Product Description

The KitchenAid Pro Line Single Carafe Coffee Maker is made of handsome die-cast metal designed to stand up to the heaviest use. This coffee maker has a powerful 1350 watt heat pump for quick brewing and exceptionally smooth and flavorful coffee. This unit comes with a 12-Cup glass carafe and adjustable temperature warming plate. The Full-dispersion showerhead sprays the entire filter basket with hot water, ensuring even coffee extraction and outstanding flavor. The "Time Since Brew" display helps you determine at a glance the freshness of the coffee, showing 30, 60, 90, and 120-minute quadrants of the elapsed time since brewing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126807 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Nickel Pearl
• Brand: KitchenAid
• Model: KPCM050NP
• Released on: 2005-10-15
• Dimensions: 16.00" h x 8.00" w x 15.00" l, 26.00 pounds

Features

• Coffeemaker with full-dispersion showerhead for optimum flavor extraction
• Die-cast metal construction and stainless-steel 1350-watt heat pump
• Steel brew basket; "time since brew" display; adjustable warming-plate temperature
• 12-cup glass carafe, coffee scoop, and ion-exchange water filter included
• Measures 15-3/4 by 8-1/4 by 15-1/2 inches; 2-year warranty

Customer Reviews

This is the one you've been looking for.
I love my coffee more than most people, and although I wouldn't consider myself an expert or coffee snob, I know what to look for.

When looking for a replacement coffee maker, I made the decision that it was time to step up to a good model. No more compromises with $30 walmart specials you throw away after a couple years of cold, thin coffee. Life is too short to drink bad coffee!

I had a few criteria that I didn't want to compromise on. It had to be solidly manufactured, brew at a hot and consistent temperature, and brew at an appropriate rate. In the end, my search narrowed it down to the Technivorm, the Capresso with thermal carafe, and this one, the Kitchenaid. The capresso struck me as "gimmicky" for some reason. I'd used makers that brewed directly into a thermal carafe before and was always disappointed with overflow. I didn't want to waste time with that again, I can always brew into a traditional pot and pour it into a separate insulated carafe, like a thermos. The Technivorm, I heard good things about, but let's face it. It's just too ugly. In the end I settled on this one, and I'm very glad I did.

To begin, this thing is solid. You handle it and get the impression it'll be around for a while. I realize that doesn't say anything about the internal equipment, but given the attention to detail in manufacturing the exterior and visible components, it gives me some reassurance.

Secondly, it brews consistently hot. Right at the perfect 200 degree sweet spot. The water showers down on the grounds evenly for better extraction.

Finally, it's not too fast, and not too slow. I had a Bunn before this one, and my only complaint was that it was TOO FAST. The water would shoot out and it was this two minute race to finish. As a result I would always end up with weak coffee unless I used a ton of grounds. It got expensive fast. Plus it would overflow from time to time-- I like my coffee a bit strong and the amount of grounds I used would sometimes be too much. No such issues with the Kitchenaid. It takes about 6-8 minutes, an appropriate time for the water to be in contact with the grounds, and its completely silent the entire time. None of the gurgling and hissing you find with cheaper products. A little alarm bell sounds when the brewing is complete.

When the box arrived on a Friday afternoon, the glass carafe was broken. Imagine my disappointment after getting all excited about having a new toy for the weekend. I put in a call to the Kitchenaid support line, and aside from determining if it was shipping related damage, I had a new one sitting on my doorway Monday! Very happy with their support.

*Edit*

After one year of owning this coffee maker, the water pump died. Customer support sent me one a new unit with pre-paid shipping. It arrived next day UPS. The two year warranty was extended for another two years. Aside from that, my only complaint is that the lid dribbles coffee when you pour it. I think it gets sticky if you don't clean it well enough ? And while I'd rather not have to deal with customer service, the guys and girls at the kitchenaid support line are consistently the friendliest most helpful toll free line I've ever had the misfortune of dialing. They are amazing.

Good Coffeemaker With Problems, Great Customer Service
I've gone through two of these coffee makers in two years (I'm currently on my third). That being said, the machine makes a fantastic cup of coffee, brewed at the correct temperature. It's easy to use and program, is quiet while brewing, and looks great on your countertop.

Problems I've had:

- The first machine, after a couple of months, developed a burnt-out light on one of the "Time Since Brew" segments. KitchenAid shipped a new unit and I sent the defective one back to them - no charge to me. (UPS even comes to your house to pick-up the defective unit.)

- The second machine eventually developed several problems. First problem: After about a year, the finish appeared to be peeling off near the water input grate on top of the machine. (There's a thread on the KitchenAid Support Forums about this.) Second problem: Again after about a year, pouring water into the top grate made about 4 tablespoons of water drip through the shower head. Since I pour the water with the carafe, that meant water on the hotplate, which was annoying. KitchenAid shipped a new unit and I sent the defective one back to them - no charge to me.

The carafe also exhibited a problem that I haven't read about anywhere else. The design is plastic and glass. After several months of use, the top plastic portion developed a small gap between itself and the glass. When coffee was brewed, condensation built-up between the plastic and glass, and a small amount would eventually drip through the tiny gap, down the outside of the carafe, onto the hot plate, and eventually onto my counter-top. KitchenAid sent a replacement at no charge. (The replacement carafes are normally $40, which is a bit steep considering that it's not stainless steel/thermal, so handle it with care.)

I also had a problem with the stainless-steel filter basket holder. The black plastic handle is attached with a metal screw and washer on the inside of the holder. The screw and washer rusted. KitchenAid sent a replacement at no charge.

I'm hoping my third machine holds up, time will tell. I'm glad that KitchenAid stands by their products - their Customer Service is world-class.

Delicious, rich, strong cup of coffee
After much research on coffee makers, I decided to buy this machine, on my quest for the perfect cup of coffee. I also got the Pro Line grinder, which is fabulous. This machine is awesome. In addition to the great features, e.g., beeping when coffee is brewed, hot coffee, simplicity of use, adjustable warming plate, auto turn off, gorgeous design, the bottom line is its testament to a superior cup of brewed coffee. I like that it uses a 1350-watt heat pump and shower head water dispersion mechanism to fully saturate and extract the intense flavor from the ground beans. The other components to the "perfect" cup of coffee are superb quality, fresh-roasted beans ground to the proper fineness (I use #6 to 6-1/2 on the grinder, in the matching gold filter) and pure water (I use filtered water with the included charcoal water filter). The results are everything one could want -- coffee as good as that from Peets. Yes, this is a very expensive machine and it is a case of getting what you pay for. I am hoping that, due to its sturdy build and solid components, it will also last a LONG time. . .