Bosch TAS1252GB Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Tassimo TAS1252GB is a single-serve coffee machine made by Bosch that uses proprietary T- discs to brew a wide variety of hot beverages. This system allows you to enjoy barista-style drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more from the comfort of home.

The Tassimo line of coffee makers aims to provide an easy user experience by simply inserting a T-disc and the machine handles the brewing. There are no complex settings or brewing knowledge required. With its compact and sleek design, the TAS1252GB can deliver a delicious cup quickly while taking up minimal counter space.

This review will cover the key features, performance, and pros and cons of the Tassimo TAS1252GB to help you determine if it's the right single-cup brewer for your kitchen. We'll look at the range of drinks, convenience, ease of use, capacity, maintenance, and other important factors to consider for this popular single-serve machine.

Design and Appearance

The Tassimo TAS1252GB has a sleek, modern design with a glossy black and silver finish that will look great in any kitchen. It has a compact footprint, measuring just 27 x 20 x 32 cm, so it won't take up too much counter space. The machine itself is lightweight at only 3.2 kg, making it easy to move around and store when not in use.

The TAS1252GB is available in three color options - black, silver, and red - so you can choose the one that best matches your kitchen's aesthetic. The black and silver finishes both have a two-tone look, with shiny black plastic on the front and top and brushed silver metal sides. The all-red version adds a pop of color with its vibrant red plastic body. All three color choices give the machine a contemporary style.

Beverage Options

The Tassimo TAS1252GB offers a wide variety of hot beverage options beyond just coffee. With Tassimo T-Discs, you can brew espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, chai tea and more.

Some key highlights of the beverage options include:

• Makes authentic espresso with crema using the Espresso T-Discs
• Brews milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos using the Latte Macchiato and Cappuccino T-Discs
• Offers a range of branded hot chocolate flavors from Cadbury and Milkybar
• Lets you enjoy chai tea lattes with Oregon Chai Tea Latte T-Discs
• Can make brewed tea using T-Discs from brands like Twinings and Tetley
• Provides an assortment of flavored coffee options beyond regular coffee

With such a wide variety of T-Discs available, you can enjoy everything from a bold espresso shot to a foamy cappuccino to a soothing cup of tea. The broad beverage selection makes the Tassimo a very versatile single serve brewer.

Ease of Use

The Tassimo TAS1252GB has an easy to use interface with tactile buttons and a clear LCD display. The display shows you information like the selected drink, brewing status, descaling reminders, and more. There are separate buttons for espresso, coffee, and hot water, allowing you to quickly select your desired drink. An additional button allows you to choose the drink size between a regular or large cup.

The water tank has a handle for easy removal and filling. Inserting and removing Tassimo T-Discs is straightforward with the disc holder sliding open to add your pod. Overall, the machine is simple to operate even for beginners. The tactile buttons provide good feedback when pressed, and the process of selecting a drink and brew size is intuitive. With its straightforward controls and display, the Tassimo makes brewing coffee, tea, and other drinks a seamless process.

Brewing Technology

The Tassimo utilizes patented T-Disc technology to brew a wide variety of beverages. Each T-Disc is a proprietary coffee, tea or chocolate pod that contains a barcode. When inserted into the machine, the barcode is read to provide the precise brewing instructions for that particular beverage.

The discs come in a variety of sizes depending on the amount of liquid needed to brew each drink. The brewing process starts by piercing the T-Disc with the brewing unit's double piercing system. The barcode is scanned to determine the proper brewing time, temperature and flow rate. Hot water is then pumped through the T-Disc at the ideal pressure. The end result is a custom brewed drink created just as the beverage producer intended.

The brewing system allows for consistent results every time and gives users access to specialty drinks that would be difficult to make by hand. The precision of the T-Disc system allows each drink to be optimally extracted based on that beverage's characteristics. This technology is what gives Tassimo owners the flexibility to brew everything from coffee, espresso and lattes to hot chocolate and tea.

Capacity and Performance

The Tassimo TAS1252GB has a large 47oz water tank that allows you to brew multiple drinks before having to refill. The used pod container also has a generous 11 pod capacity, minimizing how often you'll need to empty it out.

In terms of brewing speed, the Tassimo heats up in just 40 seconds and can deliver a full cup of coffee in under a minute. The Intellibrew barcode system recognizes each Tassimo pod and customizes the brewing process for optimal results every time. So you get a perfect cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or other beverage fast.

