Technivorm Moccamaster Review and Models Comparison

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Chris Clark

Chris Clark is the co-founder and chief content editor of BrewCoffeeHome.com. With a passion for all things java, Chris has been a coffee blogger for the past 3 years and shares his expertise in coffee brewing with the readers. He's a hands-on expert, loves testing coffee equipment, and has written most of the in-depth reviews featured on the site. When he's not whipping up delicious drinks or experimenting with the latest coffee gadgets, Chris is exploring the local cafe. You can reach him at [email protected].


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Are you unsure whether you want to invest in a Technivorm Moccamaster drip coffee maker? Moreover, you may have a hard time distinguishing which Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker you want. Because believe it or not, they all have different features, despite their similarities in appearance.

We are here to get rid of any confusion by covering the differences between each model number. We will also explain the common features that are available in all the Moccamaster models. After reading this Technivorm Moccamaster review, you’ll know exactly what you can expect from the model you choose.

Why Choose Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker?

That is a question that has several answers. First off, it’s considered the best drip coffee maker on the market. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) [1] and the European Coffee Brewing Center (ECBC) [2] have granted all of Technivorm’s products with a Seal of Approval.

Their seals signify that their premium quality drip coffee makers meet tough criteria that many coffee makers cannot surpass.

Professional coffee tasters and scientists got together and developed the program in Specialty Coffee Association and EBCC. They dedicate their time reviewing coffee machines designed for in-home use to determine if they meet the rigorous requirements of brewed coffee quality [3].

ecbc-approved-coffee-maker

Are you wondering what criteria a coffee maker has to meet? A few SCA requirements include brewing time, the ability to brew SCA Golden Cup recommendations, and the perfect brewing temperature, which the Technivorm Mochamaster meets.

If you are still not convinced, Technivorm coffee maker has continually made reliable and durable products. It does so while taking care of the environment by using recyclable materials. Moreover, they ensure their products are energy efficient and last a long time.

Moreover, the Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker is one of the best drip coffee makers on the market because Technivorm has carefully hand-made and individually tested them in the Netherlands.

Also, many companies cannot beat Technivorm’s excellent 5-years product warranty.

Since 1968, Technivorm’s products have maintained an excellent reputation among coffee lovers. It’s also one of our best-picked drip coffee makers.

Technivorm Moccamaster Models Comparison

If you were to Google Technivorm Moccamaster, you might find yourself staring at what appears as the same coffee maker but with different acronyms after it. While all of these models all brew stellar cups of coffee that Technivorm is known for, you should know some slight differences.

Throughout this section, we will decode the various acronyms to understand better the details that differentiate these models. Moreover, we will compare different models to give you an idea of what may work best for you.

However, keep in mind that you should base the model you choose on the features that you want or need.

Technivorm Moccamaster Model Numbers At A Glance

The following are references to keep in mind when exploring the various Technivorm Moccamaster coffee makers.

Moreover, Technivorm combines many of these acronyms into additional models. For instance, if you see KB (rectangular glass housing) with a T, KBT, it uses thermal stainless steel.

Model AcronymsMeaning
KBRectangular housing
CDCylindrical housing
GAutomatic drip-stop
TThermal Stainless Steel Carafe
VVolume control
SCarafe Capacity

KB – Rectangular housing

Technivorm KB models state that the model has a rectangular body. 

CD – Cylindrical housing

If you see products with this acronym, they will have a cylindrical body column instead of a rectangular one.

G – Automatic drip-stop

These models come with an automatic drip-stop.

T – Thermal Stainless Steel Carafe

Instead of a typical glass carafe, these models will come with a stainless steel one.

V – Volume control

The volume control on these models enables you to brew coffee in a half or full carafe.

S – Carafe Capacity

The S shows whether you will have a smaller carafe than regular models.

The shape of the housing: KB vs. CD

Technivorm’s acronyms refer to the shape of the housing on the left side of the coffee maker. For example, KB means that the brewer will have rectangular housing. Conversely, CD means the coffee maker will have a cylindrical body.

While the differences of these models will not affect the taste of your coffee, they do serve better in different areas of use. Or, if you prefer the model’s style, you could go that route. Anyway, the CD model is more extensive and come with a larger water tank and brew capacity, making it a good choice for cafes and offices.

On the other hand, the KB series brewers are suitable for home use.

Auto Drip Stop vs. Manual-Adjust Drip-Stop: G

With G models versus non-G, the differences weigh on convenience. Technivorm designed G’s with an automatic brew-basket, which allows you to pull the carafe away and pour a cup. Afterward, it will stop dripping automatically. 

Conversely, if you opt for models without a G, you will have to adjust the filter basket with three settings manually.

For example, you would like to review the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG and how it differs from models without the G. For starters, The KBG currently only costs a little more than a typical KB model. However, besides the auto-drip stop versus manual adjustment, you will find little to no differences between the models other than a slight bump in price.

