Krups 4 Cup Espresso Machine &10 Cup Coffee Maker

Product Description

Prepare the night before and use the Krups Bistro 867-42 Combination Coffee & Espresso Machine to mak wake-up coffee using its 24 hours programmable clock & timer. Deep Brew technology heats water to the ideal temperature, then pulses it through the coffee grounds at precisely timed intervals to provide you with coffee full of rich, robust flavor. The Stop & Serve feature lets you remove the carafe at any time during the brewing cycle. Swing-out the filter holder to add coffee grounds quickly and easily. Use the convenient 3-way safety switch to instantly and easily goes from brewing espresso to frothing milk. Patented Perfect Froth attachment ensures fool-proof frothing of milk for cappuccinos and lattes by precise delivery of steam and air. Prepare 2-4 cups directly into carafe or cups.

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #135609 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Brand: Krups
* Model: 867-42
* Dimensions: 12.00" h x 10.00" w x 13.00" l, 4.75 pounds

Features

* Dual-purpose machine brews 10 5-ounce cups regular coffee, 4 cups espresso
* Separate water tanks permit simultaneous coffee and espresso brewing
* Steam nozzle with frothing attachment covers making cappuccino and caffe latte
* Programmable 24-hour clock/timer for "wake-up" coffee; 20-second pause for mid-brew pour
* Measures 13 by 12 by 10 inches; 1-year limited warranty, 90 days for parts and service

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
By combining a regular coffeemaker and espresso machine, this 1500-watt appliance makes it possible to satisfy every coffee craving with a single, compact unit. Separate water tanks permit simultaneous coffee and espresso brewing for satisfying everyone at once. The espresso-machine side includes a steam nozzle with a foolproof frothing attachment for creating coffee drinks like cappuccino and café latté. Making espresso follows tradition: tamping the proper amount of coffee into a filter basket inside a filter holder, twisting the filter holder onto the machine, pouring water into the machine's boiler, and twisting the control knob, which instantly goes from the off position to brewing espresso or frothing milk. Depending on the amount of water, up to four 2-ounce cups will then be brewed into an 8-ounce glass carafe.

Making regular coffee also adheres to tradition: inserting a filter into the filter basket, spooning in coffee, pouring water into the coffeemaker's tank, and pressing a button. Depending on the amount of water, up to ten 5-ounce cups of coffee will then be brewed into a 50-ounce glass carafe, which sits on a warming plate. Removing the carafe from the warming plate pauses the brewing process for 20 seconds to accommodate a midbrew pour. A programmable digital clock/timer makes it possible to brew wake-up coffee at a selected time up to 24 hours in advance. For safety, the machine automatically shuts off two hours after brewing. The machine has a bright plastic exterior, measures 13 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 10 inches deep, weighs 4-3/4 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty against defects. An illustrated booklet provides clear operating instructions. --Fred Brack

Editor's note: This item may arrive with water inside from the manufacturer's pressure test. This is a normal occurrence and doesn't indicate a problem with the machine.

Customer Reviews

Great unit despite the neurotoxic tank and handle assembly4
A year ago, I purchased one of these for my fiancee. My initial impression was very positive, but I didn't want to rush into writing a review without putting it through the wringer (so to speak). Well, after countless latte's the Caffe Bistro is still pumping out quality espresso and foaming great quanities of milk. It's very solid in construction and brain-dead simple to use, even without its very well written owner's manual. I do have a few comments to make, however, that might serve as minor caveats to anyone seeking to purchase a combo espresso/coffee maker:

[1] While the manual states that the handle assembly is dishwasher safe, I would strongly recommend *against* putting it in the dishwasher. I'm not sure what it is about my fiancee's dishwasher crystals, but after one go-around in the 'washer, the aluminum portion of the handle assembly turned very dark grey (almost a slate color)--completely oxidized. This doesn't affect performance in the least, but it does make the it somewhat less pretty to look at. Wash it by hand and all should go well. If you forget and find yourself with an oxidized cup, simply go at it with a brillo-type (mildly abrasive) pad and your favorite dishwashing soap (e.g. Palmolive, Ivory, etc.). After a few minutes of scrubbing, the aluminum cup will be back to its original lustre.

