Bonavita Metropolitan 8 Cup Drip Coffee Maker Machine, One-Touch Pour Over Brewing with Glass Carafe, Hanging Filter Basket, 1500 Watt, BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe, Black, BV1901PW Home & Kitchen

60 reviews for Bonavita Metropolitan 8 Cup Drip Coffee Maker Machine, One-Touch Pour Over Brewing with Glass Carafe, Hanging Filter Basket, 1500 Watt, BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe, Black, BV1901PW Home & Kitchen

Scott
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome coffee maker especially for the price! Pros:1. It uses similar technology to the BV1900TS that has a SCAA award for meeting the above 195-205 degrees conditions under testing2. It is the lowest cost brewer that uses the above technology that earned an SCAA award3. The brew basket is now separate from the carafe which is more convenient4. The carafe seems to be a simpler design as it doesn't have the pouring issues of the BV1900TS and is relatively easy to clean.5. Allows for blooming coffee6. Audible beeps to let you know when the coffee is readyCons:1. The glass carafe and the warmer only keeps coffee hot for about 40 minutes2. It a no frills system so it doesn't have all the extra features such as a digital clock, user set automatic brew times, etc.Overall this is probably the best coffee brewer especially at its price if you are just looking for a great cup of coffee and do not need all the extra features on the market today. 61 people found this helpful
Kyle Grow
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Irreversibly clogged. Worked well for a year, then clogged so bad the descal product wouldnt even work, after over a dozen vinegar washes, 2 descal washes, etc. It just clogged again within a day or two, stopping with a half full tank.
bung ko
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Great tasting coffee After doing a lot of research and reading many reviews, I bought this coffee maker a few days ago for $99. Now I see that the price has dropped by $15. Bummer. Still a great coffee maker. The coffee taste is completely different than my old coffee maker, a Cuisinart. I like the glass carafe more than the stainless steel carafe that comes with the more expensive model. Like other people have mentioned, the filter basket does not lock into place and is prone to slip out. Another small complaint, how hard is it to design a top to the carafe that can be left on when the coffee is brewing? I know I will end up losing that thing. Still, the coffee is amazing. Best coffee I have ever had from a drip filter machine. 4 people found this helpful
Patricia Russo
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Flavor not as good as BV1800. My hard water was gunking up my BV1800 after 6 years. I also wanted this coffee maker because of the glass carafe and heat pad as the carafe on the BV1800 didn't keep the coffee hot enough for me for more than 30 minutes.The coffee flavor from the BV1901PW is much less robust than we were getting from the old coffee maker so we are returning this one.
Wesley Jia
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Not for brewing small servings Don't buy this if you are only looking to brew a single cup (e.g., filling water to the 2-3 cup marking, which really yields one true cup of coffee) for yourself - it can't properly brew smaller amounts of coffee, and yields an incredibly weak cup of coffee no matter how much coffee you use. I e-mailed Bonavita support, who ended up saying they do NOT recommend brewing less than 6 cups of coffee with this model, which is not listed anywhere as far as I could tell.Brewing 4 cups can result in acceptably flavorful coffee, but I had to use more coffee than I should to get to that point. Unless you're filling the tank, don't buy this - buy a more expensive model, because you will end up spending more $$$ on the coffee itself with this model.I've tried other Bonavita models in the past, all of which could nicely brew a single serving of coffee, but this one for whatever reason cannot. Maybe it's because the showerhead isn't pressurized and doesn't disperse water evenly.
AmazonianShopNut
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Good but still missing a few things First off, I had mysterious cuts keep showing up on my fingers after getting this and finally realized it was the edges of the plastic. They didn't deburr the plastic edges so they are extremely sharp. When you pull the basket out, if your fingers run along the edge of the coffee maker's top, you'll get cut. The basket doesn't seat very well initially but after a dozen or more uses, you start to feel it snap into place. I think this new basket design was actually a bad idea as well. The last model had the basket attached to the pot, now that it's attached to the coffee maker, it drips onto the burner for 5 minutes after the coffee finishes brewing. That may seem a little picky but it's an expensive coffee maker. I really wish they had two additional features.1. A light indicating if the unit is in pre-infusion mode (this resets without your knowledge if the power cycles).2. A switch to disable the warmer plate.Those are my thoughts, others may have different results. Overall, the coffee if makes taste good but there is plenty of room for improvement.
Ryan C.
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Best damn coffee I've ever drunk You can make a very strong cup with this coffeemaker -- a rich, robust, complex cup -- without it being bitter. Should have upgraded from my Bunn a long time ago! Quality over speed! But it's not slow. Seems pretty typical. Even when the blooming feature is turned on (do it). One person found this helpful
Kristen
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Good, basic pot. Good for small spaces. We needed a basic drip coffee pot for our new place, and this one fit the bill. It makes good quality, hot coffee. Simple aesthetic, and no bells and whistles, which is a plus for us. It has a small footprint which is perfect for our kitchen. Only downside is that it's a bit on the expensive side. I'd have to do a side by side taste test with a cheaper pot to decide if the extra cost is worth it. Still, I'm quite pleased with this purchase. One person found this helpful
JoeLa
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Just Good Coffee If you're looking for timers, chrome, digital displays, bluetooth etc... look elsewhere. You want a good cup of coffee with the convenience of auto-drip this is your baby. Brews hot. Easy to clean is aesthetically clean and simple. Pair it with a Baritza encore and you have a winning combination. One person found this helpful
Tuc
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, good coffee, went back to glass over insulated carafe. I had a Zojirushi maker for 8 years or so that died with an insulated stainless carafe thingy. I saved the carafe in case I need to use it as a giant thermos. In short I'm happy I went back to the glass carafe though as it's just easier to clean and I think it makes the whole experience better. I like the capacity, it's perfect for 1 or 2 people. The selling point was that it hits the sweet spot of temp and that it's very easy to use. And it's a one button operation, I honestly never have used any of the programming or clock or any of that crap, so this is great. I really wanted to get the Technivorm Moccamaster, particularly cause it comes in so many cool colors, but in the end this is exactly what I need. The Bonevita is smaller, the all black finish looks great and isn't cheap shiny black plastic. Most important it's a fraction of the price. I grind my beans in a Baratza Encore and love this combination. These sort of compliment one another in look and performance/value. One person found this helpful
Brad patras
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it Doesn't feel like a disposable piece of plastic like most other drip coffee makers. I really appreciate the simplicity of it.
Cindy
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars good coffee This makes a great cup of coffee. I like the 8 cup size, but would like an hour instead of 40 minutes of warming. The cup size is normal 6 oz. Some reviews say you must remove the basket to put the lid on the carafe. Not true, it fits fine. And when you forget, it drains through without making a mess.