The KBG acts as an excellent coffee maker for those who do not prefer taking a hands-on approach to brewing coffee or brewing multiple cups a day. But if you prefer complete control over the brewing process, we recommend the KB models.

Thermal carafe vs Glass Carafe: T

With regular Technivorm Moccamaster models, you will get a glass carafe and a hot plate that stays on for at least 100 minutes to keep your brewed coffee hot. After that timeframe, it will automatically shut off. However, with T models, you do not receive an included hot plate. Instead, you will find a stainless steel thermal carafe that replaces the normal glass one.

We prefer a thermal carafe rather than a glass one with a hot plate. Since continuously heating up your brewed coffee will damage your coffee flavor. Even though all the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG and KB models have a switch that lets you change the hotplate temperature between 175°-185°F , we still recommend a thermal carafe to keep your great coffee warm if you can’t drink up the full pot of coffee within an hour.

However, your overall model choice comes down to whether you want to deal with glass or stainless steel.

Volume Control: V

With the V model, you can either brew half a pot or a full carafe of coffee. Fortunately, no matter which choice you make, they will amount to SCA-certified gold cup standards.

With models like the Moccamaster KBGV, the automatic shut-off features paired with the brew-volume selector, allowing you to halfway fill your carafe or fill it.

Moreover, it automatically adjusts the brewing speed and hotplate temperature according to your choice, which will enable you to brew a delicious cup of coffee that gives you a complete coffee flavor profile on autopilot.

Capacity: S

If the model name has the letter ‘S,’ it comes with a smaller glass (KBS) or thermal carafe (KBTS). These carafes will supply up to 8 cups (1L) of coffee. Moreover, you will find that the height of the coffee brewer is lower (33cm).

Typically, without the S in the models, Technivorm Moccamasters serve up to 10 cups (1.25L) and are 41cm high.

The lower height allows you to fit your coffee machine in the lower kitchen cabinets.

With S models, you have the options of the Technivorm Moccamaster KBTS and the KBS. First off, the main difference that you will find between these machines is the carafe. As we mentioned earlier, models with the T have stainless steel carafes versus models without the T having their glass counterparts.

Moreover, with a model like the KBTS, you do not get the heating plate that would usually come with the KBS, and you have to deal with the hassle of cleaning the thermal carafe.

Fortunately, the S models carry the same excellent features that make truly outstanding coffee; it just brews fewer cups of coffee. But, with its shorter stature, you will have more counter space.

Great Features On All Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Makers

Now you know the differences between each model. Here are some common features that are available on all the Technivorm Moccamaster coffee makers, so you’ll know exactly what you can benefit from this best coffee maker.

They All Make Delicious Coffee

On the surface level, when looking at these coffee machines, you may just see a coffee maker that heats water and sprays it over coffee grounds nestled in a filter. However, once you taste the freshly brewed coffee, you will find yourself surprised.

No matter what Technivorm Moccamaster model you choose. Whether it is the KB or KBGV, you are guaranteed to have a near-perfect cup of coffee every time.

Brew Temperature

When combined with the right dosage of coffee, the unique copper heating element that is usually used in an espresso machine, heats the water to between 196–205 degrees Fahrenheit during the whole brewing process.

With an optimal brewing temperature like this, you are guaranteed to find yourself continually rewarded delicious flavors by your brewer. 

Turbulence (9-Hole Water Outlet Arm)

Turbulence acts as an optimal amount of agitation between the coffee grounds and water for the even flavor distribution. The Moccamaster does this with its 9-hole outlet arms.

It looks like a showerhead, and it sprinkles water on the grounds throughout your filter basket. Because of this, it gently extracts the flavor of your coffee, which enables you to have a stronger taste. It achieves a total dissolved solids (TDS) yield of between 18–22 percent.

If you compare the 9-hole showerhead to the traditional water-gun effect from other machines, you will notice a huge difference in taste.

Pre-infusion

The best drip coffee maker imitates the brewing process of the pour-over brew method. Technivorm Moccamaster offers a pre-immersion to let the coffee grounds bloom, which makes coffee better than an average brewer.

Classic Design

The Technivorm Moccamaster may not have the most modern look. However, they keep the iconic design of their first drip coffee maker model Moccamaster 68s in the latest model. Simplicity is the key of this classic design.

technivorm-moccamaster-red-glass-carafe

Moreover, they offer more color options than you can think of to fit in with your office, kitchen, or cafe’s color palette.

Easy To Use

What would you prefer, two buttons or 12? If you choose two, the Technivorm Moccamaster drip coffee maker acts as an excellent choice for you. With such a small number of buttons, you don’t have a learning curve, they handle everything and brew good coffee for you.

Moreover, if you find yourself tired in the morning and do not want to think about which button to press, these brewers eliminate that complication.

Built to Last Quality

Technivorm has been building coffee brewers for over 50 years. So they know what they are doing. Moreover, this company handcrafts and tests all of their brewers while using durable materials like aluminum metal. All the plastic parts used in their machines are BPA/BPS/BPF and Phthalate free, which is safe for everyday use.

Because of their construction, you will not have to worry about the coffee machines falling apart on you and having to replace them. Even if some parts go wrong, you can find replacement parts.

European Coffee Trip visited the Moccamaster factory in the Netherlands, you’ll see how those durable coffee makers are manufactured.

Quick Brew time:

While you may think that a coffee machine like this has a longer brew time due to its retro appearance, you will be happy to know that is an incorrect assumption.

The Moccamasters have a brewing time of only between four and six minutes. That way, you can quickly brew a full coffee pot if you are in a hurry and do not want to wait for your caffeine fix.

Auto-Off

The Techvorm Moccamaster coffee makers come with an auto-off feature that automatically turns off the machine once it is finished brewing. A useful feature is if you forget that you have coffee brewing because you are in the middle of a task.

Is The Technivorm Moccamaster Worth The Price?

While Technivorm’s Moccamaster’s cost is a lot more than competitors in its caliber, it’s well worth the investment.

Why would you spend more on a coffee maker when you could get others like it that are cheaper?

Since they last for so long and have a 5-year warranty, why would you want to blow your money on multiple lower-tier coffee makers during that time frame? Instead, why not settle for a brewer from a certified brand with an excellent track record?

While you do not have all of the fancy controls or the modern appearance, this coffee machine’s retro appearance will bring a spark to your office while either brewing coffee for you or giving you absolute control over the brew.

If you have the extra budget, the Technivorm Moccamaster drip coffee maker is well worth the higher price tag. They brew coffee that will bring a smile to your face whenever you use it.

If the price is too high for your budget, there are other more budget-friendly SCA-certified coffee makers available on the market.

How to Make the Best Drip Coffee With Technivorm Moccamaster?

Now that you have covered why the Technivorm Moccamaster is one of the best drip coffee makers you can buy, the differences between each model, and all of the Moccamaster’s features, there is one more part to cover.

The following will help you get an idea of what you’ll need to make better coffee in addition to other investments to pair with this drip coffee maker.

Fresh Coffee Beans

When mentioning the best cup of coffee, first off, you will need to get yourself some fresh beans. Then, whether it is Arabica, Robusta—light or dark roast—single-origin or blends—pick your preference. Try to get the fresh coffee beans from a reputable coffee roaster instead of buying pre-ground coffee from the supermarket, so you can make the most of such an expensive drip coffee maker. Check out our best coffee beans list and buying guide for some ideas.

Good Burr Grinder

Some may say your coffee grinder choice will determine whether your cup of coffee is flavorful or not—we agree. Choosing a grinder with a good burr set will ensure that you grind your beans into more uniform sizes, which will help avoid uneven extraction and better flavor. We don’t recommend a blade grinder for this reason, it can’t produce uniform medium grinds compared to burr grinders.

Coffee Filter

Coffee filters act as a barrier to protect your coffee from grounds. However, many manufacturers design their filters with toxic bonding agents, are whitened with bleach, and are not recyclable. That is why we highly recommend using the high purity paper filters explicitly designed for the Technivorm Moccamaster.

Technivorm designed their filters as bleach- and chemical-free, which will ensure you have a “pure” cup of coffee. Moreover, many coffee filters may be too thick to the point where they absorb coffee oils, which will result in less flavor. These filters do not.

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Use Filtered Water

Your coffee won’t taste good if the water you used doesn’t taste good. Fill the water reservoir of your Moccamaster coffee maker with fresh filtered water can enhance the coffee taste. Also, descale the coffee maker regularly can remove the limescale buildup and keep your Technivorm coffee maker in the best condition. You can either use the descaling products or use the citric acid powder to make your homemade descaler.

Final Thoughts

What do you think?

We have gone over why the Technivorm Moccamaster triumphs over other coffee makers in its class, the differences between the models, the Moccamaster’s many excellent features, and ways that you can make a near-perfect cup of coffee using this coffee machine.

Now that you have a better understanding of the Technivorm Moccamaster and its various models and their differences. Do you feel like you have a better idea of whether you want to invest in this coffee brewer?

References:

[1] SCA Certified Home Brewer Program – https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer

[2] ECBC APPROVED HOME BREWERS – https://www.ecbc.no/overview/domestic/approved-brewers/

[3] ECBC CERTIFICATION STANDARDS https://www.ecbc.no/overview/domestic/certification-standards/

Photo of author

Chris Clark

Chris Clark is the co-founder and chief content editor of BrewCoffeeHome.com. With a passion for all things java, Chris has been a coffee blogger for the past 3 years and shares his expertise in coffee brewing with the readers. He's a hands-on expert, loves testing coffee equipment, and has written most of the in-depth reviews featured on the site. When he's not whipping up delicious drinks or experimenting with the latest coffee gadgets, Chris is exploring the local cafe.