[2] The manual makes frequent mention of a "perfect froth attachment" but doesn't really explain what it is or what it does or why it's there. In short, it's the second little miniature stem to the side of the steam stem whose purpose is to funnel in cool air from the room via the top of the attachment via the Bernoulli effect (the same principle that perfume atomizers with the squishy rubber bulbs use), thus providing the "perfect" amount of air needed to make foam. While cleaning the frother, the little rubber tip on the top of the attachment rolled under the stove and was effectively lost. The next time I tried to froth some milk, I got a whole bunch of air and very little steam, resulting in just a rapidly moving cup of slightly warm milk (and a whole lot of noise). I figured out that if you just remove the "perfect froth" attachment, you can get "perfect froth" by simply holding the nozzle just a tiny bit above the surface of the milk--just the way one would do with a machine without such an attachment. I'm now actually glad we lost the tip of the PFA since now the steam nozzle is much easier to clean. :-)

[3] Regular cleaning of your frothing nozzle is imperative. I like to keep a straightened paper clip next to the machine to clean out the tip after every use. If you don't clean it regularly, old milk and hard water deposits will result in a partially or completely blocked nozzle. You should also use a small wrench to remove the tip of the nozzle once a month and make sure you clean it from the inside--a paper clip can only get so much.

[4] The nozzle on this unit is just a bit too long, even without the PFA in place. We purchased a stainless steel frothing pitcher from Fourbucks, er...Starbucks, and found it to be just about 1/4" too tall (or the nozzle just about 1/4" too long) to fit under without tipping either the pitcher or the machine. I'm sorry I don't have a measurement handy, but it's only a very minor annoyance, nothing worth losing sleep over.

[5] I am concerned about the use of aluminum in the unit. The grounds cup, the handle assembly and apparently the tank in which the water is heated are all made of aluminum, and aluminum is a known neurotoxin (i.e. it's bad for you) and it is thought to be a contributing factor in the contraction of Alzheimer's Disease. If I had known that the Caffe Bistro used so much aluminum in the parts that contact the water, I probably would not have purchased it, but buying an espresso machine with stainless steel parts would have been prohibitively expensive. :-(

In short, it's a great unit and has served wonderful lattes and coffees for the past year or so, and it's a great value...that is, if you don't mind ingesting material that is a known to do the body harm.

Good reasons (and tips) to buy this machine4
If you want a machine that makes excellent espresso (for shots, machiattos, or espresso con panas) the Il Bistro is adequate. The espresso is somewhat diluted and you don't get a lot of crema. Of course, you could try adding more espresso grinds and cutting the brewing cycle short to get better espresso. However, this machine steams milk well and gives an impressive amount of froth. As a barista I've heard a lot of people complain about not getting enough froth from their espresso machines, but that is not a problem here. The instructions only tell you to steam for 1-2 mins., which is not going to get your milk hot enough so I suggest using a thermometer. It's also pretty easy to clean. If you want to keep the steam wand unclogged, remove the perfect frother attachment (after every use) and place under running water for several seconds, then briefly turn the steamer on to expel excess liquid from the wand (careful, the steam and wand are very hot). The other features, the digital clock and programable coffee machine, are great and very convenient. I'm an espresso lover, however, so the espresso machine features were enough to win me over. I've been using my machine almost everyday (sometimes 2-3 times a day during school exams) and I haven't had any problems. I've also been happy with my lattes, so I recommend this product.

Solid performer5
I have the previous version of this machine which I have used practically every day for about the last 10 YEARS! And it works just fine. The large 10 cup pot/section is easy to clean, easy to pour, makes good coffee. The espresso part I have used daily since returning from Spain this last April, and it works very well. I really can't think of anything this machine should do that it doesn't. When using the frothing milk attachment you are going to have to clean it, but you really can't make great coffee without making a little mess. Does everything it should, does it well, been doing it for a long time.

Krups FMF5 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe, Black with Stainless Steel

Product Description

Refined European design combines the current trend for matte and metal surfaces and the iconic look of Krups coffee machines to produce and elegant, timeless design that is equally at home in traditional and contemporary kitchens. Better coffee- the stainless steel vacuum carafe ensures optimal flavor and temperature longer. Practical and elegant, the carafe can be brought directly to the table to serve coffee. More convenience, program the night before and wake up to the fresh brewed aroma or as the guests arrive it serve piping hot fresh coffee with ease.

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #2064 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Size: 10 cups
* Color: Black/stainless steel
* Brand: Krups
* Model: FMF5
* Dimensions: 13.75" h x 8.50" w x 10.50" l, 7.05 pounds

Features

* Fully programmable 1100-watt coffeemaker brews up to 10 cups
* LCD display; clock/timer; 1- to 3-cup aroma switch maximizes flavor
* Thermal stainless-steel vacuum carafe with no-drip spout for graceful serving
* 60-ounce water reservoir; built-in water filter; electronic de-scaling indicator
* Measures 10-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 13-3/4; 1-year warranty


