Zojirushi EC-BD15BAFresh Brew Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Zojirushi EC-BD15BAFresh Brew Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
Customer Review: Great Machine
Summary: 5 Stars
I've previously written a review for a machine of a different brand and that model was a very good one, however, there were some issues that we realized it had after we used it for a while which I won't discuss here since it isn't relevant to this machine. First thing I want to say is that we love this machine. I'm not quite a coffee connoisseur but I do appreciate the taste of a nice flavorful cup of coffee and this machine does just that. I've learned a lot about what it takes to get that flavorful cup and this machine seems to have all it takes to do that. The coffee is hot and stays hot for quite a while after it brews. In my house coffee doesn't last too long in the pot to begin with... so hot is not really a problem. My problem was finding a machine to get us that great taste that you find in your favorite diner or restaurant. I like the idea of the stainless carafe as opposed to the hot plate and I can say that this carafe is quality built. Stainless steel inside and out and although the coffee is hot on the inside... the outside of the carafe remains cool to the touch which tells me that this is well insulated. I've had a cup of coffee one hour after we brewed and it was still plenty hot to drink. The machine is very easy to use and maintain. And as far as the #4 filters sticking up out of the basket... please, don't these people have anything else worth complaining about... in other words... it's not a problem. They really don't stick out... just tuck the slight bit under. The machine works fine and we never once had a problem with overflow of water or coffee coming out of the basket. If you set up the machine right, and it doesn't take a person with an engineering masters to do it, then you will be pleased with a great tasting result. My wife likes the simple design which is a bonus for me since the machine fitting in with the kitchen is important as well (to her anyway...:) ) Bottom line, try it out. We are glad we did.Customer Review: At this price range, the best value for your money
Summary: 4 Stars
We purchased the EC-BD15 (similar to EC-DB15BA in all details) after analysing other products, and had it for about 7 months. Next in line were a Capresso, Braun and Cuisinart coffee makers. But you're talking to someone who's had for 12 years a stovetop Bialetti 6-cup stainless steel espresso maker; so, not quite interested in gadgets about making coffee, because in the end, it's the coffee that counts. And the EC-BD15 does its job well, indeed.
I was introduced to Zojirushi in Japan, through rice cookers and vacuum bottle containers they make. As many japanese products, the Zojirushis are built with quality in mind, and do not want the shame of making a shoddy product.
KISS - keep it simple and stupid. Hence, few controls on the way to make the coffee: Pour water, place a #4 filter, put coffee, press ON. Wait for the beast to brew coffee (yes, the sounds the coffee maker does might surprise at first, but it's now accepted , and we look forward to it!), and enjoy. As far as not burning the taste, it goes with the vacuum bottle construction. And, yes, it will keep the coffee warm long enough so you can have friends over, brew coffee as you serve dinner and enjoy it, without having to break from the table midway to make coffee for dessert. The stainless steel carafe might need clean up from time to time, but it's like any stainless steel appliance. Its design is also timeless. Th EC-BD15 indicates it's a 10 cup, but I currently use 2 cups / american cup (or mug), so it's more likely you'll pull 5 cups out of a full load. A travel mug... well, you get the picture.
But make no other assumption: any cup of coffee will degrade in time (pity!) and it's only the sum of good ingredients - freshly ground coffee beans and good water. This machine will merely make the best of it!
PS. Read other reviews as well! "Uses #4 filters; automatic mode, ..." Some great reviews in there, good and bad.
Customer Review: Fresh, hot coffee all day
Summary: 5 Stars
When I started my new job, I found myself getting into a routine --- on my way in to the office I would stop by one of those coffee shops on the corner to grab a large cup of wake-up. This would last me until early afternoon, whereupon I would go again to get more coffee to see me through the rest of the day. Now, these coffee shops tend to serve good coffee, but you pay for the ambience, and after a while my routine started to lighten my wallet a bit too much.
In a search for alternatives, I tried carrying coffee with me from home, but the container was not large enough to see me through the entire day. So I decided to buy a small coffee maker, but, from past experience, I knew that most did not heat the water enough to make a good cup of coffee, and the burner on the bottom tended to scorch the coffee left sitting in the pot.
