Porcelain #4 Coffee Dripper / Filter Cone Plus a Box of 100ct. #4 Coffee Filters

The filter holder replaces a plastic item that suffered in the dishwasher. This cleans OK (no stains, so far). It fits my carafe, but the carafe lip is angled, and I worry about it getting unbalanced.

Price was reasonable; not that much more than a new plastic holder. It was well packed and arrived on time.

I really like this ceramic cone compared to the plastic ones I've owned in the past. Obviously, it works perfectly with zero moving parts. It's well designed to sit on top of every pot & mug I own.

HOWEVER, with this grim news about melamine dinnerware [leaches very toxic stuff into hot food] I'm wondering about this cone, as it's obviously made in China, where they put melamine into everything [remember the babyfood scandal ?] and what they put into ceramics, who knows ?

If Amazon or anyone else has any info on this question, please respond.

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Applica FW 12c Coffee Maker (CM3000S)

First, I am going to say to all those who had a problem with overflowing.... and with their supposed degrees and high IQ's, if the instructions are followed, this won't happen.... The biggest thing that is probably happening to them is.... they are not putting the bottom basket in with the handle up and then lowering the handle to lock it into place... they are just setting it in there with the handle down... enough said on that. For those that had the flavor problem... I never use a new coffee maker with out running vinegar and water solution through twice and then clear water twice.... The cool thing about this coffee maker is that it does have a cleaning feature.... love love love it. The other thing I loved, was how the carafe pours.... Very nice. I have used the coffee and the tea programs, both work excellent. It looks great and works great. I liked this so much, that when I broke the carafe on our coffee maker at work (accident), I searched high and low to find this particular model that night. Finally found a display model and said.... SOLD! The guys at work love it because now they are not dripping coffee when they pour and they can stop the process to pour. Since we all know guys don't like to read instructions.... I showed them about putting that handle down after installing the basket. :) Guess I had to get that last dig in there lol

I had a wonderful coffee maker that brewed coffee well, worked perfectly and then, five months into its service, just quit. Calling the customer service for the brand, I found helpful people who indicated that the model was no longer made and that the closest thing they could provide to me was this Farberware model. Good as their word, they sent me the replacement coffeemaker within a week of our conversations.

Apparently the FW in the name of this coffeemaker refers to Farberware (if you look closely at the photo, you'll see Farberware is still inscribed across the bottom of the device), so I am placing this review here.

This is a nicely designed machine, with the larger 12 cup capacity (each "cup" is 6 ounces instead of the 5 ounce measurement of many of coffee makers) and lots of bells and whistles. I am not a tea drinker so will need to wait until my tea drinking friends come to visit to test that. It seems easy to use, and I have had absolutely no problems with alignment that seem to have plagued a couple of the early reviewers.

This is getting only three stars, however, for two problems. First, I washed all parts thoroughly, standard practice for any new appliance, and then ran a pot of water as directed before brewing the first pot. Unfortunately, there was still a very, very strong plastic-y smell and flavor in that first brewing, so I tossed the pot, washed everything again, and made yet another. While the off-flavor had abated somewhat, it was still pervasive (and disturbing--could these chemical remnants be unhealthy?). Wondering if it was the permanent filter, I put that through the dishwasher and have returned to paper filters. The coffee now has none of that plastic flavor when first brewed, and the water is heated well enough to make a good cup of coffee. Still, after sitting for even just half an hour, there are still traces (though diminishing) of the off smell and flavor, something I am not very happy about.

If this set up issue (that I do hope will continue to abate) was the only problem, I might not have dropped this to only three stars, but there is an ongoing issue that I have not been able to solve. The capacity window is on the right side, but it is extremely difficult to see where the water level is, in the brightest light. Because of my kitchen counter arrangement, I currently do not have direct light on that side and have actually resorted to keeping a flashlight handy to check on the fullness. The interior is very dark (yes, I know, it *is* a black appliance!) so it is very difficult to see the water level from the inside, right until the pot is completely full.

If you will always be making twelve cups, this is not so much of a problem, but anyone wanting fewer cups will find this lack of visibility pretty inconvenient. My warning to any potential buyers then, is to think of where the coffeemaker will be placed, with extremely strong light available on the right side of the pot.

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We have loved this coffee maker from day one, and still love it after a month. Never had any problems with seating the basket or the carafe leaking. Most of the bad reviews described our old maker, which is why we were in the market for a new one. Apparently they have changed this product and fixed the problems. Yes, the beeps are not quiet, but in a house (as opposed to an efficiency apartment), this isn't a problem. This is a great coffee maker and you have to have it!