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
Combining appealing and distinctive design with a powerful, fully programmable brewing system, this 1100-watt coffeemaker brews up to 10 cups of coffee quickly and efficiently. Along with its bright, blue, illuminated LCD display, the unit's control panel offers simple push-button functions including "on/off", a fully programmable clock, a programmable timer/auto-on from one to five hours, and an aroma switch that can be set to maximize flavor for one to three cups when less coffee is desired. With a no-drip spout and a generous handle for easy pouring, the unit's double-wall stainless-steel vacuum carafe maintains flavor and temperature longer. A popular pause-and-serve function allows for pouring a cup midbrew, and an audible signal indicates when brewing is complete. The appliance includes a soft-eject swing-out filter holder for easily adding ground coffee, as well as a magnified water-level indicator for high visibility. The machine's 60-ounce water reservoir provides a built-in water filtration system that removes chlorine and lime scale build-up to ensure better tasting coffee and longer machine life, while its automatic electronic de-scaling indicator measures brew time and calculates when de-scaling is necessary. The coffeemaker measures 10-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 13-3/4 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

Customer Reviews

Krups FMF5-14 Thermal - Fast and Hot 5
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!

Some nice features. Average coffee. Annoying basket.4
This Krups family of FME / FMF coffee makers I bought to replace an old Braun coffee maker of very similar style which, while it still worked, had a bad habit of spilling over the top of the filter every few weeks. And, I wanted the program ahead and insulated carafe features, so I was looking forward to this model.

Like some other new electrical kitchen appliances I have bought, I was amazed when some aspects of the new machine did not work as well as the older model I was replacing. In this case, it is the fact that when you remove the filter holder, it cannot sit by itself on the counter while you open the filter and insert it, and fill it with coffee. This may be a small thing, but it daily makes my task of making coffee more complicated.

Several other reviewers complain about the quality of the coffee made by this machine. I am an '8 o'Clock' cheap brand coffee drinker from way back, so all I can say is that with this very ordinary coffee, it seems to do about as good a job as the old Braun. It does seem a bit weak, but that may be due to the water filtration gizmo. Meanwhile, I really like the automatic shutoff and keep warm carafe features. They work as advertised.

Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Combination Machine, Black

Product Description

Passion. Precision. Perfection. The Krups heritage of German engineered coffee machines and food preparation appliances provides clear functional, rigorous design at the highest level of technical perfection, performance and quality. Working with leading European designers, the product series also represents the newest European designs yet maintains the rigorous and clearly functional characteristics synonymous with Krups products. Designed and built for those who continuously seek out new gourmet experiences and take pleasure in discovering and understanding how things are done well, the Krups range provides the tools that deliver genuine results, performance and taste. Inspired by experts and demanding consumers with uncompromising standards of performance, the new Krups series has been built with three key attributes in mind: Passion, Precision and Perfection. The Krups XP1500 Steam Combi Machine has a 10 cup coffee maker and a 4 bar steam espresso machine. Easy to use, the water level indicator clearly shows how much water is in the tank and it has a convenient steam nozzle for easy frothing of milk on the espresso side.

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #11513 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Color: Black
* Brand: Krups
* Model: XP1500
* Released on: 2005-07-15
* Dimensions: 12.95 pounds

Features

* Combination unit with 4-bar steam espresso machine and 10-cup coffeemaker
* 4-cup glass carafe with handle; steam nozzle; removable drip tray with stainless steel grid
* Water-level indicator; swing-out filter holder; brew pause; nonstick warming tray
* Simple-to-use controls; illuminated on/off switch; convenient coffee scoop included
* Measures 14-3/4 by 12-1/4 by 13-1/2 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
Beautifully designed with a small footprint and simple-to-use controls, this coffee and espresso combination unit provides an array of convenient features. The coffeemaker side of the machine quickly brews up to 10 cups of great-tasting coffee. The coffeemaker's water-level indicator clearly shows how much water is in the tank, while its swing-out filter holder makes it easy to add coffee grounds. For added convenience, removing the carafe from its warming plate mid brew pauses the brewing process to allow for a quick pour. Other handy extras include an illuminated on/off switch, a handy coffee scoop, and a nonstick warming tray that keeps coffee hot for hours. The other side of the unit functions as an espresso/cappuccino machine with a four-bar steam system that makes espresso, cappuccino, and lattes quickly and easily. Its glass carafe with a convenient handle holds up to 4 cups of freshly made espresso, while the convenient steam nozzle easily produces rich, creamy froth. In addition, the espresso machine's removable drip tray with a stainless-steel grid is designed for quick cleanup. The 900-watt coffee and espresso combination unit measures 14-3/4 by 12-1/4 by 13-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Good coffee, good espresso-a little tricky though...3
I am a self-confessed coffee junkie. With or w/o the caffeine (pregnancy and such) I love the taste; and the taste of the coffee that I've brewed with this machine was great. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The machine was easy to use and looked pretty darn cool sitting there on my counter. The only issue that i have is that the espresso side seems to need some encouragement. The knobs need to be fiddled with a bit in order to get the espresso to start dripping (even after 10 minutes during a holiday party full of thirsty coffee drinkers). Thought that was just b/c my machine was so new, but it's been doing that ever since the first use. Still, it's not terribly difficult, and the coffee is oh-so-yummy!

