Four Stars **** We have owned a basic, black, Melitta Look, filter coffee machine for about 9 months. Recently the thermos jug was sat on its stand, about one third full, when it imploded internally with a loud crack. The damage was similar to what would occur if it had been dropped onto a hard surface. I am unable to work out the physics of what caused it - there were no obvious external forces involved. I can only assume it was a weakness causing the vacuum to fail. Anyway. we love the machine and, convinced we would not be able to persuade anyone that we had not dropped it, we ordered a new jug direct from Melitta - £34.99 plus P&P. It arrived promptly and there were no issues with the transaction. The new jug is stainless steel (no issues) and it is bigger than the original yet somehow still fits. The quality is considerably better than the original. The point to all this, well. Melitta coffee machines make brilliant coffee, purchasing direct from them is a doddle and you can buy spares. One star deducted for the self imploding party trick of my original jug. I hope the replacement has better longevity.