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A Favorite By BUNN: The GRB Velocity Reviewed

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BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker

BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

No machine brews coffee quite like a BUNN. I’m a big fan of the brand, and I’ve tested quite a few of their models. While I wasn’t impressed by all of them, the GRB Velocity Brew was one machine that stood out. Its design is simple, but it brews a quick and flavorful pot of coffee. This is one of BUNN’s best-selling models, and after trying it for myself, I can see why.

Well-Made

BUNN is in the business of making high quality coffee makers. This machine’s housing may not be made of stainless steel, but it is made of tough, durable plastic. The glass carafe is well-made, and the internal hot water tank is stainless steel.

Click here to get the price of the BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker. 

Simple But Practical Features

You won’t find a ton of buttons on the GRB Velocity Brew. In fact, you’ll only find one. And that’s all you really need with a regular coffee maker. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, and BUNN doesn’t disappoint with this model. Here’s what you’ll get with the GRB Velocity Brew:

  • Stainless steel hot water tank keeps water at the perfect brewing temperature (200 degrees F)
  • Sprayhead design ensures even, optimal extraction.
  • High quality glass carafe that keeps coffee warmer for longer.
  • Porcelain-coated warming plate.
  • 10-cup brewing capacity with 4-cup minimum.

The GRB Velocity can brew a full pot of coffee in just 3 minutes. It may not be programmable, but you can start brewing and have your morning cuppa ready in the time it takes to get dressed.

Easy to Keep Clean

As I mentioned previously, this coffee maker’s body is made of tough, durable plastic. It’s not only long-lasting, but it’s easy to clean too. Just wipe down the exterior with a sponge or damp towel.

And when it comes time to clean the inside of the machine:

  • Run a brewing cycle with just water and vinegar.
  • Run a brewing cycle with just water and no coffee grounds.

That’s it! Now, you can start brewing regular pots of coffee again. It couldn’t be easier to clean and maintain this machine.

Built to Last

BUNN is used to making machines for commercial use (they’ve been making coffee makers for restaurants for more than 40 years). The GRB Velocity Brew is built with the same rugged materials the company uses to make their commercial models. This machine will give you years of use as long as you clean and maintain it properly.

Priced Just Right

I love it when a coffee maker brews a great pot of coffee – but doesn’t cost you a fortune to own. And the GRB Velocity Brew fits right into that category. This is a coffee maker just about anyone can afford.

What I Love

  • Brews between 4 and 10 cups of coffee in just 3 minutes.
  • Porcelain-coated warming plate and glass carafe keep your coffee warm for hours.
  • Stainless steel water tank keeps the water at the ideal brewing temperature.
  • Sprayhead design extracts the most flavor from your coffee.

What I Would Change

  • The heater stays on all day.

The only gripe I have with this machine is that the heater stays on all day to keep the water hot. And that’s fine if you plan on brewing multiple pots of coffee per day. If you’re only a morning coffee drinker, I suggest turning off the machine or unplugging it when you’re not using it. Otherwise, you’re just wasting energy.

The BUNN GRB Velocity Brew is a great machine for coffee lovers who just want a simple machine that brews good coffee. It’s affordable, durable and brews a flavorful pot of coffee that even pretentious drinkers will love.

Click here to get the price of the BUNN GRB Velocity Coffee Maker. 
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Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT Coffee Maker Reviewed

by Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, Coffee Makers, Favorite Tagged , , Leave a comment
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Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT Coffee Maker

Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

Technivorm-Moccamaster is a name many of you are probably unfamiliar with. Handmade in the Netherlands, Technivorm-Moccamaster coffee makers may not be as well-known as other brands, like Keurig and Mr. Coffee, but the brand produces great quality machines that can brew a mean pot of coffee. I had the chance to give the Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT 10-cup brewer a test drive recently while staying with a friend. I’ll share my experiences in my review.

Premium-Quality Construction

Just one look at the KBT and you can tell it’s extremely well-made. The exterior is primarily made of stainless steel with black plastic accents – which are all BPA-free, by the way.

Click here to find the price on the Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT Coffee Maker. 

This machine is SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America), ECBC (European Coffee Brewing Center) and SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association of Europe) approved, so you know it’s made with top quality materials and brews a great pot of coffee.

Great Features and Sleek Design

Unlike other coffee makers, the KBT uses a copper heating element that heats the water to a consistent 196-205 degrees F. A special pulse action ensures the perfect bloom during extraction. Once the brewing cycle is complete, the heating element shuts off automatically.

There aren’t a whole lot of features or buttons with this machine. A simple on-off switch, water reservoir, carafe and filter basket are really all you need to enjoy a great cup of coffee. The water tank has markings, so you can easily measure your water.

