Lots of folks dislike the burnt flavor that coffee gets when it sits in a glass pot over a heating element. To avoid this, coffee shops often brew right into large thermal pots to keep the coffee warm without it becoming overcooked. The Zojirushi Fresh Brew does that, too, but in home-sized batches. It looks great, too, with a glossy black body and stainless steel carafe and brew basket. To brew, lift the lid and swing the water outlet spout to one side while the filter is being loaded; the spout will return to its proper position when the lid is closed. A small red ball in the water gauge makes it extra simple to read. And an electronic clock module also serves as a timer that will start the brewer at a specified time. The carafe's lid is designed to be on during brewing, with a small cap to help keep the heat in after it's ready. The Fresh Brew also has a pause-and-serve function that stops the flow for 30 seconds while a cup of coffee is served.
To clean the brewer unit, use a solution of white vinegar and water, following the instructions in the accompanying booklet. The unit is not immersible. The exterior can be wiped with a damp soft rag; do not use abrasives or scouring pads. The filter reservoir is removable; clean with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. The coffee brewer measures 15 by 12 by 9 inches (includes carafe handle when unit is completely assembled), and it uses #3 cone-shaped disposable paper filters. The Fresh Brew comes with a detailed instruction booklet. Zojirushi guarantees its products with a one-year limited warranty. --Garland Withers
Customer Review: save your money!
They are out of their minds charging as much as they do for this piece of cheap junk. It does NOT brew hot coffee that stays hot. I'm pretty mad that I took a chance on this expecting so very much more. My old old Genvalia is far superior to this horrid machine. The Zoji looks pretty and the tag lines which describe it are slick and enticing but really - if you know coffee and appreciate it as much as I do - you will steer clear of this Chinese machine. I'm also wondering if the plastic is poisonous. No way of knowing is there? Save your ducets or buy a microwave with the Zoji because you are going to need it. Man am I ticked!
Customer Review: Very disappointed -- coffee goes cold fast
It's true that the coffee is kept hot in the pot as others claim, but the problem is once it's out of the pot. Even coffee poured right after brewing quickly gets cold. I can't explain it, but it's true, and it makes this purchase very disappointing. Also, the lid for the carafe is uncomfortable and difficult to turn every time you want a refill.
