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I purchased the Bodum Santos two years ago after researching all types of coffee makers. The other reviews are right - the coffee taste amazing and it is a really cool coffee making process to watch. However, the coffee pot is nearly impossible to clean thoroughly and the odd shaped top portion was hard to store when not in use. Ours mysteriously quit working about six months ago and since we purchased it online, there isn't any way to repair it.I'd say save your money and just buy the old fashioned Bodum French Press - its about a quarter of the price with all of the flavor.
Put it on a NICE surge protector, maybe that will help.In 6 years we have owned.(1) Starbucks Utopia label of the Santos (after 6 months developed a leak in gasket, which dripped into electronics and fried the unit) (2) Replacement version from Starbucks (after 6 monthsdeveloped a leak in gasket.starbucks gave us a full refund and said they no longer carry the unit because it is problematic)(3) Bodum Santos 'newer' revision (after 1 yr, electronics stopped turning 'off' the burner. I LOVE the coffee from the Bodum Santos.I would give it five stars if it were halfway reliable. Oh yes.small leak in gasket)(4) Bodum Santos 'mini' version for fewer cups (after 6 months.electronics failure)(5) Replacement Bodum Santos 'mini' version (lasted over a year. I have had FIVE of these within 6 years.Don't buy this expecting it to last a lifetime. The coffee is wonderful from these units.Clean with denture tabs and you will extend the life of the unit. Now.it doesn't turn on. At all).
I've owned this coffee maker for over a year. Frankly, I'm fed up and I'm going to buy anther machine altogether. After about 6 months the electrical unit on the machine burned out.
So be prepared to spend an awful lot of money on coffee beans with this one. After waiting about 6 weeks I called them again and they finally sent me a whole new coffee maker. There's no question that it makes excellent coffee, once you get the hang of it, but it uses an insane amount of coffee.
I called Bodum and they said the replacement part was back ordered. For me, I'm willing to put up with that for a really good brew. But my real problem with this machine (and my reason for writing this review) is that while it is an excellent design, the manufacturing seems to be second rate.
Now, 6 months later, another electronics malfunction is causing the thing to boil over about one in four times that we use it. Bottom line - great design, great coffee, very poorly made.
drip and stale taste of friend's filter-type coffee makers.No paper filters, and it easy to clean--just let the vacuum suck air for a little while after all the liquid coffee has been sucked down into the bottom, and by the time you clean up, the grounds are quite dry, not at all gloppy. I like that it is plastic--and it is tough as nails. The coffee is delicious, the time from "on" to "drink" is super fast, and it has had no problems (that weren't caused by me). It was my fault.
What more can you ask for.It is beautiful, as coffee makers go. I've had the Bodum electric, vacuum 6-cup (not 12-cup) for more than 24-months, and have used it twice a day, every day. When cleaning, there is no need to remove the filter from the top--just leave it in place and toss the top half into soapy water. No leaks, no problems, not hard to clean (but I wish that Bodum would sell the great cleaning powder that comes with it, because I've run out).Some reviews for the Santos without the timer seem to indicate that many people have a hard time with their kitchen appliances. It is a little after-dinner, one-act play.
The bottom half (carafe) has electronics built in, so it can't be submersed.At the start I tried to make 6-cups (remember, I have the 6-cup model), but with the large amount of grounds that I use (very strong coffee), and the super-fine vacuum grind I like to use (nearly powder), it frothed over the sides once. So I guess I'd say that if you hate your toaster, or microwave, grinder, blender, then you'll probably hate this coffee maker, too. Unlike some methods of making coffee, vacuum coffee is clear black (not cloudy brown like the french press method), and vacuum coffee can be brewed very strong without bitterness (because of the short time that the grounds are in hot water). Making a pot of coffee only takes about 3 minutes, so now if I need more than 5 cups, I make another pot, instead of making too large a potful in one batch. I like the mini-drama--at least it's better than the interminable drip.
drip. Simple solution.Best electric coffee I've ever had. Too bad, because I love this machine, and my friends say my coffee is the best they've had.
Unfortunately we've had the same problem with the replacement ( though it did last longer than the first - I think it's been about 1 year ). There is no denying that this maker produces a good cup of coffee or that it looks cool, however we had a problem with the pot developing hair-line cracks around the bottom. The handle also recently broke off which makes it pretty much unusable because there is nothing to grip while removing the top part or while pouring. This allowed liquid to seep into the base where the electrical parts are. We thought we may have just gotten a bad one so we contacted the manufacturer who sent us a replacement without any hassle. If anyone is wondering, no the pot was not handled roughly or abused. We will not be buying another.
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