Moccamaster KBG Select Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

The Moccamaster KBG Select is a premium drip coffee maker from the renowned Dutch brand Moccamaster. Founded in the 1960s, Moccamaster has built a reputation for manufacturing high-quality and innovative coffee brewers with a focus on manual pour-over machines.

The Moccamaster KBG Select is an automatic drip coffee machine that aims to replicate the brewing process and flavor of manual pour-over. It features Moccamaster's signature copper boiling element to quickly heat water to the optimal brewing temperature between 196°F - 205°F which is crucial for proper coffee extraction. The KBG Select combines automated convenience with precise temperature control for a superior cup of drip coffee.

Design & Build Quality

The Moccamaster KBG Select Filter Coffee Machine has an elegant and well-constructed design made from quality materials. The housing is made from brushed aluminum with accents in black plastic for a sleek, modern aesthetic. It is available in a variety of muted color options including black, polished steel, and off-white to fit any kitchen decor.

The Moccamaster is handmade in the Netherlands and you can tell the build quality is superb. The aluminum housing feels sturdy and durable with clean lines and smooth finishes. All the parts fit together precisely with no uneven gaps or plastic parts that feel flimsy. The brew basket and carafe are made from glass and stainless steel rather than plastic. Overall, the Moccamaster has a premium feel and look that matches its premium price tag.

Another popular filter coffee machine with a high quality design and build is the Tefal Smart & Light CM6008. This machine features a sleek and modern look with a black plastic housing accented by stainless steel and glass elements. The materials feel solid and durable, giving the Tefal Smart & Light a sturdy yet lightweight build. It is compact in size to save counter space but doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. The water reservoir, filter holder, and carafe are all made from glass or stainless steel. The parts connect together snugly without any uneven seams or gaps. Overall, the Tefal Smart & Light has a well-constructed design and quality materials that make it both stylish and long-lasting.

When comparing the build quality between the Moccamaster KBG and the Tefal Smart & Light CM6008, they are quite similar in their use of metal, glass, and plastic elements. Both coffeemakers have an elegant profile with clean lines and a modern aesthetic. The Moccamaster perhaps edges out the Tefal in terms of premium feel thanks to its brushed aluminum housing versus the Tefal's black plastic. However, the Tefal still feels very solid and sturdy despite its plastic body. For those wanting a high-end coffee machine with excellent build quality but at a lower price point than the Moccamaster, the Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 is an excellent alternative.

Features & Specifications

The Moccamaster KBG Select uses an automatic drip brewing method to produce a full carafe of coffee. It has a high-quality copper heating element that keeps the brewed coffee hot for an extended period.

• Brewing Technology: Automatic drip brewer
• Brew Batch Size: Makes 10 cups (40oz) per brew cycle
• Hot Plate/Carafe: Features a stainless steel thermal carafe and hot plate to keep coffee hot for 1-2 hours after brewing. The hot plate automatically shuts off after 100 minutes.
• Programmable Options: Has an automatic drip-stop brew-basket that stops the flow of coffee when the carafe is removed. No other programming options.
• Dimensions: 14.2 x 7.2 x 14.6 inches

The Moccamaster KBG has a sleek and compact footprint that won't take up too much counter space. It's crafted from high-quality materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and BPA/BPS-free plastics. The water reservoir has markings for easy and accurate filling.

For those looking for more programmable features, the Sage Precision Brewer Thermal is an excellent option. This drip coffee maker allows you to customize bloom time, brew temperature, flow rate, and more. It comes with a thermal carafe that can keep coffee hot for hours. The Precision Brewer lets you schedule auto-brewing up to 24 hours in advance. You can also save favorite presets for one-touch brewing anytime.

The Precision Brewer offers six different brewing modes: Gold, Fast, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew, and My Brew. Gold is the standard mode that highlights optimal coffee flavor. Fast brews a full carafe in less than 3 minutes. Strong produces a bolder, more intense coffee. Iced Brew cools down the water temp to optimize extraction for iced coffee. Cold Brew steeps grounds for 12 hours to make smooth cold brew concentrate. My Brew lets you fully customize all settings to your liking.

With the Precision Brewer, you can brew directly into a carafe, travel mug, or even a full pot. The thermal carafe has a triple-walled stainless steel interior to retain heat. The Precision Brewer produces coffee with balanced, nuanced flavor thanks to its precision temperature control and automated pre-infusion. The flat-bottom filter basket evenly saturates grounds. Overall, the Sage Precision Brewer is a versatile drip coffee maker with plenty of customizable settings.

Ease of Use

The Moccamaster KBG Select is very easy to use for daily coffee brewing.

Setup and First Use

Setting up the Moccamaster is simple and straightforward. It comes with clear instructions for assembly. You just need to attach the water reservoir, filter holder, and carafe, which click into place securely. The water reservoir has markings to indicate cups/litres to make it easy to fill with the desired amount.

For first use, it's recommended to follow the initial rinse process in the manual to remove any residue from manufacturing. This involves filling the reservoir, opening the brew basket, and running a full brew cycle without coffee.

Daily Operation and Maintenance

Brewing coffee daily is very simple. You fill the reservoir, add your preferred coffee grounds to the filter, and turn it on. There are two switches - the on/off switch, and a brew switch to start the flow of water. The flow rate is pre-set for optimal extraction.