The Zojirushi EC-BD15 Fresh Brew Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker met and exceeded both of my criteria. The water is heated enough to make a really good cup of coffee --- as good as I was getting in that coffee shop on the corner --- and because it keeps the coffee in a thermal carafe, rather than using a burner, the coffee does not get burned. It is also safer not having a burner hot plate, since I don't have to worry about accidently leaving the burner on when I leave the office at night.
The thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for hours --- at the end of the day my coffee is still hot enough, for me. It is also just the right size --- when I finish drinking a carafe's worth of coffee, I know it must be time to go home. I also like the stainless-steel cafe and coffee maker styling.
There are many more expensive coffee makers out there, but for the price, I have been very happy with the quality of the unit and the quality of the coffee it makes. Also, my productivity is up, and my wallet is happier too.
(review by Kendall Giles)
Customer Review: Difficult in the morning...
Summary: 3 Stars
Good - coffee tastes good - but is that a result of the coffe, grinder or what?
Coffee temp is perfect for me. I don't like nuclear hot coffee cause you can't taste the coffee.
Bad - Cheap materials.
Too many things to make sure are done perfectly first thing in the morning.
Way too expensive for what you get - weighs like 2 pounds. A $25 Mr. Coffee is built better.
Is made for a left-hander. Should have paid closer attention to the pic.
The one rubber foot does not touch counter - must use two hands to put carafe back on cause the whole thing spins. I will see if they can send me another rubber foot.
The one rubber foot that touches, is blck. My coounters are brillliant white and the rubber leaves a black skid mar every time I move it.
Carafe lid is hard to open/unscrew after coffee is brewed due to expansion. Must use a dish cloth to turn it in order to pour cause it hurts too much. I'm not old and fairly strong. Shouldn't be that hard to open. Guess I'm a whimp.
The carafe must be inserted perfectly under basket or it overflows even with just 4 cups of coffee.
Doesn't turn off immediately after brewing stops - wastes electricity.
Keeps it NOT hot for a long time. There is always a path for the steam to esscape. Not like some other theraml craffes that have a ball bearing which blocks the hot air from escaping.
Something is always dripping, - basket or caraffe.
Caraffe lid somehow got water inside and I can't get it out. Makes a strange noise when set at certain angle. I though my analog clock was going belly up.
The "ON" button is too close to the hour/sec buttons. Very easy to change time. Dumb design. Butons should be larger and separated.
Thing is too tall.
Would return it but I am too lazy to get a return auth., buy a box, wrap it up, and drive to post office. Live and learn.
Customer Review: Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker, Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a big coffee drinker (the fact that there are three coffee machines in my kitchen right now probably is a clear representation). I've owned three different thermal carafe style coffee makers and there was always a short coming. One would keep the coffee hot for many hours but you had to watch the coffee maker when it first started because if you did not align the carafe perfect, it would make a mess. The other coffee machine would make a decent cup of coffee but be luke warm in about an hour.
I was pretty skeptical about non-commercial grade carafe coffee makers but I figured for around $80 I'd give it a chance, and all I can say is WOW! All the other shortcomings of the machines I had in the past were overcame with this unit. The carafe was easy to line up (been using it for about a month and never made a mess), the coffee stays hot for hours (after 8 hours in the carafe the coffee was still warm (~180F when brewed, 8 hours later, ~140F). Also, unlike all the other carafes I have used, it was incredibly easy to pour from. Most other carafes have a spring assisted plunger that seals the carafe. You had to hold a button down to pour from it. This would open the plunger up enough so you would get a trickle flow out. I would get so frustrated I would take the lid completely off. The Zojirushi using a very simple design. You turn the lid 180 degrees to pour out and turn back to keep sealed. Very simple but by far the best design.
Also, ignore previous complaints about the filter basket being too small. It fits #4 cone paper filter just fine and the Cuisinart GTF Gold Tone Filter works perfectly with it.
If you love to brew a large pot of coffee so you have a bottomless cup a coffee throughout the morning without having to drink burnt or mud by the afternoon, this is the coffee machine for you. Do not be dis-swayed by the name.