Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB is a single-serve coffee maker that brews a wide variety of hot beverages at the touch of a button. This compact and stylish machine uses patented T DISC technology to deliver barista-style coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more straight into your cup.

Ideal for households of 1-2 people, the TAS1104GB offers an easy way to enjoy your favorite hot drinks whenever you want. Its intelligent brewing system reads the barcode on each T DISC pod to customize the drink perfectly. With minimal prep and clean up required, it provides an efficient and convenient brewing experience.

This review will provide an overview of the key features and performance of the Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB single cup coffee maker. We'll cover the design, brewing technology, beverage options, ease of use, energy efficiency and other important factors to consider before purchasing this TASSIMO machine.

Design & Build Quality

The Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB single serve coffee machine has a compact and sleek design made to fit on most kitchen countertops. It measures 28.7 x 20.5 x 36.4 cm and weighs just 3.2 kg, so it doesn't take up too much space. The machine housing is constructed from high-quality black plastic with stainless steel accents on the control panel, giving it a premium and modern look.

Despite its small size, the machine feels sturdy and well-built. The water reservoir is made from clear plastic so you can easily view the water level, and has a 47 oz capacity so you won't need to refill it too frequently. The removable parts like the brew head and drip tray are also well-constructed from solid plastic. Overall, the materials and finish give the impression of a quality appliance built to last.

In comparison, the PHILIPS LM9012/60 offers a stylish and modern design, featuring a sleek finish that complements any kitchen decor. It boasts a user-friendly interface, making it easy to customize your brewing experience. The machine is compact yet powerful, ensuring consistent quality with every cup. Additionally, its lightweight design allows for convenient portability. With a robust build and fashionable aesthetics, the PHILIPS LM9012/60 is an excellent choice for coffee lovers who appreciate both form and function.

Brewing Technology

The TASSIMO TAS1104GB uses T DISCs, or Tassimo discs, for brewing drinks. These proprietary plastic discs contain the beverage mixture and a barcode that the machine reads to determine the optimal brewing instructions.

When a T Disc is inserted into the machine, a barcode reader scans the code to identify the drink and automatically adjust the brewing parameters accordingly. This Intellibrew system adjusts variables like the amount of water, temperature, and brew time to optimize each beverage.

The Bosch TASSIMO intelligent barcode technology takes the guesswork out of brewing by automatically setting the ideal brewing conditions for each T Disc. This makes it easy to brew a wide variety of drinks like coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolate and tea perfectly every time. The brewing process is automated but can be customized to user preferences for cup size and strength.

Another great option is the Bosch TASSIMO TAS1103GB, designed for those who enjoy compact kitchen appliances without sacrificing performance. This model offers the same T DISC technology, ensuring a variety of drink options. With similar Intellibrew features, it delivers exceptional quality while taking up less counter space. Users can still indulge in their favorite coffee styles, and the quick heat-up time means less waiting and more enjoying. The TAS1103GB is a perfect fit for busy lifestyles!

Overall, the TASSIMO's use of barcode reading T Discs and Intellibrew technology provides an advanced level of precision, consistency, and convenience when preparing drinks. The brewing technology allows nearly anyone to make cafe-quality speciality beverages at home with the push of a button.

Beverage Options

The Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB offers a wide variety of beverage options from teas and coffees to hot chocolate and specialty drinks. This single serve machine uses patented Intellibrew technology and barcodes on the T DISCs to customize the brew for each drink option.

Some key beverage options include:

• Coffee - Choose from brands like Gevalia, Maxwell House, and Starbucks to brew regular and dark roast coffees, espressos, lattes, and more. The machine can produce a range of coffeehouse-style drinks.

• Tea - The TASSIMO is great for tea lovers with options like Lipton, Twinings, Tetley and others. It can brew hot and iced teas, green teas, herbal teas and more.

• Hot chocolate - Brands like Cadbury and Suchard offer delicious hot chocolate options.

• Specialty drinks - TASSIMO offers fun specialty drinks like chai tea lattes, mochas, fruit teas, and cappuccinos.

With T DISCs available from major brands in coffee, tea, cocoa and more, the TAS1104GB allows you to enjoy a huge variety of drinks from the comfort of home. The easy to use barcodes means perfect customization for each drink option.

Ease of Use

The TASSIMO TAS1104GB is extremely easy to use, thanks to its intuitive control panel and overall simple operation.

Control Panel

The control panel on the TASSIMO has just a few buttons that are clearly labeled - there are icons for the different cup sizes, a power button, and buttons to start and stop brewing. The display screen shows you information on the beverage selected, tank levels, and maintenance reminders. The interface is straightforward so anyone can walk up and brew a tasty cup without hassle.

Low Maintenance

In terms of maintenance, the TASSIMO requires very little effort. It automatically pierces the TASSIMO T Discs, so there are no coffee grounds or tea leaves to clean up. The used T Discs are neatly ejected into a holding tray after brewing. To keep things clean, the machine will prompt you when it's time to descale. Overall, maintenance is quick and painless.

