KRUPS FME214 Programmable Coffee Maker Machine with Glass Carafe and LED Control Panel, 12-cup, Black

My Braun Coffee maker gave up the ghost about 10 months ago in mid-cycle, and in desperation I purchased a Mr. Coffee ISX46. Though that machine made an okay cup of joe, the temperature was a bit cool, which resulted in my having to use more ground coffee. And the "nightlight" clock was absolutely distracting! I had to cover it with two layers of smoke-colored vinyl. This was a temporary fix until I could find a cone-filter pot that was also a front-loader, so I didn't have to keep pulling the machine out of it's niche to to fill it, as my "coffee station" is a tight fit. I could turn it around to add water, but I also had to pull it out to raise the lid. It was just a question of convenience. However, I was tired of having to heat the coffee in the microwave just to get it hot enough to put in the already-warmed up thermos for work.So much for that review, now for the Krups review:I was a little concerned after reading all of the other reviews of this product, but I was desperate. So I sent my order to Amazon, and a week later I was enjoying hot coffee that I did not have to heat in the microwave!I checked out all the other features that others had complained of, an found none of them to be valid in my opinion. The warming plate doesn't look like it's going to shed paint. The filter basket door opens and closes with a secure click. The basket is removable and easy to clean. The water level gauge seems to work fine, but like one of the other reviewers, I don't use it anyway. The clock-timer is pretty easy to set, and it you forget, the manual is pretty straight forward--though I could probably figure it out eventually even if I didn't have a manual. Some people complained that the machine can't be turned back on without water in the reservior once the pot turns off, and I must agree that in the event of a power outage this could be inconvenient. However, the keep-warm time can be set for up to 5 hours, and if you need to keep coffee hot for any longer than that, you probably should just nuke it or put it in a thermal pot anyway.I do have to turn the machine to put water in it, and the lid that covers the reservoir does seem to me to open the wrong way, but it's no big deal. And even though I am all thumbs, I haven't had any problems filling the machine or using the carafe, unless I try to go too fast. As for the LED display--if you need a nightlight or a kitchen clock, I sugggest you buy a nightlight and a kitchen clock.I guess the only thing I haven't covered is the durabilty of the appliance--only time will tell for that. Until then, I'm glad to have a decent cup of coffee again!UPDATE---It is now June 2009, two months after the warranty expired, and though it did give me good coffee for over a year, it has begun to leak. Darn shame. I don't think anything is made to last anymore. (As for the plastic smell, yeah, it persisted, but did not affect the coffee taste.) I have to knock my five stars down to 3 1/2.

I have had several different coffeemakers over the years, pretty much get a new one every two years. I had the Braun programmable model and was very pleased with it. It was worn looking so we joined the Gevalia coffee club and got their "free" one. I was disappointed in its lack of programmable options and when the LCD started going decided to give this Krups a try as it was a couple of dollars cheaper than the new Braun one. Overall it makes a great cup of coffee. Here is my experience so far: while the water fill tube is easy to read, it gets bubbles in it so it does not show accurately. When lit, the LCD is very easy to read. However the LCD does not have much contrast when unlit so is hard to read most of the time. The filter basket is easy to operate - a lever spring-releases it (this seems to be the current trend in all programmable coffeemakers). It is fairly easy to program but don't lose the directions, you will need them if you have to do this again. The automatic on feature is different than any other I have used. It is automatically on all the time. When you prepare your coffee for auto brew, just prepare it. It will come on automatically at the appointed time. If you have not prepared, the coffeemaker will start up, but it will sense that there is no water in the chamber and will power down with an error in the LCD. I am not sure if I like this or not. I think I would rather have to push a button to set the auto-brew. The pot lid is not as easy to remove as others. With others, I have had only to continue lifting the lid gently and the lid has detached. With the Krups I had to twist the lid slightly with more force than I am comfortable imparting to get the lid to release. It was easy to replace the lid - however I am very mechanically inclined. The coffeemakers overall look is somewhat boxy. While I am not disappointed with the form and function of this unit, I will probably not get another Krups. I think the Braun is a better designed and functioning unit. Finally - I did give this 5 stars, which shows that I think overall it is a very good, top of heap, coffeemaker.