Customer Reviews With Photos

I really did like this percolator. It is 1 1/2 years old but the edges of the top are rusted and yesterday the plastic piece breaks off.

The Hamilton Beach 42501 convenient craft rapid cold brew and hot coffee maker, made in China, is designed to brew a 16 oz. to-go cup of coffee. A cold brew takes up to 6 minutes, while a hot brew completes in half the time. As convenient as all this seems, this has got to be one of the worst coffee machines I’ve ever used. There is no water gauge, so I must measure water in a measuring cup. This machine doesn’t use pods but has a complicated brew basket with a mesh filter. Plus, making coffee means making a spattered mess all over the counter. The coffee maker requires removing the brew basket from the machine, twisting the top off, and adding grounds based on the ounces of water. Instead of the normal tablespoon per 6 oz cup of water for hot coffee, this machine recommends 5 ounces of water instead. More accurately, hot-brew needs 1g/2 Tbsp grounds per oz. water. Cold-brew uses 1.75g/.4 Tbsp per oz. Of course, you can adjust these amounts as desired. Once the coffee capsule is loaded and returned to the coffee maker, place your desired cup/mug under the brew basket. Then adjust the dial to hot or cold, press the bold button if desired, and press the power button. The coffee machine makes a whirring sound and drips brew into the drinking vessel. While the coffee is brewing, you can clean the coffee ring off the counter from filling the brew basket. Then after the coffee has finished brewing, clean all the spatter off surrounding items and the counter. The Hamilton Beach 42501 convenient craft rapid cold brew and hot coffee maker makes a good cup of coffee. Unfortunately, the design is horrible; I hate this coffee maker. If you’re searching for an uncomplicated hot and cold brew coffee maker, this is the wrong choice. ► PROS: Hot and cold brew options No coffee pods needed 1-year limited warranty ► CONS: Complicated design Makes a mess

For the past 10 years, I've been using the percolator my mom gave me that she got in the 1960s. I loved that percolator but it stopped working Dec. 2020 and had to have another one. I could not find one with enamel finish with design on the outside like the cute old one from the 60s, bought this one because it is red and has a glass knob on top, just like my old one. I was not going to settle for plastic knob or plastic parts and this one does not have any plastic, it's all stainless metal and glass. Love the silver cover since it's shiny. The red finish is matte, not shiny like my old enamel one. My new red percolator (I got the large one) makes coffee really quickly and the coffee is nice and hot for the first cups poured. Once the warmer goes on, the second cups are a little less hot but stick a poured cup in the microwave if you want it really hot. I think I made the right choice and got the best percolator for me.

It works however it does not turn off after each use.

I like this. If I were to say what's best, I'd say the overall speed. It's pretty fast for a smaller machine. It's easy to set up, but I had a problem getting it to brew the first time. When I put the reservoir tank in, it just blinked. So after I read the manual I thought it had something to do with not detecting water. It turned out to be the filter seated wrong. After that, it's been a nice little brewer. The basket for coffee is sold as the scoop as well, but no way I'm dipping a wet scoop in coffee. Also it tends to get fingerprints on it. All that aside, if you want a quick, small footprinted brewer that isn't loud then this is the ticket!

