KBG

I received a brand new matt black Moccamaster. Based on some of the comments on here I looked it over very carefully. It looks pristine. My reaction probably will get me kicked off the Island. First, the coffee. Following the enclosed recipe, I hand ground 41 grams of very good coffee (Perc Wilton Benitez Colombia) in a Pietro Pro at 7.5. I added 6 cups of water. The coffee was very nice. Maybe not as bright as a pour over but for a larger group really solid. Second, impressions of the machine. It obviously works well. My only surprise was how thin the plastic and glass was. It did not have the requisite build quality its retail price would expect. Granted I did not pay retail, but it just seems cheep to me. That said, my wife hates all the crazy coffee stuff I do and will really like a nice pot of drip coffee. Cheers.

I got one for under $200 (black friday). I was not blown away by the taste or the quality of material. I would pass but everyone is different.

I have a moccamaster kbg with a hot plate and glass pot. When its finished brewing I just turn it off.. coffee stays hot for a while nu just sitting in the pot with his friends, they keep eachother warm 🥰

I also got this in matte black for Black Friday for $160 and was underwhelmed. For $160 I’m keeping it because I like how it looks and it does make a better cup than my outgoing $80 cuisinart but that feels much higher quality and is significantly heavier than the moccamaster. I agree that the carafe feels extremely delicate and fragile, I thought at this price there would be less plastic but the whole exterior is very thin soft/pliable plastic. Everything about it feels fragile, and looking at old reviews on YouTube the devices seem to have more “weight” to them and just look nicer so I wouldn’t doubt corners were cut to make this price range for the bulk of prime day orders. If I pulled the trigger when this was at normal price I would have returned it for sure, even if it was over $200 I think I still would have. The coffee is good and if it last at least the 5 years of the warranty i won’t complain past this post but for those that have a older model would be cool to see a comparison of weights between the base units and the carafes to see if less and cheaper/thinner materials were used because there is no way I can believe anyone who paid over $300 for this could Justify that price.

Moccamaster is amazing. Read the reviews. I have a green one

I brew to the '5' line (1/2 pot) every morning on my 10 cup Moccamaster KBG. Result is 2 x 10 oz cups of brilliant coffee. When my gf is here, I brew a half pot and then a second. Don't hesitate to buy! With a good grinder, Moccamaster coffee is wonderful!

I think this posts nails it. I looked at them in person and knew what to expect on the flimsy ancillary components. At $340 I was not a buyer but at $200 i was because I like how it looks. It brews fine coffee, not any better than the SCA certified Bunn HB it replaced but just as good and its more fun to use every morning which made it worth the extra $60 bucks (but barely).

The moccamaster retains a few ounces of water in the boiler everytime you use it. I don’t see how the tank and boiler are any dryer than any other coffee maker. I had a Bunn HB which has a tank that doubles as a boiler at the top and is fed by gravity to the coffee funnel directly below it. That one would empty all but a few drops. Actually, that Bunn has a much more elegant operating design than the MM. But I was bored and wanted something different and cooler looking after it got taken out by lightning.

I would not buy it if you are making less than 20 oz (600ml) each use. You can do it but it’s not really designed to make optimal brew less than that without grinding pretty fine and you may or may not like the results. As for questions about build, yes the boiler is well made and reliable. Unfortunately this is somewhat offset by relatively cheap plastic ancillary parts. However, with care and hand washing they should last and specific problems mostly fall under the category of annoyance considering how expensive it is. As far as longevity, I have had good but less expensive ones last until I got tired of them and the plastic brew parts got so tainted with old coffee taste that I was done with it. All these parts are easily replaced on a moccamaster but they cost as much as a whole cheap coffeemaker. The main reason people think cheaper ones don’t last long is because they never descale them or they spill coffee into the reservoir and generally they get all gross. The moccamaster design helps reduce the coffee in the reservoir problem and when people spend $350 on a coffeemaker they tend to take care of it better. The coffee will be better coming from the moccamaster due to some subtle design factors but if you are not a coffee aficionado you may not find the difference overwhelming…unless you are coming from a Keurig.

It’s like a lot of things. On a straight dollar and cents basis you probably can’t. You could buy 12 cheap coffee makers for the price of a moccamaster and even if they only last five years each you would be good for the next 60 years. In my experience they will last ten years if you take care of them. If you’re over 20 or 30 years old, you’re probably good. But if you value getting up in the morning to make coffee in something that you like the way it looks and it looks and feels like a quality piece of equipment, there is a certain value in that. That’s why I think it’s a shame the external plastic parts are not up to par with the rest of it. But some people don’t even notice that.

The moccamaster works the same way as any other drip coffee maker. If you were happy with half pots with your ninja brewer you should be happy with the moccamaster. Just make it the way you would with it. Most of us here are coffee nerds. Just be aware…you say you have a Ninja and it’s put away. So I don’t know why you don’t want to use it but if you are expecting earth shatteringly better coffee you will probably be disappointed. If it’s just a fashion thing for the kitchen you will likely be pleased.

