“The good:
the coffee this machine makes is fantastic.
It’s beautiful to look at.
It seems very well made and feels very sturdy and durable.
The bad:
The thermal carafe and filter basket get water in between the plastic and the stainless steel. I had the same problem with a cheaper pot and was disappointed this expensive and otherwise high quality machine had the same issue. It’s not a deal breaker for me but it is annoying that coffee and old water can get in there and get gross over time.
The lid pours.... poorly (see what I did there)
I wish the little metal lid for the water tank was on a hinge and not completely removable. This is a tiny gripe but it only fits on there one way. I could also see my toddlers running off with it in the future...
Wish these were made in USA but I understand the cost effectiveness of going with China.
Wish you had the option to choose different carafes at checkout
BLUF: buy it for the coffee it makes, live with the carafe or buy Ratios other thermal or glass carafe. I can live with the niggles of the pot since the machine makes such amazing coffee.”
“This is a vast improvement over the commercial k-cup coffee makers. I have direct control over the outcome when making a cup or a carafe, and that very much includes taste. Plus, this unit is easy to clean.”
“Sadly, a prime example of form over function! It looks great and it makes great coffee. However, getting the coffee from the carafe into your cup is quite the adventure. I've never encountered a coffeepot that pours SO badly. I returned it immediately.”
Gary, sorry to hear about the messy pour experience! We are adding this detail to the user guide, but it pours the best if you tip the carafe over first, then open up the pour spout. Especially when less than full, cascading coffee hitting the open pour spout can cause some splashing.... Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help!
“Coffee gets a five...design gets the three. The pot is clunky and heavy and, for a guy with big hands, hard to clean. No one told me that I had to be careful about fitting the rubber female part on the top part of the gear to the male part where the hot water comes out...so the first time I used it, water went everywhere but in the pot. Was immediately thinking about one of your glass carafes...then thought, no way, already spent too much money on the machine. Would I buy again, no. Do I love the coffee it makes, YES.”
Thanks for the feedback, Michael! Glad to hear the coffee is great, but sorry to hear you didn't like some of the design features. We tried to make the carafe opening as large as we could so a typical hand could fit inside for cleaning, but we didn't want to go any larger (and thus have to make the carafe wider or the lid bigger.). Apologies that our included quick start guide was not clear enough about how to get started! We're happy to have a call or video chat with you if helpful? You also have a 30 day "love it" guarantee in case you decide to return your unit. Let us know and take care!
“I bought this brewer via Seattle Coffee Gear (they just started selling it) and used it for the first time today making a few pots. I have a Baratza Forte BG grinder (high end) and use formulated coffee water (I add ideal minerals for optimal extraction and taste) (if this even matters for some people to take my review seriously LOL) .
All I can say is wow! The brewer itself is of high quality as was its packaging. The brewer and carafe are heavy duty and beautiful. Nothing feels or looks cheap. The instructions and quick start guide are concise but very helpful. The temperature of the coffee after brewing was piping hot (indicating a proper brew temp)! Also, the grounds at the end of a brew were completely flat indicating that an even extraction (mechanically) was achieved! I used the ratio recommended for a full pot 1.3L to 70g of coffee (I am currently brewing a Counter Culture Coffee light roast single origin) and I am 90% at the ideal taste out of the gate.
By the way, some reviewers mentioned a problem with the carafe spout leaking/pouring unevenly. I experienced this only slightly, but it was not as bad as some claim. Using Ratio's recommendation of tilting THEN opening the carafe to pour seemed to mitigate this problem. Also, the "problem" of extra condensation on the brewer/basket/heat shield/shower head after a brew cycle was minimal; I'd rather have condensation from a hot brew than lukewarm under-extracted coffee!
Compared to the previous brewer I owned (Bonavita 1800), this brewer beats it by a long shot in quality, beauty, temperature, durability, warranty, and simplicity. I look forward to honing in my brew recipe and sharing this brewer/coffee with my coworkers. Thank you, Ratio!”
“It was a 5 until we tried to start it one morning and all lights were blinking. We think it leaked and got wet . We dried it out and don’t fill it with water till the morning and it has been working. My husband has been emailing you.”