My partial solutions for filter’s design problems Update: Like so many other people’s complaints about their Euro Cuisine coffee pot, the same problem with the power switch has occurred with mine - it only lasted 4 months! The coffee pot is now dead. One major issue is that the diameter of the hole in the filter’s lid is too large. This causes bubbling hot water to mostly drip down the side of the tube and back into the pot without settling sufficiently into the coffee grounds. In other words, the hot water is not being distributed properly into the coffee grounds. Because of this, if you only want to make two cups (using two standard measures of coffee grounds) as labeled in the pot and filter (which is actually only 4 oz per cups, you can forget about it. When you pour the heated water into a cup, it will be crystal clear because the water misses most of the coffee during percolating. The grounds were mostly dry when only making 2 cups! This is also due to the fact that two traditional measures of ground coffee are not enough to hold the water in place long enough to brew the ground coffee. The water goes right through the grounds. Also, the filter drain slits that are below the coffee grounds are punched too large. I tried different coffee ground sizes. Same problem at any size. However, when I put in 4 measures of coffee grounds, there were enough grounds to at least help hold the water in the filter a bit. However, this means you are stuck having making 16 oz of coffee whether you want to or not. Thus, the manufacturer is incorrectly indicating that you have a choice of making 1 to 4 cups. To help the water remain in the coffee grounds longer instead of draining down the tube because of the oversized center hole, I drilled a stainless steel washer to fit closely around the tube. See my attached photos. This resulted in slightly browner coffee. However, because all of the slits in the filter cup are too large, and thus are allowing the hot water to drain through too quickly, I still have to use at lease 4 traditional measures of coffee grounds along with 2 or 4 cups of water. But, at least I am getting more flavor out of the coffee grounds now. An easy DIY fix for the oversized slits may be to gently tap them down with a thin steel punch. I am thinking about buying paper filters to help hold the hot water in the coffee grounds longer. Depending on the porosity of the paper, I am hoping it will make it possible to brew only 2 cups at a time without having to use 4 scoops of coffee grounds. Using enough coffee grounds for 4 cups is simply an expensive waste of quality coffee beans - unless, of course, you have an immediate need to brew that much coffee. The manufacturer could easily fix the problems by making the center hole and slits smaller. It is amazing they did not notice such obvious errors. It makes me wonder whether the manufacturer even bothered to make 1-4 cups of coffee with it to make sure it works properly before putting it on the market. Also, I noticed that another review indicated that the glass bubbler broke when a man lifted the top - cutting his skin, etc.. The bubbler is about 1/8 thick throughout. The only way I can figure that the bubbler broke in his hand is if someone had dropped it on a tile floor or something - and failed to tell him about it. Otherwise, I see no way at all for such a strong glass bubble to have broken just by lifting the top off. I really like that the bubbler is glass. Most coffee makes use plastic. Also, some reviews indicated the handle broke. There is a screw at the top that holds the handle against the pot. I would suggest making sure it is tight on occasion. I believe that should prevent any problems. Others have indicated their pot quit heating. I suspect someone forgot to unplug it a few times. A dry pot with the power turned on will cause overheating, which will obviously stress the heating coil. Easy to forget. Manufacturers should be required to install a fuse or breaker switch. The pot is beautiful. If the manufacturer figures out the problems associated with oversize holes, and also installs a fuse or breaker, this pot will be a keeper, and will make a great gift.

First and Foremost, I am a coffee SNOB. I had my doubts on this product so when it was offered to review, I had to. I'm choosing to write my review by paralleling the seller's description, use it accordingly: -Premium might be a stretch of a word. But the glass does seem to be of decent quality. I considered testing it over an open flame, but here's the thing; that doesn't do anything for the brew itself except make it hot. And a) there are other more efficient ways to heat up liquids, and b) if you are buying this for quality coffee, you drink the coffee post-brew, you don't reheat it later, reheated coffee is for those who need coffee, not those looking enjoy coffee. So I did not test for that, it doesn't seem to be a practical a practical use. -THIS FILTER. I don't know why it says its maximizing extraction, when really there are other things that matter more and contribute to extraction. One thing I will give it, it would technically allow more oil to get through to the brew but I don't think anybody was asking for that, that isn't what makes a good cup, also personally that makes for a more upset stomach. Paper filters are standard for quality purposes, they aren't something to shy away from. IN FACT! And this is a big point, your paper filters create more resistance, it allows the water to sit in the coffee rather than run through it, which is a must. If you don't know, theres a phase of pour over called Bloom, its basically a heavy initial pour that sits in the coffee, gets it all wet and allows it to release CO2. That is not possible with this filter because it runs through too fast, unless you use finer grinds, but this brewer calls for courser grinds. Additionally, the shape of this filter almost dictates that you use it in this carafe, nothing else unless it has a wide conical top. Versatility is a nice feature for coffee equipment. -THE LARGE CAPACITY: While typically you don't need a large capacity, it is a nice piece to use for hosting guests, this is a lovely set to look at. For a single use, or for a double cup, because of the size, what you have basically lays flat in a puddle, which gives it a lot of surface area... which means it gets colder faster. -EASY TO USE AND CLEAN. As a glass product, sure its easy to clean. The filter however, it takes some effort to get it clean, and you can't scrub because its basically a cheese grater and the last thing you want is anything stuck inside. I will say, its not nearly as easy to clean as just simply throwing away a paper filter with the grinds inside, instead I have to was this filter AND then wash out the sink because the grinds basically have to get washed down the drain. -ECO "FRINDLY" (just one of the many typo's in their description), that is a perk to this brewer, little waste. But honestly, the lack of filters is a deal breaker, metal filters just don't work the same if you're looking for quality (and if we're being honest, you are, you're reading a review on a pour over set, not a dorm room Keurig), and the waste a filter leaves behind is a) not that much and b) circumventable by composting or recycling. They are so biodegradable, and with the grounds, thats just more compost. My honest review and final thoughts: This product shouldn't exist, but it does, so I will review it for what it is. The filter is too open, water rushes right through and doesn't spend enough time in the extraction process, leaving kind of dull and flat tasting coffee. I find it inconvenient that you have to remove the filter when pouring, seeing as clearly the home for that piece is inside the unit, the shape of the filter doesn't lend itself to setting down most places, nor do I want to risk damaging the pore's, and theres no ability to hang it from anything either... and because you kind of have to keep it in there, its awkward while pouring, and it will fall out unless held in place, but also it must be cleaned before hand or else you may spill grinds. The only person I suspect this is right for is someone looking to get a good pour over set but doesn't have the resources yet, looking to get a quick fix for cheap until better equipment is easy to aquire. I will more than likely be keeping mine mostly as decoration, If I find that that after the honeymoon phase, I don't enjoy looking at it, I'll give it to a friend.

