Technivorm-Moccamaster

If I didn’t get around to writing this post, I’d feel as though I was
keeping secrets from my fellow LTHers.

Several months back, trixie-pea was put in charge of upgrading the
coffee situation over at her workplace. After
a bit of research, she opted for the Techivorm-Moccamaster, a
Euro-sleek drip coffee maker from Holland. Needless to say, the 15 or
so employees there went from drinking about a 1 to 1 ½ Lbs. of
coffee a week to somewhere in the area of 5 Lb.

I’ve been using a French press around my office and on numerous roadtrips
for years now and have always insisted that it makes the best cup of drip coffee
possible (including the stuff you get at any coffeehouse)... until I was turned on
to the Techivorm. As much as I love the French press, this machine takes it to
another level.

The coffee from the Technivorm is unforgivably clean and totally balanced.
Beautiful characteristics come out of the coffee that I was
unable to taste before. I’ve never had iced coffee even
remotely as good as what this machine can produce.

According to the Intelligentsia Coffee website;
“The Technivorm is one of the only brewers to pass
the SCAA’s standards for brewing. This model gets water to
the optimal temperature of 200 degrees. A powerful heating
element gets up to temperature in seconds and the brewer
has an optimal brew cycle of approximately 7 minutes, producing
a 4-6 minute saturation time for coffee grounds.”

I recently decided to buy one for the office and, unfortunately, I
have to admit that it’s the best business decision I’ve made
in many years.

Its price at the Intelligentsia coffee shops is about $205; a total steal.


Technivorm

I've been dying to buy one of these so I have to say I'm really jealous that you have one now!

You can pick one up for a little less at Terroir Coffee's website:

http://www.terroircoffee.com/store/more ... hp?gid=215

they sell the Clubline for $172 and the larger one with the thermal unit for $195. Then there's the shipping - its around $10 to ship to Chicagoland.

Sweet Maria's sells them for $182, before shipping:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.technivorm.shtml

Quick question, I couldn't seem to find on the websites, do they make a grind and brew? Or do you have to grind your beans separately? I have the Cuisenart grind and brew with the thermal carafe, which I like, if not for the grinder, that won't come out of the holder. Making it very difficult to clean.

nicinchic wrote:Quick question, I couldn't seem to find on the websites, do they make a grind and brew? Or do you have to grind your beans separately? I have the Cuisenart grind and brew with the thermal carafe, which I like, if not for the grinder, that won't come out of the holder. Making it very difficult to clean.

The specific machine I purchased was the Moccamaster KBG 741. It only has brewing capabilities and doesn't grind beans.

The grinding of the beans is of utmost importance and I am highly suspect of most home grinding machines. I would personally prefer getting my beans whole and have them ground at a coffeeshop versus doing it at home. Since I blow through alot of coffee, the freshness of the beans is never a problem.

My husband and I have been enjoying our technivorn for just over a year now and although it does make outstanding coffee, I'm bothered that the design of the carafe isn't better so that the lid can actually be placed on it and then placed back under the drip/filter. I'm not really thrilled with how the carafe pours either, but the coffee is so good I shouldn't complain at all. If anyone has "traded-out" the standard carafe for a brand/style that fits and pours better, please let me know. With that little change it would be the most perfect coffee pot in the world.

clb wrote:My husband and I have been enjoying our technivorn for just over a year now and although it does make outstanding coffee, I'm bothered that the design of the carafe isn't better so that the lid can actually be placed on it and then placed back under the drip/filter. I'm not really thrilled with how the carafe pours either, but the coffee is so good I shouldn't complain at all. If anyone has "traded-out" the standard carafe for a brand/style that fits and pours better, please let me know. With that little change it would be the most perfect coffee pot in the world.

I couldn't agree more.

there are some good at-home grinders, but they are pricey. Burr grinders are what you need to grind coffee properly as it does not 'heat up' the bean as it grinds (which is what the blade does). You can also control the settings for grind size.

Some are crazy expensive, like the ones you find on sweet maria's or on terroir's site. Kitchenaid actually makes an excellent burr grinder: http://kitchenaid.com/catalog/product.j ... 7&prod=415

There are some great discounts out there, reducing the price significantly.