TommyNYC
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Save your research, the simplified Drip Coffee maker you'll ever need Main purpose of drip Coffee Machine, "Heat water to 195-205 degrees for over 90% of the brew". No coffee maker below 100 dollars can do that.... except for this. This is the cheapest you'll find. No fancy design, no digital clock, no temperature control of heat plate, no anti-drip system to pause mid brew to sneak in a cup, no timer, no 1-4cup brew or bold brew. It is a basic coffee maker that does the job which is, "BREW A FINE POT OF COFFEE". This Coffee brewer recommends a minimum of 6 cup brew to max 8 cup brew (they measure by 5oz per cup), therefore its only 30oz-40oz brew. Total time of brew is about 6 minutes. Machine stays on for a total of 40 min (so about 34 min of hot coffee)I just question why there wasn't a design with a lid cover that can stay on during brewing?? 62 people found this helpful
Andrew Fitzpatrick
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Decent but Pricey This coffee maker can brew an excellent pot of coffee. However, it is difficult to get consistent results. It also clogs easily and after 3 months of daily use it was struggling to brew 8 cups without stopping. I ran a pot with the descaling powder (included), then one with vinegar, then one with just water. Now, it is close to the original brewing speed and the coffee is tasting better so I may try more regular deep cleanings (maybe monthly).For the price, I had hoped for more. However, it is a much better coffee maker than the Mr. Coffee I had used for years and the coffee tastes better. 7 people found this helpful
Lisa
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Great coffee Maker LOVE this coffee maker! Produces consistently good coffee. Now, it is worth buying well roasted coffee as I can get the most flavor out of it. However; this is Bonita's middle of the road unit and the sacrifice with this one is no stainless carafe option to help your wonderfully brewed coffee stay hot so you will have to use a thermos or reheat extra in the micro wave. Not ideal ,but worth it for the great flavor.
dutch-irish
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Makes a decent cup of coffee, but failed after 6 months Bonavita is a good brand that makes quality coffee makers, but this particular one is very cheaply constructed. After 6 months it started leaking most of the water you put in as steam. I took a closer look and realized the 'shower head' had opened at the seam and leaked all the steam out the side. It is supposed to snap closed, but wouldn't snap all the way. It looked like the plastic had been deformed from the heat. It is not repairable as it is just flimsy plastic. I am disappointed.Prior to that I will say that it made a good cup of coffee. My only complaint up to failure was that the carafe feels flimsy---like it will shatter to a million pieces if you put it on the counter too fast.
Paul
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes better coffee with a couple of small quirks Five stars because I love my coffee and a great value! Can sometimes drink my coffee now without cream or sugar.Couple of minor things others might find important. I did change coffees as what I had been using tastes more acidic with the Bonavita tho it definitely tasted better than my old maker. Second, the carafe feels very delicate so if you tend to throw it around it will break. Just be careful, it is Pyrex :) Third, it beeps twice to let you know it is finished brewing. It is not very loud and the two beeps are quick so you can miss it from another room. Fourth, it stays on for only 40 minutes while the cheap makers are 1-2 hours. I count that as a positive as it doesn't over-cook the coffee.The small quirks I might take off a quarter-star but I love my coffee now and an equal quality maker w/o the quirks would run double, I will stick with five stars. 26 people found this helpful
Rev_PizzaguyRev_Pizzaguy
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a good cup of coffee! I've been through many coffee machines over the years and none of them could brew at the right temperature! This Bonavita hits a solid 202F within 10 seconds or so of brewing and holds that temp the whole way through the cycle. Whether I brew 2 cups or 8 cups, the coffee always tastes the way it should. No it doesn't have timers or settings or junk like that, but it doesn't need to! I set mine to use the pre-infusion mode and now I can just hit the button and a few minutes later I have a great pot of coffee!Don't put up with bad coffee any more, just get this machine! 3 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars HOT coffee Adding to previous review: Emailed customer support about a replacement/back-up pot and actually received a personal response with the info I need! So pleasant to deal with real people.Make a pot each morning with freshly ground beans, love that I have a few cups of HOT coffee to start the day. Easy to use, easy to clean. Concerned I will bang the glass pot against the counter and break it one of these days, so will order a back up pot.
P. King
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Compact and excellent quality I love this coffee make for many reasons.+ The carafe is easy to clean and attractive. The lack of insulation is a feature rather than a detractor. I usually drink my coffee immediately or pour the whole thing into a Zojirushi thermos anyway.+ The whole unit is compact and easily fits under my cabinets. Takes up less counter space than almost any other coffee maker.+ The brew is as good as pour over and fast! I don’t need a timer since it brews in about 6 minutes. I prefer to grind my beans just before brewing anyway.+ The filter basket easily attaches to the machine, which seems superior to other models where the basket rests on top of the carafe.-/+ The warming plate slows down the cooling process but won’t keep the coffee piping hot. This is fine for me since I want the coffee to be a drinkable temp, but if you let the coffee sit for 30 minutes it’ll cool off a bit. One person found this helpful
JenniferJennifer
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great affordable coffee maker I decided to rewrite this review. I have now had this for 2 1/2 years. It works like new! I have not had any issues. I just now figured out that you have to push the filter in until you hear a click. Prior, The filter handle got caught on a grocery bag and a little piece broke off. All this time I thought it was loose. Make sure you click it in and you will be fine.If you’ve been reading the reviews then im sure you have seen the pot is fragile. It seems thin and light but I’ve never even come close to breaking it. Just be careful! I don’t think it’s all that fragile.The pre-infusion feature works like a pour over(such as chemex). I keep it on always and have really enjoyed it. To start the preinfusion you just have to hold the on/off switch until you hear two beep sounds. Then you have to press the on/off switch once more to start your coffee. It will blink red the entire time it is brewing to show it is in this mode. The pre infusion will stay put unless you change it at any point or unplug the coffee machine. You just have to press the on off switch from then on.I love how it heats the coffee to the right temperature. This was the number 1 reason I got this coffee maker. What a great feature for the price. I have had consistent coffee the entire time I have owned this machine!It stays on for 40 minutes after the coffee is brewed. I’d like to see them extend that on future models. The only other minor thing I can think of is the condensation as it brews. It drips at times.This is a phenomenal machine. The bells and whistles IS the perfect brew temperature and the pre-infusion. You don’t get that with a ninja !! One person found this helpful
Gregory Brown
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Coffee doesn’t stay hot I got the Metropolitan 8-Cup to replace my beloved Bonavita BV1800. The filter basket on my 1800 broke, and since the model is discontinued I could not get a replacement. Otherwise the machine was working perfectly for nearly a decade.The Metropolitan made coffee as good or maybe even slightly better than the excellent coffee I had come to enjoy from my previous coffee maker. Unfortunately the hot plate doesn’t keep the beautiful glass carafe warm enough, and automatically shuts off after 40 minutes. I often go back for a second cup to find the coffee too cold to drink. I end up having to heat it in the microwave.I know that coffee can deteriorate sitting too long on a hot plate, but it is better than microwaved coffee!If you drink a pot of coffee as soon as it is brewed this machine will work, but if you go back for a second cup like I do I would urge you to look elsewhere. One person found this helpful
