An sincere overview of Melitta’s newest brewing machine.

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Featured photograph courtesy of Melitta

In the event you’re in search of a espresso maker that treats brewing as each a craft and a visible expertise,the Melitta Imaginative and prescient 12-Cup Luxe Drip Espresso Maker actually makes its case. With its glowing water stage, twin heating system, and a glance that might simply go for a contemporary artwork set up, it guarantees each kind and performance. However does it ship extra than simply attractiveness?

After a number of weeks of tinkering with its options, brewing in several eventualities, and noting each delights and quirks, right here’s what I discovered.

Design & Construct High quality

From the second you unbox it, the Melitta Imaginative and prescient makes a press release. It’s constructed round a two-tower design: one facet for the glass water reservoir, the opposite for the filter basket and borosilicate glass carafe. A pretend-wood bridge joins the 2, and the spiralized metallic accents elevate it from “equipment” to “countertop centerpiece.”

The carafe itself is all glass—no plastic deal with—which is undeniably minimalist and stylish. The lid has a petal-like spiral design that mirrors the filter basket lid. The absence of plastic would possibly make some customers nervous, however the borosilicate materials feels reassuringly stable.

The actual get together trick? The movable management panel that slides across the base. Whether or not your kitchen setup is cramped or open, you’ll be able to place it entrance, facet, or again for simple entry. Obtainable in black or white—with tasteful wooden or copper accents—it’s clear it is a espresso maker designed for many who care about aesthetics as a lot as brewing efficiency. It’s additionally award-winning, having earned the Good Design Award (2021), Purple Dot Design Award (2022), and IDEA Award (2022).

Specs + Options

Dimensions

The Melitta Imaginative and prescient is bigger than the common drip brewer, measuring about 16″ L x 6.9″ W x 15″ H and weighing 7 lbs. It runs on 120V energy, with a 64 oz. water capability (about 12 cups).

Specs:

• 180° swivel dashboard for versatile placement.
• Twin heating system—one for brewing, one for warming.
• Adjustable warming plate timer (30–120 min.).
• Contact controls with programmable timer & LCD display screen.
• Cone-shaped filter basket with pause & serve operate.
•  Adjustable brew power (common or daring).
•  Detachable, dishwasher-safe filter basket.
•  Borosilicate glass carafe with plastic lid.
•  Descaling indicator.
•  Comes with #4 paper filters and scoop.

Brewing Expertise

Brewing with the Melitta Imaginative and prescient begins merely sufficient—fill the water tank, insert a paper filter, add your grounds, choose brew power, and hit begin. When you do, the orange glow of the water riser kicks in, giving the method a theatrical, virtually siphon-like really feel.

A full pot averaged just below 10 minutes in my checks, and my thermometer persistently learn brew temperatures within the 172–176°F (77–80°C) vary on the carafe. The pause & serve system labored flawlessly. I pulled the carafe mid-brew at numerous phases—early, mid, and late cycle—and the machine stopped immediately, resuming with out seen drips or noticeable taste impression. That is helpful for impatient drinkers or those that insist on a pre-taste whereas the remainder is brewing.

Exploring Brew Modes & Warmth Retention

I used to be wanting to strive the Melitta Imaginative and prescient’s ”Daring” mode, which primarily works by decreasing the water content material barely, boosting the coffee-to-water focus and intensifying the flavour profile. With Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, this setting introduced out sharper citrus and floral notes, whereas the “Common” mode softened them right into a gentler, tea-like profile. With Sumatra Mandheling, Daring mode produced a denser, chocolate-heavy cup, although you danger slight bitterness in the event you grind too advantageous. In distinction, Common mode felt extra forgiving for relaxed, all-day sipping.

Programming was refreshingly intuitive—no handbook wanted. I examined the auto-start characteristic a number of instances, each by setting it up proper earlier than mattress and in the course of the day. The one downside? In a single day-prepped grounds, unsurprisingly, misplaced a few of their freshness—however that’s not on the machine, and a few won’t even discover.

Warmth retention is first rate. The warming plate caps at 120 minutes, with a maintain temperature averaging round 175°F (~79°C). That’s advantageous for maintaining espresso piping sizzling, however extended publicity at that temp can mute delicate origin notes—particularly in lighter roasts. I’d like to see adjustable warming plate temperatures to permit gentler holding (~150°F) for nuanced coffees.

Cleansing & Upkeep

Cleansing was blissfully low effort. The carafe and filter basket are each dishwasher-safe, although I discovered handwashing preserved the carafe’s readability higher. The remainder of the unit simply wants a wipe-down with a moist material. A built-in descaling indicator takes the guesswork out of when to deep clear.

Who It’s For

The Melitta Imaginative and prescient 12-Cup Luxe is greatest fitted to espresso drinkers who see brewing as a ritual value savoring, not only a caffeine supply system. In the event you admire design as a lot as cup high quality, this machine presents each in spades—with its award-winning aesthetics, glowing brew chamber, and adaptable management panel placement. 

It’s particularly interesting for many who brew a number of cups directly, get pleasure from experimenting with completely different origins and roast profiles, and like the choice to fine-tune power with out diving into overly advanced settings.

It’s additionally a powerful match for households the place counter house is a consideration, due to the swiveling dashboard that adapts to your format. The programmable begin time will win over early risers who need espresso prepared as they stroll into the kitchen.

At $259.99, the Melitta Imaginative and prescient clearly sits within the premium drip espresso maker class. You’re paying not just for stable brewing efficiency but in addition for award-winning design and supplies that elevate it past utilitarian kitchen gear. Whereas budget-conscious patrons could balk, for many who worth each the cup and the craft—and need a machine that seems like a press release piece—the funding makes extra sense.

For extra particulars and buying choices, go to the official web site.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a main concentrate on the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate folks about baristas and their work.

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