At first this French press was excellent. I bought it as a gift for my boyfriend. Unfortunately less than a month later, the strainer has detached from the stem and is useless. Very disappointed. UPDATED: I was able to loosen the bottom so the top screw part would stay but I wish the bottom could be tightened completely and the the top screwed on.

This skull pour coffee maker is so cool looking. It is also nice and big, and it comes with a skull spoon. My only complaint is that I wish it had a handle, or even two. Other than that, I really like it.

Basic model, no water filter, didnt buy 3 month care kit or descaler. Thats all I can say about it at the moment. Just got it unpackeged 15 min. Ago. Im not going to be running tap water into it. Only distilled water. Shouldn't need filter or descaler. Will check 2 months from now.

I bought this press because of the amount of good reviews, and because it is fully stainless steel with no plastic components present. I drink tea all day long. All day long. I have bags and bags (and cans) of loose leaf tea all over the place and I didn't want to deal with a tea pot + tea infuser combination because the reviews for glass tea pots and infusers are iffy at best. They break, they're delicate, and I'm not sure how clumsy I am. This product began to form black rust between the mesh basket and the plunger after one week of use. Yes, I do wash it and dry it by hand. There's absolutely no reason for it to rust, or at least, rust this early. If it isn't designed for making tea or coffee around five times a day, then there should be a warning somewhere or it really isn't as extravagant of a product as the company and reviewers make it out to be. In fact, the company has not replied to my e-mails. I actually planned to buy one of the larger versions if they were willing to back up their product, explain a flaw in manufacturing and send me a replacement part (since it is only rusting in one specific area.) I assume they did not tighten the bolt properly and water is trapped inside and causing the black rust that I can't get rid of no matter how many times I scrub and pick it away. I am really glad that I bought it while it was on sale. It's not worth the money. **Update 12/08/12 I began using the carafe as a cup because it keeps my tea hot/warm for about twenty to thirty minutes longer than a normal cup, and no longer use it as a press (to avoid consuming the black rust.) Shortly after, it began to rust (or tarnish) on the inside of the carafe. They also still have not replied to my e-mail. **Update 18/09/12 I wrote this, after getting attacked by Frieling fan-boys (or workers) in my comments; After a lot of research in an attempt to find out why my Frieling product rusted, I came to the conclusion that this stainless steel press is no more delicate than glass. Why? Because of the brushed interior. From Wiki: ----- Brushed or dull polished[1] metal is metal with a unidirectional satin finish. It is produced by polishing the metal with a 120-180 grit belt or wheel then softening with an 80-120 grit greaseless compound or a medium non woven abrasive belt or pad. The brushing gives the metal a distinctive look, as it retains some but not all of its metallic lustre and is given a pattern of very fine lines parallel to the brushing direction. It can be compared to metal covered with small scratches all running in the same direction. Commonly brushed metals include stainless steel, aluminium and nickel. Brushed finishes are popular in both small appliances and whiteware,[2] and feature in architecture and automotive design. The Iconic Gateway Arch and DeLorean DMC-12 are both clad in brushed stainless steel. Brushed finishes typically have a detrimental effect on corrosion resistance. In particular the brushed texture limits the ability of fluid to bead on the material surface. In the case of stainless steel the grooves of the finish can accumulate chloride ions which break down the chromium oxide passivation layer, enabling rusting to occur.[3] ------ Stainless steel stains. If it is scratched, then the scratched area will begin to rust or stain and you will have to buy a special stainless steel cleaner to repeatedly use on the surface to remove any residue of rust or stains. That means you're dishing out extra cash to keep your stainless steel from polluting your coffee or tea after every use if you just so happen to scratch it. Brushed finishes are more prone to rusting, as explained above. The basket for this Frieling makes scratching the finish very easy. I knew from the beginning that the nails-on-chalk-board sound it made every time I pushed down or pulled up was going to ruin the brushed finish on the inside of the carafe. What I didn't realize was that the 'stainless steel' would become tarnished afterward. The strange part is that I pressed very carefully in an attempt to avoid the noise altogether, so you would think harming the finish would be nearly impossible. Maybe, my Frieling was a bad apple. The finish might have been done poorly while others were done up to standard. WHAT I LEARNED WHEN RESEARCHING BLACK RUST: After every use and after every cleaning, a black rust or residue would show up in one specific area. The thickest part of the shaft, between the basket and plunger. I can only fathom that it wasn't assembled tightly and water would sneak into the bolt that holds the basket and shaft together. I researched black rust and found out that it is actually a good form of rust that protects rather than destroys. Is it healthy to drink? Probably not. I wouldn't want to risk it. Besides the fact that the product has proven to be problematic, their customer service is dead or they just don't care. I purchased the product in May and e-mailed them around June in an attempt to get a new plunger and basket. The press was clearly flawed and I think I deserved a new one, but the silence only suggests that they don't stand behind their products. They only screwed themselves out of making more money; I honestly wanted to buy one of the larger Frieling presses after realizing how small the one I bought was, and I was hoping that I received a rare bad apple. NOTE: I'm not an expert and I'm only stating what I've learned on websites; it CAN stain. It DOES stain. I have purchased new french presses but haven't owned them long enough to give anyone a better suggestion. I'll let you guys know later if I have another bad experience. If you read the comments, someone says rust is red. Rust isn't always red. I researched this. Black rust apparently is a good thing and defeats the purpose of my original complaint (even though it is probably still unhealthy to consume black rust,) yet the company didn't have the courtesy to explain this to me in a reply e-mail. To be honest, they probably wouldn't have even known what black rust was. I just did the work for them. The same person also made a review and said not to put tea inside of stainless steel. If you read the product description it actually advertises toward loose leaf tea drinkers. "KEEPS HOT DRINKS HOT AND COLD ONES COLD: It's not just for coffee. Our French Press line is perfect for brewing loose tea or even cold beverages like water, milk, ice tea and juice. In the mood for something cold? Use the pitcher to serve water, milk, iced tea, juices." Tea did not cause this problem, and it is also less acidic than coffee if that was his reasoning behind that excuse. Someone also says that these presses don't have a finish. It says in the product description that there is a mirror and brushed finish. I personally believe that the brushed finish interior was the flaw here and the reason why the basket scratched it so easily. Mirror interior would've allowed a smooth glide of the basket with no rough friction to form scratches. Take this as you will. I'm only trying to help. Everything could have a simple explanation and I could be incredibly wrong, but with no response from the company, I'm left to try and figure everything out for myself. **I also want to add that I have a stainless steel stove top water kettle made by OXO and I always leave water in it. There's always water sitting in the kettle waiting to be heated and it never is empty. Never. I don't give it a break. It has NOT rusted at all. There's no discoloration or tarnish. I also have a stainless steel rice cooker that I know is scratched from me hitting it with forks and spoons to move rice around and there's NO rusting. I leave rice in the cooker to soak in water overnight. If it wanted to rust then it had many opportunities to do so. MY CONCLUSION: BRUSHED INTERIOR WAS A BAD IDEA. Mirror interior would've been the intelligent way to design this carafe. The basket clearly scratched the brushed finish and caused it to rust. If I force the basket roughly against the exterior there is no noise, nor do I notice any visible scratching. I would probably buy a Frieling again, if they were to ever offer mirror finish interior, just so I can have a stainless steel french press (and I don't know of any other company who offers them.) Until then, they're not worth my money; I will not buy a product prone to scratching and rusting.

