On balance - but it's a close run thing - I prefer the Technivorm to the Bonavita (the original 230v Melitta brewer in my case). It isn't anything to do with the quality of the coffee - both make an excellent brew. It is more to do with convenience, and the comparison isn't quite a fair one.

The Technivorm is easier to fill and dead easy to clean. Filter, jug (glass) and lid (if used) just go in the dishwasher. There isn't really anything else to clean except the spray arm (which just pulls off) from time to time. I bought 2 Technivorms just to get a second set of the bits needing to be washed. "One on, and one in the wash" so the machine is always ready to use.

Melitta (Bonavita) filter also goes in the d/washer, but the jug is a thermos, so has to be washed by hand - I said it wan't a fair comparison. Also, the spray head area above the filter get mucked up with coffee as you'd expect. It is a bit fiddly to get clean under there as it isn't designed to be taken apart.

I haven't seen or used a Brazen though.

Soapbox wrote:Sounds like a heck of a lot of work just for a drip pot. Prior to even considering a Techivorm I suggest you look at one where you can get your hands on it and the dozen or so plastic bits you have to put together each time you brew a pot.

You must have read this somewhere, but it is not correct. A lid for the water tank + the filter holder + filter holder lid. That's it.

As I said, its harder to describe than do.

Why pre-wet the coffee, I came across a user who described his process as leaving the valve closed for 20 seconds at the beginning of the brew and then opening fully. I thought that was possibly inconsistent. Being a long term chemex user, I just took the filter cover off and do it visually. One advantage of the pre-wet is the grounds never float for a while and overflow the filter holder, which can happen if you grind too fine or use too much coffee. Can happen with any brewer.

I grind a bit finer than normal for drip (I think it brings our more flavor with less coffee potentially), the pre-wetting makes the coffee extract better, (in my opinion).

But, complicated, not at all....

Time consuming, if a minute extra is an issue then I guess maybe so...

Also there is a website where you can buy parts. No reason to buy a second brewer. I had the pot trashed in a house move. No idea how, as the stainless pot is tough, but they managed to break the handle off.

I am trying to provide information, that's all.

Bob

I like the TV. For large batches (1lt+) I fill it with coffee, turn it on with a closed basket until the basket is full (takes 2 minutes), give it a stir and open the basket. Adjust the grind size so that the TV deposits water as fast as the coffee flows out the basket.

bobmccarthy wrote:The Technivorm makes excellent coffee, if you treat it like a powered Chemex system. The temp of the water is perfectly regulated as it has a water heater that is much - much larger than the normal drip brewer.

Put the ground coffee in the filter holder (with filter of course). Create a well just like you were doing a pour over.

Turn the machine on, but without the pot depressing the button interlock at the base of the unit.

With the filter cover off and the filter valve in the closed position, put the pot against the machine base to begin the flow of hot water. DO NOT walk away unless you like to cleanup your coffee bar.

When hot water covers the coffee in the filter, pull the pot about 1 inch away from brewing machine to stop the flow of water.

When your preinfusion time is complete, open filter valve to wide open, push pot to brewer to depress button, put cover over filter.

Walk away and do your thing, come back when you want a fine cup of coffee.

far harder to describe than to do.

bob

I thought this was rather well described FWIW.... thanks Bob!

ANd without a formal pre-soak / pre-infuse / off-gas step, it sounds like what one has to do. I don't mind the extra time in this step, compared to the number of steps / time to make a good Liter of French Press this is nothing! Lol

Again, this will not French Press, merely supplement for the days I am more pressed for time or want to save some....

Cheers.

Does anyone have a suggestion for the best electric brewer for small batches, say a couple of cups or so? Most of those out there seem to be optimized for large batches.

bobmccarthy wrote:You must have read this somewhere, but it is not correct. A lid for the water tank + the filter holder + filter holder lid. That's it.
Bob

Our local Williams Sonoma sells several items including the vorm. As a higher end store they demonstrate all of their products which allowed me to use the machine and sample the final product. I would agree that the vorm produces an above average pot. But I would never purchase it due to several reasons:
1. No timed Presoak
2. No temp control
3. To many plastic bits
4. No Timer
5. Price

Our local Williams Sonoma sells several items including the vorm. As a higher end store they demonstrate all of their products which allowed me to use the machine and sample the final product. I would agree that the vorm produces an above average pot. But I would never purchase it due to several reasons:
1. No timed Presoak
2. No temp control
3. To many plastic bits
4. No Timer
5. Price

I get the feature part, yepper no alarm clock, nothing digital at all, unless you concider the on-off switch as binary.

To "my" point, I bought it because it has a great brew/ heating unit, no other reason. i just wanted hot water at the right flow rate and the correct temperature. The technivorm fully met my expectation of capability. I'll admit when it comes to coffee I'm not very price sensitive.

I'm still not sure of the plastic bits comment. Part of the machine body is plastic as are all brewers. Unless your refering to a measuring spoon in the box or something, I think you're giving a false impression.

Question, what brewers offer point 1 and 2? I wasnt aware any offered these features!

bob

I use a Bonavita thermal model every morning and like it quite a bit.

To get the best cup out of it, I do a similar off gassing step that people described with the technivorm. As I begin prepping the pot of coffee I turn my kettle on so that way I can do a quick presoak, I find that if I don't do a manual pre-soak I get a grassy note in my coffee especially if its super fresh. Not hard to do, but it is another step.

One thing I really love with the thing is the glass lined carafe, a quick wash with hot water and a brush gets all the coffee oils out. It sure beats having to use a cleaner to get the oils out of the pot every few weeks once your previous coffee starts flavoring you current batch.

bobmccarthy wrote:I'm still not sure of the plastic bits comment.

I've read similar comments in various online reviews. As a person who has used a Technivorm brewer for the past seven or eight years, my personal experience is that those "reviews" are not written from experience.

The black plastic components do feel lightweight in the hand. But after years of use and countless trips through the dishwasher, they look and function like new without fading, warping, or becoming brittle. In other words, it's not a valid concern.

I thought this was rather well described FWIW.... thanks Bob!

ANd without a formal pre-soak / pre-infuse / off-gas step, it sounds like what one has to do. I don't mind the extra time in this step, compared to the number of steps / time to make a good Liter of French Press this is nothing! Lol

Again, this will not French Press, merely supplement for the days I am more pressed for time or want to save some....

Cheers.

bandit, i think you might be surprised when you get the grind down. I havent used my "pour" lonely french press in over 6 months.

bob