Ed Montreuil
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Makes coffee that tastes just like any other coffee maker, makes. Pros: Easy to use. No timers, no clocks, just an "on" button. Real simple.Cons: It shuts off too soon after the coffee is brewed, thus not keeping the brewed coffee hot long enough for my preference.It"s advertised to heat the brewing water to the optimal brewing temperature and keep it there throughout the brewing process. This is supposed to create better tasting coffee but...I can't discern any difference in flavor from any other coffee maker. So if you're replacing your current coffee maker based on this idea...don't bother. One person found this helpful
Troy
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars The best coffee you've ever had! (at least at home) I'm not a coffee snob, but I do have taste buds. I recently learned about this whole "Golden Cup" thing where coffee must be brewed between 195 and 205 degrees, and I wanted a new coffee maker for my morning cup and for when I host dinner parties. A little research online led me to this brewer as the cheapest but one of the best brewers for making great coffee between 195 and 205 degrees. And let me tell you, it actually makes a difference! This Bonavita Metropolitan really does make the best cup of coffee I've ever had at my home.It looks good in person, the matte black plastic and glass carafe are nondescript but obviously well designed and made. The nice thing is that the model I received in April, 2021 did not have the white BONAVITA logo on the glass carafe. The carafe had no graphics or lettering on it, just a clean unadorned glass carafe that you could take to the table or the living room for serving guests and it looks classy. You won't feel like you are starring in a Bonavita commercial if you use this carafe with your guests.And again, I love the taste of the coffee that comes out of this thing! I've been using Pete's Major Dickinson beans from the supermarket lately, but I also bought some swanky expensive beans from Onyx to try in this too for guests. Very good! One person found this helpful
JrCm
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Good coffee maker but has some flaws It brews good coffee but you must drink right away because the heating plate does not keep the coffee warm enough after just a few minutes besides it turns off after like 45 minutes but by that time your coffee will be cold already. So unless mine is defective I would suggest you drink your coffee as soon as it is finished brewing. 2 people found this helpful
JR
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes a perfect cup of coffee. I buy a lot of small batch, select, mostly organic whole bean coffee, and I finally decided that after spending all that money on freshly roasted coffee beans and going through the trouble of grinding beans fresh every morning, it made no sense to use a cheap coffee maker. So, after doing a lot of research into the best drip coffee maker for home use, I settled on Bonavita. It consistently rated among the top contenders and was relatively reasonably priced. I initially bought the thermal carafe version, but did not like the poor design of the carafe itself. I exchanged it for the Bonavita BV1901PW Metropolitan One-Touch Coffee Brewer, and I am more than happy.At first I didn't really notice a huge improvement in taste over my old cheap coffee maker. What difference I did notice I chalked up to possibly being a placebo effect. It wasn't until I had to go back to my old machine for a few days, when I exchanged one Bonavita model for my current one, that the difference became undeniable. It really does matter to have the correct water temperature, pre-infusion and consistent, uniform saturation of the grinds. A full 12-5 oz cup pot takes just under 8 minutes to brew. Beware, the warming plate shuts off after 40 minutes, since heat degrades flavor and aroma of quality coffee over a short period of time, even inside a thermos. So, if you are looking for a machine that will keep your coffee hot for hours, this one will not be for you.Here is the product information provided by the manufacturer:One-touch brewing with sleek black designOptional pre-infusion mode saturates freshly roasted ground coffee to optimize flavor while the showerhead is specifically designed to facilitate even saturation of coffee groundsPowerful 1560-watt heater with advanced heating control quickly brings water to ideal brewing temperature of 198° to 205°F (92°- 96°C)Removable flat bottom filter basket and larger showerhead provide better saturation and uniform flavor extractionAudible signal alerts user when the filter basket has finished draining and coffee is readyTempered glass carafe design help retain heat and warming plate shuts off after 40 minutes and is easy to clean
PAC
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great customer Service Makes a great cup of coffee. Has features that are different from many other pots. customer service responds right away!
SBush
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Can’t go wrong. Unless you have upper cabinets. I would love to give 5 stars, I love ALMOST everything about this compact, beautiful brewer. Only two drawbacks preventing a 5 star review, and neither are even “that” bad; first, this little things runs HOT. The fact that it heats up to the right extraction temp means that you absolutely cannot brew under your cupboards or in an enclosed space like a built-in coffee cabinet. I have to pull it out from under that cabinets every time to prevent steam/water damage to the cabinets above. If you don’t have uppers in your kitchen this doesn’t apply obviously. And the coffee tastes amazing brewed at the right temp so it’s hardly that big a deal, just a little deal 😜. Second, the warming plate will shut off after 45min. If you brew and go that’s not an issue, but I’m a stay at home mom and I like to finish my first cup then go back for a second hot one and by then all of it is cold. I wish the warming function was closer to 2hrs. Other than that, you literally cannot go wrong with the machine, less than 3rd $ of the technivorm for the same exact brew method and temp. Love it. Thanks bonavita. 3 people found this helpful
JJ
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars It does exactly what it should I went down the rabbit hole of buying a new coffee maker, and the tons of options out there and the overwhelming amount of opinions in the reviews. I was looking for the best "bang for the buck", and the Bonavita Connoisseur 1900 series of machines seemed like the way to go. After all the research I kept seeing that the thermal carafe was the weak point of all of these units (and almost every machine with a thermal carafe) because they were hard to pour, empty, and hard to clean. Then I found the Metro.The metro is touted to have the same internal parts and process as the connoisseur line, just with a hot plate and glass carafe. The glass carafe is very nice, pours easily and completely, and very easy to clean. The coffee does not burn on the plate, and is kept at an enjoyable temp for 45 minutes. I used a timer and accurate thermocouple based instant read thermometer to verify the brewing process falls within the guidelines of the SCAA for certification (it does, the very beginning of the brew process is a little low temp (several seconds) and the end the temp spikes for a few seconds (steam), but the brewing is between 195 and 205 the rest of the time. Also, the cord does not get hot (like a youtube reviewer said). Also, the brew basket clicks into the brewer positively, so either the product has improved, or reviewers that said it fell out if touched did not assemble it correctly. All cleanup is very easy.The end result is a simple to use machine and great cup of coffee.(one note: I use about 45g of coffee, not the 65g recommended for 8 cups, I think the result is a better, but it is a personal taste.)All in all, the only downside is the 45 minute timer on the hot plate, but in reality, the coffee does not get better with age, so drink faster! Also, a nice thermos performs better and pours better.EDIT- I have been using this for over 6 months now and I am still very happy. I have had zero issues with it, and I could not be happier. It is absolutely consistent in brewing, and makes a great pot of coffee. I use filtered water in it, and have done one de-scale on it, and the process was easy and a couple of packets of cleaner were even included with the unit. One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Makes the BEST coffee., but.... I wasn't a coffee expert before my Cuisinart died a couple weeks ago. I started doing some research and found the Bonivita as recommended by a coworker. I read the reviews that the coffee was just SO good and thought to myself, how could that possibly be...it's water+grounds+heat? I have no idea how Bonvita does it, but YES the coffee is WAY better, it's not bitter (which I hate) it makes the coffee smoother, it's totally crazy to me. My wife and I still, after 2 months, can't believe how much better the coffee tastes- same brand, same everything. I actually some brew darker coffee as well and it's more flavorful and not bitter.Now the downsides, as noted by others...1. Yes, it drips, there's no anti-drip thingy like all the $20 Mr. Coffee's. (But did i mention the coffee is amazing?) 