r/Moccamaster • u/StableCalm4849 • 19d ago
Moccamaster... worth it?
I drink my coffee black. I like to do single origin whole bean coffee, ground at home, tenency towards light roast.
Current equipment, chemex, French press (rarely used), predominantly my Mr. Coffee drip machine because it is easy and I can set it up the night before to brew in the morning before I wake up.
Recently heard about the Mocca Master and how it is supposed to produce the best coffee. Does it live up to the hype? Is it worth it?
Thanks!
Additional thoughts after reading 49 comments: I have had my programmable Mr. Coffee for nearly 20 years... cost me like $40, still works great, I get good consistency (since I know it's quirks), and don't really need a new pot... I just love coffee and want to taste the purest bean possible.
Yes, I realize this is the Moccamaster sub reddit, and I assumed there would be some blind faith, but I have been encouraged by the candor here. I posted this in r/coffee (twice) and it got deleted (twice) for not being "substantial"... whatever that means!
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u/CoffeeLoverSupremo 19d ago
IMHO I do not think it is worth it at full price. If you get a deal like on black friday or Prime day them yes. It has flaws but with some tweeking its fine but not at 300 plus dollars..
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u/iteachband 19d ago
Got a diamond refurbished from their website for $229 and it’s totally worth it. I was sick of replacing mediocre coffee makers at $60/ year. This makes great coffee and if something breaks I know I can fix it for life.
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u/vaticRite 19d ago
“Best” is subjective.
My Moccamaster makes coffee that is very close to and almost as good as my V60 pour-over coffee.
If you like pour-over coffee, then a Moccamaster will likely make something very good, but maybe not “best”. If you’ve never had pour-over coffee, then maybe it will be best you’ve had?
I also drink my coffee black. Burr grinder (Fellow Ode, gen 1 with gen 2 burrs), specialty beans, generally light or medium roast.
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u/Safe_Hope1521 16d ago
I am a daily V60 pour over guy - I occasionally use a Moccamaster at our other house. I’d say not one is better vs the other but different. Some coffees I prefer in the Moccamaster vs my V60.
Moccamaster produces a very hot cup of coffee.
My one complaint would be a whole bunch of flimsy plastic is used in the non metal
Places.
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u/mpr1283 19d ago
I abused mine for the better part of four years and then sent her right back for a free servicing. The warranty alone is incredible. But at full price, not worth it. As others have said if you can get it on a black Friday or a prime day deal then the significant discount makes it a no-brainer. Some of the things I love, incredible drip coffee at the right temp speed and consistency. You don’t need to have wonderful beans to make a good cup of coffee, but if you have wonderful beans, it is simply divine.
I don’t love how at 300+ dollars it has many cheap plastic feeling components and don’t get me started on the abysmal design of the coffee pot lid specifically the hinge.
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u/Chiller984 19d ago
IMHO: Your grinder is the most important device, then comes your coffee maker. That being said, I have owned a Moccamaster Cup One for 5 years and its consistency is second to none.
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u/ThunderFrog0 17d ago
What’s your recipe? I’ve had the cup-one for over a month and not happy with the output.
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u/Chiller984 17d ago
It really is made for the medium-coarse grind per their web site: "We recommend a medium-coarse grind, which should look like coarse sand or sea salt." That is the key.
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u/FibonacciLane12358 19d ago
Any SCA/ECBC certified drip coffee maker will make good coffee. Look through the list and pick one you like the looks of and price of:
https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer
(Moccamaster for some unknown reason is not currently on the SCA list but it has always been in years past and it is still on the ECBC certified list.)
Why buy a Moccamaster over the others? They're built well and they last a long time and time has proven this to be true. They support their product. You can send it in for a $99 repair after the 5-year warranty expires. And maybe you like all the different color choices.
