Smeg DCF02CRUK Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

The Smeg DCF02CRUK is an attractive and feature-rich filter coffee machine that produces delicious coffee for the home. Smeg is an Italian brand known for its retro-inspired appliances, and this filter coffee machine features a glossy curved body with stainless steel accents that will look great on any kitchen counter.

With its 10-cup capacity and programmable timer, the Smeg DCF02CRUK is ideal for households that enjoy starting their day with fresh-brewed coffee. It offers conveniences like a removable water reservoir for easy filling, a keep warm plate to maintain an optimal serving temperature, and a reusable filter basket to accommodate both paper and permanent filters. The machine also has a front-loading design to simplify inserting and removing the filter.

This review will examine the design, features, ease of use, coffee quality, capacity, maintenance needs, noise level, and value of the Smeg DCF02CRUK filter coffee maker. We'll highlight the pros and cons of this model to help determine if it's a good choice for your morning coffee routine.

Design & Build Quality

The Smeg DCF02CRUK filter coffee machine has an attractive retro design reminiscent of 1950s appliances. It comes in a variety of bold, glossy colors like red, black, cream and pastel blue to add a stylish accent to your kitchen.

The housing is made of durable ABS plastic with a stainless steel front panel and accents. The materials feel solid and built to last. The machine sits on a matching plastic base with anti-slip feet.

While made mostly of plastic, the Smeg still looks and feels more premium than typical budget coffee makers. It's much sleeker than a standard Mr. Coffee style machine. The retro styling helps it stand out as a countertop appliance.

The build quality of the Smeg coffee maker is quite good overall, especially considering its attractive retro design aesthetic. The plastics have a glossy, thick feel and the accents are real stainless steel. The water reservoir and filter basket also feel sturdy and well-made.

In comparison, the Tefal Includeo CM533811 has a more modern, rounded design with a black and silver color scheme. It lacks the striking retro personality of the Smeg. The Tefal uses mostly plastic in construction. The water reservoir feels a bit lightweight compared to the Smeg's. However, the Tefal still has a decent build quality for the price.

The Smeg's retro styling is definitely its standout feature. The curvy body, bright glossy colors and stainless accents give it a funky, 1950s look. It's much more stylish than a typical budget drip coffee machine. The Tefal has a simpler, more contemporary look that blends in easily on a countertop without standing out.

Both the Smeg and Tefal have plastic housings, with the Smeg having a bit more metal. The Smeg feels more substantial and premium. But the Tefal's build construction still seems reliable enough for regular use. Overall, while the Tefal Includeo CM533811 has decent build quality, the Smeg DCF02's retro design and styling is far more eye catching and unique.

The Smeg is available in several bold, fun colors like cream, pastel blue, bright red and black. You can choose a shade to complement your kitchen decor. The Tefal comes only in a neutral black and silver color scheme. While the Tefal has a modern look, the Smeg has vintage flair.

Both models take up a similar amount of countertop space, between 10-12 inches wide. They'll fit fine on most kitchen counters without dominating. The Smeg is a couple inches taller due to its curvier body. The Tefal has a lower profile. But the Smeg's retro shape is part of its aesthetic appeal.

In summary, the build quality of both the Smeg and Tefal filter coffee machines is decent but the Smeg has more stylish retro design. Its glossy plastic body, stainless accents and range of color options give it a unique personality. The Tefal has a simpler, more contemporary look. But for striking retro design, the Smeg DCF02 is the clear winner.

Features

The Smeg DCF02 features several useful functions that enhance the coffee making experience. With its sleek retro-inspired design, this automatic drip coffee maker looks great on any kitchen countertop while delivering delicious freshly brewed coffee every time.

• Auto-start timer - This allows you to program the machine to start brewing at a specific time. So you can wake up to freshly brewed coffee without having to wait for it. The timer can be set up to 24 hours in advance.

• Keep warm function - After brewing, the coffee is kept warm for around 40 minutes. This prevents the brewed coffee from cooling down too quickly before you get a chance to pour yourself a cup.

• Reusable filters - The machine comes with 4 reusable stainless steel filters. These are more environmentally friendly and cost effective than paper filters as they can be used over and over. The fine mesh helps extract flavor oils from the coffee grounds.

If you're looking for an alternative filter coffee machine, consider the GEEPAS GCM41505UK. This model features a durable stainless steel body and a 12-cup capacity. The shower head is designed to distribute water evenly over the coffee grounds for optimal extraction. It also has a keep warm plate to maintain an ideal serving temperature for up to 40 minutes after brewing completes.

The GEEPAS GCM41505UK has a 24-hour programmable timer so you can set it to have coffee ready when you wake up or get home from work. The machine alerts you with an indicator light and auto shut-off when the brew cycle finishes or the keep warm time elapses. It comes with a permanent gold tone filter for convenience.

Additional useful functions include a water level indicator to show how much water is in the tank, a removable drip tray for easy cleanup, and a pause and serve function which allows you to grab a cup mid-brew. The machine also has cord storage to keep your countertop looking tidy.

With programmable features, reusable filter, and thermal carafe, the GEEPAS GCM41505UK is a great option if you're looking for an automatic drip coffee maker. It delivers convenience without compromising on flavor from your favorite freshly ground beans.

Ease of Use

The Smeg DCF02 filter coffee machine is very easy to use thanks to its intuitive control panel and buttons. Setting up the machine is straightforward - just insert the water filter, fill the tank, add ground coffee to the filter, and select your brew.

