Keepin' the Coffee Warm
Written: Oct 24 '99 (Updated Nov 08 '99)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fresh-tasting hot coffee an hour after it was made
Cons: Power doesn't shut off automatically
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| sylloge's Full Review: Philips Cafi Delice HD7612 |
The Philips Thermal Carafe Coffeemaker (HD5320) is about twice as expensive as the conventional glass carafe and hot-plate variety coffeemaker, but well worth it.
I've always despised the burnt acrid taste of coffee kept warm on a hot plate -- it seems to arrive only 5 minutes after brewing has completed and renders the remains undrinkable after 15 minutes. Like an office of cafe-style coffeemaker, this Philips model drips the coffee into a insulated thermos-like container which is not warmed at all -- the bottom remains cool enough to place on any surface.
The coffee stays hot because of the insulation, and because there is no heat applied to it, it doesn't burn and develop the unpleasant taste and smell. I've found the coffee still drinkably warm after almost two hours, but the practical limit for less addicted people is probably around one hour.
My only real beef with the coffeemaker is that strangely urgent imperative that the power be switched off manually when you are done. The manual reads: "IMPORTANT: Press the power select switch to "0" (OFF) when the brewing cycle is complete."
Now, if a $20 iron can have a timed auto-power-off circuit, then they could have put one into this $50 coffeemaker. Appliances shouldn't make one paranoid ("Hmm, did I turn the coffeemaker off when I left this morning?"). This causes the low rating in the ease of use category.
The carafe holds 8 medium-sized cups. Mine is black with a (fake) chrome carafe and could've come from Ikea. It is also available (not where I bought it though) in white and with a built-in timer.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sylloge
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Member: Stewart Butterfield
Location: Vancouver
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 6 members
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