Bodum Santos 3000 12-Cups Coffee Maker
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- Max. Power: 1200 Watts
- Operation: Electric
- Type: Coffee Maker
- Built-in Grinder: Without Built-in Grinder
- Capacity: 12 Cups
Similar in Espresso Machines & Coffee Makers
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Excellent if you focus on flavor!
Pros
Excellent coffee flavor! Great show!
Cons
Tougher to "reload" than drip models. Bottom plate eventually leaks.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Best non-espresso coffee you can make at home. Perfect for the java aficionado and/or those who break a lot of glass carafes.
*** UPDATE - March 2008 ***
I see the flaw in this design. The plastic carafe seems to have a weak point around the base. After repeated use it starts to leak. I'm still using it because I just love the smooth coffee flavor, but it's a little annoying to have it failing again. I'd love to replace it with a superior unit, but I'm not aware of another vacuum system like it. I'll continue to put up with the leak until it totally fails.
*** UPDATE - September 2006 ***
Well, my Bodum Santos finally broke. The seal around the bottom of the pot failed and coffee was slowly leaking into the heating element area. In my opinion, not repairable. No shame though. It faithfully performed for over four years with very heavy, almost daily use.
After a long and thorough search of the coffee geek websites, I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE! Nothing else seems to utilize the same vacuum brew process. I've tried many pots of drip-brewed java in offices and friends homes and this is still the best non-espresso coffee experience.
I also re-read the epinions made since my original post. I find it interesting that they are so stratified - love it or hate it. No in between. Most of the detractors at least admit that it makes great coffee. Most bad reviews were related directly to defective equipment. Those who thought the brew was weak compared it to a french press or something more hand-crafted. This might be the case. I used to use a french press and it can make a stronger brew. But presses only make small batches and I broke more than a few of them from aggressive or frequent use. I believe this unit is the best compromise for large quantity brewing and high quality flavor.
*** UPDATE - April 2006 ***
After several years of using this appliance I'm still completely satisfied. It continues to perform flawlessly and brews excellent flavored coffee. The clear acrylic unit I purchased is starting to show some staining and scratches, but it's a good trade-off for a non-breakable material. After repeated washings, my wife or I usually break a glass carafe or two. Still going strong.
*** END of UPDATE ***
I've had my Bodum Santos for over a year now and I'm still thrilled with the coffee it brews. If you've read the other reviews, you already know it looks cool, makes tasty coffee, can be a bit tough to clean (no disposable filters), and costs a little bit more.
Let me tell you some other important things though. It's made of durable plastic. Sound's cheap? Not if your wife has broken three different carafes in six months! My old Braun made fine coffee but the paper-thin glass of the carafes couldn't stand up to the abuse in my household. Then I couldn't find replacement carafes at all! This thing is almost indestructible.
Also, many of today's drip models only brew 10 cups. I definitely needed a 12-cup model.
Most importantly for me was the flavor. One review I read said that it didn't taste any different than their old brewer. As an eternal skeptic, I too did a side by side test with at least 4 different kinds of fresh ground and even not-so-fresh coffees. The Bodum Santos was the winner every time. And I don't mean by a little bit! I was stunned how much smoother the flavors came through.
I've been brewing coffee for friends and family in this unit and several have ditched their drippers for this model as well. I've even taken it to work to put on a little "percolating show" and coffee tasting for the non-believers. The serious coffee drinkers appreciate the flavor immediately.
Oh yeah - and mine even came with a How-To video tape narrated by a cute little Dutch girl...
I see the flaw in this design. The plastic carafe seems to have a weak point around the base. After repeated use it starts to leak. I'm still using it because I just love the smooth coffee flavor, but it's a little annoying to have it failing again. I'd love to replace it with a superior unit, but I'm not aware of another vacuum system like it. I'll continue to put up with the leak until it totally fails.
*** UPDATE - September 2006 ***
Well, my Bodum Santos finally broke. The seal around the bottom of the pot failed and coffee was slowly leaking into the heating element area. In my opinion, not repairable. No shame though. It faithfully performed for over four years with very heavy, almost daily use.
After a long and thorough search of the coffee geek websites, I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE! Nothing else seems to utilize the same vacuum brew process. I've tried many pots of drip-brewed java in offices and friends homes and this is still the best non-espresso coffee experience.
I also re-read the epinions made since my original post. I find it interesting that they are so stratified - love it or hate it. No in between. Most of the detractors at least admit that it makes great coffee. Most bad reviews were related directly to defective equipment. Those who thought the brew was weak compared it to a french press or something more hand-crafted. This might be the case. I used to use a french press and it can make a stronger brew. But presses only make small batches and I broke more than a few of them from aggressive or frequent use. I believe this unit is the best compromise for large quantity brewing and high quality flavor.
*** UPDATE - April 2006 ***
After several years of using this appliance I'm still completely satisfied. It continues to perform flawlessly and brews excellent flavored coffee. The clear acrylic unit I purchased is starting to show some staining and scratches, but it's a good trade-off for a non-breakable material. After repeated washings, my wife or I usually break a glass carafe or two. Still going strong.
*** END of UPDATE ***
I've had my Bodum Santos for over a year now and I'm still thrilled with the coffee it brews. If you've read the other reviews, you already know it looks cool, makes tasty coffee, can be a bit tough to clean (no disposable filters), and costs a little bit more.
Let me tell you some other important things though. It's made of durable plastic. Sound's cheap? Not if your wife has broken three different carafes in six months! My old Braun made fine coffee but the paper-thin glass of the carafes couldn't stand up to the abuse in my household. Then I couldn't find replacement carafes at all! This thing is almost indestructible.
Also, many of today's drip models only brew 10 cups. I definitely needed a 12-cup model.
Most importantly for me was the flavor. One review I read said that it didn't taste any different than their old brewer. As an eternal skeptic, I too did a side by side test with at least 4 different kinds of fresh ground and even not-so-fresh coffees. The Bodum Santos was the winner every time. And I don't mean by a little bit! I was stunned how much smoother the flavors came through.
I've been brewing coffee for friends and family in this unit and several have ditched their drippers for this model as well. I've even taken it to work to put on a little "percolating show" and coffee tasting for the non-believers. The serious coffee drinkers appreciate the flavor immediately.
Oh yeah - and mine even came with a How-To video tape narrated by a cute little Dutch girl...