The KBT has a minimalistic, compact design, which was a pleasant surprise. It won’t take up a whole lot of counter space, which makes it a great option for small kitchens and apartments. And it can brew a full 10-cup carafe or 1/2 carafe in just 4-6 minutes.

Clean-Up is a Breeze

Forget spending 10-15 minutes cleaning stubborn filter baskets and water reservoirs. The KBT is very easy to clean. The steel exterior wipes clean with a sponge or damp towel. To descale, just run a cleaning cycle with vinegar and water every month or so. Thanks to its minimalistic design, maintaining the KBT is a breeze.

Long-Lasting

If you’re looking to invest in a coffee maker that will give you years of use, the KBT is a great choice. It’s backed by a 5-year warranty and is built with high quality parts, including a stainless steel exterior and copper heating element. And because it has a simplistic design, there are very few parts you need to worry about breaking.

Superb Value at a Mid-Range Price

The Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT is a mid-range coffee maker with high-end quality. You’d have trouble finding another coffee maker in this price range that produces a better pot of coffee.

Pros

  • Simplistic, compact design
  • Easy to use and clean
  • 5-year warranty
  • Precise heating to the optimal brewing temperature
  • SCAA, SCAE and ECBC approved

Cons

  • A few users had a problem with the reservoir leaking.

When I tested the KBT, I never had an issue with the reservoir leaking. The reviewers who did probably didn’t use the machine properly.

The Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT brews coffee at just the right temperature every time. With a minimalistic design and affordable mid-range price, I can’t recommend the KBT enough.

Click here to find the price on the Technivorm-Moccamaster KBT Coffee Maker. 
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The Melitta Coffee Maker Reviewed

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Melitta Coffee Maker

Melitta Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

Melitta is a lesser-known brand, but they offer a stunning coffee maker that looks like a high-end model – without the high end price. This model is very popular with 2,800 reviews and comes with either a 10-cup thermal carafe model or a 12-cup glass carafe model.

I will be reviewing the 10-cup thermal model, but they’re virtually the same, minus the cup quantity.

Build Quality

Made with stainless steel, the build quality of the Melitta is exceptional. It looks stunning and won’t break or crack like some hard plastic models can.

The thermal carafe is also a major bonus because it features a double wall design that keeps coffee warm even hours after brewing.

Click here to get the price of the Melitta Coffee Maker. 

Design & Features

Full-bodied flavor and an intoxicating aroma is what this coffee maker is known for. You can even program it at night and have it automatically brew coffee for you when you wake up. It’s very convenient and offers:

  • 10-cup brewing capacity
  • Thermal carafe with thumb activated pouring
  • Vacuum-sealed design for the utmost in freshness
  • Regular, bold and robust coffee settings
  • Cone-shaped filter for optimal coffee extraction
  • Programmable timer
  • Pause and serve feature

Offering the ability to brew 10-cups of coffee, this model makes enough coffee for the whole family. If you’re in a rush, there is a pause and serve feature that allows you to pour yourself a cup of coffee and resume the brewing process right after. If you’re always on the go, this is a great feature to have.

The carafe allows for thumb-activated pouring. When you make your coffee, simply choose regular, bold or robust flavors. If you like a full-bodied taste, this model uses a cone design to optimize the coffee ground extraction process.

You can even make iced coffee with this model.

Maintenance & Cleaning

There isn’t an automatic cleaning cycle on this model, so you’ll need to clean this model by hand. Just grab a sponge or a damp rag, and wipe down the exterior. The carafe can be cleaned in the sink.

Durability & Longevity

Made from stainless steel, this model is extremely durable. Longevity is not an issue with many owners still using this model after 3+ years of ownership. As long as you change the coffee filters and perform regular cleanings, you’ll be able to run this model for years.

Price

The Melitta looks like a high-end model and produces a full-bodied cup of coffee that’s filled with delicious flavor. This is a great model for any coffee drinker.

Pros

  • Stainless steel
  • Exceptional exterior design
  • Affordable
  • Programmable
  • Thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for 1 hour; warm for 3 hours

Cons

  • No automatic cleaning
  • Difficult to read the water gauge

Automatic cleaning would have been a nice added bonus, but it’s not a necessity with this model –especially for the price. Adding water and reading the gauge is a little difficult, especially when making less than 10 cups of coffee at a time, but you’ll quickly get used to it.

Melitta is a highly recommended coffee maker that offers durable stainless steel, programmable brewing and a thermal carafe that keeps coffee warm for hours.

Click here to get the price of the Melitta Coffee Maker.