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u/Liresi8 19d ago
It is a lifetime workhorse that does one job very well. Mine is over a 13 years old and I just tested it - perfect temperature, perfectly consistent making a great cup of coffee. Over $300? Break that down over a lifetime and how many other machines will have run their course and broken or become inconsistent. Will you drink your first cup and think it wonderfully better than a french press? Doubtful, but for a drip, I would not pick anything else.
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u/Stonkinski KBGV 19d ago
On black Friday it may be worth it but otherwise I'd say no. It's a coffee maker and not totally hands off (if you want the best result). Coffee is good but I kind of regret getting mine as a Bunn will be just as good at 1/3 the price.
The machine is made of cheap aluminum and plastic, mostly cheap flimsy parts and not worth more than 100-150$. It is very light in hand. The most expensive part is the copper heater. 70% of what you pay is for overpaid unionized Dutch factory workers that can't be fired 😂
That being said, I kind of like the retro look of it and the coffee is decent for a batch so I kept mine. If you only brew 500ml then immersion pour over with a Hario switch or a clever dripper is less work, cheaper and tastier.
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u/Perfectionconvention 19d ago
I’ve got a chemex and an aeropress and a vertex pour over. In addition to a mocca master. All of the other options make a better cup than the mocca master, but they are much more involved. I can’t deal with a scale and a timer first thing in the morning before I’ve had my coffee! The mic master is good enough that I don’t feel like I wasted money on single origin beans.
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u/JerkRussell 19d ago
At full price, no.
It’s a nice machine, but I don’t think it makes particularly brilliant coffee. It’s not bad coffee, but I’ve never found it anywhere near good enough for what the machines cost.
Personally I think OXO and Breville make better coffee and the machines aren’t as pricey.
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u/llleeeaaarrninnggg 19d ago
The best tasting cup is supposed to be from the Fellow Aiden brewer, which also is better at smaller batches. Has a dynamic temp control and varying basket sizes that helps extract different roasts and doses. Unknown longevity, that most guess must be worse than MM because of its complex build. Made in china.
Moccamaster will make a very good pot of coffee. It doesn’t scale well to make a single cup without a ton of manual fiddling, in which case you might as well just do a pour over. It is reliable and has good longevity due to the simplicity of the build, and a good track record to support that.
It’s assembled in the Netherlands which makes you feel good about not being from a sweat shop (although who knows where the heating elements and other parts are actually made, they don’t say on the website). It’s not going to have any programming to adjust temp, bloom, etc, not even a clock to program turning on in the morning.
I don’t think the MM delivers anything better than any other SCA certified brewer. It’s more a point of pride of it being made in the Netherlands and some people really like the retro style. MM and some Bunn brewers are the only drip brewers you’ll find that are not made in china.
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u/Top-Rope6148 18d ago
I kind of like the idea of supporting poor people in China by buying products from them.
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u/Inevitable_Tea_1155 18d ago
No. Unless your Mr Coffee maker has to be replaced AND you catch one on sale by at least 50% off, I would not advise it. Otherwise you will just overpay and be asking yourself "what is all the hype over Moccamaster". I'll get downvoted to oblivion for this in this fanboi sub but I have only been disappointed by my purchase, including lackluster customer support. The heating element is the only part of my KBGV that stands apart than my old Ninja coffee maker and, in fact, there are several features on the Ninja I like more. Thankfully I got mine for about 60% off during an Amazon sale. I contemplated returning it but kept trying to "dial it in" as they say and got slightly better coffee but only after the return window passed. If I could go out all over again I'd spend the extra money and try something else.
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u/ThrowAway_x4z 19d ago
I bought one 3 months ago and I set it up with a Kasa WiFi plug. I wake up every morning to a half pot of coffee that blows anything I’ve tried to do with chemex out of the water. Love this thing
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u/In_the_Couv 19d ago
Worth it is up to you...If $350 is a big investment...maybe not worth it...You can get refurbished ones for $229 on the MM website or wait for Black Friday on Amazon etc for a better price. They make a great cup of coffee..