Terroir also sells a burr grinder - for just under $200.

http://www.terroircoffee.com/store/more ... hp?gid=216

I'd never have a store grind my coffee for me - I like it ground minutes before I use it as coffee changes pretty rapidly once you grind it and expose it to air.

clb wrote:My husband and I have been enjoying our technivorn for just over a year now and although it does make outstanding coffee, I'm bothered that the design of the carafe isn't better so that the lid can actually be placed on it and then placed back under the drip/filter. I'm not really thrilled with how the carafe pours either, but the coffee is so good I shouldn't complain at all. If anyone has "traded-out" the standard carafe for a brand/style that fits and pours better, please let me know. With that little change it would be the most perfect coffee pot in the world.

The thermal carafe that came with my Technivorn did not fit with the lid on. However, the replacement I purchased after the original bit the dust (don't ask), fits just fine. I purchased the replacement from:

http://www.boydscoffeestore.com/brewing/kbts.php (replacement carafe at bottom of page.).

You might want to check if this will fit your particular model.

Bill/SFNM

PIGMON wrote:I’ve been using a French press around my office and on numerous roadtrips
for years now and have always insisted that it makes the best cup of drip coffee
possible (including the stuff you get at any coffeehouse)... until I was turned on
to the Techivorm. As much as I love the French press, this machine takes it to
another level.

PIGMON wrote:The grinding of the beans is of utmost importance and I am highly suspect of most home grinding machines. I would personally prefer getting my beans whole and have them ground at a coffeeshop versus doing it at home. Since I blow through alot of coffee, the freshness of the beans is never a problem.

Like you I use a french press at work but use a burr grinder (Krups) for fresh grounds. I do this mainly keep my (cut down) coffee consumption low
Thanks for the note on the Technivorm - I'm curious to try the coffee from it.

This thread has been on my mind lately because I keep running into superb reviews of another coffeemaker which, inevitably, refer, in turn, to the Moccamaster. I've long heard good things about the Moccamaster but now, it seems, it has a rival and, according to several reviews, is second to a somewhat less expensive, less flashy model--the Bonavita BV 199TS. So, just wondering: anyone here have any firsthand experience with this Bonavita?

While I usually use a French Press at home, our good friends needed a drip coffee maker for their Michigan vacation home. After quite a bit of research, the Moccamaster seemed to be the best option for a house warming gift. It's been making the best drip coffee that I have had for 6 years and going strong. I wouldn't hesitate if you are looking for a drip maker.

Surprised that I never updated this thread. I took advantage of the lockdown to descale and clean my Moccamaster, first with Dezcal and then Cleancaf.

After many years of enjoying the best drip coffee I've ever had with frequent visits to our best friends Michigan home, finally caved and bought one several years ago. If anyone is using a drip coffee maker, treat yourself. I look forward so much to my morning Moccamaster coffee. The best non-espresso coffee I've had.

Al Erhardt- I gotta admit, you've got good taste in a Coffee-Machine. I say "Machine"- as opposed to a "Coffee Maker"- because as an ex-Industrial Design Student- I gotta admit-this product- makes a serious statement about how it brews coffee.
It's a very well designed "Machine"-
that I've been using for over 2 years now.
I'm as pleased with my daily burr-ground-blend-of-Peets-Major Dickinson w/ a bit of Eight-O'Clock-Hazel-Nut- coffee as when I first unpacked it.

My trusty coffee Maker-A beautiful example of Dutch Design by R. Kramer, on Flickr

Mocca-Master Technivorm-In the words of Gary Wivott- "Count-me-a-Fan"

Hombre de Acero wrote:Mocca-Master Technivorm-In the words of Gary Wivott- "Count-me-a-Fan"

Mr. Steel and Mr. Al, agree with both of you as I've owned a Technivorm for years.

Funny story, I deliberated the purchase for a few months, I bought it home, purchased with a 20% professional discount at Sur La Table, unpacked it and my wife said "one button, for all that money it only has one button" I thought it funny but it was she who had the last laugh as when I plugged it in to make a pot of coffee it did not work.

Exchanged it the next day, no fuss no muss, they even let me keep original carafe so I had two.

Technivorm-Moccamaster, count me a Fan!

I’ve had one for 12 years; use it almost everyday. Love it. It’s a tank and well worth the price.

We have had one for at least 10 years, use it every day. I think it is the best money we have ever spent on an appliance.