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I contacted Bodum about the electrical issue and was never responded to. If you left one of these unattended, it could be potentially dangerous. 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. 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. The plastic top to the pot was the first to go and there's no replacement parts available at all except for the strainer. 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.
The other reviews are right - the coffee taste amazing and it is a really cool coffee making process to watch. 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. I purchased the Bodum Santos two years ago after researching all types of coffee makers. However, the coffee pot is nearly impossible to clean thoroughly and the odd shaped top portion was hard to store when not in use.
At all). 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. The coffee is wonderful from these units.Clean with denture tabs and you will extend the life of the unit. 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. I have had FIVE of these within 6 years.Don't buy this expecting it to last a lifetime. 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.
Bottom line - great design, great coffee, very poorly made. I called Bodum and they said the replacement part was back ordered. 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. 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.
Frankly, I'm fed up and I'm going to buy anther machine altogether. After about 6 months the electrical unit on the machine burned out. So be prepared to spend an awful lot of money on coffee beans with this one. I've owned this coffee maker for over a year. For me, I'm willing to put up with that for a really good brew.
After waiting about 6 weeks I called them again and they finally sent me a whole new coffee maker.
Vacuum coffee is clear black, unlike french press method for example, that makes cloudy brown coffee. And vacuum coffee can be brewed very strong without bitterness (because of the short time that the grounds are in hot water). It was my fault. The bottom half (carafe) has electronics built in, so it can't be submersed. I am using Urnex Cafiza (probably 10 cents per cleaning; Bodum brand is about $2 per cleaning). 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. No leaks, no problems, not hard to clean (but the Bodum cleaning powder that comes with it, is VERY expensive to buy separately).
The carafe gets brown coffee stains with use over time--any of the powdered espresso machine cleaners will keep your Santos clean. I like that it is plastic--and it is tough as nails. Too bad, because I love this machine, and friends say my coffee is the best they've had. Urnex Cafiza, 20oz powderSome reviews for the Santos without the timer seem to indicate that many people have a hard time with their kitchen appliances. No leaks on mine.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. 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). I like strong coffee without bitterness.
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. 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. So I guess I'd say that if you hate your toaster, or microwave, grinder, blender, then you might hate this coffee maker, too. I've had the Bodum electric, vacuum 6-cup (not 12-cup) for more than 5 years, and have used it twice a day, every day. What more can you ask for.It is beautiful, as coffee makers go. Simple solution.Best tasting electric coffee I've ever had.
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