Krups KM4065 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffeemaker

Product Description

The Krups heritage of German engineered kitchen appliances provides functional, rigorous design, technical perfection, performance and quality. Designed and built for those who continuously seek out new gourmet experiences and take pleasure in discovering and understanding how things are done and done well, Krups products provide the tools that deliver genuine results, performance and taste. Inspired by experts and demanding consumers with uncompromising standards of performance and quality, Krups products have been built with these three key attributes in mind: Passion, Precision and Perfection. Recently, Krups commissioned acclaimed Swedish designer Björn Dahlström to design a coffee machine that combines pleasing aesthetics with superior performance. Krups is proud to introduce a product of this collaboration: the KM4065. With a brushed stainless steel body and uniquely situated control panel, the KM4065 brews that perfect cup of coffee while looking great on your countertop.

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #7633 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Brand: Krups
* Model: KM4065
* Dimensions: 12.81" h x 8.06" w x 9.00" l, 7.45 pounds

Features

* 12-cup coffeemaker housed in brushed stainless steel
* Upward-facing control panel and LCD screen for easy programming
* Dual auto-on presets; aroma selection; safety automatic shut-off
* Oversized shower head; glass carafe; duo-filter water filtration
* Measures 9 by 8 by 12-4/5 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
Attractively housed in brushed stainless steel, this 12-cup coffeemaker not only looks great on the counter, but it also provides an array of convenient features. Enjoy easy reading and programming thanks to its uniquely angled upward-facing control panel and LCD screen with a high-contrast black-on-white display. In addition, dual auto-on presets make it possible to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee before work in the morning, as well as at a later time when sleeping in on the weekends. A sturdy 12-cup glass carafe comes included, complete with a plastic lid, generous stay-cool handle, and drip-free spout for graceful serving. Other highlights include an aroma selection for brewing smaller batches; an oversized showerhead for improved extraction; a push-button, soft-open lid and auto-lift brew basket; duo-filter water filtration, and automatic shut-off for safety. The coffeemaker measures 9 by 8 by 12-4/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Nice design4
Krups KM4065 12-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffeemaker

This review is for the Krups KM 4065 coffeemaker. I believe this is the first of a new line of coffeemakers designed Bjorn Dahlstrom. At the moment, this coffeemaker is not on the Krups website and there is little information available on the web. I've only had it for a couple of days so here are my initial thoughts.

Pros:
1. Looks fantastic
2. Seems reasonably well built and the top door opens and closes smoothly
3. This has a different water gauge from the FM series and it works well and is easy to read (no bubbles).
4. I've filled the reservoir from both a Brita pitcher and from the included carafe without spillage. (That said the fill area is at the back near the door hinge)
5. Uses #4 Filters
6. Makes a great cup of coffee
7. The included carafe pours well

Cons:
1. Pricey for a unit without a thermal carafe
2. Programming is non-intuitive and a little frustrating
3. Manual could be a lot better
4. Like most stainless steel appliances, fingerprints may be an issue if you are not careful
5. Durability of main button to open top lid remains to be determined
6. Carafe seems a little light and the cover flimsy

Overall, I am very pleased with this beautiful coffeemaker. It looks like the design changes have addressed the water gauge issue with the FM series and so far I've had no leaks. The carafe works well so coffee spillage is not a problem and most importantly my initial experience is that this machine makes good coffee.

I have deducted one star due to the fact I've only had it 2 days and can't attest to the long-term durability of the unit and it is a little pricey compared to competing units.

Nice first impression 5
I have only had this unit for a couple of days but my initial usage has been very favorable. I have traditionally liked Krups coffee makers but always thought that the FM series was pretty lame. This is a definite upgrade. I agree with the previous reviewer in that the unit looks great and is well built. The water gauge is under the lid and looks like an LED meter, I like it. However I did not find the programming difficult at all and I also like the "dual start times" for auto brewing. One for the week and another for the weekend (if you get up later on the weekend)
Yes, it does make a nice pot of coffee

What I'm ambivalent about is the lid to open the top of the unit (to pour in the water and the coffee). It opens slowly and automatically when you push the "open" button and is kind of cool but...my fear is that this could present a long term issue, but right now this is just a worry. I also would prefer if the lid to the carafe was removable for cleaning, it's hinged to the carafe. But this is a minor complaint.

