Moccamaster KBG Select Drip Coffee Machine Review

Best Prices Today: Moccamaster KBG Select Drip Coffee Maker

$329.00

Drip coffee machines have long had a bad reputation: Years of producing tasteless brown liquids and burnt hot plates have put them on some people’s no-go lists. But done correctly, filter coffee can be a joy: something you’re sure to find in Moccamaster’s KBG or KBGV Select filter machine – the model name is slightly different depending on where you are in the world .

It features a unique copper heating element that ensures the brewing temperature is between 92°C and 96°C, resulting in a consistent brew every time, without the bitterness of being too hot nor sourness from being too cold. Add to that an easy-to-clean heating plate that keeps your coffee at a pleasant 80-85°C, and you could be on the road to a drip coffee conversion.

Design and build

• 1.25 liter tank
• 21 color choices
• Reparable

Something the Moccamaster KBG Select has over many drip coffee machines is that it is much more design focused. Rather than just being a basket over a jug with a water tank parked in the back, here the setup is on its own plinth, with water heated and pumped from one side before being gently showered on ground coffee on the other side.

The reservoir can hold water up to 10 cups (1.25 liters). And for those who love a splash of color in their kitchen or home office, the exterior comes in a dizzying choice of 21 colors, ranging from attention-grabbing pepper yellow to a more muted forest green.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

It’s light enough to move around the kitchen (2.8kg) and not too bulky at H36 x W32 x D17cm.

An attractive element is that the machine itself is reassuringly robust – it has the unusual appearance of being hand-made in the Netherlands, rather than further afield – and it is repairable, so a sensible sustainable choice .

The controls are simple: there’s an on/off button to start your brew, an auto shut-off, so you won’t get the typical sizzle and squirt once all the water has passed through, and an option to switch between a full and half jug. jug. The half pitcher option pumps water more slowly for longer coffee extraction and more intense flavor, and can also be used with a full coffee pitcher.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

Performance and features

• Two brewing options
• Keeps coffee hot for 40 minutes
• Easy to clean griddle

If you’re unfamiliar with pour-over coffee, the Moccamaster Select effectively does the hard work for you, pouring hot water over the coffee grounds to extract the flavors. This is especially noticeable when removing the lid from the basket after brewing. While we had piled the coffee grounds into a mountain in the center of the filter paper, after brewing it adheres evenly to the sides of the paper.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

The instructions are fairly comprehensive – although an initial explanation of how to assemble the machine would be helpful as there is only a photo, which does not show how to fit parts such as the outlet arm.

Otherwise, it’s an incredibly easy-to-use machine as there are only two options to choose from for brewing. The included scoop measures enough coffee grounds for two cups and the water reservoir has good clear measurements in liters and cups so you can pour the corresponding amount of water.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

The water and the amount of coffee you put in can be adjusted to your liking. Perhaps the only extra that would be useful is a small jug for measuring water – as the instructions advise against using the glass coffee maker.

We tried the full jug and half jug settings and found that overall we preferred the half jug. The slower extraction process definitely produced a richer tasting cup of coffee with more aroma and a slightly sweeter flavor. It was also more suited for getting the most out of decaffeinated coffee, where flavors can be lacking.

However, if you’re in a hurry for a lot of coffee, the full jug might be more suitable as it’s quicker – we found it took just over five minutes to make, which is in line with the manufacturer’s estimate of less than six minutes.

Another feature we liked was the hot plate the jug sits on: it’s covered in plastic rather than being like the old burnt hot plates of yore, making it easy to clean and not prone to burns and burns. to smells.

Once the jug was removed, the anti-drip mechanism worked quite well, although there could still be some odd drips at times. It kept the coffee hot for the stated 40 minutes, although it would be great if there was an option to extend this as the glass jug doesn’t keep hot for very long after that has run out.

For longer hot coffee, you’ll need to upgrade to the KBGT model with a thermal carafe (available in the US and Europe). While for one cup at a time, Moccamaster’s Cup-One would be more suitable (US, Europe and UK).

Price and availability

There is no denying that the Moccamaster KGB /KBGV Select is expensive. This is especially the case because drip coffee makers are among the most economical ways to make coffee at home. If you’re in the UK and want to check out cheaper options, take a look at our reviews of the Russell Hobbs Buckingham and the Chester Grind and Brew, which has a built-in bean grinder.

But if aesthetics are important, you have environmental concerns, or you want to buy for life, the Moccamaster Select might be worth the price.

It’s available in the US, where it’s called the Moccamaster KBGV Select, for $359 and up. You can buy it from Amazon, Walmart or directly from the Moccamaster website; at the time of writing there is no price advantage at any retailer.

You can also buy it in the UK and Europe from Moccamaster for around $230, but at the time of writing the best price in the UK is £199.99 on Amazon.

Verdict

For those who like to drink long cups of coffee throughout the day, a reliable and hardworking drip coffee machine is a must and the Moccamaster KBG/KGBV Select fits the bill perfectly.

It’s easy to use and maintain, and goes out of its way to get the best brew out of your turf. It’s also a great eco-friendly choice for anyone who dislikes the amount of waste pod machines generate and their carbon footprint: paper filters are compostable along with the grounds, so the only real waste is the bag in which your coffee came in.

The fact that the machine is infinitely repairable is also a huge advantage, giving it a long lifespan compared to most. And while you should remember to buy filter papers with your beans or ground coffee, the price will likely be lower than capsules.

Perhaps the only limitation is that while it’s similarly priced to a good pod machine, you’re limited to making drip coffee – so no uplifting morning espresso – and you’ll need to invest in a separate milk frother if you like coffee- stylish drinks. However, as a good all-rounder, ideal for entertaining and lazy Sundays, it is as good as filter coffee machines.

To browse our coffee machine recommendations and see the pros and cons of popular models, check out our roundup of the best coffee machines we’ve tested.