Capresso 440.05 MT-500 10-Cup Electronic Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe
by Capresso
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: CapressoBrand: Capresso
Model: 440.05
Product features:
- Brews up to 10 5-ounce cups in just 8 minutes for maximum flavor, aroma
- Stainless-steel vacuum carafe keeps coffee hot up to 4 hours
- Stainless-steel ThermoBlock heating system reduces calcification
- Brew-pause for mid-brew pour; digital, programmable clock/timer
- Measures 9-3/4 by 13-3/4 by 10 inches; 1-year warranty
- P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
- Capresso 4440.90 3-pack Charcoal Water Filters
- Capresso 6601 Stainless Steel Vacuum Bullet Thermal Carafe
- Fiesta 18-Ounce Jumbo Cups, Set of 4, Black
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Capresso 440.05 MT-500 10-Cup Electronic Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe
Customer Review: BEST coffee maker ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was happy to find the model made in Portugal (read good things about it) on the internet and I just received it today. This has got to be the BEST coffee maker I have ever owned (and I've had a lot of them including 3--yes, THREE Cuisinarts) that I was not happy with.
After all of my bad experiences, I did a lot of research before making this purchase. The bad reviews that are out there had me plenty worried but I couldn't find anything else better for my purposes. I even looked into the Technivorm but the lack of programmability (and the very high price--although had it not been for other considerations, the price might not have been an obstacle) ended that idea right away.
Of course, I can't speak from long-term experience but some benefits are already very clear to me.
First of all, I can't understand how anyone could not see the water level when filling the coffee maker. Yes, the fill gauge is on the side but the markings face the front and there is a very visible red ball that shows you how much you have filled the water reservoir. The way everything is situated, my hand never blocks this from view and I am right handed. The markings are a bit small and at my age of 62, I do use my reading glasses to make sure I'm doing it right, although I could probably get away without them (just want to be on the safe side). This is actually the easiest to fill coffee maker I have had in recent times. It doesn't bother me that the water reservoir is not removeable, as I always use a pitcher to fill my coffee makers anyway. This also eliminates the possibility of dropping the water reservoir on my way to or back from the sink. If I had to drop anything, a plastic pitcher would certainly be preferable.
So far, I have run the coffee maker three times, two with only water. When I was ready to make coffee, I did pre-warm the carafe with hot water. Well, when the coffee was finished, I found it too hot to drink! And after FOUR AND 1/2 HOURS, it was still at a drinkable temperature with steam coming out of the spout when I poured it. And no burned taste (that's exactly why I wanted a thermal carafe coffee maker).
I really have no complaints about the carafe but I will have to get used to opening and closing the top when I get my coffee. It may not pour as fast as a glass carafe, but I have had thermal carafes that poured even slower. So far, it has poured very neatly with no dripping. And it did not overflow. I think you must read the instructions very carefully or there could be a problem, but it's not in the least complicated.
When placing the thermal carafe in preparation for brewing, the lid has to be CLOSED and the carafe must be EMPTY. As others have mentioned, there is a black dot on a black top (for positioning the top properly) but I had no trouble seeing it. However, it would be easier to see if it were some other color, such as red or white. I was even thinking of putting a tiny dab on nail polish on it, just so my husband could see it better.
I have used the same amount of coffee as in my other coffee makers and the result was delicious, hot coffee--not weak at all.
Setting the clock and programming are nearly intuitive, with instructions barely needed.
I can see that cleaning will be a breeze, as my hand is small enough to get inside the carafe. But I have very small hands, so others may need a bottle brush. I have found a cleanser called "Bar Keepers Friend" does an excellent job in removing coffee oil residue under such circumstances (I could never get my hand inside my Cuisinarts, so I had to find a way to clean them).
I like the idea of a built-in water filter but I may not need it, as I have a water filter on my sink faucet.
And, lastly, it looks great in the kitchen! I didn't purchase it for looks but rather for functionality, but the attractive appearance is a wonderful bonus. This should earn you more than a few compliments from friends and family!
Update 3/21/10--I have now tried the pause function (so you can get a cup while your pot is still brewing) and it worked perfectly without one single drip.
I also re-read the manual and since it mentions that if you let your water stay in the reservoir overnight (even if using filtered water), you should use the filter, I have ordered the replacement filters on Amazon. This coffee maker makes such great coffee that I don't want anything to ruin it! I absolutely love the idea that there is a green light that starts flashing when the filter needs replacing, as I always forget when the internal filter should be replaced on my other machine (Breville/Keurig single cup). However, on that one, there is an indicator inside the tank that you set when you replace the filter. But it is not that convenient and you have to remove the tank to see it.
I also should have mentioned that I timed how long it took to brew an entire pot. It took only 6 minutes plus a 2 minute waiting time (I imagine to allow the filter to drain) after it finished brewing, for a total of 8 minutes. Amazing!
I should also tell you that I prefer to use the #4 cone paper filter as opposed to the permanent gold filter. It makes clean-up so much easier and the paper filter lets very little sediment/silt through. The filter holder is designed in such a way that there is no little handle that could catch on the used filter when you put it in the trash. I have had coffee makers where this has happened and caused a big mess of coffee grinds that wound up on the floor.
What I find a bit unusual is the way the grinds look after the coffee has brewed. They are so much "neater" than I'm used to with no "stray" grinds anywhere. However, there are no dry spots and they are completely saturated.
Also, I have used the 3 to 5 cup setting and when using a proportionate amount of coffee, the coffee comes out much stronger than when brewing a full pot. I think I will reduce the amount of grinds a bit the next time I try this.
Enjoy!
More Capresso 440.05 MT-500 10-Cup Electronic Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe reviews:
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Description of Capresso 440.05 MT-500 10-Cup Electronic Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe
To achieve a spectacular cup of coffee there are essential steps that need to be taken. The water must be free of chlorine taste (hence the charcoal filter), the machine must be able to brew larger or smaller amounts successfully (this one "knows" to disperse hot water more slowly when the coffee ground amount is less). The coffee must be very hot (right around 192 Degrees F, like the brew from the MT500), and kept fresh, as in a double walled stainless steel carafe with a one way valve that keeps flavor and aroma in the coffee. Now it doesn't hurt if the machine itself is gorgeous either, or that it can output 10 cups of coffee in 8 minutes. Oh and one more thing: this is the only coffee maker in its class that has a stainless steel boiler so your coffee doesn't ever come in contact with aluminum. Normally this type of construction, and a 1200 watt heating element are found only on commercial grade appliances.Employing a stainless-steel vacuum carafe instead of a warming plate, this 1,200-watt coffeemaker brews up to ten 5-ounce cups in just 8 minutes for maximum flavor and aroma, and the carafe then keeps the coffee hot for 4 hours. The carafe prevents coffee from turning bitter, as it can when sitting on a warming plate, and doesn't have to remain with the machine for coffee to stay hot. To reduce calcification, Capresso's stainless-steel ThermoBlock system prevents water from contacting aluminum inside the machine. Other features: a digital, programmable, 24-hour clock/timer that makes it possible to have coffee ready in the morning; an automatic pause when the carafe is removed during the brewing process for a quick pour; a charcoal water filter to remove up to 83 percent of the chlorine in tap water; an electronic indicator to show when the water filter needs replacing; a setting for brewing three to five cups without diluting flavor and aroma; a permanent Gold Tone filter; automatic shutoff after brewing; an external water-level indicator; and concealed cord storage.
With a polished, extruded-aluminum body and plastic accents, the machine looks great on the counter. It measures 9-3/4 inches wide, 13-3/4 inches high, and 10 inches deep, weighs 7 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack
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