2. The warmer shuts off after 40 minutes- from what I've read this is for the coffee purists so water doesn't evaporate, I get it but as a non-purist this is annoying on a Saturday when we sip coffee most of the morning. (The coffee is really good though.) My solutions are 1. Carry the basket over to the trash on top of the carafe and throw it out immediately after brewing is done. 2. Lots of microwaving. (Also, you can leave the carafe top on when you brew if you don't want to worry about other random parts laying around, it just makes carrying the basket over to the trash a tad more difficult.)Bottom line: The coffee is amazing and I would absolutely recommend it, it just has some moderate annoyances. It's opened my amateur coffee taste buds to a whole new world.I still contemplate 2 questions though: 1. How can a company that can figure out how to make coffee SO much better not be able to design a fulcrum with a spring? 2. How can other $200+ coffee makers not be able to figure out how to make their water 200F? Both seem so simple, but apparently so hard. 3 people found this helpful
Matt Cavin
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars I didn't see a noticable difference between this and my $20 coffee maker I'm a bit disappointed with all the hype surrounding this coffee maker. It works fine but I've noticed no discernable difference between the quality this produces versus my old $20 coffee maker. It also has a lower capacity. I've tried a few different coffees, both pre-ground and whole beans I've ground myself, and it's not a $130 improvement, in my opinion. One person found this helpful
MaksMom&Dad
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars They don’t make them like they used to. Bought my first bonavita about 4 years ago when it was $100. Made great coffee until it stopped working, despite cleaning and descaling. It would start to take 10-15 then 20 minutes to brew a pot of coffee and shut off several times in the process. We replaced it with another bonavita z couple years ago and again worked great until the same problems occurred. This time after numerous cleanings and descaling, we took it apart to do a more thorough cleaning but it didn’t fix the slow brewing and stopping issues. I contacted the company who advised if these steps don’t fix it they recommend just replacing it. I bought another one for $150 (it went up that much in two years). The coffee tasted “thin”, didn’t have the full body the previous coffee makers had. I’m guessing the water wasn’t getting hot enough. I returned it and bought another one, which made the same thin coffee. I hope they go back to making decent coffee makers but for now it seems that despite the increase in price, the quality has decreased.
Charles J. Ksir
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Several issues We've had this coffee maker for a few months now. It does make good-tasting coffee. Some things that we take for granted these days are lacking. First, it does not have a valve that allows you to pour a cup before the cycle is completely finished. Most days this is not an issue, but an occasional minor inconvenience. Second, the warming plate only stays on for about 30 minutes and there is no way to adjust that. Third, the carafe hold a lot more than the reservoir, so I often add more water after it has partially brewed, or if it has finished I add more water and turn it off and back on again to brew the rest. Then you need to wait until that has all gone through and finished dripping or you'll have coffee dripping on the hot plate. Finally, the filter basket slides out very easily and you have to be careful when you remove the carafe or the basket will fall out and make a mess on your counter. So overall we are going to replace it with something else. 3 people found this helpful
KC
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars He Likes It! I'm a simple guy, with simple needs. Make me some tasty coffee in the morning .. Be easy to use .. Be easy to clean .. And I'll follow you anywhere. ;)Caveat: I am FAR from a connoisseur, so factor that in. ;(This unit is fabulously easy to use and clean. That alone checks off most of the boxes for me. Add a removable filter drawer (uber easy cleaning) and a 40 minute timer (resettable for all those concerned about it turning off too soon), and I'm smilin'.* I simply flip the switch to reset it as I get my follow up morning cup(s) with the confidence that it will turn itself off should I forget, or get involved with another hectic day .. and forget.The wide drip head is awesome as is the ability to pre-soak the grinds!! I LUV the coffee that comes from this brewer!Cleaning is super-easy as well which is HUGE for me.Oh, there 'may be' (there will be ;) a bit of a plastic aroma when this brewer is first opened. I HIGHLY recommend (as the instructions indicate) to allow AT LEAST two (2) full carafes of water only to pass thru this brewer prior to using it to make your first pot. I did this and any lingering plastic aroma was gone. DO THIS! ;)So, as the title indicates, I really like this brewer and have absolutely nothing to complain about.Well Done Bonavita
Brenton Strine
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, but with significant problems that would have been SO easy to get right CONS:- The carafe didn't come as pictured: it doesn't have the "Bonavita 1.3L" text printed on it. And more annoyingly, there are no markings whatsoever, so I have to guess how much water to put in it to get 6 cups or 8 cups.- You have to pick up the entire machine and bring it forward to fill it up if you have it under a kitchen cabinet (as most people will, I assume). This is a problem because when putting it back, the cord comes out of its little notch on the bottom and makes the whole thing wobbly until you reach around and fix it, hopefully not tipping the glass carafe out and breaking it in the process.- The gap between the drop cone and the carafe is pretty big, which means that the coffee cools down quite a bit, and then has to be re-heated by the heating element. I don't love that my coffee is being re-heated.- To add to the above point, the lid isn't designed to be on while dripping, which increases coffee cooling by leaving a huge opening that heat escapes through. You _can_ brew with the lid on, the coffee finds its way around and mostly down into the carafe, but this is clearly against the design and some spillage is to be expected.- The disadvantage of this over the BV1901TS is that it is an all black plastic body that doesn't look as good.PROS- I measured water temperature coming out of the drip basket (with no grinds) at around 190-200˙F which is where it should be. It's probably slightly hotter inside the brew basket.- SIMPLE and no fuss. Only one button! Press button, receive coffee.- The advantage of this over the BV1901TS is that you can pour from the carafe after your coffee is brewed without having to first "assemble" the lid. (Seriously, what a stupid design to make a coffee carafe that can't pour unless you screw the lid on first!? Glad this one has a normal pour spout, as all carafes should!)- Bloom function is great. One person found this helpful
kpg
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Great flavor but only lasted 5 months The flavor is amazing, but this is the 2nd Bonavita I've purchased, and both have had a limited lifespan. The heating element went out after about 5 months, resulting in a coffee pot that rapidly went to room temperature. Hoping they can work out the kinks and make these more durable because the flavor is really great, but not worth the price given the lifespan. One person found this helpful
Boston_boricua
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Makes good coffee but too much trouble I purchased two of these in the last couple of years because I really liked the coffee it makes. But it has several big downsides. First, it is impossible to find replacement carafes (glass). This is especially annoying because the glass is so thin it breaks easily. Second, it needs to be descaled frequently. Like every month. It certainly makes good coffee and when it first came out it was one of the few trying to emulate pour-over flavor. Now there are many others and I recently purchased another brand at a similar price point and found it solid and a better value.
