This thing is Junk.
Written: Nov 14 '06 (Updated Nov 14 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It does make decent coffee. Removable tank is a plus, but common.
Cons: Price, reliability, height.
The Bottom Line: I would advise looking for a more moderately priced and better designed coffee maker. Now I know why ours made it onto eBay in "as new" condition!
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| m_kanzler's Full Review: Starbucks Starbucks Aroma Thermal Brewer |
We got this after our old Black & Decker thermal carafe coffee maker started to make a bit of noise (from the old analog clock) and look dingy... after about 18 years of reliable service.
The Barista Aroma is overly complex, and was doomed to failure by the way it was over engineered.
It leaves puddles on the counter, and after trying all sorts of different ways to make it work correctly, we've finally given up altogether. At first we thought it was overflowing... but what happens is the carafe rejects the coffee. Maybe it's some sort of high-brow Starbucks thing?
We have heard from someone else with the same machine that he has had the exact same issues with it. Add to that the fact that some models are subject to a recall for meltdowns, and I would say this is one to avoid. I will not buy from this company again... the unnecessary complexity of the design just gives it ample opportunity to fail. Even with a checklist of pitfalls it is extremely difficult, often impossible, to get it just right (the button on top has to be depressed... I even added a strip of red to indicated "Danger" in the up position). Even with extreme care as to placement of all of the components (carafe open... check. filter oriented correctly in basket... check. filter basket all the way in... check. carafe full back in proper position... check. ready for launch... awww jeeze - it did it again!)
The seal on the carafe lid binds and makes it difficult to open. A light coat of vaseline on the rubber gasket makes it functional and is above the coffee, so works okay.
Even the filter basket is flimsy construction and overly complicated. I prefer the round filters to the flat type which this machine uses... at 04:30 AM I don't want to have to orient one of the simplest parts.
It is also too tall to fit under some overhanging cabinets,
and without space above it becomes awkward to use.
I'll be digging out our old coffee maker and seeing if I can repair the clock and do a deep cleaning of the housing with an abrasive cleanser... it was simple and reliable.
Recall Info:
http://www.appliance.net/2006/starbucks-barista-aroma-coffee-maker-recall/
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
m_kanzler
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Reviews written: 1
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