Melitta Look IV Therm Selection Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection is an automatic filter coffee maker that allows you to brew a fresh pot of coffee with the simple touch of a button. This sleek and modern coffee machine features a vacuum flask that keeps coffee hot for hours, so you can enjoy cup after cup of delicious filtered coffee throughout the day.

With its sleek black and stainless steel design, the Look IV Therm Selection makes a stylish addition to any kitchen. It has an LED-backlit control panel that allows you to program the 24-hour start timer, adjust the keep warm temperature, and select your preferred coffee strength. The integrated conical burr grinder gives you freshly ground beans every time for optimal coffee flavor.

This review will take an in-depth look at the features, performance, ease of use, and coffee quality of the Melitta Look IV Therm Selection. We'll examine the pros and cons of this coffee maker to help you determine if it's the right choice for your home or office. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or just looking for an easy way to brew a great cup of coffee, read on for an overview of this popular automatic filter coffee machine.

Appearance and Design

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection has an attractive, modern design with a glossy black finish that looks nice in any kitchen. It has a tall, slim profile that doesn't take up much counter space. The water tank and filter holder are made of clear plastic so you can see the coffee brewing, which adds to the visual appeal.

The control panel is simple with just a few buttons to select cup size, start/stop brewing, and turn the machine on and off. There is an LED display that shows the selected cup size and a keep warm indicator. The buttons have a soft touch feel when pressed.

Overall, the Melitta has a sleek, minimalist look. While it doesn't have the premium metal and glass construction of some pricier models, the plastic doesn't look or feel cheap. The design is focused on simplicity and functionality over flair. Those looking for a coffee machine that looks upscale and sophisticated may want to consider other options.

Features

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection coffee maker has several useful features that enhance the coffee brewing experience.

• Insulated jug: This coffee maker comes with a vacuum insulated stainless steel jug that keeps coffee hot for longer. The double-walled insulation maintains the temperature so you can enjoy hot coffee for hours after brewing.

• Selector dial: There is an adjustable selector dial with three options - mild, regular, strong. This allows you to easily control the coffee strength to your taste.

• Anti-drip system: The coffee maker has an anti-drip valve that prevents annoying drips and spills when pouring a cup of coffee. This keeps the brew station tidy.

• Aroma seal lid: The insulated jug has an aroma seal lid that locks in the coffee aroma. This preserves the rich coffee smell and flavor.

Ease of Use

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection is designed to be very easy to use and maintain on a daily basis. The control panel has an intuitive layout with buttons for the different brew sizes and strengths. Users simply add coffee grounds to the filter, fill the water tank, select their settings, and press start. The brewing process is automated after that.

Cleaning the machine is straightforward as well. The removable filter holder, drip tray, and water tank can all be taken out and washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The heating plate surface just needs a quick wipe down. Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to keep the internal components clean and calcium buildup free. Melitta includes descaling tabs in the box. Overall, the simplicity of the machine lends itself to convenient operation for making coffee.

Coffee Quality

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection produces coffee with an excellent taste and aroma when used properly. The stainless steel thermal carafe does a great job at maintaining the coffee's optimal serving temperature for an extended period.

The paper filters result in a clean, sediment-free brew that allows the coffee's natural flavors to shine through. Reviewers note the coffee has a smooth yet rich taste without any bitterness or acidity when using a medium roast coffee. The aromas are pronounced and complex.

The coffee stays piping hot for hours after brewing thanks to the thermal carafe. The temperature is ideal for sipping and doesn't become bitter from overheating on the hot plate. The insulated carafe means you can take the coffee to the table without losing warmth.

Capacity

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection has a generous 1.25 liter water tank which allows you to brew up to 10 cups of coffee at a time. This makes it ideal for larger households or situations where you need to make coffee for multiple people like dinner parties or family gatherings.

The carafe that comes with the machine can hold up to 10 cups of coffee as well. So you can brew a full pot of coffee directly into the thermal carafe and it will stay hot for hours. The carafe has a nice pour spout that makes it easy to pour coffee into cups or mugs without making a mess.

Overall, the large capacity of both the water tank and thermal carafe make the Melitta Look IV a great choice if you regularly need to make larger batches of coffee. You don't have to constantly refill the water tank or brew small pots.

Price

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection is available for around £75-£80 on Amazon UK. This places it in the mid-range in terms of price for drip coffee makers.

It's more expensive than some of the most basic entry-level machines which can be purchased for £30 or less. However, it offers more features and better build quality than those budget options.

Compared to higher-end drip coffee makers which can cost over £200, the Look IV Therm Selection provides excellent value. It delivers professional-quality coffee and has features found on more expensive models, like the double-walled insulated carafe and strength selector.

For those looking for an automatic machine with high-end finishes and technology like a built-in grinder or app connectivity, this Melitta model understandably comes in at a lower price point.

Overall, given its solid stainless steel construction, speciality features, and ability to brew fantastic coffee, the Look IV Therm Selection provides great value for money for its price range. It's a significant step up from entry-level machines without requiring an exorbitant investment.

Pros

The Melitta Look IV Therm Selection filter coffee machine has several excellent features that make it a great choice:

• Programmable timer: You can program the machine to brew coffee anytime in the next 24 hours. This allows you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee or have it ready when you get home.

• Insulated thermal jug: The 1.25 liter stainless steel jug keeps coffee hot for hours. No need to reheat or brew a new pot if you want more coffee later.

• AromaSelector: Choose between mild, balanced, or strong aroma strength for customized coffee flavor.

• 1-4 cup setting: Brew a small amount if you don't need a full pot. Helps avoid waste.

• Anti-drip valve: Stops drips and spills when removing the jug mid-brew. Keeps your counters clean.

• Easy to use: Simple buttons and settings make it very intuitive to operate. Great for those new to coffee machines.

• Auto shut-off: Turns off automatically after brewing so it doesn't continue heating empty. A safety and energy saving feature.

• Removable filter: The filter is dishwasher safe for fast and easy cleanup.

Cons

• The coffee carafe is made of glass, which can be prone to breaking if dropped. It would be preferable if it was made of more durable stainless steel or plastic.

• The water tank capacity is quite small at 1.2 liters. This means you'll have to refill it more frequently for a household that drinks a lot of coffee. A larger 2-3 liter tank would be better.

• There is no timer function, which is a useful feature found on some other filter coffee machines. The timer allows you to program the machine to start brewing at a certain time, so your coffee is ready when you wake up.

• Cleaning and descaling needs to be done frequently to keep the machine operating well. The process is a bit tedious and time consuming. An automatic descaling program would make maintenance easier.

• The machine takes up a good amount of counter space. People with small kitchens may find it too large. A more compact footprint would be preferable.

• Only compatible with proprietary Melitta cone filters. You can't use third party or reusable filters. This causes ongoing expense and waste.

• Brewing process is slow compared to some competitors. It can take 8-10 minutes to finish a full carafe. Quick brew options found on other machines would be a nice feature.

• Lacks some extra features like an adjustable brew strength selector or hot plate to keep coffee warm after brewing.

• The exterior plastic housing feels a bit flimsy and cheap. A higher quality metal or sturdier plastic construction would be better.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Melitta Look IV Therm Selection filter coffee machine is a solid mid-range option for making drip coffee at home. It has an attractive and compact design that will look nice on any kitchen counter. The features are fairly standard for this price point, including a removable water tank, adjustable keep warm plate, and brew-strength selector.

The machine is simple to operate and makes a reliably good brew of filter coffee. It lacks some of the more advanced features like a programmable timer or grinder built-in, but it delivers where it counts with the actual coffee brewing. The insulated thermal carafe does a decent job at retaining heat and keeping the coffee warm.

Overall, the Melitta Look IV Therm Selection is recommended for anyone looking for an affordable and no-fuss drip coffee maker. It provides great value given its reasonable price point and solid performance. The coffee it produces tastes fresh and flavorful batch after batch. While it may not have all the bells and whistles, it's a quality appliance that will satisfy most home brewing needs.