I am very pleased with the coffeemaker. It really is a nice design, looks great and makes first rate coffee. I give it five stars so far, if things change I'll ammend my review.

Perfect coffee maker for two working schedules5
First disclosure, we take our coffee very seriously. Our household has two professionals with different work schedules that run all seven days of the week. We grind our imported coffee right before use and like our coffee strong, not bitter. A limitation we have is that the counter that is available for a coffee maker only has 15inches of clearance. The coffee maker we replaced is the KitchenAid KCM5340B which did not hold enough coffee for our taste due to a flat bottom filter. This Krups unit is the first coffee maker we found that is less than 15inches high but still offers a #4 cone coffee filter and 12-cup capacity. With regular and strong coffee settings able to be programmed into two auto brew settings; this coffeemaker meets the needs of our household that can average 6hrs between two coffee times needed daily.

Operations is smooth, coffee filter easily holds 12 scoops of coffee without grounds overflowing (The KitchenAid had grounds overflowing into the coffee with just 10 scoops for a 14cup pot.)into the coffee. Strong coffee setting makes excellent coffee without a bitter after taste. Coffee temperature is excellent with no bitterness after 2-3hours on the warmer. We are very happy with this product.

Krups 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers with Glass Carafes

Product Description

New from Krups, this 12-cup programmable coffee maker has 1,100 watts to provide fast and efficient brewing. The programmable timer/auto on sets the start time each day and has a 1-3 cup flavor setting to maximize flavor extraction from small quantities of coffee. There is an audible signal indicating when the machine is done brewing and a popular pause and serve feature allows interruption anytime during brewing. After brewing, the heating plate time is adjustable from 1 to 5 hours. The 60 ounce water reservoir has a detection feature which shuts the unit off if completely empty has a built in water filtration system to remove chlorine and limescale buildup. Beautifully styled with a blue illuminated LED control panel for easy of use, it has a soft eject filter holder for smooth control swing out action, and easy pour 12 cup glass carafe with no drip spout and ergonomic handle design. The descaling indicator measures brew time and calculates when descaling is necessary. Comes with a 1-year warranty.
Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #3519 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Color: Black
* Brand: Krups
* Model: FME2-14
* Dimensions: 5.55 pounds

Features

* 12-cup fully programmable 1100-watt coffeemaker with cascading brew head for even extraction
* 1- to 3-cup aroma setting; brew-pause; 60-ounce water reservoir; 2-hour auto shut-off
* 12-cup glass carafe provides sleek easy-pour ergonomic handle and no-drip spout
* Built-in water filter; electronic descaling indicator; LED control panel; 1- to 5-hour heating plate
* Measures approximately 10-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 13-3/4 inches; 1-year warranty
Customer Reviews

Best coffeemaker I've ever owned.5
I was a little concerned about opening up shop away from home, 3 states away, and having to leave my tried and true Krups Pro Aroma behind. Granted, its an 8 year old model, but it made a great cup of coffee, and I had mastered the fairly simple interface for programming and setup.

In my search, I read a LOT of negative reviews about the new Krups product family. Really not a surprise cause even the Pro Aroma had its many quirks, but still.....the coffee. So, after reading a bunch of bad reviews on Braun, Mr Coffee, Cuisinart, and Krups coffeemakers, I figured $60 was worth the risk to plunk down on this model. My first impression when I opened the box was that the coffemaker was solid and well constructed, but that the carafe was too light and thinly formed. But after two weeks of use I really cant find anything to complain about.

Yes, the carafe is very light, but I like it. And it pours well with no drips. I havent yet attempted to program the machine cause thats not a necessity for me, but hit the "ON" button and in about 5 minutes you have a fast, hot, and extraordinarily flavored pot of coffee. And this is honestly the best coffee I've ever had from this machine, even much better than my old Pro Aroma from the same manufacturer.

I dont know how Krups does it, and I dont care, this machine is just one of the best on the market today, and probably thee best when we're talking about the quality of the end result...which is all that matters. 5 beans

Almost perfect4
Let me start by saying two things:

1. I love coffee. Personally, not counting my wonderful wife and staff at the office, I drink at least two _pots_ of coffee per day. Yes, that is over 120 fluid ounces every day, seven days a week. Needless to say I was pleased with each of the new health benefits announced regarding excess coffee consumption!

2. After researching reasonably priced, reliable coffee makers, we bought two of these Krups FME2-14 units: One to replace our aging Braun, and the other for our daughters' apartment. This review encompasses experiences from both households.

