BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer Reviews

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List Price: $169.95
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****Update 10-5-11****Unit has died (heating element apparently went out). Now out of warranty since it has been 4 years. On the one had I hate to spend $135+ to get a new one, but on the other hand, once you've had one of these things, it's hard to go back to the traditional coffeemaker. It did make great coffee for 4 years, and I loved having my coffee ready in just a minute or two. Despite the fact that I would have liked to get more than 4 years out of my original purchase, I will probably buy another one.

****Update 2-27-09****

My coffee maker developed a leak. I dusted off my original paperwork, and was very happy to see that this unit comes with a 3 year warranty. I sent it back to Bunn, and they sent me a brand new unit. Painless and relatively quick (less than a week). Yet another reason to buy a Bunn. The only thing I would mention is that I had to pay to have the old unit shipped back to them. Cost me $13 UPS, so it's not really that big a deal, but I just have this old fashioned notion that if something is covered by warranty, it shouldn't cost the consumer a penny to get it fixed or replaced.

****Original Review****

I don't see why anyone would buy a traditional glass carafe coffeemaker. The heating element scorches the coffee after about 15-20 minutes, so if you haven't finished the pot by then, you end throwing the rest away. At least I used to, until I discovered thermal carafes years ago.

I really like this coffeemaker. I am a big coffee drinker, and I usually make 1 pot in the morning, 1 pot in the afternoon, and 1 pot at night. The quality of the coffee that it brews is excellent, and I like the fact that the coffee is ready in 3 minutes.

A few other observations:

-I have not had any problem with the carafe. No spills or dribbles, and it keeps the coffee piping hot for a good 90 minutes, and then drinkably hot for another 2 hours. I especially like the fact that you don't need to open and close the lid to pour the coffee. The lids stays in the closed position while the coffee is brewing and it stays in the closed position when you pour it from the carafe.

-I have not had any problem with the basket overflowing or grinds in my coffee, but I have noticed that the grinds rise up to the tippy top of the filter, and I use Bunn filters which are a little taller than most. Although I have not had a problem myself, I can see where someone who likes an extra strong brew and adds a little more coffee might have an issue. For me it works, and I use about 10 tablespoons of coffee per full pot.

-I don't particularly like the automatic feature that starts the brewing cycle as soon as you close the lid to the water chamber. I would prefer to have a button to press, but its not a huge deal for me. Like another reviewer, I can see potential disaster if I have company or overnight guests and they want to make the coffee, and I haven't briefed them on how the machine works.

-Price is high when compared to the Mr. Coffee type machines with glass carafes, but I really do notice a difference in the taste of the coffee when I visit friends and they break out their $30 coffee maker after dinner. I think the price is a fair price for what you get, and although I haven't had it long enough to comment on its durability, Bunn typically makes products that stand up over time.

-The entire machine does have a rather large footprint, and it is bit taller than many coffeemakers. I have alot of counter space and my cabinets are high, so its not an issue for me, but do yourself a favor and take 30 seconds to measure the space where you intend to put the machine to make sure it will fit nicely.

Overall, if you're into good coffee, and you're willing to spend the money, and you're willing to overlook a few very minor flaws (see above) I would highly recommend this machine.

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I bought this brewer in October. At first I was very happy with it. Then the carafe started leaking so bad it was ridiculous. I called Bunn a couple of days ago and the lady told me to wash the spout and the seal around the rim with Dawn dishwashing soap (she specifically said Dawn which I happened to have on hand) and the carafe would perform much better. She said that after a number of uses the oil from the coffee keeps the seal from sealing well. I hung up fully expecting to call her back in a few minutes. I washed the carafe as she suggested and it works like new again... no leaks!! If you have this pot, try it, you'll be amazed at the difference. Now I love this brewer again!

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We purchased this to replace an aging Mr. Coffee. The Mr. Coffee was programmable, which was nice when I remembered, but when I didn't it could take nearly 20 minutes to brew a pot. That is a long wait in the morning. We considered this or the Braun programmable, which appeared to be rated well, but I couldn't determine how long it took to brew. I knew I wanted speed.

