 From A Coffee Snobs Point of View, Krups FMF5 Is A New Best Friend |
| Review Date: January 20, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Frank J. Petruccelli, |
Krups FMF5-14 10-cup programmable coffee machine, black.
I just don't understand all the negative reviews about this Krups Coffee Maker. Was there a plastic smell while brewing? Yes, but only the first time running only water through the machine & not at all since. Were there air bubbles in the gauge that tells you how many cups you are brewing? Again yes the first time I used it with water only. All I had to do is remove the plastic indicator, blow through it and presto no more bubbles. It really isn't rocket science.
I am not a a light coffee drinker & I have about 3-4 mugs a day, my coffee is very important to me, so when I read all the negative reviews about this coffee maker I panicked. I went out and bought a Cussinart Thermal Coffee Maker instead, that was a mistake.
I used to belong to the Gevalia Coffee Club & when I joined I got a free 12 cup non-thermal coffee maker. It made/makes great coffee. It is the one I have been using for over 8 years. I had learned years ago that even though it had the Gevalia name on it, it was actually made by Krups. I should of ignored the bad reviews of the Krup FMF5 Thermal Coffee Maker & go with a brand I know works great.
I returned my Cussinart, got this coffee maker & couldn't be happier. This Krups makes great coffee, keeps it hot for hours & is hassle free. It also has some nice features like a water filter in the reservoir & an empty reservoir warning just to name a few. There is no plastic taste in the coffee.
So just follow the simple instructions & recommendations, sit back & enjoy a great cup of coffee. Come back in a few hours & you can do the same. |
Krups FMF5-14 Thermal - Fast and Hot
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| Review Date: May 13, 2007 |
| Reviewer: C. Pfortner, Madison, WI United States |
| This is my first Thermal Coffee Maker. I hate the burnt taste of old coffee but heard the thermal ones aren't hot or are slow or noisy. This one is outstanding. It is quiet, programmable and brews very quickly. Morning coffee is actually hot and fresh at lunch (I did NOT have to prewarm the pot - that would be hard the night before!). It is not too tall, easy to clean, and seems reasonably priced. The fill line is easy to see. You can fit a #4 golden filter easily. It is programmable for 1-3 cups, I bet they don't stay hot as long if not pre-warmed. It comes with an optional filter insert which we don't use since we have a Brita on our faucet. Only potential draw back is the 10 cup capacity (I had a 12 cup one before). Yeah, no more broken glas pots! |
But He Never Has a Second Cup?
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| Review Date: April 13, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Fishstick, |
After my Starbucks Barista Coffee Maker dispensed its brew all over the counter for the third time I decided it was time for a new coffee maker. There were three things the Barista had, which my new coffee maker had to have as well:
1. Thermal carafe
2. Brew timer
3. Counter top appeal
I searched my junk drawer for a 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond coupon and found an expired one. Lucky for me they never really expire and I purchased a $99.00 Krups FMF5 in black for $85.89 out the door. I am hurried coffee snob. That means I have to have an expensive Arabica bean, an automatic drip coffee maker and a 2 tablespoons grounds to 6 - 8 oz. filtered water ratio (if I wasn't in a hurry I would grind whole beans and use a French press). I am a prior Krups user, having owned one in the late 80's early 90's.
I did no research prior to buying the FMF5. The machine had the features I wanted and is a brand I once owned and was happy with that ownership. I set the timer and clock, ran water through it and seasoned it by making a pot of coffee for discard (the first cup of coffee through a new machine is typically awful). I then set up the machine for the next day's coffee.
I decided to read reviews, expecting to be delighted by my great buy. To my surprise the reviews were mixed. This machine is either hated or loved. After one week of use I find myself in the latter category. This review cannot attest to this machine's longevity, but will delineate a 20-year coffee consumer's one-week experience with this machine.
In the looks department this machine really stood out among the other displays. The stainless steel on the filer basket door and the roof looks good. The machined satin finish does a good job of masking fingerprints.
There is a #4 cone filter basket, which hangs behind a spring-loaded swing out door. Just pull the lever and the filter basket swings open. I prefer cone filters to flat-bottom. Cone filters are superior when making just one cup of coffee as it concentrates the grounds at the bottom. I am glad to be back to a machine that uses cone-filters. Tip: Fold the pleats of a cone paper filter over at the bottom and side, then open to insert. This will keep the filter from folding over when it gets wet during the brew process.