There are many things to love about this coffeemaker, and a few (3) minor issues. I'll touch on the issues first: With typical German precision, the water reservoir is designed to hold 60 fluid ounces, or 12 5-ounce cups worth. Not more, but I'm sure it can handle less, being well equipped with a 1-3 cup "small pot" mode. However, if (1) you launch into cleaning it and brewing coffee without really reading the user manual, and (2) you have the tendency to brew the fullest possible pot (as a conspicuous consumer such as myself might), you will quickly discover that the overflow port in the back wall of the water reservoir works exceedingly well. I did. As I wiped up the extra few cups of water rapidly dispensed upon my counter I made the mental note to only fill it with 12 cups henceforth. This is, obviously, a user issue; others who are experienced with pots brewing less than advertised will be pleased to note that 12 cups of water in really translates to 12 cups of coffee out. You do not need to overfill this coffeemaker's reservoir, but you may have to relearn some behaviors.

The glass carafe, while well made and shaped in handling terms, is thinner walled than previous pots we've owned. This has two effects: First, the coffee cools faster when the hot plate turns off. Not that my coffee sits around too long, but if this is a potential issue for you I would buy the insulated carafe model. Second, it does not withstand much rough handling, as indicated by our need to purchase a replacement already for the daughters. One "light bump" in the sink was sufficient. It did make me wonder if the same engineer who designed windshields for the 60s VW Beetle was involved... regardless, don't whack it or you'll be picking up the pieces as well as the tab. My wife also adds that the replacement carafe, at over $20, was more costly than expected. Again: Exercise care in handling!

The final issue I have is the engineer's choice of material for making the feet: Two round plastic knobs (in front) and two square rubberized feet (in back) give the coffeemaker a firm grip on your countertop. Unfortunately too firm if you keep the unit under a close overhang as we do. It does mean you have to lift the unit slightly when moving it in or out, something that's easier to do when empty than full due to the overflow port mentioned earlier. Again, this is easily fixed with something slippery (like a silicone glide pad) that the machine can rest upon.

And as you can tell, none of these issues are true defects. In every other regard the Krups FME2-14 has been the best under $100.00 coffeemaker I have ever owned. The controls are logical and easy to operate, and it makes great brew. Unlike many inexpensive units, the steam does not readily escape from vents or cracks in the heating chamber or drip basket, so you can place it in a more confined space than others (bearing in mind the rubber feet) and it blends well in a modern kitchen. Most importantly, the product itself - the coffee - is consistent time after time. Whatever your personal formula for the perfect cuppa you'll get it here!

Okay. NOW I get it.4
After a gazillion (happy) years with the Krups ProAroma, I decided to contemporize. Committed to staying in the Family Krups, I read bundles of FME-2 reviews and dismissed the negative, too-hard-to-program complaints, figuring that it's a coffee maker -- how hard can it be? I ordered the coffee maker, and after devoting waaay too much time to trying to understand the instruction manual, I decided to just eat the money spent and search for a different brand. But after seeing complaints of one sort or another about all brands/models, I decided to baby-step the FME-2 manual ... and now I've got it.
The automatic-on part was the trickiest, but it's not as bad as some reviewers report: if you use the auto-on, let's say, M-F, just tap the "h/min" just once after the coffee is made on Friday to deactivate the auto-on. Then (still with me?) on Sunday evening after you do the coffee/water thing, tap the "prog" button 3 times (think Kansas if it helps): you do NOT need to reset the time. It will hold the time you have already set, and you'll see 6:30 AM (or whatever) flash before your eyes as you do it. The little clock icon will light, and you're good to go.
True, the clock, itself, does not stay lit, and there is something sort of weird about not seeing the friendly glow as you waltz past the kitchen; but there's always the stove clock, cable box clock, and microwave clock all aglow to reassure you that time is still marching on in the kitchen.
And ... the coffee is great, hot, and as long as the warmer plate is on, so is the ever-so-pretty blue clock (noting "on"). If the handle on the pot holds out (it does not have the "hook over the pot top" feature that we're all used to), this seems to be yet another Krups success. (I still have to wonder, however, if the designers sat around a table deciding how to complicate the set-up process that had been so sensible on the ProAroma.)
May 2006 addendum: So much for being clever. To reactivate the automatic set time after deactivating it, tap the "prog" button 4 times, not 3: the first tap shows "PROG," the second shows the hour, the third shows the minutes, and the neglected-to-mention fourth completes the reactivation. Sorry about the error. So instead of thinking Kansas, think, um, the Beatles. Or the corners of the world. Or just try to remember it's 4 taps....