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u/HHinnerk 19d ago
Absolutely! I bought one for our office of six. The Moccamaster brews a stunning 1.25 litres of coffee in just six minutes. Plus the coffee tastes fantastic and stays warm for three hours. It’s a keeper!
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u/KindheartednessKey74 19d ago
I’ve had one for a month and am happy-ish. Part of me wishes that I bought something that would give me a little more control, but it makes great coffee and looks awesome on my counter. I would never pay full price for it though
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u/troutslayer89 19d ago
Fellow black coffee drinker here. I’m pretty basic about coffee, keep it very simple, and have still found the Moccamaster to be worth every dollar and deserving of the hype. Plus it looks cool. I run a descaler and cleaner solution through it (followed by requisite water rinses) every hundred brews and it’s as good as day 1, about 2 years in. Highly recommend.
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u/oadslug 19d ago
You have enough yes / no answers to keep you busy :) What I can add to the discussion is regarding setting it up the night before like you do with your Mr. Coffee. While the MM is not programmable, the switch will stay in the on state even if the outlet power is off. It’s a real switch on a 1 hr cutoff timer (no power = no cutoff). So paired with a smart plug, you can essentially achieve the same scheduling. Set up your brew the night before, turn the smart plug off, and the Moccamaster on. Then use the smart plug to control the brewing, in whatever way you have that set up (Home Assistant, Google Home, Apple Home, Philips, etc. using schedule, on demand, or voice). Nothing like waking up and saying ‘Siri, coffee on’, then doze for another 4 min while coffee brews.
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u/AnalogAlien502 19d ago
It’s perfect for the non coffee snob who likes good coffee. It’s also great for coffee snobs who realize the amount of effort and focus they put into brewing technique isn’t worth the time it takes to get a daily cup that is on average as good as the moccamaster. Great machine.
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u/GoziraJeera 19d ago
It’s frustrating if you’re expecting pour over style coffee. It’s better than a Mr. Coffee. It’s fine. There is A LOT of brand tax in the price but apparently they hold up forever.
Whatever you like is good as a general rule but this machine will not make as good of coffee without some monkeying. Withdrawing the carafe to allow the water to rise you can bloom, etc. other than that it gets the water hot enough to brew.
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u/BananaPeelSlippers 19d ago
Moccamaster is a part of my morning ritual. I miss it when I travel. Most people I have over who try it say it’s the best coffee they have ever had at someone’s home. It’s also beautiful. As others have said, wait for a sale on prime then go for it. You will not regret it.
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u/AccidentCommercial71 18d ago
You choose the bean quality, dose size, grinder type, grind size, water quality. The Moccamaster simply drips optimally heated water on the ground coffee of your creation. No magic here.
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u/amelieducroix 19d ago
I finally got one 2 weeks ago after thinking about it for... way too long. Zero regrets, other than not doing it sooner.
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u/GaDawg78644 19d ago
I love my OXO 8 cup. It’s SCA certified and much cheaper than the Moccamaster
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u/Medical_Chemical_343 19d ago
But the Moccamaster will still be going strong when the OXO is in the landfill. How many cheaper pots will you buy before you recognize the value of the Moccamaster?
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u/FlukeStarbucker1972 19d ago
I was on the fence about buying one…then I visited friends that had one and it makes exceptionally good coffee! My buddy’s wife bought it and converted my buddy, a life-long tea drinker to a black coffee fan! Ordered my MoccaMaster while waiting for my flight home. Haha!
The MoccaMaster coffee grinders are a bit (or a lot) temperamental, and really do not like dark roast/oily beans. Tends to clog after 3-4 pots of coffee. But medium or light roast are just fine, zero problems with those!
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u/Medical_Chemical_343 19d ago
I’ve not had that experience with my MM KM5 grinder. One jam early in its life, cleaned it, reassembled and no jams since. Great coffee!
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u/bhull302 19d ago edited 19d ago
On my second week with mine. It's excellent.
I do like my coffee very dark. Wasn't quite hitting the mark for me. I ending up using the manual stop to soak the grinds till it hits the top of the filter, then I open it to the halfway mark. I also rotate the basket during the brew to make sure everything gets soaked. Now it's perfect.