The water heating part of it is better quality than a ninja but that’s mainly going to get you longevity and durability. The ancillary plastic parts that hang on the side are not going to seem like a step up. Most Ninjas are fairly well reviewed and if it gets the water into the brew basket at 195 to 205F you probably won’t notice a huge difference.

There is nothing different about the moccamaster that requires using ground coffee any more than any other drip coffee maker. Drip brewers are extremely simple machines. They just heat water and drip it over the grounds. There is nothing magical about the Moccamaster that makes it different. It just gets the water good and hot (195 to 205F).

Probably you won’t notice much difference. I wouldn’t describe it at all as fancy. It is about as basic as you can get. It does have a nice retro vibe aesthetic and that’s what most people like (including myself). If that is what is attracting you to it and it’s worth whatever you have to pay then go for it. You mentioned KGBV Select. That makes me think you are in Europe. If so, then the pre-ground coffee available may be too fine. However, if that is what you have been using in the Kitchen aid and its a drip brewer it will work just as well in the Moccamaster. Its not ideal in either one but it wouldn’t be any worse in the Moccamaster. Also, if you are in Europe you can get replacement parts for it. In the USA we cannot. Also it costs around $350 in the USA. Probably not as premium for you. But back to your question, drip brewers don’t really vary that much. The main difference is the better SCA certified brewers will get the coffee at the right temperature from the beginning which makes a better cup. But honestly, a lot of non-enthusiast coffee drinkers won’t even notice the difference.

I have one. They are overpriced. They do deliver sufficiently hot water for nostalgic of the brew and the coffee is hood. They look good if you like that vibe. The bad: The handmade Buy it for life spiel is bullshit. They have tons of QC issues and have been delivering units with deformed/chipped hot plates for years now. Part of that is because they are poorly packaged. In the USA, the only parts you can buy are the plastic parts that hang on the outside, no internal parts. So much for repairability. The plastic parts are super cheap and flimsy. For what it costs, these issues are pathetic. Do NOT pay full price. Don’t pay more than $200. By the way, cheap coffee makers have improved. You don’t need to pay $200 to get a decent drip coffee maker.

Almost every coffee maker I have ever had has lasted longer than five years. There are literally no moving parts. Just keep any coffee maker descaled and it will last. I have a Moccamaster and its a mixed bag. Yes the boiler is built like a tank but all the plastic parts that go in the outside are super cheap and cheesy. Replacement parts for the internals are not available in the US. It’s way overpriced and overrated. Its main strength is its snazzy looking. Bunn HB is a great value. Honestly coffee quality comes down mostly to having the right grind size. Most coffee makers do a decent job if you get the grind right. SCA certified will guarantee adequate temps. Most people can’t detect that improvement though. Look at Hoffman’s review of the $17 Aldi coffee maker.

Not in the USA. They refuse to sell any parts except the plastic pieces on the outside The whole BIFL thing is highly overblown with the moccamaster. Most coffeemakers will last a long time if you keep them descaled.

Oxo is a well made machine but I had the same problem as mastley3. Oxo was great and gave me a refund and even paid for return shipping. I agree it was the silicone gasket and silicone is non-leaching and non-shedding. Also, it was more smell than taste. I have a moccamaster. Its fine but highly over-rated and way over-priced. I think the Ratio 6 could be good but its kind of ugly and I haven’t tried one. The bigger Ratio is gorgeous. Another I will recommend is Bunn HB. Great coffee and great price.

I think the point about the plastic is it is poorly molded and looks like something made in China. As for the stirring, kind of defeats the purpose of an automatic coffee maker. That said, it’s really not necessary either. The funnel fully saturates with the right grind size.

For it to qualify as BIFL they would have to make replacement parts available to owners. They do not do this in North America.

You gave no requirements so….kind of hard to say. Moccamaster is overrated and overpriced. It’s the kitchen-aid stand mixer of coffee makers, complete with fashion colors. I have one. I recommend Bunn HBor if you want to overspend Ratio 8.

The advice from technivorm to use coarser than pre-ground is based on the fine grind of European pre-ground coffee, which is much finer than US pre-ground as it is targeted for mokka pot or espresso brewing. If you are in the USA, pre-ground coffee is generally a more medium to medium coarse grind, intended for drip brewing, and a good “starting point” grind for those who like to grind their own and tweak, or acceptable for regular use for those not into grinding their own.

You would think they would be smart enough but apparently they aren’t. I have purchased ground coffee in Italy and it is notably finer, basically like cafe bustella in the US, which is also intended for mokka pot. But the key “piece of evidence” is that there is nothing about a moccamaster physically that would suggest it needs a coarser grind than any other drip brewer. Its hydraulics are comparable to any other drip brewer. The comparisons to sand and sea salt are useless. Sea salt comes in all kinds of grain size as well as, more commonly, flakes. Sand also exists in a wide range of grain sizes. What is “rough” sand? Are they talking about 80 grit sandpaper? The fact that they use these type of descriptors is evidence enough they haven’t put much thought into their instructions.