The Tassimo is designed for back-to-back brewing, so you can make one coffee after another with no downtime waiting for the machine to reheat. This makes it great for busy households where multiple people may want a hot beverage at the same time.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Tassimo TAS1252GB requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Here are some key things to know:

Descaling - Tassimo machines need to be descaled every 3-4 months to remove mineral deposits that can build up in the brewing system. The machine will let you know when it's time to descale by displaying a light. To descale, you use the Tassimo descaling tablets and follow the instructions provided. The process takes about 30 minutes.

Cleaning the Brewing Unit - The T disc brewing unit should be cleaned every 1-2 weeks to keep it free of coffee oils and residues. You simply remove the unit, rinse it under running water, and wipe it clean before reattaching it to the machine. The manual provides clear instructions and diagrams for how to do this effectively.

Regular cleaning and maintenance like descaling and brew unit cleaning are essential to maximizing the performance and longevity of the Tassimo single serve coffee maker. Following the recommended cleaning procedures helps prevent issues like flow problems, blockages, and buildup of bitter coffee tastes over time.

Advantages Over Other Single Serve Coffee Machines

The Tassimo TAS1252GB has several advantages compared to other single serve coffee machines:

• Large beverage selection - The Tassimo can brew over 40 different beverages including coffee, espresso, tea, hot chocolate and more. Other single serve machines often have a more limited drink menu.

• Brews full size drinks - The Tassimo brews a full 8oz coffee or 14oz latte, unlike some single serve machines that only brew short 4-5oz drinks. This allows you to make a regular sized coffee mug or travel mug.

• No pods required - The Tassimo uses Tassimo T Discs which provide more beverage variety compared to machines that require proprietary coffee pods. The discs are also more eco-friendly.

• Intelligent barcode reading - The machine reads a barcode on each T Disc to adjust the brew settings like temperature, water pressure and brew time. This helps optimize each drink.

• Fast brewing - The Tassimo heats up and brews drinks very quickly, faster than many competing single cup machines. You can get a coffee in under a minute.

• Automatic cleaning functions - The Tassimo has automated cleaning cycles and alerts to prompt descaling and rinsing, making maintenance easier.

• Small footprint - The Tassimo has a compact design that takes up minimal counter space, great for small kitchens. The water tank is integrated into the unit.

Disadvantages

Compared to other single serve coffee machines, the Tassimo TAS1252GB has some drawbacks to consider:

• Limited beverage options - The Tassimo uses proprietary T-Discs, which means you can only brew Tassimo branded drinks. Other single serve coffee makers offer more variety and compatibility with different pods or capsules.

• No strength or temperature control - You cannot customize the brew strength or temperature. The settings are predetermined based on the T-Disc barcode. Other machines allow you to adjust these settings.

• T-Discs can be expensive - The T-Discs are generally more expensive per cup compared to other pod systems when not purchased in bulk. This increases the daily running cost.

• No auto-off function - There is no auto-off feature when not in use. You have to remember to manually power it off or it will continue to draw electricity. Other models automatically power down after a set time.

• Not ideal for larger cups - The maximum cup size is 12 oz, which falls short of large travel mug capacities. Larger k-cup machines can accommodate bigger cup sizes.

• Messy T-Disc puck disposal - Used T-Discs tend to drip when thrown away. Other pod systems have neater disposal methods.

• No reservoir or programmable features - It lacks a water reservoir for automatic refilling between brews. And it does not have any programmable options for auto-brewing.

Conclusion

The Tassimo TAS1252GB offers a lot for the single-serve coffee lover. Its compact, stylish design and intuitive controls make it easy to use and fit well in any kitchen. The T-discs provide access to a wide variety of coffee, tea, and other hot beverage options from leading brands. The Intellibrew system brews a good cup of coffee or tea every time.

The main downsides are the ongoing expense of purchasing T-discs, lack of customization options, and the fact that it can only brew Tassimo brand pods. Cleaning and descaling are required on a regular basis to keep it operating properly.

Overall, the Tassimo TAS1252GB is recommended for coffee drinkers who value convenience and simplicity with some variety in single-serve beverage options. It's not the best choice for those wanting to use their own coffee grounds or customize strength and volume. But for push button coffee pod brewing, the Tassimo delivers solid performance and quality results.