Bunn NHB Professional Home Brewer, Black
by Bunn
List Price:
Our Price: $119.95
You Save: $0.04 (0%)
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Buy Used: from $119.94 (click here)
Category: Kitchen
See more product details
Product Summary
Manufacturer: BunnBrand: Bunn
Model: NHB
Color: Black/Stainless
Product features:
- Hot-water reservoir-style home brewer makes 10 cups of coffee in 3 minutes
- Stainless-steel inner tank with 800-watt heater and internal thermostat
- Sliding lid for adding water; custom sprayhead provides full-flavored coffee
- Durable, porcelain-coated, scratch-resistant decanter warmer
- Measures 8-1/2 by 13-1/2 by 11-1/4 inches; 3-year limited warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Bunn NHB Professional Home Brewer, Black
Customer Review: Good coffee is out there 4 U but training and patience help
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned this model (same unit) of Bunn since 1994. I do turn it off and on as needed to save energy and reduce evaporation. A hassle for many but for me it no more of a hassle than putting on the kettle for a cup of tea. In our house we drink more hot tea than coffee but still it would be nice to see a model with built-in timer.
I went with Bunn after seeing the NHB model for sale in a Starbucks store in Seattle; they explained that this was, in their esteemed opinion, the best way to brew due to the 200 degree water and higher volume, deeper filter basket, flat bottom funnel etc. I later found the same model alot cheaper at WalMart, where they still sell the Bunn filters.
It took me a while to learn how to compensate for the idiosyncratic "features" of the Bunn, covered by many reviewers already, such as tendency to evaporate out the tank and weaker coffee due to the brew speed and slightly lower temperature (Like many just in time brewers hit the coffee almost boiling.) But seeing as I drink coffee to savor and not just for urban survival, brew quality is important to me. I always buy "better" beans (SBC, Starbucks, local gourmet like Whole Foods etc) and grind them just before brewing. I've learned how to fiddle with this machine to get what I want depending on how strong I want and the type of bean I'm using.
FOr example, I've learned to add extra water depending on how long it was since last time I used. Not an exact science. As I keep the unit off when not in use, evaporation is not as significant - but still can mess up a good brew if I forget to compensate.
Would I buy this again? Actually, that's why I'm here right now. This unit still works but I suspect that there is likely a lime buildup after all these years and anticipate needing a new unit down the road a bit. As I have owned this same unit without incident for almost 15 years, I am inclined to go back to Bunn. But am I missing the opportunity to jump ship? Consumer Reports online rates the Bunn rather low and places the Cuisinart DCC-1200 as 2nd best in their testing. Should I go back to hotter water and no storage tank with the Cuisinart? Would I get a stronger brew (I like it strong) or would it really taste burnt compared to the Bunn? Here on Amazon, with the best price I might add, there are like 997 reviews on the Cuisinart. Many point out some really bad design flaws of the Cuisinart, like grounds overflowing, units going bad after less than a year, etc, so I'm torn. On the other hand if Bunn would address its own shortcomings rather than me having to practice Bunn brew artistry, I'd love to buy another one. The build quality and quality of brew by the Bunn are definately there.
I like my coffee strong and I've had to develop some interesting techniques to work around the tendency of the Bunn to deliver a brew that may be weak - sometimes. It seems that, it depends on the bean you buy. And how you grind it. A decaf Sumatra I buy seems the most problematic in this area - it comes out slightly weak. I'll actually pour some of the the brewed coffee from the decanter back into the funnel (while carefully hovering it over my cup, then the decanter, filling it up to top of filter and so intensifying my brew. A real balancing act that I've mastered over many years. Have paper towels handy as needed...
Another way to increase brew strength is to allow the tank to empty half way then open the filler cover to stop flow for a minute to allow the grinds to soak, then resume. More work and fussing...but this would be a design improvement to build this in - a pause feature to increase strength.
Then again, some beans make stronger coffee than others. I bought some decaf columbian the other day that comes out stronger. If you are into lighter coffees they may be weaker. Obviously there are alot of variables going on - i.e. how fine you grind your coffee, local water quality. Hard water rinses soap better than soft water so I suspect this would influence brew. Depending on your water....and grinding...
...to improve brew strength I grind as fine as I can but I've also learned if I grind too fine it will literally damm up the filter.
