This brewer is rather impressive. I had initially low expectations, but walked away delightfully surprised after a month of daily use. The water heats up instantly. And it's hot-hot, making for great extraction. I had some issues with the shower head nodes. Water came out of mostly a few holes, but occassionally had water burst through all holes. The resulting brew beds time and time again were nice and even despite the fact, which is part of what surprised me. The brews, once dialed, were great extractions, with normal tds readings. The constant coffee I used was a natural kenyan, which was super juicy. I had some bother with the many pieces to the brewer, but I understand the whys behind them. I just wonder if it could be done with fewer parts. The decanter I wasn't particularly a fan of either. It's difficult to pour out all the liquid from, and the lid doesn't make for an easy-flowing experience. I do greatly appreciate the heat shield. Overall, I'm very impressed with the product and highly recommend it! Nice job Ratio!