I got speed. This thing is fast. By two and a half minutes its down to waiting on the last drips to come out of the basket. The coffee's flavor is excellent, but a little weaker than I like. I upped the amount of coffee to the recommended tbsp per cup (which would yield very bitter coffee on other machines I've had) and its back to where I like it. A darker roasted coffee would also add a lot of strength. I enjoy the fact that the coffee doesn't sit on a burner and cook too. The carafe has done a great job of keeping the coffee hot for hours at a time. I've had no real trouble about the carafe dripping.. this may be because the Mr. Coffee trained me to go slower to avoid such drips.

Another point: I checked and the Bunn filters ARE taller than my others. The coffee grinds do get pretty high on the filter, so I can imagine that getting off-brand filters would get you grinds in your coffee. Just buy the Bunn filters at your local megamart. They're not that expensive. Also, decaf and/or finely ground coffee does sometimes overflow the filter anyway. The manual mentions this and offers a free replacement sprayhead to improve this. We don't drink a huge amount of decaf, so I don't think we'll ask for it.

I've tried some premium coffees again, and am happy to report that they are worth it now. A good coffeemaker does make a difference in the quality of the coffee.

Pros: Very fast. Coffee tastes very good. No burning the coffee on the carafe warmer. Keeps the coffee hot. Did I mention fast?

Cons: Coffee seems a tad weak. Very finely ground coffee, and decaf, sometimes overflow the filter a bit. I wish it had a button to press to brew instead of closing the top.. I foresee a big mess if company is up before me (It starts pouring coffee out the basket as soon as you close the lid, you HAVE to have the carafe in place).

Would I have been happy with the Braun? Probably. But I bet its not as fast, and after years of inadequate coffeemakers, I'm happy to have one this quick, and making coffee this good.

Honest reviews on BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer

We received this coffeemaker as an upgrade when our last Bunn was recalled due to a manufacturing defect. (NB: Bunn has excellent customer service and is conscientious about recall notifications, and I recommend the company highly. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this product.) We have been fans of Bunn coffeemakers for years; our first home machine provided us with at least 14,000 pots of fresh, hot coffee before it succumbed to the ravages of time and Minnesota's hard water. We tried very hard to like this model, but ultimately its flaws outweighed its benefits, and we are now shopping for a new coffee maker. The flaws include:

An incredibly drippy carafe. There does not seem to be any way to predict when it will drip or in which direction. Sometimes only a few drops fall from the carafe; sometimes, it spills 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coffee across the countertop.

The internal assembly (which Bunn fans will know is cleaned with a tightly coiled metal reaming spring) is much more difficult to clean in this unit than in our past ones.

This model also seems far less forgiving of our hard water than previous ones and requires cleaning much more frequently. We've had trouble with calcium buildup even with softened water in both the brewer and the lid of the carafe. This and the completely opaque carafe (in combination with our increasing age and forgetfulness) have led to some huge messes in the kitchen, with coffee running over and even into the cabinets below the coffee maker.

Like most thermal carafes, this one does not keep the coffee warm enough for us, and we go through coffee very quickly. I don't see this working at all for most people.

On the brighter side, you will have a fast cup of coffee most of the time, and you will be doing business with a company that deserves its good reputation. If you ask me, though, I'd suggest you buy the model without the thermal carafe unless you own stock in a paper towel company.

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This brewer surprised me a little when I received it. First of all, it is fairly difficult to figure out because it holds two pots of water at a time. For most of us, this is a strange concept. However, it works well because one pot's worth of water stays hot all the time and the other that you pour in, replenishes the hot water in the lower chamber. It seems like a waste of enrgy to me so I put it on a timer to keep it from sitting there at 170 degrees or so all the time.

It brews a great pot of coffee at the proper temperature unlike many thermal carafe units.

All in all a great unit. But if you don't do well at programming VCRs than this isn't the unit for you. This is unit is probably geared more toward commercial or constant use. It brews a pot of coffee FAST as in three minutes because the water is already hot.

The carafe itself is very well made if not a bit tricky at first. You use your thumb to push the top part of the handle counterclockwise while holding the handle in your hand to get the top started so you can open it. Again, a little counter intuitive at first but very well made.

I like the Bunn better than any coffee maker I have owned, ever, but be prepared to have to give multiple lessons on its use to other family members.