The hot plate will keep the carafe contents hot for 100 minutes before automatically shutting off. No programming is required.

Daily maintenance involves rinsing the filter holder and carafe. The parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Cleaning and Descaling

The Moccamaster needs occasional cleaning and descaling to keep it operating properly. Vinegar can be used for descaling approximately every 3-6 months. The manual provides detailed steps for cleaning each part and preventing limescale buildup.

Coffee Customization

The Moccamaster KBG Select offers exceptional control over customizing your coffee, which is a major highlight of this machine.

Brew Temperature Control

You can precisely control the water temperature between 196-204°F (91-96°C) to optimize extraction for light, medium or dark roasts. The hot plate also keeps the carafe at 175-185°F (79-85°C) to ensure the entire brew stays hot.

Brew Strength Control

A unique flow control slider lets you adjust the rate that water passes through the grounds, from a slow 4 minute brew time up to a fast 2:30 brew time. Slowing down the flow brings out more flavor from the grounds, while speeding it up weakens the brew concentration.

Other Customizability

The cone-shaped brew basket accommodates both flat bottom and cone-shaped paper filters. You can experiment with different filters to fine-tune the flavor. The KBG also has a pulse brew mode, which alternates pouring and steeping to maximize extraction.

Overall, the Moccamaster gives you an exceptional degree of control over brewing variables to consistently achieve your preferred flavor profile. The precise temperature and flow rate adjustment delivers customizable results.

Brew Performance

The Moccamaster KBG Select brews a full 40oz pot of coffee in 4-6 minutes, which is the ideal brew time recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association for optimal extraction. The copper heating element and aluminum boiler provide precise temperature control between 196-205°F, ensuring consistent heat is applied throughout the brew cycle. This results in a balanced extraction that brings out the subtle flavors and aromas of the coffee without imparting any burnt or bitter notes.

The showerhead design evenly saturates the coffee grounds, while the flat-bottom filter basket allows water to flow through all the grounds for a thorough extraction. Tests show the Moccamaster extracts about 97% of soluble coffee compounds, while paper filters retain more oils than metal filters leading to a smooth, full-bodied taste. Overall, the brewing process consistently delivers a bright, clean cup of coffee that highlights the intrinsic character of your favorite beans.

Pros

The Moccamaster KBG Select has several standout positives that make it a great choice for filter coffee enthusiasts:

• Consistent Brewing: The copper boiling element and precise flow rate nozzle ensure water is heated to the optimal temperature and dispensed evenly over the grounds, producing a balanced extraction.

• Durable Construction: Made from metal and BPA/BPS-free plastics, this machine is built to last through years of daily use. The components are serviceable if repairs are ever needed.

• Customization Options: Users can easily adjust the brew batch size from half to full carafe, and tweak flow rate and temperature for different beans or roast styles. The brew-through lid allows mid-brew sampling too.

• Excellent Taste: The Moccamaster utilizes a pulse action and shower head dispersion to produce a clean, nuanced cup of coffee that highlights origin flavors. Reviewers consistently praise the great taste.

Cons

• The Moccamaster KBG Select is on the expensive side for a drip coffee machine, coming in at around £200. While the quality justifies the price for coffee enthusiasts, it may be out of reach for more casual coffee drinkers.

• The hot plate is not adjustable, and some users report that it can lead to slight overextraction or bitterness if the coffee sits for too long after brewing completes. This requires drinking the coffee promptly before it overextracts.

• The water reservoir capacity is limited to 1.25 liters. For households that brew large batches or multiple carafes back-to-back, the small reservoir requires frequent refilling.

• The Moccamaster lacks some of the programmable features of other high-end coffee makers, like setting brew times or scheduling brew cycles. It's a very manual machine.

Price & Value

The Moccamaster KBG Select typically retails for around £220 in the UK. This puts it at the higher end of drip coffee makers, though still significantly below some ultra-premium models.

At this price point, the Moccamaster offers excellent value for money given its high-end materials, precise brewing technology, and overall exceptional performance. The machine is built to last for many years of daily use, so the upfront investment pays off over time.

For coffee enthusiasts who brew multiple cups per day, the Moccamaster is well worth the extra cost over cheaper models made of plastic parts. You get commercial-grade quality and durability not found in lower-priced machines. The precise brewing ensures optimal extraction and flavor consistency too.

While not inexpensive, the Moccamaster KBG Select delivers professional results and should withstand decades of service. For those who are serious about drip coffee, it's a worthwhile investment that typically pays for itself over years of delicious cups.

Conclusion

The Moccamaster KBG Select is an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts looking for a high-quality drip coffee maker. Its thoughtful design, precise brewing technology, and durable construction allow you to brew an exceptional cup of coffee at home.

The Moccamaster delivers consistent results every time. It evenly saturates the coffee grounds and precisely controls water temperature and flow rate to coax the best flavor from your beans. The brewer is easy to use with its one-button operation. It also offers ample customization with options to tweak brew batch size and coffee strength.

While the Moccamaster commands a premium price, it's a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about drip coffee. The machine will provide many years of delightful cups of coffee. With its fast brew time and thermal carafe, the Moccamaster makes it easy to enjoy fresh, hot coffee whenever you want. If you're looking for the best automatic drip coffee maker, the Moccamaster KBG Select is highly recommended.