Krups KM7000 Grind-and-Brew 10-Cup Coffeemaker, Black

Product Description

Krups has mastered the key components to the perfect cup of coffee: the grind, the coffee-to-water ration, the brew temperature and contact time. Conical burr grinders are recognized by coffee connoisseurs as the very best method of preparing whole beans for brewing. The Krups KM7000 with 1000 watts has solid steel burrs that turn slowly to protect the flavor of the beans, providing the ultimate coffee results. The brew basket lid closes automatically after grinding to prevent steam from reaching the coffee channel and grinder, thus preventing clogs. In addition, the Krups KM7000 features a conical burr grinder with an automatic functionality; it grinds the coffee to match the number of cups and the strength chosen. The Krups KM7000 conical burr grinder has 5 levels and 3 settings for optimal coffee strength; has a 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10-cup digital settings that control the coffee-water ration; has an aroma function for 2 -4 cups for proper brewing of small coffee quantities; an anti -drip valve for the pause and serve feature; water filtration; high quality 10 cup glass carafe and backlighted LCD with clock and programmable timer.


Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #5810 in Kitchen & Housewares
* Color: Black
* Brand: Krups
* Model: KM7000
* Released on: 2007-09-15
* Dimensions: 15.50" h x 11.13" w x 11.50" l, 10.65 pounds

Features

* 1000-watt programmable coffeemaker brews up to 10 cups of coffee
* Automatic conical burr grinder; 5 grind levels; 3 coffee-strength settings
* 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 10-cup digital settings; brew-pause; water filtration
* 2- to 4-cup aroma function for brewing smaller amounts; auto shut-off
* Measures 11-1/2 by 11-1/8 by 15-1/2 inches; 1-year limited warranty


Amazon.com Product Description
Make the perfect cup of coffee in just minutes with this grind-and-brew 10-cup coffeemaker. The programmable unit features a conical burr grinder with automatic functionality--it grinds the coffee to match the number of cups and the strength chosen. Choose from five grind levels and three coffee-strength settings. The solid-steel burrs turn slowly to protect the flavor of the bean, providing optimal results in the cup. The unit offers 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 10-cup digital settings that control the coffee-water ratio, plus it provides a 2- to 4-cup aroma function for the proper brewing of small quantities. Even more, the brew basket lid closes automatically after grinding to prevent steam from reaching the coffee channel and grinder. Other highlights include an anti-drip valve for the pause-and-serve function, water filtration, automatic shut-off, a high-quality 10-cup glass carafe, and a backlit LCD with clock and programmable timer. The 1000-watt coffeemaker measures 11-1/2 by 11-1/8 by 15-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Finally..... A Grind and Brew that WORKS well!5
After my fifth Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffee maker (3 different models) stopped functioning I decided on choosing a different brand. There were no reviews so I crossed my fingers and hoped that Krups worked out the kinks with this new model. I had to wait 2 months for the coffee maker as it was ordered before it was released and I am so happy to say that the 2 month wait was MORE THEN worth it!!

Pros:
Quality Construction:
This unit is sturdy and heavier then the other grind and brews that I have owned. It appears to be well constructed. The hinges on the water canister are plastic but I don't see them breaking off anytime in the future. The basket handle also feels light, but only time will tell with that part. Also the plastic top on the carafe feels "heavy duty" (all 5 of the lids on my previous coffee makers' carafes lost their connector pegs within a few months and I had to purchase replacements that did the same thing). The levers all appear sturdy and are easy to move. The levers all catch and hold on the first attempt as well.

Ease of Use:
Super easy to set up and program! I love the fact that there are not multiple pieces that need to be cleaned and then replaced before and after brewing. The aroma setting really does make a difference when making small batches (2-4 cups) of coffee!

Noise:
I was surprised how quite this machine is compared to the other grind and brews. The loud grinder of the coffee pot would wake me up before my alarm would go off on my previous pots and I slept right through this one!

Appearance:
The coffee maker looks like a quality piece of kitchen equipment. It is a bit bigger then I thought it would be, but its size gives it a presence on the counter. The LCD displays a ton of information and adds to it's "high tech" appearance.

Function:
Everything is contained! The way the machine is made allows for the grinds to go directly into the basket without them falling into the water reservoir! The other review mentions that they had grinds on the counter, but we did not experience this as we only had a few grains that were easily wiped off (ours is set to one dot before the biggest grind). We have not experience any jamming of the automatic lid - it closes by itself and functions properly.

Taste:
One of the best cups of coffee I have had in a long time! I love that you can program the strength of the coffee and after brewing a few test pots - we could easily see that this function really works and is not a gimmick! The coffee was the perfect temperature! The automatic shut off will shut the idle pot off after two hours, but I think you can just hit the "On" button to start the warmer plate up again (Not sure about this yet).