The thermal carafe sits on top of a (I know I couldn't believe it either) hotplate. At the end of the brew cycle the hotplate will turn off in 20 minutes. This boost of heat probably eliminates the need for preheating the carafe. In my experience coffee carafes drip unless particular attention is paid during the pour. As far as this carafe goes there is nary a drop, however there is a trick to dispensing the last few ounces. You must remove the lid and invert the carafe almost completely upside down. As long as you keep the pour spout over your cup you won't loose any coffee. This machine also has a pause and brew feature, which allows the most impatient to pour a cup before brewing is complete, eliminating coffee on the hotplate. Just don't let me catch anyone pouring coffee before the cycle ends, leaving a weak brew for the rest of us.
The display panel is a 4-button panel with LED screen. I would have preferred a more modern LED display, but this LED screen serves its function. The screen requires a backlight to see the numbers in a low light setting, which in this case is blue. In addition to the standard clock and brew time there are a couple of unique functions. There is a 1 - 3 cup function, which can be set when making only 1 - 3 cups of coffee (remember a "cup" to a coffee maker does not equal 8 oz. of water, to get one good mug you need to fill to the #2 line). Another function is the descaling indicator. This alerts the user when its time to run vinegar or descaling agent through the machine.
The water fill reservoir is a little narrow requiring some aim when pouring water into it. As the reservoir fills you can see the water line rise on the indicator located on the unit's exterior. There is also a red plastic piece in the reservoir, which indicates the max fill line. When filled to the max fill indicator the water line is just a hair above the #10 on the exterior display. This machine comes with a water filter, which is a consumable requiring replacement every 2 - 3 months depending on the hardness of your water. The piece that holds the water filter in place has a number dial to remind you when replacement is due. Since I use filtered water to make coffee I won't need to purchase the Krups water filters.
As stated previously I have been using this machine for one week. The coffee this maker produces is excellent. It has gotten a bit better each day as I have learned to tweak the amount of grounds and the machine is becoming more seasoned. The coffee comes out hot, but not scalding. I particularly don't like to have to blow on my coffee and then attempt to sip the tiniest amount in fear of 2nd degree burns to my mouth. Today I had some coffee that was brewed 2 ½ hours prior to pour and the coffee was still hot enough for enjoyment (no microwave required).
I am extremely satisfied with this coffee maker. Prior machines I have owned required frequent wipe-downs of the hotplate or carafe shelf and countertop. This one keeps itself clean without all the drips.
I recommend this coffee maker. You can spend much more on other coffee makers with similar features. A thermal carafe is a great advantage to those not planning to immediately drink their coffee. There is nothing like waking up to just brewed, fresh coffee.
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Good coffee
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| Review Date: February 1, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Tara Stringer, Georgia |
After my beloved Krups Aroma Control coffee maker finally played out, I was disappointed to find out that it was apparently no longer for sale. Although it had many inconvenient and easily breakable features, it made the best coffee possible for a home machine. I read some negative reviews about this product, and was reluctant to try it. I was pleasantly surprised.
This model makes great coffee after adjusting the strength (requires slightly more coffee than some makers) and grind (expresso brings the best results), and I can honestly say it is just as good as my Aroma Control. Strangely, it doesn't give off the scent very strongly when making. (Half the fun of drinking coffee is smelling it brew!) Incidently, I use 1 1/2 Tbsp. per cup for my taste.
As for durability, I found this to be a very sturdy model with a lot of extra features, such as a water filter, decalcifier notice, convenient pop-out filter holder, 1-3 cup flavor express for a decent small portion, well-made carafe, and even a 20 minute warming plate for the thermal carafe. The only problem I've had, was with BUBBLES IN THE WATER LEVEL DETECTOR. I fixed this quickly by gently pulling the clear plastic tube away from the maker at the top. (carefully if there's water in the tank) The little plastic cap at the top of the tube is not air tight, so I just removed it, and now it works perfectly. All in all, I was very pleased with this purchase, and plan to buy my sister one as a wedding gift.
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Couldn't be better...
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| Review Date: July 15, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Reinhart, nashville |
| This coffee maker is the best--perfectly brewed coffee every time with a carafe that keeps the coffee hot forever. The automatic turn off means you don't have to worry about a thing. I wouldn't own another, in fact I own two of these. |
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Authentic espresso is the heritage of the Italian culture and tradition, and the great Italian tradition of coffee making began with moka. Found in most Italian kitchens for more than half a century, moka produces an inherently aromatic espresso. It is more intense in flavor, and more pure in coffee taste. That is why generations of Italians have sworn by stovetop moka espresso makers. 