CDR Oso
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Good until it broke for no apparent reason I noticed that the glass carafe was awkward to handle right away, but performance was acceptable until about a year in use, when I found the carafe was stuck to the warming plate. When I pulled it off, I saw it had small cracks in the bottom. A new carafe is ridiculously expensive, if you can find one at all. This is a very basic coffee maker at a premium price. I bought an unpretentious coffee maker for a fraction of the price. Even if I have to replace that one every 6 months, I will be way ahead, and the basic carafe is easier to handle. One person found this helpful
TJ
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars I want to like it but it's unreliable I got this because:1. it's supposedly carefully calibrated to not overheat the water and burn my coffee2. It has the "bloom" feature, where it runs a little water, then pauses for a bit before continuing3. I like the design aesthetic4. It was surprisingly affordable compared to others with the same certification5. The more expensive makes don't seem to have a better reputation for quality.My experience after almost 3 months of 1-3x daily use.1. It may be true that it's not burning my coffee, not sure i can tell a difference.2. It doesn't keep coffee hot after it's brewed. The carafe does sit on a hot plate, but either the plate doesn't work, or it's not hot enough to keep the coffee hot. Either way, if i wait more than a couple minutes to pour my coffee, it won't be hot. If you like your coffee super duper hot, like some folks do, then it probably won't be hot enough for you even right after brewing.3. The bloom feature does work, sometimes. Sometimes it does not resume brewing again after the bloom. Sometimes it doesn't even start brewing and i have to press the button again. This isn't a huge problem for me, but I cannot press the button then come back in 5 minutes and be certain that i'll have coffee ready to go. Sometimes it won't go for whatever reason and i have to be around to press the button again.4. I still like the simple clean design. I love that the whole coffee filter tray is ultra quick to remove and replace. Much easier to dispose of used grinds than other coffee makers i've had. The only downside to this is that it is possible to accidentally pull the filter tray out of the machine by accident when removing the carafe. I've only had this happen once but it made quite a mess!Ultimately, it just isn't reliable and the deal breaker for me is that it doesn't keep coffee hot in the carafe, even for just several minutes. I would pay $200 for a machine with the same features and style that would perform and last for a couple of decades. It seems that appliances like that used to be available but sadly the reviews of even the expensive coffee makers indicate a similar lack of reliability. I'm not sure what i'm going to get next.
Sam Adams
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Good coffee brewer. BUT beware fragility of this glass carafe. This is the second one of these I’ve purchased. The first time I bumped the glass carafe on my kitchen sink cracking it and making it unusable. Could not find a replacement either. I resorted to an older coffee maker that was on its last legs. After it bit the dust, I searched a lot, but could not find anything better under $100 than this Bonavita. It does a good job: brews at correct temperature. The capacity is only eight “cups”—rather small if we have guests.I’m trying to be extra careful so as not to crack the glass again.UPDATE: Cracked glass carafe AGAIN. I’ve been careful, but it happened again. Doesn’t take much to break these carafes. Although I like this coffee maker, I won’t be buying another. Must find a smarter purchase. 😣
Johnny
Rated 1 out of 5
July 1, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Great coffeemakers: Service is fading fast and missing in action When we bought our first Bonavita coffee maker 10 years ago, the brand was still almost totally unheard of. Yet when the Speciality Coffee Assocation (SCA) blessed their original model as one of only a handful of coffee makers that hits the sweet spot between perfect brew temp and extraction, we ordered and have had great drip coffee ever since. A Bonavita cult following soon followed. So what happened?In the past, when we occasionally needed to reach the company by phone, we’d get a real person and cheerful service. We ordered our second Bonavita, the Metropolitan, two years ago for our vacation home and it has also served us well. However, a guest broke the carafe six months ago and Bonavita has been backordered on carafes and almost all other parts ever since.We called the company. Like others, we can’t get a real person, just an email address. Links to order parts are now instead referred to a third party company. That company, Kitchen Kapers, tells us they have had several hundred carafes on back order nearly the entire year.So what were we forced to do? Order an entirely new coffee maker. Ridiculous! We’re still fans of first-rate Bonavita coffee. But to not be able to reach a real person, and with no ETA for future parts deliveries, a five star product now rates zero stars for such an inept and disrespectful situation. When we asked Kitchen Kapers when parts might be available, we were advised only to “keep trying back.”Please get it together, Bonvita! Loyal users like us are due an apology, and more. 12 people found this helpful
Initials
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great coffee Love it, the coffee quality is great. I have bought a different model from this company before, but the carafe had trouble draining all the way on that model. This one does not have that problem at all. It is also capable of making larger batches, but for me that is generally unnecessary. The glass on the carafe is thin, but perhaps it would be uncomfortable if it was much thicker (?); it is lightweight. I don't really foresee having problems with anything except perhaps the carafe. The maker itself is very much like my last one from this company that was still working strong when I got rid of it. I like this carafe better than the last, but I think I have to pay more attention to the care of this one. It actually does not bother me much, but I know it probably will some. If i was to choose between this one or the one with the metal carafe, I would easily choose this one again. As far as the maker and brand itself, not to be weird, but this has become my 'go to' brand. Beautiful taste. 2 people found this helpful
PR
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and best brewed coffee I've ever had. I bought 2 of em! Updated 4/15/2018: Over 2 years use. Love it so much bought a 2nd one a year later for my sweetie's house. Stainless steel unit not the model listed (BV1900ST) but BV1901GW. Same unit, different number. My 2nd one was all black BV1901PW, at 1/2 the price.Difference is the coffee filter unit on the GW rides on the carafe. On the PV it fits into a slot on the unit, so you can remove the carafe without moving the grounds. NO OTHER DIFFERENCE. I prefer the PW (cheaper one), as I don't have to mess with the grounds just to pour the first cup.Can load 44 oz water without spilling, which is more than mfg says. But, the carafe holds 56 oz! I made 48 oz. by putting in enough ground coffee, then letting the 44 oz run a bit, added 4 more oz. of water during brewing. Perfect! Don't see why you can't make a full 56 oz.Old review: Brews at 200+ degrees which gives a great cup of coffee. I roast my own coffee, so know a bit about it. And fast! 7 minutes for full pot. I over fill the reservoir to get 42 ounces using 6 coffee measures of fine grind. Bought one for my sweetie too! 5 people found this helpful
StephenStephen
Rated 1 out of 5
July 1, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Flimsy construction Overall, the east of use with this model is not good. The paper filters that come with the unit are too tall and you have to trim them back, otherwise the top of the filter hits the shower head when sliding in and folds in on itself, which would make a huge mess as the grinds would get everywhere. It is funny because the filters say they are a “perfect fit”.Next the basket itself is not held in place firmly, but by a small rubber flap, which has already warped due to the heat from brewing. See the picture to see how much of the flap actually holds the basket in place. When I pulled the glass carafe out, it caught the basket and everything fell off spilling the grinds… easy to do when you are a bit tired in the morning. Overall, I am disappointed in the coffee maker. Personally the price is too high for an average cup of coffee from a coffee maker that looks cheap and is poorly designed. And that is the true failure here. It is very poorly designed.
