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If you left one of these unattended, it could be potentially dangerous. We developed a habit of immediately turning the pot off after brewing to avoid the reboiling defect and I was actually going to try and buy another one, hoping that the electrical problems were just a fluke, but they seem to be gone. I bought this machine over a year ago and it started breaking almost immediately. I love the coffee, we still use the pot, broken lid, electrical problems, and all, but I'm not surprised I can't find it on the market anymore. I contacted Bodum about the electrical issue and was never responded to. The plastic top to the pot was the first to go and there's no replacement parts available at all except for the strainer. The dangerous part of the machine was that after owning it a couple of months, one day I brewed the coffee and suddenly it started boiling again and rebrewing on its own.
Ours mysteriously quit working about six months ago and since we purchased it online, there isn't any way to repair it.I'd say save your money and just buy the old fashioned Bodum French Press - its about a quarter of the price with all of the flavor. However, the coffee pot is nearly impossible to clean thoroughly and the odd shaped top portion was hard to store when not in use. I purchased the Bodum Santos two years ago after researching all types of coffee makers. The other reviews are right - the coffee taste amazing and it is a really cool coffee making process to watch.
Put it on a NICE surge protector, maybe that will help.In 6 years we have owned.(1) Starbucks Utopia label of the Santos (after 6 months developed a leak in gasket, which dripped into electronics and fried the unit) (2) Replacement version from Starbucks (after 6 monthsdeveloped a leak in gasket.starbucks gave us a full refund and said they no longer carry the unit because it is problematic)(3) Bodum Santos 'newer' revision (after 1 yr, electronics stopped turning 'off' the burner. Now.it doesn't turn on. I LOVE the coffee from the Bodum Santos.I would give it five stars if it were halfway reliable. Oh yes.small leak in gasket)(4) Bodum Santos 'mini' version for fewer cups (after 6 months.electronics failure)(5) Replacement Bodum Santos 'mini' version (lasted over a year. At all). I have had FIVE of these within 6 years.Don't buy this expecting it to last a lifetime. The coffee is wonderful from these units.Clean with denture tabs and you will extend the life of the unit.
For me, I'm willing to put up with that for a really good brew. Now, 6 months later, another electronics malfunction is causing the thing to boil over about one in four times that we use it. There's no question that it makes excellent coffee, once you get the hang of it, but it uses an insane amount of coffee.
I called Bodum and they said the replacement part was back ordered. Frankly, I'm fed up and I'm going to buy anther machine altogether. After waiting about 6 weeks I called them again and they finally sent me a whole new coffee maker.
I've owned this coffee maker for over a year. After about 6 months the electrical unit on the machine burned out. Bottom line - great design, great coffee, very poorly made.
So be prepared to spend an awful lot of money on coffee beans with this one. But my real problem with this machine (and my reason for writing this review) is that while it is an excellent design, the manufacturing seems to be second rate.
Unlike some methods of making coffee, vacuum coffee is clear black (not cloudy brown like the french press method), and vacuum coffee can be brewed very strong without bitterness (because of the short time that the grounds are in hot water). When cleaning, there is no need to remove the filter from the top--just leave it in place and toss the top half into soapy water. No leaks, no problems, not hard to clean (but I wish that Bodum would sell the great cleaning powder that comes with it, because I've run out).Some reviews for the Santos without the timer seem to indicate that many people have a hard time with their kitchen appliances. I've had the Bodum electric, vacuum 6-cup (not 12-cup) for more than 24-months, and have used it twice a day, every day. So I guess I'd say that if you hate your toaster, or microwave, grinder, blender, then you'll probably hate this coffee maker, too. drip and stale taste of friend's filter-type coffee makers.No paper filters, and it easy to clean--just let the vacuum suck air for a little while after all the liquid coffee has been sucked down into the bottom, and by the time you clean up, the grounds are quite dry, not at all gloppy. Too bad, because I love this machine, and my friends say my coffee is the best they've had.
I like that it is plastic--and it is tough as nails. Simple solution.Best electric coffee I've ever had. Making a pot of coffee only takes about 3 minutes, so now if I need more than 5 cups, I make another pot, instead of making too large a potful in one batch. It is a little after-dinner, one-act play. It was my fault.
The coffee is delicious, the time from "on" to "drink" is super fast, and it has had no problems (that weren't caused by me). The bottom half (carafe) has electronics built in, so it can't be submersed.At the start I tried to make 6-cups (remember, I have the 6-cup model), but with the large amount of grounds that I use (very strong coffee), and the super-fine vacuum grind I like to use (nearly powder), it frothed over the sides once. drip. What more can you ask for.It is beautiful, as coffee makers go. I like the mini-drama--at least it's better than the interminable drip.
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