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Well, I just purchased this machine today, and everything went fine on the first pot. This machine works just fine, SO LONG as you read the instructions. It states right in the directions that everything must be lined up and locked in place, otherwise it will overflow onto the counter top. I didn't have any issues with my carafe leaking, but I don't know if that occurs over time, or right out of the box...I actually really like the design of the carafe because it has a wide pour spout.

I'll update my review if anything changes for the worse, but for now, everything seems okay with the machine.

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I was very excited when I purchased this coffee maker-stylish looks and a back-lit clock (surprisingly, very hard to find these days). The excitement quickly wore off as the unit as often as not overflowed, putting grounds and water all over the unit, the counter and floor. I know this malfunction had something to do with how the carafe lid opened the filter basket, but even when it looked "right", it would overflow. Not a nice way to start your morning. I called Farberware within a week of purchase and some young man was going to send a new filter basket (though I don't think that would have helped), but seven weeks later, it hasn't arrived. We have purchased totally different brand of maker-it worked great this a.m.and I returned this unit today.

Saeco Coffee Maker Odea Giro Automatic Espresso Machine

I had a Super Automatic espresso machine a few years ago until it went out. I figured it would cost more to get it fixed than it was worth. So, I bought this Saeco Odea Giro and I love it. My other machine was digital and had more options, but was also more expensive. I much prefer the Saeco Odea Giro because it is easier to use, quieter than my other machine and hopefully will last longer. As with most products, the more options and computers you have on it, the more of a chance something will go wrong.

The Giro was designed by BMW. This makes it less boxy looking, like most other espresso machines, and therefore much more pleasing to the eye. The controls are simple and straight forward. Turn it on and it heats up in 30 seconds. Select the amount of coffee to be ground, turn the dial for the amount of water you want and press the brew button. Of course, once you set the first two options, then you only have to press the brew button for the next cup. And that is it. The maximum amount of water it will dispense is about 9 ounces. Of course, if you press the brew button 2 times then you will get twice the amount or two cups of coffee. This amount of water works fine for me because I drink cappuccino.

I have tried different brands of coffee such as, Lavazza, Starbucks, Peets and Illy. I have found that Illy is the smoothest and no bitterness, but is the most expensive. I usually use Starbucks because it has a nice flavor and fairly mild. Coffee is subjective. Just try different brands and blends until you find the one you like the most. Just do not use a flavored or highly oily coffee bean because it could plug up the grinder.

There are four lights on the front. One is the on or ready light. Another one is to let you know when to decalcify. The third light tells you when you need to empty the used grounds, dump box. The forth light has different functions that could mean one of several things. This light will either be on steady, slowly flash or rapidly flash. This light will warn you of one of the following. The water tank is empty, bean hopper is empty, drip try is full, water tank is not pushed in all the way, service door is open, brew group is not installed correctly, coffee bean cover is not securely in place or the water circuit needs to be primed. Just read the manual to see what the light status means.

There is an optional Aqua Prima water filter you can buy. This filter is a must have if you use tap water. Otherwise, you will get a buildup of calcium and other minerals that decalcifying may not totally get rid of. Plus, your coffee will taste much better.

I can not address the froth wand because I have a separate machine I use for cappuccino, but I am sure it works just like other espresso machines.

As with most espresso machines the coffee is not quite as hot as I would prefer. So, I preheat the cup by simply putting about one third cup of water in the cup and microwave it for 40 seconds. This also helps keep the coffee hot longer.

Maintenance is easy and quick. Fill the bean container when it needs it. Empty the dump box every day or whenever it tells you. Empty the drip tray when needed. Fill the water tank when needed. Rinse the brew group at least once a week.

Here are some helpful hints. If the machine has not been used for a few hours and is cold, when you turn it on it will dispense a small amount of water out of the spout. This action primes the pump and cleans the spout of any coffee residue. Place a cup under the spout to collect that water and dump it. That way it will not go into the drip tray and you will not have to empty it as often. Also, do not let the water tank get too low or it will stop in the middle of brewing.

I highly recommend this espresso machine. You could spend a few thousand dollars on one with all the bells and whistles, but the end result is the same. They all make coffee or espresso in the same way.

UPDATE: This was the second Saeco espresso machine I have bought. The first one, which was a different model but the same brand, broke down after a little over 1 year. This Odea went out in less than 6 months. Therefore, I have to downgrade my star rating to 2 stars because of reliability. I will no longer buy this brand. I bought a Delonghi and am very happy with it thus far.

