Customer Reviews: Read 98 more reviews...
 company does not make replacement parts/filters hard to find March 10, 2005
Sweet pea (WI United States)
33 out of 48 found this review helpful
Hi!
When shopping for a coffee maker I think it is really important that if it comes with the water filters you should be able to find replacement filters fairly easy but unfortunately you can only order the replacement filters for this unit from the manufacturer which is not cheap when you figure in shipping.
anyone looking for a good machine should do a lot of research before purchasing...
 A POSITIVE Experience (and update) October 7, 2005
Sunshine (Beautiful Iowa, the place to grow.)
26 out of 30 found this review helpful
I purchased my DCM485 as a "gently used" and inspected unit, with a 30 day guarantee. Ok, I'll admit that these reviews (and the fact that it was "used") scared me into spending a few dollars on an extended warranty. I've had it now for about a week. I am, so far, very happy with my "new" Thermal Carafe Coffeemaker.
I had researched similar units for quite a long time, wanting the quality coffee that a thermal carafe maintained without the hot plate burn. I balked at paying the high price to "adopt" one, as Bikerman astutely pointed out. I found mine on an auction site for around $60.00, (including shipping), so I felt it was a bargain, and that I was taking less risk due to the smaller investment. But I digress.
When my package arrived, I excitedly checked out my new purchase. I ran a few vinegar/water cycles through it to clean it, and was pleased with the lack of leaks during that process. I quickly read the instructions (which I felt were pretty straightforward), set the clock and programmed it for a 6 AM brew time the next morning. Call me impatient, but I found it annoying that there was no way to reverse when setting the clock/timer. If you were a minute or two over, you had to go around 24 hours again. Small potatoes really, as I realize many digital clocks are this way, but still...annoying.
After all the negative reviews on this site, I fully expected to wake up to a lake of coffee the next morning. Unusually, I overslept and my husband was leaving for work as I walked out. We barely had time to say goodbye, and I continued on to the kitchen to see if I'd made a wise purchase. To my dismay, there was a wet towel on the counter! On further inspection, the coffeemaker looked normal. I poured a cup, and it was good. After sitting for nearly an hour and a half, it was hot, tasted fresh...I was pleased. After consulting with my husband a little later, I found that I'd over-watered a plant, but the coffeemaker had behaved fine. He did agree that it poured slowly from the pot, but he thought the coffee was good and had no other complaints.
Over the next few days, I've had similar, consistent results. I've experienced none of the steam condensation, drip, dribble, or overflow problems other reviewers have mentioned. There are parts that need to be properly seated to function correctly, and I see how this could cause problems for those that didn't understand the importance of this. I did not feel that it was difficult to align the lid on the pot or the pot in the receptacle. I didn't really even think much about it, and had excellent results. The carafe lid is clearly marked "open" and "close", with a "fin" to help you gently push it into the desired position. Though the pouring is slow, I've not found it to dribble at all. One can always remove the lid if you're in more urgent need of your coffee. It's a personal choice... I have used a paper filter with the included gold tone filter, out of habit more than anything. I do grind my beans pretty fine, and worry that I may end up with sludge in the bottom of the pot. I'll certainly give it a try eventually. I was more worried that it wouldn't function right with my normal "basket" filters, but no problems, even with the wrong type paper filters.
I wanted to share my experience in finding replacement water filters. I contacted the US distributor for DeLonghi by email and this is what they sent in reply to my inquiry.
Thank you for contacting us in regard to Delonghi products. Since the DCM485 is a recent addition to our product line, it has not yet been added to the website. You can order your parts from Fox International Ltd., Inc. Fox is the Authorized National Distributor for Delonghi USA. You can call us Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm ET at 1-800-322-3848. One of our order agents will be happy to assist you.
So there you go. I could not find the filters through any search engines I tried on the web, nor at Amazon, not to say that they were never offered. I wish they were. I have not ordered any from Fox Inc. yet, so can't share the price or experience. I have used the coffeemaker without the filter and it functioned fine, but feel we have good quality water available on tap. To be honest, these are unusual filters, specifically made for this coffeemaker. I would guess that they will not be manufactured by anyone but DeLonghi. But remember, the coffeemaker works fine without them. Filtered water may be a lesser "evil" for some owners.
In summary, this is a very sturdy and well built coffeemaker. The top completely lifts up on a hinge, making the "gold tone" coffee filter and basket, as well as the removable water reservoir, easily accessible and handy for filling and cleaning. The controls on the top, front of the machine are very visible and easy to use, with straightforward programming and instructions. This model has the extra features of "Accuflavor selector", automatic brew (programmable timer), pause and serve, and the aforementioned water filter for better tasting coffee. It is not "idiot proof", and as with any appliance, requires the user to assure it is assembled correctly for optimum functioning and results. I may have just been lucky, and gotten the proverbial cherry in the bowl of lemons, but I find very little to fault this coffeemaker at. I gave it 5 stars, and highly recommend it.