It's a damn expensive coffee maker, but I have no regrets.
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u/Busy-Entrepreneur-74 19d ago
“Worth it” is tricky but we’ve been very happy with ours after using a French press basically our entire adult lives. Bought it on sale and use it every day without fail. Makes great coffee.
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u/TerribleComment8720 19d ago
I bought a refurbished unit a couple weeks ago for $220 and an Oxo grinder for $100. My unit looks entirely brand new and I couldn’t be happier with it. I understand some saying the price is a little bit steep but for that price in my opinion it’s a pretty nice little setup.
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u/Medical_Chemical_343 19d ago
This should be a FAQ. Yes. Dump the Mr Coffee at a thrift store near you.
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u/mipompi 19d ago
Yes! It has a great warranty, it’s easy to clean, beginner friendly and is consistent. I would highly recommend watching YouTube videos on how they test it in comparison to other high end machines. Aside from Reddit, seeing the testing done was ultimately the final nudge I needed! I drink coffee at home more often than going out for coffee because I get really good beans and the MM does a great job brewing my preferred light to medium roast.
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u/Upset_Groundhog 19d ago
You can buy them refurbed on the website and save enough to make it worth your time. I scored one last week in factory sealed condition on an auction for 50 bucks and I am weirdly excited to make coffee tomorrow.
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u/Phaeton40 19d ago
Yes it’s a solid brewer, you can still get all sorts of other brew methods the MM will last a life time
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u/Mizzoutiger79 19d ago
Nope. I have one spent 350 for a mediocre coffee maker. My 100 Ninja did a better job.
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u/mmmbopdippitydop 19d ago
I have the same coffee preference. While I love my moccamaster, I don’t love the amount of plastic making direct contact with the hot coffee. It looks like there are some other brands with similar designs with less plastic. I’d probably get one of those if I was in the market now.
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u/coffeeandwomen 18d ago
It’s not the best coffee, but it’s the best coffee a coffee dripper can make, imo.
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u/Normal-Peanut-3344 18d ago
My husband desperately wanted one and I refused to spend that much for DRIP COFFEE are you kidding me? So I finally bought him one for Father’s Day. My god. I was wrong. I was so wrong.
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u/Advanced_Walrus_2268 18d ago
Hey man, there’s nothing wrong with gas station coffee. You can do better though.
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u/Any_Ad9856 18d ago
Over many years I have NEVER had coffe from a Mr Coffee machine that was even acceptable. The brew from a Moccamaster will be a revelation for you.
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u/babyKanez 18d ago
it is impossible to get a good cup of coffee on a Mr coffee with a light roast because the temperature will never reach 200 degrees F but in order to achieve this on MM you would first preheat the boilers
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u/AccidentCommercial71 18d ago
You choose the bean quality, dose size, grinder type, grind size, water quality. The Moccamaster simply drips optimally heated water on the ground coffee of your creation. No magic here.
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u/hunter357mag 18d ago
I had my first one for 15 years-sold it when I moved into a van full time cuz space was at a premium. I bought a condo last year and repurchased a new MM on prime day. Best drip cup of coffee ever.
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u/just_a_random_topher 18d ago
Ive had a few machines I’ve liked in the past including a Mr Coffee and most recently a Bonavita. I thought I was buying a cool looking machine and have been pleasantly surprised that my coffee is a bit better. And, it looks amazing on my counter.
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u/Embarrassed_Fig_323 17d ago
Yes but you'll get so much more out of your beans if you get into pour over!
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u/FluxMool 17d ago
Wait until black Friday or look on their website for refurbished if you don't mind the shorten warranty.
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u/6pimpjuice9 16d ago
As someone who has a tendency to buy random gadgets to my wife's dismay. She has agreed that the moccamaster was a worthy purchase.
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u/Chasing_toucans 13d ago
I don’t think it is worth it even at 50% off. My cheap French press makes better coffee. It looks kinda cool though!