I have purchased this product back on March as a birthday gift for friends. I paid around 800.00. And a month or two later the machine started to spill coffee to the dump instead to coffee cups. These people contacted Saeco-USA to schedule the repair, but now they want to get away from repairing this machine. They ask lots of things that just does not make sense. They ask for proof of purchase, they refuse to contact Bloomingdale's store, once we fax them the proof of purchase they never receive it (faxed over 20 times). The customer service is mean, and highly uneducated. So 800.00 for 2 months worth of machine life is way too much in my opinion, better get a Delonghi coffee maker! With his machine I never had any issues.

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This is my third Saeco machine...the first one lasted 7 years it was another model and I was very pleased with it. The second one lasted one year also a different model and they wanted 300.00 to repair it...so I thought I must has just gotten a bad machine and gave Saeco another chance so i bought the Saeco Odea Giro...and it lasted 7 months and now water comes out under the machine instead of through the coffee dispenser.... I've descaled and did all maintenance that this machine required each time it required it. I kept it clean and used only filtered water. There are only two of us using it and well I expect the machine to last more than 7 months at the price. After two bad ones I think I'll look else where for a coffee machine. I've decided Saeco are now making their machines much like a Bic lighter, throw away and buy new....but unfortunately the price doesn't match this throw away buy new approach.

I'm very disappointed and really wish the machine was better. I loved it while it lasted but I can't afford this price every year.

Janet

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I have had this machine for just over two years. The espresso it makes is very good. It is very easy to use and easy to clean. It even looks good. BUT...it continually leaks watery coffee grinds all over the counter.

A Saeco service center told me that I need to clean part of the brew group better. I have been cleaning the brew group and surrounding areas until I am sick of it...it still leaks. Also, the water tank and coffee grinds door are very sensitive and causes the machine to stop working frequently until I jiggle everything. Now the motor that turns the brew group is sounding very sick and weak. I am trying to decide whether to send it in for a major overhaul or buy a different machine that does not leak. Either way, it is still cheaper and better tasting than driving to a coffee shop!

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We had a Saeco Vienna for about 6 years and were very happy with it. During cleaning, I broke a plastic finger of off the brewing unit, and we decided to get a different machine. We went for a Krups, and what a disaster, the machine was leaking all over after about a weak. We returned it to the store and got another unit, the same leaking after only a few use cycles, and we went for another replacement. This one lasted about three months before it stated to leak.

We decided to go with Saeco again and bought the Odea Giro. This machine is running now since more than two years, making 10 20 cups of coffee every day and not missing a beat.

Yes, the sensors for the water reservoir and the used coffee grounds are very sensitive, but not putting the containers in properly is a operator error and not a machine problem. The machine functions correct if it tells me that the containers are not placed correct.

The negative reports I read here point to operator mistakes rather than to machine problems! The Odea Giro is a fine espresso machine that makes a very good cup of coffee, with a nice crema on top!

Gaggia 90950 Platinum Vision Espresso Machine w/Milk Island - Platinum

I purchased this from Amazon warehouse at a huge discount because the box and packaging was opened. At least I think that was the reason, because so far it has worked PERFECTLY. It also has no visible marks and was absolutely clean. My brother and my sister each have the same automatic espresso maker and we love it.

The coffee is just so much better, it is beyond comparison. Consistent and oh, so good. We are spoiled now, but also happy about it.

Capresso EC50 Stainless Steel Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

I think this is likely the best espresso maker you can get for under $100. I just bought it about a month ago, so I can't speak to durability, but following fairly simple instructions for use, I have consistently made fantastic espresso with this machine and provides enough pressure to produce a very good crema as well. I have only used the steamer wand twice but it's worked well. Some Pro's and Con's

Pro's: I love this machine and highly recommend it for anyone who wants good espresso but doesn't / can't spend the many hundreds of dollars to get a real fancy one. Though, from an espresso quality standpoint, I don't notice any difference between this one and a starbucks, caribou, or local coffee house espresso quality (I'm not an expert but do drink 2 3 shots per day). It heats up fairly quick and the water reservoir holds a sufficient amount of water. The crema this machine produces is incredible. There is always a nice layer of it on top. Once the water is warm, you can toggle from making the coffee to steam without waiting.

