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Smeg is known for exporting high-quality Italian-made goods to the rest of the world. It has been doing this since 1948, which means that the brand knows a thing or two about making coffee-related products!
But is the stuff it makes really that good? Well, I got to review the Smeg Coffee Maker, and I’m happy to share everything I learned about this interesting machine. Let’s begin!
My Star Review of The Smeg Coffee Maker
The Price
Compared to other models you can get, the Smeg Coffee Maker is a little more pricey. For instance, if you compare it with the Amaste, you’ll end up paying roughly double the amount. However, like with most things, the more you pay for something, the better quality it is likely to be.
With that being said, I’ve played around with a few luxury coffee machines in the past. Unfortunately, a lot of them were a big disappointment. This made me a little concerned when getting the Smeg, as I wondered if I’d be paying a lot because it’s a well-known brand rather than a high-grade machine.
Thankfully, this wasn’t the case, and I was extremely happy with my purchase, even with how much I paid.
The Look
It’s no secret that this machine looks absolutely amazing. At first glance, it’s easy to imagine this maker being a part of a futuristic home. So, if you have a contemporary-styled kitchen, then this machine will fit in nicely.
There is also the added bonus that it comes in a variety of colors. Personally, I decided to go for the iconic red variation. However, it was a close call considering how cool the other versions look!
Coffee Taste
Obviously, a big part of how good your cup of joe will taste will depend on what you put into the machine. If you put cheap, nasty coffee grounds in it, then you can expect an awful-tasting cup you wouldn’t even want to give to your annoying neighbor.
With that being said, the machine still has its part to play. And I’m happy to report that the Smeg coffee maker made excellent coffee. Unlike some plastic coffee machines I’ve tried that end up altering the taste for the worse, this one didn’t, as it’s an all-metal maker. Instead, every time I used it, I received a fresh cup of coffee that left me wanting more and more. So, if you’re looking for a machine that provides great consistency, look no further.
Convenience
The coffee maker has a built-in warm plate that is designed to keep freshly brewed coffee warm for up to 60 minutes. I found this especially helpful in the mornings when I’m trying to transform from a zombie to an actual human being. Spoiler: It takes way more than one cup!
Also, while we’re talking about being half-asleep, the userface can be used easily, even with a half-functioning brain. A few clicks and the machine starts doing what it does best: brewing fantastic drip coffee. However, there is a slight learning curve when using the lever on the side to use the automatic brew function, but after a few attempts, using it becomes second nature.
There is also an auto-start function, which lets you pick the time you want the machine to turn on. Although this feature is pretty standard for most coffee makers, it’s still nice to have.
What’s more, the Smeg’s coffee filter is reusable, making the machine more eco-friendly and convenient. All I had to do was clean it now and again. I found this amazing, as I didn’t have to worry about running out of filters. This has happened in the past and completely ruined my day!
Number of Cups
Smeg coffee makers come with a 42-oz carafe that can hold a maximum of 10 cups. I found this plentiful, but I can see how this might not be enough for big households that drink multiple cups in a short amount of time. Apart from that, I think it’s a really good size.
On the side of the machine, it shows you how much water you’ll need for the amount of cups you want to make. This isn’t revolutionary by any stretch of the imagination, but it does make things easier when trying to get the ratios right.
Cleaning
There isn’t too much to talk about when it comes to cleaning. The filter and carafe are the main parts you need to clean, and they can be easily removed when it’s time to wipe them down.
I also added a cleaning solution to the water tank now and again, making sure everything stayed clean inside the machine. By doing so, the maker continued to produce high-quality filtered coffee without any nasty, lingering tastes.
Oh, and one last thing about cleaning this machine is that it comes with an anti-drip system, which stops the machine from leaking coffee after it has finished brewing (as you can probably guess from the name).
Durability
It was clear to me that the Italians did not cheap out when making this machine, as it is made from stainless steel. The maker felt sturdy, and the non-slip feet kept it in one place – a winning combination.
I’ve had the Smeg coffee maker for a couple of months now, and there are no problems so far. However, if this changes, I’ll let you guys know!
LED Display
I’ve already talked a little about the interface, but I want to go into more detail about the LED display. Alongside being aesthetically pleasing, the display lets you see brew timers set, the current time, and if there are any maintenance requirements.
I thought the display was a great addition to the maker and provided a lot of useful information. You’d be surprised how many coffee makers don’t have a decent display!
The Downsides
Although I was more than happy with my purchase, there were a few things that could make the Smeg better.
To start with, I wish you could adjust how long the keep-warm plate stays on. Don’t get it twisted, I thought 60 minutes was good, but I would have loved being able to have more control over the time.
The carafe looks cool and is a decent size, but it felt a bit flimsy and easily breakable, which was surprising considering the rest of the maker was incredibly well-built. So far, it’s still going strong, but I’m not sure how it will hold up in the coming months/years.
The last negative I want to talk about is the inability to pause the Smeg while it is brewing. I was shocked to learn it didn’t have this feature, which I’ve found nearly every other machine to have. The reason why having this function is so handy is because it allows you to take the carafe out, pour a quick cup, and put it back so it can finish the brew cycle without any mess. However, if you brew in small quantities when you want a cup of joe quickly, you can get around this problem.
Machine Specs
Summary of My Smeg Coffee Maker Review
Overall, I had a lot of fun with my review of the Smeg coffee maker. It truly is a unique machine that has many good qualities. Yes, if I could change a few aspects, I would, but I still think it was a great investment that will continue to keep me caffeinated.
Is it the right choice for you? Well, you’ll have to be the judge of that!