If you are used to Breville products you will likely find the ancillary plastic parts (brew funnel, trim on the base of the thermal models, carafe lid on the glass carafe) dissapointing. They are uncharacteristically thin and flexy for such an expensive machine. The boiler and housing however are quite robust ,sturdy, and reliable. Do not put much value in the “repairability” of the Moccamaster if you are in the US because any repair, no matter how minor, will basically cost you $100. They will not provide internal parts to their USA customers. In the end, the Moccamaster will probably last longer due to its simplicity, although there is no guarantee of that. If you like the Breville products and features and you are happy with a 5 to 10 year life you will probably be happier with it. Either one will put to shame the Keurig swill for which you pay the equivalent of $40/lb.

Moccamaster does not have plastic in hot water brew path???? What do you think that funnel you put your coffee in is made out of? Yes it is BPE and PFAS free plastic but so is the plastic in many other reputable machines. That does nothing to protect you from microplastics. If you are only concerned about PFAS then I guess you are good but I would be just as concerned about microplastics as PFAS. You can use a glass, stainless steel, or ceramic pour-over funnel in place of the included plastic one, as many have shown here.

It really has nothing to do with wattage. All machines that work on what most people call a “thermosiphon” principle (although that’s really not what it is) have to get the water to boiling in order to get it into the coffee. It’s the steam that propels the coffee up and over and into the grinds. So in every machine the water starts out at boiling. So wattage really has nothing to do with it. It’s only heating a small tube of water. The steam that pushes it through lives in that tube. The problem with cheaper machines is the cheap silicone tube that feeds the hot water to the coffee grinds goes through the reservoir of fresh water on its way up. That water acts as a heat sink that cools the water. So the first bit of water is going through a nearly full reservoir. As the reservoir goes down the heat sink gets smaller. So the first water starts out without enough heat and gradually gets hotter as the brew progresses. You can minimize this problem by pre-heating your water but not so much that it melts anything in the part of the machine not intended for hot water. Also don’t use water from your household water heater. Honestly not really worth it. Better coffee makers solve this problem in different ways. Many machines solve it by putting an outer tube around the feed tube creating an air gap of insulation. The Moccamaster and Oxo do this. Other machines like Bunn dump the thermosiphon approach and heat the water in a holding tank above the coffee and open a valve when the whole tank reaches temperature. These are really more ideal from a temperature perspective as long as they get the temperature right before the valve opens. The downside is they take longer because you have to wait until the whole batch of water is hot before you can start brewing. Thermosiphon machines brew the coffee incrementally, heating while they brew. This is why alot of Bunn coffeemakers have a tank that holds hot water 24/7. When you brew you displace the already hot water with fresh water. The way boiler size and wattage come into play in either type of machine is in how fast you get your coffee. Does all this matter? I think not as much as people think it does. Getting the grind size right to match your taste for the machine you are using matters much more. I’ve had pretty good coffee from a $40 Hamilton Beach with a good bean and the right grind.

I don’t think this cold leg is being addressed unless possibly the few models that add the complication of a pump. Honestly gravity feed, heating all the water to temp and then opening a valve is the most effective and elegant design. I suspect the extended brew time is what keeps it from dominating the market. I observed the level come up this morning in my moccamaster (it uses a clear glass tube surrounded by a clear plastic insulating sleeve). I run a few ounces through before I brew to clear the boiler and tubing of the water left in from the last brew and preheat everything. This helps mitigate this cold leg because hot water is left in the tubing and most of the cold water displacing it is filling the boiler, which in the moccamaster is a relatively large piece of copper tubing that holds 3 oz. So if you preheat, the moccamaster would not be very effected by this cold leg. Very interesting. Thanks for your input. The drip coffeemaker is kind of fascinating for its simplicity and effectiveness.

If you consider $140 midrange i would recommend the SCA certified Bunn HB. Downsides: It does not keep a tank of hot water on standby so it takes 15 minutes to brew. Also, the heating tank has plastic walls, which I am not wild about considering microplastic concerns. But it does brew excellent coffee and in my experience is reliable and durable. The Bunns that hold hot water have stainless steel tanks but reviews seem more spotty on them so you might want to shop carefully. The moccamaster makes good coffee but is woefully overpriced and the parts that are plastic are pretty cheaply made. The Oxo machines are well-reviewed and Oxo has fantastic customer service.

Finer grind slows the flow of water through the coffee grounds. Coarse grind lets it flow through faster. Slower flow makes stronger brew but at some point you over extract the coffee and it gets bitter. Faster flow gives you a “weaker” brew and if too weak can taste sour. Because there are hydraulic differences coming from the design of the brew funnel or basket, as well as the rate at which the water is dispensed into it, you have to experiment to find the grind that gives your preferred flavor for any machine you use. They’re all a bit different.

Lots of SCA machines do this. Moccamaster was early to the game but has been outpaced in terms of value. 200F water is not that difficult to deliver.

I have one and only brew about 680ml of coffee daily / about 23oz. We have the model with the smaller glass pot that is switchable between a full and partial pot. Has been going strong brewing every single day the last few years.