Easy to Clean

Cleaning the TASSIMO is a breeze. The exterior can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any spills or dust. The interior components are dishwasher safe, including the drip tray, water tank, and cup stand making cleanup fast. The brewing system is self-cleaning when you descale. So cleaning is kept to a minimum with this single-serve coffee maker.

Performance

The TASSIMO TAS1104GB delivers solid brewing performance for an entry-level single serve coffee maker. Its brew speed is relatively fast, able to brew an 8oz cup of coffee in around 1 minute. The water reaches an ideal brewing temperature of 192-197°F, ensuring efficient extraction from the coffee grounds.

In terms of brew quality, the TASSIMO produces a good cup of coffee that's on par with other pod brewers in this price range. The coffee comes out smoothly extracted without any major bitterness or sourness. However, more discerning coffee aficionados may find the flavor profile lacks some depth and nuance compared to a premium bean-to-cup machine. But for the price, most users will be satisfied with the brew quality.

The frothing performance for making lattes and cappuccinos is also quite good. The milk froth comes out smooth and velvety, without large bubbles. The milk doesn't become scalded due to the precise temperature control during steaming. The only downside is you can't customize the milk texture or froth level - it's pre-programmed based on the pod. But overall, the frothing ability adds nice versatility for making specialty coffee drinks.

In summary, the TASSIMO delivers solid brewing performance for the price. The speed, temperature, and end product quality are on par with competitors. While premium machines produce better flavor, the TASSIMO satisfies most casual coffee drinkers.

Energy Efficiency

The TASSIMO TAS1104GB has good energy efficiency for a single serve coffee machine.

• Power consumption - The machine uses 1300 watts while brewing, which is typical for similar single serve machines. However, Bosch designed it to heat quickly and efficiently. This means less energy wasted during the heating process.

• Standby mode - An excellent feature of the TASSIMO is the automatic standby mode. After 5 minutes of inactivity, the machine will power down to standby. This prevents energy waste from the unit sitting heated and idle for long periods. Bosch estimates the standby mode uses around 0.2 watts, which is extremely low.

So in summary, the TAS1104GB has above average energy efficiency. The combination of efficient heating and an automatic standby feature help minimize electricity usage for this kind of appliance. This makes it a good choice for environmentally conscious buyers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact and sleek design saves counter space
• Easy to use with one-touch operation
• Fast brewing time under a minute
• Over 40 branded coffee, tea and hot chocolate options
• Adjustable cup stand for different cup sizes
• Energy efficient with auto-off function
• Descaling alert reminds you when to clean
• Simple disposal and cleaning of used capsules

Cons

• Can only use Tassimo T-Discs, not other brands
• Small water reservoir may require frequent refilling
• Pricey cost per cup compared to ground coffee
• Pod-style coffee has higher environmental impact
• Limited ability to customize beverage strength and size
• No bypass for using your own ground coffee
• Brews only one cup at a time

Pricing

The Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB single-serve coffee machine has a current retail price of £99.00 at most major online and in-store retailers in the UK. This positions the TAS1104GB as a mid-range model among comparable single-serve pod coffee makers.

For the features and performance it delivers, the Bosch TASSIMO represents good overall value. It produces high-quality coffee shop-style drinks from widely available TASSIMO T-Discs, it has a compact and stylish design, and it includes useful features like adjustable cup stand, auto-shutoff, and descaling alerts. While it lacks some bells and whistles like a full color display or Bluetooth connectivity, it focuses on the core functionality of brewing delicious single-serve beverages conveniently.

At around £100, the TAS1104GB costs a bit more upfront than basic single-serve pod coffee makers. However, it uses an advanced barcode-reading brewing technology to optimize temperature, pressure, and steeping for each T-Disc variety. This helps maximize flavor and quality, which adds value over the long run. For shoppers looking for an affordable mid-range single-serve machine that can brew coffeehouse drinks at home with ease, the Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB represents a solid option at a reasonable price point.

Conclusion & Recommendation

The Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB is a reliable and convenient single-serve coffee maker that produces consistent results every time. Its compact and sleek design makes it suitable for small kitchens, dorm rooms, apartments or offices. The unique T DISC brewing technology evenly extracts flavors and aroma from the wide variety of TASSIMO T DISC pods, allowing you to enjoy everything from coffee to tea and hot chocolate.

The machine is very easy to use - just pop in a T DISC, select a button and you'll have a fresh hot beverage in minutes. It heats up water rapidly and maintenance is straightforward with removable parts that are dishwasher safe. The automatic shut-off helps conserve energy when not in use.

In terms of drawbacks, the Bosch TASSIMO has a smaller water reservoir capacity compared to some competitors. It can only brew one cup at a time, which may be inconvenient if making back to back beverages. Some users have reported leaking issues over time.

Overall, the Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB is an affordable single-cup brewer that consistently delivers quality drinks using TASSIMO T DISCs. It's simple to operate with minimal cleaning required. The compact size and wide beverage selection makes it a great choice for singles and couples looking for an easy-to-use single-serve coffee machine that can brew more than just coffee. Its smart features, energy efficiency and reliability make it a machine worth considering.