UPDATE- After over a month, I've noticed a few things about my DeLonghi. I've had a drip or two when I've used the pause and serve to sneak a cup before the brew cycle is complete. I've also noticed the coffee isn't as hot then, as it's had to warm the pot with the lesser amount of liquid. For me, it's about drinkable at that time, so it's perfect for that first cup. If you wait until the pot is full, the coffee I pour is too hot to drink immediately. I also noticed you need to be aware of placing the pot back correctly during the pause and serve. You can hear the coffee running into the pot, so I don't find it that difficult, but it is important. The brew cycle is pretty fast, so you don't want to dawdle or you will have a run-over. Yes, if you try to pour too rapidly from the pot, you have dripping...but not extreme. I'm still happy with my DeLonghi, just respectful of it's personality. It makes great coffee, and the thermal carafe assures consistency from first to last cup.
Great Quality and Style February 21, 2005
Superstream (Corvallis, OR USA)
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
Are you tired of parts made of plastic and not real metal? This coffee maker is made of genuine brushed stainless. If the part on this machine looks like metal, it is metal. The overall look and style is very European, even the buttons and display are good quality and simple to use and understand. The carafe is stainless inside and out, and keeps the coffee hot for at least 4 hours. The water resevoir lifts out for easily filling from the tap, so you don't have to fill the carafe first and pour it into the machine. The resavoir has graduated markings. Also, the filter holder comes out for easy cleaning. The only quirk I found is that, as with other themal carafes, you have to pour slowly to keep from dripping. It also helps to read the manual that explains how far to unscrew the top before pouring to avoid drips.
Everything worked for me May 27, 2005
Disway (OMA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
After some careful researches and a ton on reading other people's reviews, I finally made the move on this beautifully designed DeLonghi coffee maker, and I am so glad I did. Aside from the fact it is very stylish and contain every bit of Euro design, the coffee actually taste really good (better than I expected). I am not going to repeat the same good things people have been saying here, but 2 things I'd like to make it clear, 1. personally I don't think the water filter is a big deal when it comes to the fact that you will have to order it from the manufacturer (you can get them right here at Amazon by the way). There are not that many coffee makers that came with such solution anyway so...big deal. 2. the pouring issue, many people don't like how it'd spill all over the counter. What I just found out, is if you pour it slowly, you'll be just fine. I guess the Europeans are just not always in a hurry as the Americans :) Highly recommended coffee maker. UPDATE: After some usage, I learned that when you pour, hold the back for the lid (the side that is towards the handle), you get a pretty good pour with no drips!
 Cawfee Cawfee April 1, 2006
E. H. Hanks (San Antonio, Tx)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful
Just bought this gadget at Starbucks. Gave me $20 off plus 2Lbs of my choice of coffee. Good deal- $109.
OK- I'm kinda sorta a coffee snob. But I can make allowances, I'm flexible at times.
The LowDown:
#1
Ideal temps for brewing are between 190&200 deg F. I was told it brewed @200F. It actually brewed around 178-180F then jumped up to 190F at the end of the brew cycle. Now, the booklet states that this is to be used with an 120volt@60hz outlet. Here in the good'ol US of A we use 110V@60hz. Not to mention that line voltage can fluctuate quite a bit so the actual voltage is unknown unless you have a meter and/or a line compensator. This could be the source of the drop in temp; however, how could Delonghi make a mistake like that?! Poor engineering or research.
#2
Otherwise, it functioned quite well. It was quiet, with the characteristic burble at the end that signals the end of the cycle. Coffee still tasted good and was 150F when poured into a room temp cup. Very ergonomic and not that bad on space.
#3
Pouring wasn't the disaster reviews said it was. Easy stream came out into my cup. If you want to dump your coffee in your mug go ahead and take the stopper out. Slow down and smell the coffee! Not one drip as well. I've never had a coffee pot that didn't pose a difficulty when it came to pouring. I developed a habit of lifting the traditional flapper-lids slightly with my thumb to avoid messes. So this is my very first pot to be user-friendly with very little learning curve.
#4
Run some hot water in the carafe and let it sit while you prepare your beans and pour your water. It will warm up the pot see? Add it to your ritual. Just don't forget to pour it out before you place it in the brewer or you will have a mess.
#5
I didn't even bother with the filter. I use distilled H20 about half the time. A tip: let your water sit out overnight and the chlorine will evaporate out. The nasty chlorine taste out of your tap in the AM is due to it sitting in the pipes without moving all night. So forget the filter- it is a total waste but if you want to spend the $$ go ahead.
#6
Look- if you are going to shell this kind of money out for a coffee maker for goodness' sakes buy decent beans and grind them yourself. If you are a Folgers or Maxwell house type of individual you could spend a $1000 on a machine and it still wouldn't taste like anything other than tree bark. Better yet- buy green coffee beans and roast them yourself, @ about $1-3 a Lb. For more info paste this link in your browser: http://ineedcoffee.com/ Really, your life will change with the right kind of coffee.
Overall, it was pricy and I'm a little disapointed in the temps being off. That is the reason for my overly generous four stars rating. My FREE Gevalia coffee pot works very well but it is of the traditional drip kind- flapper-lid etc... The supposed brewing temp and carafe feature were really my primary reasons for laying out the $109 for the Delonghi. You certainly could do worse and buy a Mr Coffee. I'm going to play with it and see. I can always take it back. I kept the reciept.
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