Matthew Carroll
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Coffee filter basin falls out and spills coffee grinds everywhere once , shame on me .. I bought this unit April fifth , I was excited to use bonavita machine. This unit is not worth the money, and I’m not the person to say whether it makes a good cup of coffee. I buy Folgers and I just like a little coffee in the am every day.This coffee pot has the most frustrating design flaw: so the coffee filter basin sits above the carafe . The filter basin is held in by a tiny shelf and you can take it out to put filter in , grinds , etc then put it back before you brew coffee.Well the basin pulls out toward you , just like the carafe. So when I go to pour myself cup of coffee, I’m all sleepy and vulnerable , I pull out the carafe and well the filter basin pops out with it,, spilling boiling coffee grinds everywhere. It’s not funny.This happened to me four times in the first week of owning it and happened to my father once too, of course it’s really the worst thing to have to clean up coffee grinds first thing in the morning or at any time really.So my filter basin chipped after falling a few times but luckily it still slid into the shelf it sits on.This morning I poured some water into the machine and set my carafe down , it slid off the counter and shattered. That’s it , I don’t blame the coffee pot for that but it was the last time I clean up after this gosh darn coffee pot.Frustrating to use, I developed a fear of using it because of this design flaw. I actually feared my coffee pot, and I won’t but bonavita again . It’s an expensive machine and some dullard missed a crucial design mistake. 5 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Exactly what I wanted from a coffee maker, it’s amazing how much smoother the coffee is from a cheaper 12 cup drip maker. Should’ve bought it years ago.
Michael hand
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful machine. I had been looking for a coffee maker that brews over 200 degrees for quite some time. There’s lots that claim to and some certified and such but was undecided of who to trust and who not to because spending more than 30.00 for a coffee machine seemed too much to me. It was either trust a brand and spend in most cases 150.00 plus or just drive to get coffee all the time. I am a coffee snob. Very picky. Well during my decision making this maker dropped 30.00 on a special and happened to be one of the makers I was looking at so broke down and got it. I was very pleased and still am. It brews right, combined with fresh ground beans and filtered water it’s been wonderful. Very easy to clean and just looks nice as well. Great purchase. One person found this helpful
Mr. Picky
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Cool, which isn't cool I really wanted to like this coffee maker. The thing is, though, I like my coffee hot. And this machine just can't pull it off. Which is odd in that it does have a hot plate. Or should I call it a warm plate? Or a cold plate?The thing is, the coffee tastes great. It has the perfect amount of flavor and works fast. But if you pour a cup the second the coffee is finished being made, it's at best warm. If you wait 3 minutes, it's not even lukewarm. The hot plate is meaningless.So it has everything going for it except temperature. Most people like their hot coffee hot, and this machine cannot pull that off.It's a tremendous disappointment. One person found this helpful
Betty McJunkin
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Great little coffee maker I really like this coffee pot - its easy to use, easy to clean and just the right size for the space I have on my kitchen counter. The only thing I don't like about it is it doesn't keep the coffee really hot which is the way I like it. And it doesn't stay on very long - 20 minutes. But on the whole, I really like it - it makes great coffee!
Sylvan
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Bonavita Metropolitan Coffee Maker 08/14/2021 08/14/2021 After Phyismor Coffee Maker failed after 16 months purchased Bonavita Metropolitan Coffee Maker which is better in every way and currently they are selling for same price, $79.95. Here Is why the Bonavita Coffee Maker is superior to the Phyismor. Black matte finish which is very attractive. Whole top of coffee maker, including shower head, is removable for cleaning. Shower head is covered with cowl. Lid on water reservoir flips open plus wider opening for filling with water. Coffee basket is flat for better brewing rather than #4 basket. Carafe is heavy duty all glass pitcher with dripless spout and separate top. On-off button with pre-infusion option. The Bonavita is a simple one button coffee maker that does one thing well. It brews a excellent cup of coffee at SCA recommended temperatures and is SCA certified. One person found this helpful
KT
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars It’s ok, but not designed for 2-4 cups of coffee which is what I make. I like that it’s easy to use and easy to clean. I was really disappointed at first because it brews so fast (something they highlight as a plus) that the coffee was too weak. I was having to re-pour the coffee back into the basket and letting it drip through it a second time which defeats the whole purpose of having something automatic. Then I stopped using the filters it came with which helped, the ones I have from the grocery store filter it slower so I haven’t been re-pouring it. The manual also says to use 2 scoops of coffee for every one cup of water which I am guessing is to try to get a stronger flavor since it brews so fast. Also it’s not the best if you only want one mug of coffee (two cups in their measuring), the lowest mark in the reservoir is four cups. I can eyeball it for two cups by pouring halfway to the four cup line (there are no marks on on the carafe) but even the manual says it’s not meant for small amounts of coffee (not sure if only making 2-4 cups is part of why it tastes weaker too since they say to make 6-8 for best results). As other reviewers noted a lot of heat escapes with the openness of the carafe and space between it and the basket. I often pop it in the microwave a few seconds after brewing. 3 people found this helpful
Wayne in Houston
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Glass carafe is fragile I have owned this coffee maker for 2 years and while it does make good coffee the carafe easily broke and is very difficult to find a replacement. Amazon does not offer one and the sites that do charge $50.00 plus shipping. For this reason I do not recommend this machine and will not be purchasing anything from Bonavita in the future.
