Comments on: Breville BKC600XL Gourmet SingleCup Coffee Brewer

By: Larry G.

Larry G. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:38:22 +0000

Early opinion from a coffee snob
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I just purchased this machine from Williams Sonoma, and had a few preconceived concerns after reading numerous reviews. I am a coffee snob, in the sense that I enjoy high quality, fresh ground brew made with top quality equipment. I’ve been brewing regular coffee with a Capresso Coffee Team Therm for some time now, and I’ve been very happy with it. However, I do find that when I am the only one drinking coffee, I tend to waste too much by pouring what’s left down the drain. My main concern with regard to this machine was that it would not make a decent sized cup of robust joe. Many reviewers suggested that the coffee is very weak. I decided to test it with a brand new bag of Wallenford Estate Jamaican Blue Mountain that was brought to me two days ago from the island. I ground enough for the K cup and after priming the machine, used the default cup size. I did use a somewhat finer grind than I do with my Capresso machine so that I could get a little more coffee into the filter basket. I noted that the coffee came out quite dark initially, but as the brewing continued, it looked very watery. However, I was quite pleased to find that the resulting cup tasted great. It was actually a bit stronger than the coffee I get from my drip machine set on medium. So, I can assume that the next size up will be about equal to what I’m used to. Happily, there was no bitterness at all, and the quality of brewed cup was excellent.

With respect to the vibration that many have reported, it did not bother me in the least. I am fairly used to it, as I also own a Pasquini Livia 90 espresso machine, and when the pump on that machine turns on to fill the boiler, it makes a similar noise and vibration. I would put a small rubber coaster on the drip tray plate to keep my cup from rattling, but otherwise find nothing about the noise objectionable.

I could only give the machine 4 stars for now, as I have not used any of the K-cups yet, and have not used the machine long enough to tell if it is worthy of another star. I do own other Breville products and will say that this appears to be built to the same level of quality as the others.

Lastly, I will say for the record that I would only buy kitchen electrics from Williams Sonoma for the simple reason that they warrant ALL of the ones they sell for the life of the machine. So, if in 5 years this coffee maker goes on the blink, I simply get it replaced at no charge. I know they stand behind this warranty, because I did have to replace one of my Capresso machines. Not only did they replace it, they upgraded it to the current model which sells for an additional $100.00 over the one that I returned. I could have saved $60.00 with a 20% coupon from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but preferred to have the reassurance that I would never have to replace this machine at my expense.

By: Dale L. Snyder

Dale L. Snyder — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:51:54 +0000

Just As Expected
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
A real nice machine, can be a little noisy from the cup setting on the brewer. We love the fresh coffee with every cup, no wasted coffee and and a great looking coffee maker. Would never go back to the conventional coffee maker. The coffee and tea we buy which we order over the internet comes to about .50 cents a cup. So many different flavors, blends and strengths of coffee and tea to choose from makes it worth the cost and helps to overcome the little bit of noise it makes. If this one ever goes would definitely buy another

By: Seaside

Seaside — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:06:28 +0000

Nice But Noisy
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Having used this unit for several weeks now, I really enjoy the variety of blends available in K cups and I really like the options in cup size and auto on/off that the menu provides. The machine brews quickly, is easy to refill and maintain, and the menu features for the most part are easy to use. The coffee brews just right for my taste and my wife, who also enjoys the tea blends. I drink regular and she drinks decaf, so this machine allows us to each brew exactly what we want a cup at a time.

What I dislike about this machine is that the water pump is very noisy when it turns on before and after brewing every cup. Its loud enough to really get your attention in the morning and has an irritating vibration. Another improvement I’d like to see is an easier way to change brew cup size without scrolling through the menu options each time. I change brew size frequently enough that I would like to see an easier method for this option. Also, in shopping for the replacement charcoal filters, I find that they are overpriced at approx. $30 for six. These simple charcoal packets should be cheaper.

