shatz's Full Review: Jura-Capresso MT500 10-Cup Coffee Maker
When our Braun of 10 years finally began acting squirrely we decided to look for a new machine. I'd read about the new Capresso machines and decided that we liked the idea of a thermos. This is no ordinary thermos, it's very stylish and keeps the coffee hot for at least 4 hours...longer if you pre-warm the thermos with hot water.
Our first pots of coffee were disappointing. It was very weak coffee, and concluded that because the speed in which it makes coffee affects the time that the beans are in contact with hot water. Of course, like many manufactures (Do the own the coffee plantations?) they recommend 2 Tbls. per cups. Now, we've never used that much coffee, more like 1 Tbls. per cup. We grind it for each pot and use good quality coffee from Trader Joe's, usually their french roast or one of their organic fair trade blends. Oddly this weakness seems to have subsided over the last few weeks, and I can't tell you why. We've not increased the amount of coffee. So the bottom line is that it has made good coffee and the carafe approach is very nice.
That said, you do get a surprise every once in a while when you reach for that second or third cup and the carafe is empty. Not being glass, you can't see when the pot is empty; only by feel.
As far as it's operation, its pretty easy once you can acquaint yourself with the control and metrics. The pour indicator on the carafe lid is not immediately obvious at first. The electronic controls, as well as the fill indicator are oddly placed for a coffee maker that most people will sit facing forward; on the far right side. In a two words: dumb design. Its not enough for you to throw the thing away, but it does take a bit of re-orientation. The small controls at the base are hard to read (is this my 50+ eyes?) and not well marked. My wife turns the machine so she can read and reach the buttons, as well as pay attention to the fill marks. The marks are very difficult to read when the machine is facing forward, unless you have lots of space to the right. We do not.. Also pay close attention to your urge to get a very full pot. The fill tank will take it but the carafe will not! At least you won't scorch the warming plate since there is none.
All that said, it's a very stylish and well-made coffee maker. I like the idea of the charcoal filter and the construction seems to be very solid. It remains to be seen whether it will last a good long time.
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