Clean Up:
If you have owned one of the multiple piece grind and brew machines you will love the ease of clean up on this one!!! Basically, you clean out the removable filter holder. The clear plastic that shoots the grounds into the filter basket is removable for cleaning, but it does not have to be removed and cleaned after each use! How cool is that!

Extras:
The water filter in the bottom of the coffee pot is a nice touch and I love that you can program the coffee maker to tell you when it is time to change it. The smile face on the the LCD display is just too cute!

I wish.....

I wish it stored more coffee then it does as I was hoping to avoid purchasing another coffee canister. You will still need to purchase or use an airtight canister. NOT a big deal at all!

I wish the clock was able to be programed in regular time (it is in military time). There may be a way to change this, but I have yet to figure it out.


So for now, it is a 5 Star Coffee Maker for me! We have made 5 pots of coffee so far and all were consistent. I will come back and edit the review as time goes on if things change. Obviously after using the Cuisinart Grind and Brews for years the tiny flaws of this machine are easy to overlook! Right now I highly recommend this machine because of its appearance, ease of use, construction and wonderful tasting coffee!!!

***********************************************************************

UPDATE: After three months of perfect use the grinder stopped working. One morning it just wouldn't go on. I tried everything. I called Krups and they told me to ship it to one of their work centers and I should get a new one in two weeks.... it has been a month and I still do not have a coffee maker. I am so sad because this machine worked really REALLY well. Maybe my problem was a fluke. I hope anyway. I am very disappointed.

Great Coffee . . . IF YOU READ THE MANUAL!!!!5
When our old Cuisinart Grind and Brew bit the dust (the unit would go dead many times during a brewing cycle and need a restart), I researched the options. Conical burr grinder, many options for brew strengths and quality, etc., convinced me to buy one despite some of the negative reviews.

Product arrived promptly, in perfect condition. My wife (the non-technical one among us) set it up after reading the manual. Everything worked perfectly! Best cup of coffee in years!

When I read the manual, it became obvious that every one of the complaints about the machine were the cause of not reading the manual completely. The failure of the cover to close for brewing is because the basket is not set in properly using the handle according to the manual. Generic mesh filters will also present proper motion. Grounds dispersal is caused by not latching the cover, per the manual, all the way back. There is a description of the two brewing settings for manual and for automatic. It is all in the manual!

So, read the manual before that great cup of coffee . . . that way you will get the great cup of coffee.

And I don't even have to mention: the relative quiet of the machine compared to a blade grinder; the ease of daily cleanup compared with the Cuisinart (about 1000% easier); use of less coffee to produce the proper strength cup (saving money); the proper brewing and serving temperatures; and more.

[OK - it is now mid-May, 2008, and my love for this machine has only grown. The ease of cleaning (as compared to my previous Cuisinart Grind and Brew) is worth the price!!!! BUT, actually this machine will pay for itself in less than a year! How? To get a satisfactory, actually a near-perfect cup of coffee, this machine uses about half the quantity of beans as compared with other brewing machine. I figure at about 10 months the amount I will have saved on coffee beans will have paid for this purchase.]

Great coffeemaker, excellent customer service5
I have had a number of grind and brew coffeemakers, Cusinarts (awful), Melittas (nice), and this one.

The KM7000 is, by far, the easiest to clean, which solves the biggest problem with this type of appliance. Just remove the filter basket, throw out the filter, rinse, and you're ready to go again. My wife loves it as well.

Unfortunately, after 2 weeks I was cleaning the filter basket and the spring loaded valve popped off the bottom (I was holding it by the valve; dumb). It was held on by a small gasket that popped off and that I could not find.

I called Krups customer service. As this is a new product, I was told that they do not yet have replacement parts, and that I had to pack and ship the whole coffee maker back to them. I responded that they shouldn't be selling a product that they couldn't service. After putting me on hold (and here is what differentiates great customer service from the typical "I don't care" brand that we have become used to), the rep told me that he talked to their supervisor and that they agreed with me! Therefore, they would send me a shipping label at their expense. Enclosed would be a part from another coffee maker that they thought would fit. If it didn't, ship it directly to them and call them with the tracking number and they would immediately send me a brand new unit.

As it turns out, the gasket was standard on a number of their models and it did fix the issue. But I thought that it was wonderful how they took ownership of the issue and did their best to make it right.

Great coffeemaker with very flexible grind and brewing controls to fit all tastes, very easy to clean, and great individualized customer service if you have any problems.

What more could you ask for?