By: Shopper

Shopper — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:10:44 +0000

Stainless steel or plastic?
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Although this coffee maker makes great coffee, I am disappointed that it has so much plastic on it when it’s touted as “stainless steel”. I could have bought a Keurig for $140 that would make coffee just as well, but I paid the $260 for this one because it was “stainless”. Note that most places sell it for $299. For the price they’re asking for this coffee machine it should be made completely of stainless exposed parts. Instead, the top lid is plastic, the reservoir lid is plastic, the entire back panel is plastic, the front perimiter of the cup and drain is plastic, and the perimeter of the rounded area directly above where the handle is located is also plastic. All are painted a grayish silver to fool the consumer into thinking it is stainless everywhere. I even emailed Breville and asked if those parts were plastic and DID NOT receive a reply. While it makes good coffee, Breville, is deceptive in their description of the product. And for $300 there should be NO plastic on the front and sides period. Another example of a good product that greedy companies have cheapened. If you’re going to tout your product as superior, make it superior! When I buy stainless, I expect stainless all the way.

By: P. MORAN

P. MORAN — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:04:30 +0000

Breville BKC600XL Keurig Coffee Maker
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Great product. Like all the features: AWESOME COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, 4 different cup sizes, large tank, easy to reach power button, easy to open head with low counter tops, Keurig charcoal water filter, MY k-cup and k-cup storage area with scoop, adjustable brew temps, on/off times, etc. Dislikes: Price. Although I did get a deal on Amazon $256 I feel the Keurig Platinum B70 would be a much better deal at almost $80 less and would also offer 4 ounce cold brew feature for iced teas. Also, I don’t like the vibration of cup on spill plate when the water is pumped into internal tank. However, this can be almost overcome by simply placing a napkin between mug and drip plate. From what I hear other Keurig models have loud pumps as well

By: G. mcpeak

G. mcpeak — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:34:01 +0000

Single cup review
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Works great but so did the orignal Keurig single serve but this one has style

By: Richard A. May

Richard A. May — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:36:44 +0000

We love this coffee maker
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We have tried several different coffee makers in the past and this one is by far the best. Especially using the reusable kcups. For me having the coffee really hot is important and this machine delivers cup after cup, of piping hot coffee. The great thing is it is easy to set up and use, and each cup tastes the same as the one before. My wife and I highly recommend this coffee maker.

By: P. Donahy

P. Donahy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:33:20 +0000

Breville Fantabulous!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Excellent cup of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Perfection everytime.

No mess, no fuss. Easy to use. Easy to keep clean. Fantabulous coffee brewer.

By: Ann Dubinko

Ann Dubinko — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:47:52 +0000

Breville single-cup Brewer
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
What can I say, I just love it. My husband who never drinks coffee has started drinking it since I got this, My 8 year old loves to make hot coco with it everyday. And I use it everyday too. I love the single cup teas and coffee’s made for this brewer. I also love that you can use regular, teas, coffees and coco’s with this too. My daughter for example puts the coco she wants in her cup hits brew and out comes the hot water, she then add some 1/2 and 1/2 and she has a great cup of hot chocolate. I wish I had bought one sooner. Well worth the price in my opinion. Also clean up with the k-cup is so easy. just remove and toss in trash. No more coffee grounds to deal with or filters. My family just loves it.

By: Alicia Ford

Alicia Ford — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:38:21 +0000

Breville Single-Cup Brewer nice, but not perfect
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I purchased this product as a replacement to a smaller model Keurig single-cup coffee brewer that started giving me problems when it was about one year old.

I like the stainless design and the larger water resevoir (although, still wish it were larger), and the ease of use.

The one thing I really dislike is the rattling noise of metal on metal that the drip tray makes when the water is warming for a new cup of coffee. It gets REALLY loud if you have your cup sitting on the tray, so you have to pull off the cup to avoid the noise, then quickly put it back on the tray before the brewing starts.

I would recommend this product, but hope the makers will fix this one issue.