The control panel has buttons for 1 cup, 2 cups, 3 cups or 4 cups, allowing you to easily choose the right amount of coffee to brew. There's also a button for the aroma strength, letting you select mild, medium or strong aroma. An LED display shows the selected cup size and aroma level.

Programming the auto-start time is simple with the designated button and scrolling dial. The machine will automatically turn on at the set time so your coffee is ready when you want it.

Overall, the Smeg coffee maker couldn't be easier to operate. The buttons and display are clearly labeled and make brewing hassle-free. Even first-time users will find it intuitive to get a great cup of coffee.

Coffee Quality

The Smeg DCF02 produces coffee with excellent taste and aroma thanks to its gold tone filter and 15 bar Italian pump. The filter ensures purity and clarity of flavor while the pump provides the ideal pressure for extracting all the oils and subtle notes from the coffee grounds.

The machine brews a robust, full-bodied cup of coffee without any bitterness or acidity. You can customize the strength by adjusting the amount of grounds used. The coffee comes out piping hot, around 90-95°C, which is the optimal temperature for black coffee. The thermal carafe does a decent job at retaining heat so the last cup is still pleasantly warm.

Some users say the Smeg makes coffee comparable to a French press with the convenience of drip machine automation. It brings out sweeter, fruitier flavors that you may not taste from a regular drip coffee maker. The aromas are rich and intoxicating. Overall, the Smeg delivers an intensely satisfying coffee experience.

Capacity

The Smeg DCF02 filter coffee machine has a decent capacity to brew multiple cups of coffee at once. It has a 1.8 liter removable water tank, which is large enough to brew about 10 cups before needing a refill. The glass carafe holds up to 12 cups of coffee, so you can make a full pot in one brew cycle. This is convenient for larger households or if you want to make coffee for guests. The water tank has clear markings on the side showing the number of cups, which makes it easy to see how much water you are adding. The large carafe means you don't have to brew small batches repeatedly. Overall, the ample tank and carafe capacities allow you to brew the amount of coffee you need in one go.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Smeg DCF02 filter coffee machine is relatively easy to keep clean and well maintained.

Descaling

Descaling helps remove mineral deposits from the internal components to keep your machine running efficiently. Smeg recommends descaling every 2-3 months depending on your water hardness and usage. The descaling process involves filling the water reservoir with a descaling solution, running a descaling cycle, then thoroughly rinsing the machine. Smeg provides clear instructions in the user manual.

Cleaning Parts

The glass carafe, filter holder, and permanent filter are all dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The warming plate can be wiped down with a damp cloth as needed. The water reservoir should be hand washed and dried thoroughly. Smeg recommends using a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior housing.

Overall, the cleaning and maintenance of the Smeg DCF02 is straightforward with removable, dishwasher safe parts and an accessible descaling process. Following the manufacturer's recommendations will help keep your machine in good working order.

Noise Level

One of the standout features of the Smeg DCF02 is how quiet it is during operation. Many drip coffee machines can be quite noisy when brewing, with the water pump and other internal mechanisms causing a ruckus first thing in the morning.

The Smeg is impressively quiet, especially given its fast brew time. The thermal carafe and brew basket mechanism operate smoothly and silently. Users report the machine makes very little noise beyond a soft "whirring" sound. This is a major advantage for those who want to brew coffee without disturbing others in early or late hours.

Overall, the noise level is exceptionally low for a drip coffee machine. The Smeg DCF02 earns top marks for its quiet operation. It's a great choice for brewing coffee in close quarters or while others are sleeping.

Price & Value

The Smeg DCF02CRUK filter coffee machine currently retails for around £150 on Amazon UK. This puts it at the higher end of drip coffee makers, so expectations are high for the performance and quality.

Overall, the Smeg machine represents decent value for money given the stylish design and premium finish. While it doesn't have the latest smart features of some competitors, it excels at the core function of brewing great tasting filter coffee.

The metal and plastic construction seem durable, so it should last many years with proper care. Little touches like the stainless steel accents and porcelain drip tray add to the upscale appearance.

For those seeking a classy looking appliance that can produce coffee shop quality java at home, the Smeg DCF02CRUK is a solid option. The price tag is justified by the 10 cup capacity, rapid brewing, and reusable filter that saves on paper wastage.

While not the cheapest choice, design conscious coffee lovers who want a reliable drip coffee maker with style should consider the Smeg DCF02CRUK filter machine. It delivers where it counts - making delicious filter coffee.

Conclusion

Overall, the Smeg DCF02CRUK filter coffee machine is a stylish and capable option for making filter coffee at home.

On the pro side, it has an attractive retro design that would look great on any kitchen counter, it's easy to use with programmable features like a 24-hour start timer, it keeps coffee hot for over an hour, and it produces smooth, full-flavored coffee. The reusable filter basket is also a nice perk for sustainability and cost savings over paper filters.

The main downsides are the high price tag given the lack of more advanced features, the loud operation, and the plastic parts feeling cheaper than expected at this price point. It's also limiting to only make up to 12 cups per brew cycle.

For design-focused coffee lovers wanting an automatic drip machine with basic conveniences, the Smeg delivers. But if you want more programming options, brew size flexibility, or less noise, other models may be preferable for the price. Overall the Smeg DCF02CRUK is a good but not great filter coffee machine.