Capresso 455 CoffeeTEAM Therm Stainless Coffeemaker/Burr Grinder Combination
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Capresso 455 CoffeeTEAM Therm Stainless Coffeemaker/Burr Grinder Combination
Customer Review: Great Overall Coffee Maker
Summary: 5 Stars
Capresso 455 CoffeeTEAM Therm Stainless Coffeemaker/Burr Grinder Combination
I am not a usual Internet reviewer, but I wanted to comment on my opinion of this product. I tend to heavily research any major purchases (those over $100-$200 in most cases) and I rely heavily on the reviews of others to help guide my decisions. In the end, it is my opinion that matters with regard to my purchases...but it helps to hear issues others have faced or specific praises they may have.
I have had this coffee maker for several months now, and I think it is a great overall maker. I set out to buy my first grind/brew combo...and ended up getting a pretty good deal at Kohl's on a Cuisinart model. I liked it at first, but quickly found the idea of having the grinder directly above the brew function a bit of a pain. It seemed like the coffee channel was always clogging and needed constant cleaning.
I took it back and began taking a harder look at finding the right coffee maker. I ran across the Capresso 455, and found a couple of things about it that were interesting to me:
1. Separated grind and brew functions, while still automated
2. Conical burr grinder
3. Thermos pot
After reading many reviews and realizing that this seemed to be the best I could get for the money...I bit the bullet and went with it. I have not been disappointed.
I haven't had any issues with the brew channel clogging. I am not a total coffee snob, but the idea of the conical burr grinder makes sense. Most surprising is how much I really enjoy the therm. I never had a therm pot before, nor did I know I wanted one, but now that I have one I am very pleased. It keeps the coffee hot for hours, and doesn't burn it. The coffee brews hotter than any other maker I have ever had...so it starts hot...and stays hot. Very nice.
I have had no mishaps in the couple of months. No coffee brewed on the counter...no messes...no hiccups. I think if you understand how the device works and follow instructions, it's pretty intuitive and simple to use. I think it brews a great cup of coffee, and has rejuvenated my love for whole bean coffee. There no more cleanup than a regular coffee maker. I highly recommend this product.
Customer Review: The best coffee maker I have owned
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with so many others: this is the best home coffee maker. One does need to read the manual carefully. As Michael Stack on Aug. 12, 2006 says in his review, "...it's a bit counter intuitive." His review was most helpful in my decision. I have a Cuisinart coffee maker with the grinder. It was always a pain to clean and put back together daily. This is easy to clean and quick. The aroma flows through the house when brewing, and wakes me in the morning. Coffee is delicous compared to the Cuisinart.
Aug 2007: I have had this coffee brewer for 10 months. After reading all the 1-3 stars, I must respond. Yes, it took me several days to get up and running properly:using proper alignment, adding the larger capacity bean holder, descaling every several months, cleaning the top with descaler, and reading and re-reading the manual until I got it. The flavor is consitant, and strong enough for me, and my friends said it is too strong. I added a red nail polish to the black dot on the lid for easier ID. I broke the handle on the basket, and they sent one, at no charge, immediatly. I repaired the orginal with small brass screws. Works great, and I haven't use the new one. I use paper filters. Once again I would give it 5 stars. Advice: be patient, read these reviews, and the manual. I take this as an instrument, and treat it as that, and not an ordinary coffee maker.
A couple of things that gave me a problem: 1. The black dot on the carafe should have a colored dot, it would make it easier to see. 2. The handle on the filter basket should be better attached to the body. Possibly with small rivits. There are 2 small plastic, molded outcroppings that hold it. I accidently, when washing it, broke them both off when placing it to drain. It was upside down and I gently pushed it out of the way. I drilled a tiny hole in the side, and fitted 2 brass screws into it, and cut them to size. Filed them and peened with a small hammer to make it fit close to the side. It works fine. I had ordered the bean extender, and mentioned it to customer service, and the are sending me a new one...
I highly recommend all who buy this wonderful coffee maker, to read Michael Starks excellent review, several times before brewing.
Customer Review: You have to make sacrifices somewhere...
Summary: 3 Stars
I also own the Capresso MT500 (no grinder attached) and had no complaints with that machine other than I had to grind my own beans. However, being able to control the grind of the beans and the amount of coffee in the filter is what helps to produce a great pot of coffee. When the Capresso CoffeeTeam was introduced, I thought I had hit the jackpot because it had the grinder attached to the machine.
The main issue I have with this machine is that ground coffee is left in the filter chamber after grinding (translation: old and stale next time I go to brew a pot). For those who like convenience AND a great cup of coffee, we grind the beans immediately before brewing to get the FRESHEST flavor from the beans. If I fail to make coffee for a few days, then start the grind/brew process, a significant amount of coffee that has already been ground is being deposited in the filter chamber. The result: my coffee is not very fresh at all, especially if the next time I only make 4 cups.
