee drips along the carafe's wall on to the table - especially when the carafe is full. I always have to be careful not to pour it too quickly. However the spout on this carafe is made such that it prevents over-spill. I love it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Original review: I usually brew my coffee with Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker with whole coffee beans ground by Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, Black. However, when we have guests, we need a regular coffee maker: I can't brew enough coffee with Moka Express without running it 2-4 times and that just simply takes too long. We used to have a braun coffee maker with served us well. When it started leaking, we had to look for an alternative. I was not too impressed with any of the cuisinarts and finally trimmed my selection down to this and Zojirushi coffee makers. While trying to decide, Woot.com had a Wolfgang Puck coffee maker on sale and I pulled the trigger. I shouldn't have. When it arrived, I was let down by cheap-feeling plastics and "metals". The carafe had to be inserted with pressure and just right position to avoid spills. I had to send it back. Then, this coffee maker price dropped to $50 and I had to try it. Am I ever glad that I did! Here are pros and cons: PROS: 1. Makes a great cup of coffee. It's not as good as Moka Express, but I've never found a drip coffee maker that even comes close. This one comes closer than any I've tasted. I only tried "Bold" mode, but you can also use "Regular" and "Robust" for lighter and darkest flavors respectively. 2. Coffee temperature is hot. I haven't actually measured it, but it's hotter than my braun and other cuisinarts I've tried. This adds to the taste of the coffee. 3. Carafe goes into the coffee maker without any fuss - very smooth. Many coffee makers now use one of those round ball-like contact point between the carafe and the coffee maker. The problem with many of them is that the contact is awkward most of the time. This one fits smoothly. 4. Looks great on the counter. My finicky wife is satisfied with the looks - that's all I can ask. She says the plastic on the Wolfgang Puck was very cheap looking while this one looks descent. She's the expert. CONS: 1. This is slightly taller than other coffee makers. As other reviewers have mentioned, you may have to pull it out of under the cabinet in order to pour water into the bin. 2. There is no auto-shutoff. Not much of a problem for me. 3. When set at "Bold" setting, it does take longer to brew than I'm used to. "Robust" would certainly take even longer. I would highly recommend this coffee maker just for the taste of the coffee. Other pros are bonus. :)