Amazon Customer
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars This is good simple basic machine Back story--I have had a "Mr. Coffee" for many years and was always annoyed at the bitterness I was experiencing--I mean if if makes 100% pure Kona bitter, there's a problem. Well, it died the death on me earlier this week. I figured it was time to drop the hammer on a Technivorm. But what I was reading about the Technivorm wasn't all that encouraging, it has the time and temperature right, but people report a need to stir the grounds or they don't all get wetted. So I was going back and forth on whether to go with a Bonavita. Then I saw this one for 80 bucks and decided to take a chance. Right now I'm glad I did.Now, the details. Same coffee, same grind, same ratio of water to coffee, same filter, no sign of bitterness--first sip, my reaction was "that's _good_ coffee". But the coffee seems weaker--I'm going to need to play with ratio of water to beans and with the grind.Features: This is a very simple machine. There's a carafe (all glass, including the handle, no markings that I can see). There's a filter basket that comes completely out. And there's the base unit with the pump and heater. There's also a lid for the carafe. Haven't tried cleaning yet but there's just the all-glass carafe and the single-piece filter basket so that should be a breeze. Downsides: (1) there's no valve on the basket--pull out the carafe and it continues to pour on the hot plate. (2) there's no retainer on the filter basket--it's very easy to accidentally pull it out. I can live with those given the price of the machine and the quality of the coffee it's producing.What's in the box: The machine, an instruction manual (which I probably should read), a pouch of liquid descaler, and a few filters. Filters are the flat-bottomed basket type.I don't know how long it's going to last. At the price I won't be disappointed if it doesn't last very long. If it dies before I do I'll post an update. 5 people found this helpful
John Barger
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Please Read Before You Buy!!! There are two significant issues with this coffee maker. One is design and the second is operation.1. As mentioned in numerous other reviews, there is a serious design flaw that a prospective user should be aware. The coffee basket slides in to the top holder, it does not sit on top. In addition, there is a small rubber “flap” on the front of the top that acts as a catch to secure the basket. The import of this is that every time a paper filter is used there’s a 50-50 chance that it will catch on the flap or the sliding rails and fold over with unfortunate results. You either get grounds in your coffee or more likely, the now crumpled paper filter will block the coffee into the pot and instead pour it all over your kitchen counter. I’ve spent significant time with this trying to come up with a fool proof technique to no avail. If you’re very careful you can manage it, but careful is the operative word. My recommendation is to never use a paper filter and use a permanent gold basket instead. Problem solved.2. Operation. This thing is loud. I don’t mean “I can hear it” loud, I mean “think jumbo jets in the landing pattern” loud. I’m an early riser and want my coffee without waking up my wife and the baby. It’s highly audible several rooms away with all the doors closed. And don’t even think about watching TV until it’s done. For me, this was a dealbreaker.The coffee is good, not “nectar of the gods good” but certainly worth the price. If you can handles these two “quirks” then buy. Just beware what you’re getting. 15 people found this helpful
M. Butler
Rated 3 out of 5
July 1, 2023
3.0 out of 5 stars Better than Mr Coffee in two ways My Mr coffee was on the fritz after 18 years of service, so I set out to find a reasonable replacement. I read a bit about the technivorm moccamaster, and how it heats to 205 during brew. Then I saw the price tag. I saw the bonavita on Wirecutter, and thought I would give it a try.To it's benefit, the bonavita does two things excellently: 1) gets hotter than a Mr coffee (Mr coffee says it gets to 185). And 2) makes a lot in 6 minutes.Let me temper those statements with some context: 1) the bonavita only gets to around 196 during brew, and above 200 at the end of the brew when it begins billowing steam. 2) it makes an 8-cup pot in 6 minutes, limited by the reservoir.Aside from those two statements, this coffee maker does not compare favorably to my late Mr Coffee.The carafe is a joke. The handle was sculpted by someone who was born without hands, and is difficult to grasp/use. The spout is not good for pouring. According to other reviews, I can look forward to the handle falling off. There are no lines denoting measurements, and a full carafe will overflow the reservoir, so good luck winging it everyday.Because of the limited reservoir, we make a couple pots a day now, instead of the usual 12-cup pot from the Mr Coffee. This is not a deal breaker, rather an annoyance. The pots brew very quickly.The power switch looked like a single throw rocker switch in photos, but I was misled. The power switch is a momentary switch, which means it cannot be used with a smart plug or outlet. This is very disappointing, as this means to will have to Shell out another $50 for the stainless steel looking model with the programmable function. I personally will not shell out that much for the equivalent of adding a $1 digital watch to an appliance.The warming plate is more of a luke-warming plate. The Mr Coffee would keep the coffee warm for almost 2 hours after brewing. The bonavita keeps it not-cold for about an hour.All in all, I would say the coffee tastes good, but this machine falls short of all expectations. It does make a pot in 6 minutes though. A 10 degree increase in heat does not make up for the rest of the shortfalls.It does not seem that the bonavita was made for longevity; when the carafe breaks, or the reservoir cracks, I'll replace with a Mr coffee. 6 people found this helpful
Splat MattSplat Matt
Rated 2 out of 5
July 1, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars No longer can recommend as replacement carafes are expensive (after shipping cost) - what a waste. Update: This was my favorite coffee maker until this morning when I broke the carafe. the new carafe costs $18.00 plus another $16.45 in shipping from Bonavita's replacement part reseller which is nearly 40% the cost of a new one. I guess I will just use my Chemex carafe with unit until I can purchase a more fairly priced replacement carafe.Last update: I just went back to using my Bialetti Moka pot. Fast, simple, no filters, will last a lifetime and preground coffee tastes full bodied and smooth. I drink less cups (1:1 water to coffee americanos) which equals less coffee beans plus no filter equals less waste.My cost is 10 minutes of patience in the morning: 7 minutes to make and roughly 3 minutes to pour and clean-up.For nearly a decade, I’ve been making coffee primarily through a Chemex. My wife, enjoys the Chemex coffee but she didn’t want spend 20 minutes actively brewing the coffee when I wasn’t available. So I went looking for an auto-drip brewer that didn’t significantly comprise taste for convenience. After trying a Cuisinart from Costco, a Breville unit and being unwilling to spend $$$ on a Technivorm we decide to try the Bonavita Metropolitan. It’s favorable reviews, the pre-infusion mode and spec’s to match the brew temps needed to produce a solid cup of coffee were big pluses to our decision.CNET was told by Bonavita that there was no difference between this model and the Connosseur, but CNET observed more variability in the temps. What I found was you are not paying for a stainless carafe and stainless stick on wrap. This is a nicely made matte black plastic which is sits subtly on the counter. Additionally, I prefer the the glass carafe as it is easier to clean; plus I have a 40oz thermal canister (used for my Chemex) that is rated to perform better than Bonavita’s thermal stainless carafe.Overall, the coffee produced is smooth and balanced (similar to the Chemex) with a nice “Goldilocks” temperature. The directions say to use 65g of coffee beans ground to a medium-coarse texture which is what compares to the directions of my Chemex (setting of a 20 on the Baratza Encore grinder I used). This produced a delicious first pot and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s (will try a grind setting of a 19 to make a bolder cup).With the extra time saved (from not actively brewing on a Chemex), I now read an extra chapter in my book and drink another cup of coffee while my Chemex collects dust.