Con's: The only real negative I have is that after making an espresso, the filter that holds the espresso grounds doesn't run all the water through, and rather than being a sort of hockey puck like formation of old beans, it's more like a soup. This to me isn't a big deal because the espresso is good but I've spilled this on the kitchen counter once and it was fairly messy. Only other con's I can think of is the amount of space between the tray and where the coffee comes out is fairly limited...you can't fit a big tall coffee cup in there.

One other thing to be aware of which I think is common amongst these machines is that to ensure max. temperature, you are supposed to run just water thru the machine each time b4 making the espresso. It says this heats up all component parts and adds 10 13 degrees to the actual espresso. I generally do this but have tried it without and it's still good, just not quite as hot.

This review is based on not having made a cup of espresso due to a problem I had with the machine.

The problem:

When attempting to flush out the machine for initial use, I was unable to get a clean run of water without a film of motor oil. The instructions tell you to run a cup or two of water through; I ran about two gallons of water through the machine, and it still came out smelling of the motor oil. The portafilter would feel greasy. So I'm shipping it back to Amazon. I'm hoping this was a bad one. I might order it again if I don't find a different one.

Barring that, I think I would have liked the machine very much. It appears to have a good thermoblock; it heats up to brewing temperature in about 15 seconds (although you should still run hot water through system once to warm all of the parts prior to brewing.) The pressure seemed good and the portafilter seemed sturdy enough even though it's more plasticky than I would prefer. There's only one filter so, you would need to measure and tamp for 1 or 2 cups in the same filter.

The machine is the smallest pump machine I've ever seen. It's about an inch or two narrower than most machines. Great for small kitchens. The stainless steel are thin panels covering the front and sides; it's really a lightweight plastic machine. But it still looks decent.

The front dial doesn't seem sturdy enough. I don't think it will last as long as my prior machine, which was 17 years.

The frothing wand produces a good amount of steam at high pressure. The plastic frothing cover doesn't produce small bubbles well, so I surface frothed without the plastic attachment, and that worked fine. Anyone can do it with some practice, but you can't start the frothing and walk away.

The water tank holds a good amount of water, but is very thin the inside is slightly more than an inch thick. I couldn't get my small hand inside to clean it, nor could I get any cleaning brush in it either. I would use a stick and a handi-wipe to clean it. Also the water tank cover hinges in a strange way which could easily break if you accidentally smack it with a pitcher of water, so be careful.

Features and convenience: ****1/2*

Value: *****

Durability: ***

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I received this machine for Christmas and loved it out of the box. It made good espresso...for a little over 2 months. From the moment I used the machine, the front knob was difficult to turn a required more effort than I thought it should. After only two months, the front knob has stopped working all together. I use the machine to make espresso every morning and occasionally steamed milk, so the wear was nothing unusual.

Prosfits neatly in the space under cabinets, there is a water well in the back to prevent constant refilling, it heats and is ready for use quickly

Conspoor construction, you can only use shot glasses (a regular coffee cup won't fit), the water isn't forced all the way through the coffee so clean up is a bit messy

In this price range, I would say this machine is fair. I'm hoping the customer service process is pain-free.

Updatewhile the customer service process to return the machine was easy, after only 2 months the replacement machine did the exact same thing! They will be replacing it again, but ugh.

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Purchased this as a Christmas gift. I don't believe a day has gone by yet that they haven't used it. I received rave comments every day for at least the first week.

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Bought it for my GF as a gift and she is totally and completely over the moon with it. I can do no wrong for at least 8 months.

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Espresso carafe, fits Braun, Krups, DeLonghi, etc, stainless steel.

Since the dimensions are not clear, to let anyone interested that this is the exact size of the regular small glass carafes and will fit perfectly. It pours without dribling or spilling a drop. It does not have a lid but that is not a concern with my situation. It is also very easy to clean.

The workmanship is very good with a strong handle firmly secured but the gauge of the metal could be heavier as it sits flimsly on the counter and could fall and get dented and I took one star away for that.

Overall it is a great substitute for the glass carafes that can break and cause injury with glass splinters.

Love that I can't break this. Marks inside let you know how much water. Good for frothing too. I store my expresso machine in a Lazy Susan, so I have broken the glasd too often.

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After breaking toe glass carafes, I had to upgrade. This was the perfect solution. Fits most espresso makers I think.

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I got this because I broke my carafe for the second time, so this would be less expensive since I cannot break it. I love it and it stays and looks like new all the time even after using it so much for my expresso

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Its nice to have a carafe that will not break. I was pleasantly surprised that it had serving sizes written inside to give the proper measurements.