Keep in mind that it takes 20 minutes or more to allow the tank to heat thoroughly from a cold start, and you must wait another 20 minutes to brew each additional pot. The tank works on the principle of hot water rising over cooler water. The hot water already in the tank is elevated by the incoming cooler water; the displaced hot water gradually flows out into the funnel over the coffee. This results in a more even water temperature and hence a smoother tasting brew. No steam chugging, no burnt coffee. If all you've ever known is Mr. Coffee taste, then you may be dissappointed. In fact I think this is more of a a gourmet coffee maker, whose capabilities would be lost on regular old Folgers or Maxwell house domestic "break room" brew.
Overall, this is a unique design with a long history as a company, a company associated with better quality restaurant service. But not exactly cutting edge in terms of technology i.e. timers or sensors. But so far I've enjoyed many cups of good quality coffee from this machine. As this is a brain dump based on 15 years of experience, I think I may have made this too confusing but hopefully it sheds some positive light on this unique coffee maker.
I would say that there is no question the Bunn is a aimed at making consistently good coffee. If you are less inclined toward savoring the subtle differences of "fancy" beans and just want that Eddy Rabbit (RIP) "jack me up" and "send me down the highway" cup, then maybe this is too much work. Or not.
Later.
Description of Bunn NHB Professional Home Brewer, Black
The Bunn NHB gives the classic Bunn home brewer a new look for the 21st century, merging Bunn's long-standing commercial quality brewing unit with a bold, new, stainless and black design. Best of all, this brewer makes 10 cups of exceptional, cafe quality coffee in less than 3 minutes. Who could ask for anything more?Elegantly bold with a stainless-steel tank and black decor, this hot-water reservoir-style home brewer makes 10 cups of cafe-quality coffee in less than three minutes. The coffee brewer's specially designed stainless-steel inner tank, with its 800-watt heater and internal thermostat, keeps water at an ideal temperature for maximum flavor and fast brewing. A vacation switch is provided to completely shut off all electrical components when the unit is not being used for three or more days, but safety features, designed into the coffee brewer, make the daily use of this switch unnecessary. Whenever the brewer has been shut off or unplugged, the filled tank takes about 15 minutes to heat the water to the proper temperature before using. While coffee is being brewed, the newest water in the tank is heated to the proper temperature and held until needed so that hot water is always available. The unit's convenient sliding lid makes it easy to add water, while its custom spray head insures optimum coffee-flavor extraction. Brewed coffee is kept hot with the unit's durable, porcelain-coated, scratch-resistant decanter warmer, which is controlled by a lighted on/off switch. The only routine cleaning required is rinsing the brew funnel and decanter after each use and occasionally wiping the outside of the brewer with a damp cloth. For more thorough cleanings, the brew funnel and decanter are top-rack dishwasher safe. The coffee brewer measures 8-1/2 by 13-1/2 by 11-1/4 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty. --Catie Unger
Drip Coffee Machines
Kitchen and Housewares
Most talked about in Bunn
Bunn Stainless Steel Coffee Decanter, RegularBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn CDBC35 Coffee Brewer, Without Hot Water FaucetBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn CDBCFP15 Coffee Brewer with Digital Brewer ControlBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn CWTF35-3 Coffee Brewer, 120/ 240V/ 20 ampBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn OL20 Coffee BrewerBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn-o-Matic G2 2-Pound Commercial Coffee Grinder, BlackBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Glass Coffee Decanter, OrangeBunn; Kitchen
Bunn 1.5 Gallon Soft Heat ServerBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn ULTRA-2, Frozen Drink System, Black Stainless SteelBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Bunn JDF-4 PB, Four Flavor Juice DispenserBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Similar Kitchen and Housewares Products
BUNN NCD 10-Cup Black Coffee DecanterBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Best price: $8.09
Price in other shops:
Bunn Commercial Fill Pitcher 64oz, 4238Bunn; Single Detail Page Misc
Best price: $10.34
Bunn BCF100-T 100-Count Basket FilterBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Best price: $1.09
Price in other shops:
Perma-Brew 3 Year Re-useable Coffee Filter, Fluted BasketTops MFG. CO., Inc.; Tops MFG. CO., Inc.; Kitchen
Best price: $0.49
Price in other shops:
BUNN BCF100-B 100-Count Basket FilterBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Best price: $1.18
Price in other shops:
BUNN NHBB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer, BlackBunn; Bunn; Kitchen
Price in other shops: