Melitta Look IV Therm Timer Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

Melitta is a well-known German brand that has been making coffee filters and coffee makers since 1908. Based in Minden, Germany, the company is still family-owned after over 100 years. Melitta pioneered the coffee filter back in 1908 and has continued to innovate in the coffee brewing space ever since.

The Melitta Look IV is one of the company's automatic drip coffee maker models. It features a thermal carafe to keep coffee hot for longer, an LED display with timer functions, and customizable brewing options. As a mid-range model, it aims to provide the convenience of an automatic machine with some added features for coffee customization. The Look IV continues Melitta's tradition of approachable but well-performing coffee makers.

Design and Build Quality

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer coffee maker has a sleek and modern design that looks great in any kitchen. It is made of high-quality materials including stainless steel, black plastic, and glass.

The stainless steel used in the design gives it a premium look and feel. The water reservoir and hot plate are made of stainless steel which makes them very durable and long-lasting. The handle and control buttons are also metal for added sturdiness.

The black plastic outer housing feels solid and not cheap or flimsy. All the parts fit together tightly with no gaps or spaces. The materials used seem capable of withstanding daily use without any issues.

The borosilicate glass carafe also feels sturdy and well-made. It does not seem prone to cracking or breaking under normal use. The lid fits securely and the pour spout is designed to avoid messes or spills.

Overall, the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer has a high-end look and construction. The combination of stainless steel, plastic, and glass come together nicely to create a coffee maker that appears capable of lasting for years of regular use. The quality of materials ensures durability and resilience against wear and tear over time.

When comparing the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer to other coffee makers such as the Morphy Richards 163007, the Melitta seems to have an edge in terms of design and build quality. The Morphy Richards model has a more basic plastic design that does not look or feel as premium. The Melitta's use of metal and glass gives it a more sophisticated, high-end aesthetic.

The Melitta also seems more sturdy and durable thanks to its metal components. The water reservoir is stainless steel rather than plastic, and the handle and buttons are also metal. This gives the sense that the Melitta coffee maker is built to last many years without any issues.

In comparison, the Morphy Richards 163007 has an all plastic design that may be more prone to wear and tear over time. The plastic does not have the same heft or feel of quality as the Melitta's metal and glass. There is a higher chance of breakage or cracking with the Morphy Richards model long-term.

When judging the quality of construction, the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer is the clear winner. It has a reassuringly solid and premium feel thanks to the thoughtful design and combination of materials used in making it. The metal and glass elements give it an edge over competitors like the Morphy Richards 163007 that utilize cheaper all-plastic builds.

Features

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer has several useful features that make it stand out as a quality filter coffee machine.

• Built-in Timer: This allows you to program the machine up to 24 hours in advance to brew fresh coffee at the desired time. The timer can be set in 10 minute increments.

• Thermal Jug: It comes with a vacuum insulated thermal jug that keeps coffee hot for hours. The jug has a 1.2 liter capacity.

• Aroma Selector: There are two aroma strength settings to choose from - mild or strong. This allows customizing the coffee to individual tastes.

• Water Level Indicator: A window on the water tank shows current water levels at a glance. The tank has a 1.3 liter capacity.

• Anti-Drip System: After brewing is complete, a valve stops the flow of coffee to prevent drips and spills.

• Removable Filter Holder: The filter holder lifts out for easy filling and cleaning. Permanent gold tone filters or paper filters can be used.

• Compact Footprint: At just 24cm wide, the machine doesn't take up much counter space. The cord can be wrapped under the base for tidy storage.

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer has a nice set of features for brewing and keeping coffee hot. However, some people may prefer a machine with a bit more control and customization options. The Melitta Easy Therm II is another excellent choice to consider in the Melitta line. It allows adjusting the coffee strength and temperature for a more customized cup. The Easy Therm II has separate buttons for small and large cups, from one to twelve cups. This makes it easy to brew just the right amount. There is also a handy cup warming plate to preheat mugs. The thermal jug keeps coffee hot for two hours. For those who want more flexibility in their settings, the Melitta Easy Therm II is worth a look.

When choosing a drip coffee maker, it's useful to think about your habits and needs. If you want to wake up to ready coffee, the timer function on the Look IV is ideal. For those who like to tweak settings and experiment with different flavors, the Easy Therm II provides more control. Both Melitta models include useful features like thermal jugs, aroma settings, removable filter baskets, and small footprints. The brand is known for high quality construction and reliable performance. Consider your own priorities to decide which Melitta machine best suits your coffee making style.

Ease of Use

The Melitta Look IV is designed to be easy and intuitive to use. The control panel features several clearly labeled buttons that allow you to choose from a range of programmable features. There are buttons to select the number of cups, coffee strength, brewing time, and start time. The large LCD display is easy to read and provides information on your settings.

Cleaning the Melitta Look IV is straightforward. The filter holder, carafe, and drip stop can all be removed and washed safely. Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to keep the machine running optimally. There is an indicator light that will come on when descaling is needed. The descaling process itself only takes about 10 minutes.

Overall, the Melitta Look IV is one of the more user-friendly programmable coffee makers available. The buttons and display make it intuitive to operate. Maintenance is quick and easy with removable, dishwasher-safe parts. It's a great choice for someone who wants customizable options without a complicated interface.

Coffee Customization

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer offers a good degree of coffee customization for a filter coffee machine in this price range. The main way you can customize your coffee is through the aroma selector knob on the front of the machine. This lets you choose between three aroma settings - mild, regular, and strong. The strong setting will brew a more concentrated, fuller-bodied coffee, while the mild setting produces a lighter, more mellow flavor.

In addition to aroma control, you can customize the amount of coffee brewed through two settings - 1-4 cups or 5-10 cups. This adjusts the brewing time to optimize flavor extraction based on the amount of coffee grounds used. So you can brew anything from a single cup up to a full 10 cup pot with the right strength and flavor.

The machine doesn't have granular ounce adjustments or digital settings for customizing coffee. But the two aroma settings and two serving size options provide enough flexibility for most users looking to make café-quality coffee at home. Overall, the Melitta Look IV gives you solid brew customization for the price.

Coffee Taste

The Melitta Look IV produces a rich, full-bodied coffee with excellent flavor. The stainless steel thermal carafe does an excellent job at maintaining the coffee's optimal drinking temperature.

The coffee has a wonderfully balanced flavor profile, with nice hints of sweetness complementing the natural coffee taste. It isn't overly bitter or acidic like you can sometimes get with lower quality coffee makers. The metal cone filter allows for good extraction of the coffee oils, producing a smooth cup with a nice mouthfeel.

The aroma is quite fragrant, especially when brewing a freshly ground coffee. You get those wonderful coffee aromas wafting up as it brews. It really enhances the whole coffee drinking experience.

The thermal carafe is very effective at maintaining the optimal coffee temperature. Coffee stays piping hot for at least an hour after brewing. It doesn't suffer from a cooling off or reheating effect like you get with glass carafes. The coffee retains its temperature extremely well for refills.

Value for Money

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer filter coffee machine offers excellent value for money given its build quality, features, and performance.

At around £50, it is very competitively priced compared to similar filter coffee machines from brands like De'Longhi, Russell Hobbs, and Swan. The durable stainless steel and black plastic construction give it a premium feel that belies its affordable price point.

For the price, you get a programmable timer, thermal carafe, and strength selector dial which allows you to customize the flavor of your coffee. The thermal carafe in particular keeps coffee hot for hours after brewing. Many competitors at this price range only include a glass carafe.

In terms of durability, Melitta is known for making quality coffee equipment that stands the test of time. The Look IV has many online reviews attesting to its reliable performance even after years of frequent use. Between the solid build and reputation, it's likely to keep working well for years to come.

Overall, the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer punches well above its weight class, delivering professional-grade features, customizable brewing, and long-lasting construction at an accessible price point. For shoppers looking for an affordable but well-built filter coffee machine with premium capabilities, it represents a great value purchase.

Pros and Cons

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer filter coffee machine has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Sleek and modern design with stainless steel finish
• Programmable 24-hour timer for convenience
• Keeps coffee hot for hours with vacuum flask technology
• Allows customization with adjustable coffee strength
• Easy to use with one-touch operation
• Produces great tasting filter coffee
• Good value for money given features

Cons

• Reservoir capacity is only 1.25 liters
• Filter holder is made of plastic instead of metal
• Display is not backlit, hard to see in low light
• Loud beeping sounds when brewing complete
• Cleaning the thermal flask is tricky
• Takes up a lot of counter space

Comparable Alternatives

When considering the Melitta Look IV, it can be helpful to compare it to other similar coffee makers currently on the market. Here are some alternatives to consider:

Breville Grind Control

The Breville Grind Control is a comparable drip coffee machine that also has an integrated burr grinder. It offers 60 grind settings and strength control, allowing you to customize each cup. The LCD display shows grind size, number of cups, and brewing time. It lacks a programmable timer but is similar in price to the Melitta.

Cuisinart DCC-3400

If you like the programmable timer feature but don't need a built-in grinder, the Cuisinart DCC-3400 is a great option. It has a 12-cup carafe and can be programmed 24 hours in advance. The hot plate keeps coffee warm for 4 hours. It's very easy to use and maintain. The price is lower than the Melitta model.

OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker

The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker is praised for its rainmaker shower head which evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds for optimal flavor extraction. It has a microprocessor-controlled brew cycle and comes with a programmable timer. The thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours. This model is comparable in price to the Melitta.

Technivorm Moccamaster 59616

If budget isn't a concern and you want the best-tasting drip coffee, the Technivorm Moccamaster 59616 is a top choice. It's handmade and SCAA certified for optimal brewing between 196°F - 205°F. The copper boiling element rapidly heats water for a fast brew time. It's very durable but costs almost twice as much as the Melitta model.

Conclusion

The Melitta Look IV Therm Timer is an excellent filter coffee machine that offers great value for money. It has a premium stainless steel design, useful features like a timer and thermal carafe, and most importantly, it brews a consistently delicious cup of filter coffee.

The thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours while the programmable timer allows you to wake up to a freshly brewed pot. The water tank is easy to fill and the controls are simple to operate. It accommodates both cone and flat bottom filters.

The Melitta produced a well-balanced, smooth, and aromatic coffee with nice body. The thermal carafe, timer, and premium design make it stand out from other filter coffee makers in this price range.

Overall, the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer is highly recommended for anyone looking for an affordable but high-quality filter coffee machine that reliably delivers great tasting coffee every day. It's an excellent choice for both home and office use.