I was surprised to find that the coffee press did not come in a box and had a noticeable scratch on it. This was very disappointing as this was bought as a gift. Otherwise, the product appears to be of good quality.

I ordered a "new" coffee maker. The one I received was well used, very scuffed up with coffee grounds and coffee stains, and a hair on it. This is the most disgusting purchase I have ever made. Not only was it used, it was actually well used like it came from a dumpster.

My keurig died and I’m low on cash and needed a new coffee maker within 24 hours, this one fit what I needed. It arrived in less than 24 hours, it makes a perfect cup of coffee with zero effort, and it burned my tongue. a+ for the price. I don’t care if this thing dies in a few months with the price. 10/10 would recommend. Also it takes up no space. The ONLY THING I could consider a con, if you put a smaller coffee mug, the coffee will splash out a little as it’s brewing. Barely a problem though

This coffee grinder is just perfect. I have it set to just under 6 grind. I use this for my Moccamaster brewer, and it grinds it for a tasty pot of brewed coffee every time. It's a little loud while grinding, but not too loud. I don't mind holding the grind button while it grinds (15 seconds or so), but some people say they don't like that. The beans I use are not very oily, and it works great - so not sure how it performs with oily beans. I order coffee from a local coffee roaster, so the beans I use are very fresh. There is a bit of static in the glass grounds container, but that doesn't bother me either - I just wash the glass grounds container every time I use it. It's always clean and ready to go each morning! I highly recommend this grinder.