The next issue deals with the amount of coffee that is automatically ground. Not strong enough seems to be the biggest complaint and it's no different with me. I should not have to "fool" the machine into grinding extra beans (someone said grind for 10 cups but only add 8 cups water.) Bottom line: If you like it strong, grind your own using the proper burr grinder either from Capresso or KitchenAid ProLine (my friend likes his KitchenAid grinder very much).
Other than that, I have not experienced any of the other problems I have read in these review (overfill, sticking filter swingarm, etc.) I like the temperature of the coffee, I like the looks of the machine.
But I miss the control I had with my separate coffee maker and grinder. It is in the basement, in a box and I am tempted to resurrect it and possibly return the CoffeeTeam for a refund.
People who can overlook the "freshness" issue will be very happy, as long as they read and understand the manual. However, be warned: If you go away for the weekend and someone is babysitting your kids for you or house/petsitting and they want a cup of coffee, watch out! Hide that expensive sucker fast and pull out the old percolator machine for them to break.
Customer Review: Not perfect, but still the best mill & brew coffee maker out there
Summary: 5 Stars
We bought the Capresso 455 about 18 months ago. It makes GREAT coffee. Hot (really hot) and strong. There are adjustments for the grind, for the amount of coffee used, and for strength of each pot -- people have to read the book that came with it.
It does have quirks, but they're easily solved.
First, don't use the gold filter that comes with the pot -- buy filters. We buy the Melitta filters. We've tried cheaper filters but they tend to clog. We save the gold filter to use in emergencies, but it brews much better with the Melitta.
The chute can clog with oily coffee beans -- but the top of the chute lifts off. When I buy beans that are extremely oily (doesn't happen very often, but it has happened), sometimes I have to remove the top of the chute and "help it" buy pulling the coffee out with a knife or spoon. Once the bag of oily coffee is opened for a few days, it dries out enough for the oil to dry up.
Don't lose the book because resetting the clock/controls after a power outtage can be confusing. If you do lose it, you can get a copy online from Capresso.
And I have pulled off the hinged top more than once. What do I do?? I put it back on. I takes a minute or two -- but no big deal.
I have had it spill coffee all over the counter a couple of times. Every time it was my own fault -- I failed to empty the pot and brewed a full pot into it. Not too surprising that a single pot won't hold 1 1/2 pots of water, though.
I have tried the brew/mill machine from Cuisinart two different times -- the Cuisinart made HORRIBLE coffee. Both times, several years apart, I took them back.
Without a doubt, we enjoy the Capresso. It truly makes the best cup of coffee out there -- far better than local espresso shops.
There used to be a mill & brew pot made by Melitta that was fantastic. It also had a stainless thermos and sold for $99. But Melitta was bought out by Salton, and the pot was discontinued.
The only problem with the Capresso is the $299 price. We paid it, and we don't regret it. There's no other machine out there that works as well.
Customer Review: Wow..so many vast reviews!
Summary: 5 Stars
First off..I love the Capresso 455 coffeeTEAM! I previously owned a Capresso and LOVED it, but it appears they do not make that specific one any longer. So my husband and I searched for a new coffeemaker with built-in grinder. I cannot believe the range of reviews for every coffeemaker out there. It made our decision very difficult. Initially, we were going to go with this coffeepot, but because of so many negative reviews, we shopped a bit. I will sum up what I like about this coffeemaker quickly as there are other reviews on here that go into specific detail.
We absolutely wanted the Burr Grinder!! That really narrowed our search. We wanted a concial filter, but would have gone without..glad we didn't. The Capresso has both, burr grinder and conical filter. Our old Capresso had the built-in filter, as does this one. We NEVER liked that filter and always bought paper filters. That is not an issue for us, but may be for you. Much easier to clean with paper filters.
Thermal pot does keep the coffee VERY hot. Many said it did not. I don't understand this comment, but maybe some like skin peeling off the roof of their mouth, OR their pot is not working correctly. There is no heat under the pot...it is just thermal. But approximately one and a half hours after the coffee was made, the coffee coming out of the pot was as hot as the first cup.
Controls are very easy..not like the last one, but very easy to use. The grinder is actually quieter than the old Capresso, but it may still wake you up in the morning when it starts.
The bean holder is not as large as the older model Capresso...that is a disappointment; but it uses the same amount of bean for specific cups.
I did read in a number of reviews that coffee grinds shoot out during the grind. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO US AT ALL. That was almost our reason not to buy this maker. This coffeemaker does not make a mess at all!
Overall, we are happy with our Capresso. Yes..it is expensive (we almost went with a cheaper pot.) However, our last Capresso lasted about 10 years, so we feel it is worth it. Great coffee, easy to use, easy clean-up....we RECOMMEND this machine!!!