Why settle for anything less than the best quality cup of coffee every morning? The Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS promises to deliver exactly that, in only 4-6 minutes. I gave this model a spin and tried all of the features that come standard in most Moccamasters, and I think you’ll be impressed.
Meet the Moccamaster
Technivorm Moccamaster has been producing quality coffee makers since 1968. Every model is handmade in the Netherlands and comes backed with a 5-year warranty and lifetime repairs.
The Technivorm Moccamaster was awarded the Golden Cup Standard by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, which is not easy to achieve. To receive it, a coffee maker must meet the four T’s of coffee brewing: temperature, time, turbulence, and total dissolved solids. Moccamaster meets them all, which means you’ll taste a delicious cup of coffee.
There are several varieties of drip coffee brewers, including automatic and manual drip and thermal or glass carafe. Technivorm is known for its precise engineering, but it’s the unique, contemporary designs that make them stand out on your kitchen counter.
So let’s take a closer look at the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS model and see if it’s right for you.
Basic Specs
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS is the only model that includes a thermal stainless steel carafe and the manual drip-stop. And unlike the KBT and CDT Moccamaster models, the KBTS stands only 13 inches high, making it ideal for sliding under kitchen cabinets.
The KBTS is a coffee expert’s coffee machine. The manual drip-stop allows for a hands-on coffee brewing experience that aims to achieve the pour-over taste in 4-6 minutes of brewing time. This machine brews full pots of coffee that reach the Golden Cup Standard.
All plastic parts are BPA-free, including the removable brew basket. The thermal carafe is made of stainless steel and includes a travel lid so that you can take it on the go.
You’ll also get a couple of paper coffee filters for the brewing basket, an adorable coffee scoop to measure your ground coffee, and of course, one of the best cups of coffee brewed in your own home.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the features that make the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS so ideal.
Fast Brewing Time
I always want to highlight that all Moccamaster coffee makers promise to brew an entire pot of coffee in just 4-6 minutes. And they deliver. This incredible feature is perfect for those busy mornings when you’re rushing out the door.
Of course, the manual drip-stop allows you to control the flow, so you can slow it down if you want. Switching to a slower drip enables the hot water to extract more flavor from the ground beans or gives you time to stir up the ground coffee during its brewing.
Manual Drip-Stop
Since I brought it up, let’s talk about this feature. Before trying out the Technivorm Moccamaster, I’d only ever used automatic drip coffee makers. So I didn’t understand what the big deal was.
The manual drip-stop lets you control the flow of the brewing process. For example, slow it down and give the hot water more time to extract the full flavor from your coffee grounds. Or stop it altogether and let it sit in the brew basket.
I love that you can open the brew basket during the brewing process, stir up the grounds, and really saturate the ground beans. This feature might not appeal to some, but if you’re like me and want to have a hand in the brewing process, the manual drip-stop is a game-changer.
The manual drip-stop also lets you dispense a single cup without a huge mess. Slow down the flow, let it brew directly into a mug of your choice, and stop the flow to replace the carafe. Being able to control the brew time with the manual drip-stop makes single cups possible in this coffee machine.
Stainless Steel Thermal Carafe
I’m a sucker for anything with a double insulated wall, and this stainless steel thermal carafe is gorgeous. I tend to shy away from hot plates. However, I find I’m always worried I forgot to turn them off and that they’ll over brew my coffee, so a thermal carafe is the answer for me.
This carafe holds eight cups of coffee, or 32 ounces, and promises to keep it hot for up to an hour after brewing; longer with the travel lid! So you can make your pot of coffee and take it with you to work.
Showerhead Design
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS includes the patented nine-hole showerhead outlet arm. Why is this such an incredible feature? Because the showerhead design spreads the water out in the brew basket and over the coffee grounds, thoroughly saturating more coffee and delivering better flavor into the pot, even while brewing in 4-6 minutes.
I like to think the showerhead design is a bit like drinking pour-over coffee. The big difference is speed and the mess you have to clean up afterward.
Copper Heating Element
The copper boiling element tucked away inside the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS heats water to the perfect brewing temperature. That’s between 196°F – 205°F, and believe me, the right temperature makes a difference for the best cup of brew.
Having the perfect brewing temperature ensures a more thorough extraction of flavor and fewer remnants left in the cup. Even with the Moccamaster’s exceptional speed, it delivers a gentle extraction process in the proper heat range to ensure you enjoy every sip.
Five-Year Warranty
I saved this for last, but I happen to think it’s one of the best features. Every Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker comes with a five-year warranty, and they’ll repair any machine for life. If you brew as much coffee as I do daily, this warranty is worth having.
The Drawbacks
Though the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS has many incredible features, there are a handful of drawbacks that might be hard to get past.
Lack of Programmable Features
The lack of features is a pretty big deal. The Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS doesn’t let you program your morning brew the night before. If you’re like me, this can make for a miserable morning. However, it does brew a whole pot in 4-6 minutes. So even if you can’t program it the night before, you can have delicious, hot coffee in no time.
Very Hot Elements – Right Where I Put My Hand!
I don’t think this is a deal-breaker, but it’s worth noting that the nine-hole showerhead outlet arm is made entirely of metal and exposed. So as the coffee is brewing, this showerhead arm gets HOT! And I have a habit of placing my hand on the top of the brew basket when I grab my pot of coffee.
The solution is to train myself not to do that. And, hopefully, I’ve spared you a painful encounter.
Water Reservoir Isn’t Removable.
I happen to keep my coffee pot a reasonable distance from my filtered water, and I like to be able to carry it over and fill it up. Unfortunately, this reservoir cannot be removed, and you’ll have to fill it with every brew.
Of course, there are easy solutions. For example, I keep a water jug beside my coffee pot and grab it first thing in the morning.
No Bells and Whistles
If you’re looking for a coffee machine that does it all, the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS probably isn’t for you. It makes coffee. It makes some of the best coffee you can make outside of your favorite coffee house. But that’s about all it does.
Should You Try It?
Purchasing a Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS is a big decision. It will revolutionize your morning routine. If you’re looking for quality coffee from an exceptional product that lets you get “hands-on” in the brewing method, you should be purchasing this today.
However, it is one of the highest-priced drip coffee makers out there. Check out the best drip coffee makers if you want something more affordable. Roasty took the time to break down all the most popular models, and there is something for everyone.
A great alternative is the OXO 9-cup Coffee Maker with a thermal carafe. This coffee maker includes the same excellent showerhead design and copper heating elements for a much more affordable price. It’s also fully programmable.
If you want more bells and whistles, check out any of the most popular Ninja Coffee Makers. I recommend the Ninja DualBrew, which is not only fully programmable with a removable reservoir, but it froths milk, makes espresso, uses fresh grounds or k-cups, and comes with a separate hot water line. All the bells and all the whistles.
I recommend the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS for any coffee enthusiast searching for a quality cup.
Happy Caffeinating!
Moccamaster KBTS Review: The Hands-On Coffee Brewer
This Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS review will give you all the details on the impressive brewer and let you know if it's worth a purchase!
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