Technivorm Moccamaster is a coffee machine made for coffee enthusiasts. The industrial design of this Dutch device harbors an ingenious technology that allows it to prepare an aromatic pot of coffee at the optimal temperature in less than six minutes.
Its innovative coffee brewing features made Technivorm Moccamaster appreciated by the Specialty Coffee Association – along with its high price. Perfectly brewed coffee costs money, especially since it doesn’t have the convenient features found in cheaper models like the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker. Moccamaster, however, is aimed at people who prefer excellent-tasting coffee to gimmicks.
Several Moccamaster models are available; We recently got our hands on the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV in polished silver with a glass carafe. After weeks of thorough testing (and many cups of coffee drunk), we share our insights on where Moccamaster ranks among the best coffee makers.
Main Thing – Fast Review
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select is an impressive example of coffee technology. Can reach industry-standard temperature (196 ° F – 205 ° F) in less than a minute and maintain it thanks to the copper cooking element.
As the water boils, it slides up the glass tube and goes to the 9-hole spray arm, where it is evenly distributed over the ground coffee in a cone-shaped basket. Best of all, KBGV elect can do all of this in four to six minutes, depending on the guise of the brew.
Speaking of the size of the brew, Moccamaster KBGV Select can brew a full or half carafe – just flip the switch next to the power button. This is a feature that was not present in previous versions of Moccamaster KBG.
Moccamaster KBGV Select keeps the coffee warm thanks to an independent heating plate that adjusts the temperature depending on the amount of coffee brewed. It will fluctuate between 175 ° F and 185 ° F and then automatically shut off after 100 minutes.
Complete Review of the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Coffee Maker
Price
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select is the latest model of this company, which first appeared in Europe at the end of 2019 as Moccamaster KBG Select. Its MSRP is $349, which is close to the current asking price on Amazon (opens in a new tab). The infuser comes with a 5-year warranty and Technivorm will repair it for a lifetime.
It is almost identical to the previous Technivorm Moccamaster KBG model, which sold for $20 less (but appears to be discontinued). However, KBGV Select can brew a half or full carafe, while KBG only brews a full carafe. In addition, KBGV Select has an independent hotplate that automatically regulates the temperature depending on the amount of coffee brewed. (KBG had a manual switch to control the hob).
Design
Moccamaster KBGV elected measures 14 x 12.75 x 6.5 inches. It is much smaller than the more elaborate Ninja models and should fit perfectly into smaller countertops. The set includes a glass carafe and a coffee scoop.
kind of all Moccamaster machines, the KBGV Select has an industrial aesthetic that is rather unique but may not be to everyone’s taste. On the left side is a copper heating element with a 40 oz water tank attached to it. The opposite is a cone-shaped plastic brewing basket and a spray arm with 9 holes. The brewing basket and spray arm require some assembly but are simple.
Moccamaster KBGV Select is available in nine colors, so you can match it with your kitchen decor. You can choose something neutral like brushed silver or the crisp red of a sugar apple.
On the bottom, there is an independent hotplate and two switches: one for adjusting the power and the other for adjusting the amount of brewing (half or full coffee). The hob turns off automatically after 100 minutes and it should be noted that it cannot be controlled manually.
Ease of Use
The no-nonsense advantage of the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select is that it’s dead easy to use. Simply place the filter in the brewing basket, add the coffee grounds (medium coarsely ground is recommended), and fill the water tank with a tap, filtered, or bottled water. When the Moccamaster is turned on, the brewing process will start immediately. There is no alarm to signal your coffee is ready – and the Moccamaster is one of the quietest coffeemakers we’ve ever handled – but after manually timing our brewing cycles, the results were consistent. Half a decanter takes almost four and a half minutes to brew, and a full decanter is ready in less than six minutes. The hob maintains a constant temperature for more than an hour and a half. This makes it easier to drink a few cups of coffee in the morning without worrying about the coffee cooling down. One thing you should pay attention to is the capacity. Made in Europe, Moccamaster KBGV Select has a maximum capacity of 40 ounces, compared to the 50 ounces that Ninja machines have. Usually, we had a little less coffee in cups with Moccamaster than we were used to with Ninja (which may be better for our health in the long run). It is worth noting that the water tank is not removable, as is the case with many other convenience-oriented machines, which means that refilling the tank takes a bit more work. Technivorm recommends washing the plastic brewing basket and glass carafe with warm soapy water, and descaling the machine due to calcium build-up is recommended every three months or after 100 cycles.
Performance
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select brews some of the smoothest coffees we have ever drank. We used Moccamaster brand paper filters, fountain, water, and freshly ground coffee.
To get the most out of the Moccamaster, the consistency of the coffee grounds is crucial. The first pot of coffee we made with it – a special dark mixture with a hint of chocolate – was smooth, but a bit tasteless. This is because the beans were not ground fine enough. Once we understood our mistake and reached the recommended medium coarse grain consistency, the coffee we drank afterward (various dark and medium roast types) was balanced and delicious.
I admit that I was spoiled for delayed brewing on the multi-functional Ninja machines and wish I could wake up with a fresh pot of coffee waiting for me at KBGV Select. On the other hand, Moccamaster can brew half a decanter of coffee in less than five minutes, so that’s not a big deal.
The smart hob is a nice touch as our coffee was kept warm all morning without having to manipulate the temperature. It never burned either.
If you’re the kind of person who gets up earlier than the rest of your household, the Moccamaster KBGV Select is one of the quietest coffee machines we’ve ever dealt with, so you won’t risk waking someone up with an unpleasant growl and grinding noises. (Instead, they will likely be awakened by the pleasant smell of fresh coffee.)
What We Didn’t Like
It’s hard to find fault with the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select because while it only does one thing (makes one pot of coffee), it does it very well.
Personally, I prefer my morning coffee to be varied throughout the week. In Moccamaster this is limited to the type of beans I use. Coming from the more extensive Ninja machines, I missed the possibility of making iced coffee or a cold infusion if I so wished. Programmable features such as delayed brewing and single-cup coffee serving are other amenities that were somewhat lacking.
Should You Buy the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV
If you are serious about your coffee then Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select is a great choice. Sure it’s expensive, but you’ll take advantage of the best coffee-making technology that can be found in any home coffee maker. Not to mention that Technivorm comes with a 5-year warranty and a lifetime repair. You get what you pay for.
The design of the KBGV Select will not be to everyone’s liking, and its plastic coffee basket can be particularly troublesome for some. If aesthetics play an important role in the purchasing process, the comparable Bonavita Connoisseur One-Touch (opens in a new tab) has a more streamlined appearance and is half the price of the Moccamaster. However, in this case, you will forgo the excellent build quality and impressive Technivorm warranty
You can also choose the even cheaper Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker (opens in a new tab), which allows you to brew individual cups and has a programmable 24-hour timer.
Meanwhile, if you like to tinker with your coffee settings, the Ninja Specialized Coffee Machine offers different brewing styles and sizes, so you can have something different every day. It also has a programmable timer and a built-in milk frother for when you fancy something fancy. However, it will take up slightly more countertop space than Moccamaster.