*Chemex Carafe Hack: I was able to use my 8 cup Chemex (using a chemex filter) under the showerhead of the brewer (sans the hanging basket). I brewed only 30oz water (or six 5oz cups) with 48g of ground coffee and it did an excellent job! Flavor profile is a little bolder using the Chemex carafe. If I tried 8 cups in the Chemex it might have overflowed due to the rate of water flowing from the brewer’s showerhead. Regardless, if you don’t have a Chemex the hanging basket and the included carafe make an excellent cup coffee.***Update 12/2018***Still using this coffee maker and enjoying the consistent quality brews it delivers. Even preground coffee (Costco’s Kirkland Columbian) tastes delicious. Brew temps seem good ~ 188°F in the pot and 190° to 195°F in the stream coming out of the basket. Choosing this model over the stainless cladded models is definitely NOT a comprise, just about aesthetics and saving money. Personally, I prefer the black matte finish as it is not prominent on my counter and doesn’t get the smudges common to stainless steel finishes.The current measures I’m using: 77g coffee to 1.3L water (max line on coffee maker) with a grind setting to an 18 on the Baratza Encore. Additionally, the coffee filters I’m using are branded by Bunn which have a higher profile than the enclosed Melitta filters to accommodate more coffee (77g has plenty of room to bloom in the Bunn filters).Also, I don’t even bother with the Chemex hack as the stock set-up produces a delicious black coffee (no need for cream). After brewing I transfer the brew directly into a 40oz Takeya stainless vacuum insulated vessel.Enjoy! 68 people found this helpful
E.J.S.
Rated 5 out of 5
July 1, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great coffee maker Simple unit that makes good coffee. No need to say anymore. Enjoy !
Edwin
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Just get it! Update to the update: after much finagling, Bonavita sent me a replacement carafe at no charge. I'm adding some stars back on for their response, but leaving one off because of the hoops I had to jump though. That being said, I still recommend this coffeemaker. It's still being used daily and shows no signs of slowing down.Update: I'm going to have to agree with another reviewer. The glass carafe recently broke. The cost of a new one, with shipping, is roughly $30. I'm having a really hard time justifying spending almost 40% of the unit's cost just on a replacement carafe. Unfortunately two alternative carafes (including one "universal" one) I bought are too big for the heating element. I think Bonavita intentionally designed their heating element to only fit their carafe.Moreover, good luck getting Bonavita to respond to a query. Despite their 5 day turnaround promise, I'm on day 9 with no response.I really want to stay loyal to this brand, and maybe get the Coinesseur instead, but they're making it really hard for me to. As much as it sucks I might just have to restart the search for that quality brewer.--------I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a coffee snob (I have people to do that for me), I just know what a good cup of coffee is supposed to be.After doing pourovers for a long long time, it was getting too tedious, and I didn't like that my SO was still using a Keurig, so the hunt began for a new way to make enough coffee for both of us without requiring too much more effort. Endless google searches and reviews led me here...well, here and Technivorm, but I'm not dropping $300 on a coffeemaker.As far as the coffemaker goes, it does great, I checked the temperature inside the brew basket and it reads at a steady 200F. The one-button operation takes all the guesswork and needless complication out of the brewing process. This isn't the kind of coffeemaker you set up for the next morning. I second what another reviewer said, definitely get Bunn filters over the included ones. For a full pot I use 70g of freshly ground beans (courtesy of the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder), and they would overflow the included Melita filters and resulted in a lot of grounds in the pot, the Bunn filters completely eliminate that problem. I had to clean the showerhead recently and it was a breeze to pull it off and snap it back into place.I can't really comment on how the glass carafe keeps temperature, as the coffee goes straight into pre-heated thermal mugs as soon as it's done, but the carafe looks like it can stand up to a good bit of use.Overall I'm very happy with this purchase, and if you're like me and just want a good quality brewer without needless bells and whistles, this is the one. 15 people found this helpful
Cobo
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Sort of a one-trick pony for brewing only full pot of coffee Executive Summary:While the claims about this being one of the only brewers that meets Specialty Coffee Association guidelines (in terms of brewing temperature) may be true, the inability for this coffee maker to meaningfully adjust the brew time based on the size of the pot you're brewing is a significant shortcoming. I found it can brew a pretty good full pot of coffee in approximately 6 minutes, but it fell short for brewing smaller pots of coffee, which is what I need. If you only ever brew full pots of coffee, it could be a good machine for you. If you brew less than that, I don't think it's worth the money as the coffee for smaller pots doesn't get enough brew time to qualify for SCA guidelines, and there is no meaningful way to adjust the brew time to compensate for the smaller pot of coffee.Details:The machine may indeed heat water to the Specialty Coffee Association guidelines (around 200 °F), but brewing time is just as much of a key parameter in brewing a tasty pot of coffee as the water temperature is. Let's say the optimum brew time for a given water temperature is 6 minutes. I know from my pour over experience that being off in the brew time by +/- 30 seconds on either side of that 6 minutes can change the flavor dramatically from sour (not enough time) to bitter/over-extracted (too much time). This unit, like all other automatic coffee makers I have tried, tends to be optimized for a full pot of coffee in terms of the brewing time (6 minutes, in this case). In other words, it takes about 6 minutes to heat the water and brew a full pot. But if you're only making half a pot, it brews in ~3 minutes, and the coffee tastes sour. Given there are no meaningful controls (other than the pre-infusion toggle) to change the brewing time, I find it very difficult to get a really good-tasting cup of coffee from this unit, especially compared to pour over where I can brew any size pot I want, and adjust my pour technique to always land on the optimum 6 minute brew time.In short, since I rarely brew full pots of coffee, I plan to return this and keep using my pour over technique until something better comes along. 12 people found this helpful
Suzanne
Rated 4 out of 5
July 1, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Improved design I just retired my 17 year old Bonavita and replaced it with this same but improved simple one-button coffee maker. No timers or LEDs- just a coffee maker. The improvements are the heating surface and the filter now has guided to keep it in place while brewing. My older model heating surface rusted and the filter holder just laid in top of the carafe. I have a marble countertop and finally hit the glass carafe hard enough to break. I decided it was time to get a new machine rather than just replace the glass.