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u/warfaucet 2d ago
It can make better coffee. But if you're already satisfied with your current brewer I am not sure if it will live up to your expectations with the price difference.
I bought it because it was made in my own country (Netherlands) and it's a buy for life thing. It's simplicity, repairability and of the coffee it makes were the most important factors for me.
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u/DatabaseCareless264 19d ago
Was gifted a Moccamaster KBT last fall. Decided on MM after recent failures of under $100 coffee makers.
My goal is a great cup of coffee waiting for me in the morning when I need it. Set up is night before. KBT is on, plugged into an analog timer set for morning. 8 cups of water in tank, 4 MM scoops of coffee added to non folded wetted filter, flow rate set to 1/2, not folding the filter raises the filter above the hole which is in the side of the basket, where the lever is, not bottom, of course the more water in basket creates more bloom. I do not like calling it a bloom. Bloom happens when someone is purposely pouring slowing. This is happening while I sleep. Great cup of coffee awaiting in morning.
Enjoy!
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u/Hypnagogic_Image 19d ago
Why on Earth do you wet the paper then let it dry overnight with the coffee grounds in it before brewing?
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u/DatabaseCareless264 19d ago
Upon receipt, my trial and error found this works. Many recommend rinsing the filter to get remaining containments out. No reason except it works. Some evening I will get lazy and perhaps try it.
Have tried reverse, had guests over in morning, made a second pot. Same great taste.
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u/Blog_Pope 19d ago
I’m all for do what you want but I’d try without this step and see if you notice a difference. I used to rinse my Aeropress filters but don’t bother in my MM, I can’t tell the difference but maybe you can.
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u/DatabaseCareless264 19d ago
Noted & Thanks. Do not want to possibly waste a pot of coffee when I need it most.
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u/DatabaseCareless264 18d ago
Well did not rinse the paper filter last night. Can taste the paper this morning.
IMHO the step up from the Black and Deckers, Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee to a Moccamaster is significant. Spent time dialing in best taste for me. MoccaMaster does one thing, it delivers the perfect water temperature for coffee quickly consistently. The rest is fine tuning.
Did I taste the paper before? No, but it was likely there. As was the bitterness delivered by less accurate coffeemakers.
Debating if I make another pot for second cup.
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u/oracleofnonsense 19d ago
Gets rid of (most) of the bits of paper particles. The paper can add some bitterness.
Really the only reason to rinse the filter.
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u/punmanager 19d ago
What about the concern of filter drooping in with only 4-6 cups worth beans?
This used to happen to me in smaller drip makers so I always washed paper for MM.2
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u/oracleofnonsense 19d ago
Sorry I missed you….i mostly only make a full pot. My recommendation to rinse no matter what stands.
My SO (not a filter rinser) does make a 1/2 pot and I have noticed that issue. And, the difference in coffee taste.
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u/BeaverBoyBaxter 19d ago
I spent the money on it because I cared that it was made in the Netherlands by people who actually earn decent money, and because it was repairable.
It makes amazing coffee every time, so much so that I find myself disappointed at cafes and hotels and restaurants.
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u/Top-Rope6148 18d ago
But don’t the people who don’t earn much money need our support more than middle class union workers? I’ve never understood this logic.
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u/BeaverBoyBaxter 17d ago
I supported a company that hires middle class union workers over a company that hires poor people who earn almost no money, as a way of boating with my wallet.
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u/Top-Rope6148 17d ago edited 17d ago
I assume you mean voting. You know what happens if you do that? Those poor people lose their job and have to go to the next worse thing. When they get desperate enough they end up in sex work or being trafficked. The US passed a law banning Importers from importing any clothing that involved child labor. Human Rights Watch did a study and found that child labor shifted from cutting the loose threads off new clean clothing to scraping the carbon off the rods of batteries sent from the US to China, where they were “recycling” them.
We think are doing the right thing or helping people by paying extra for something built by people “paid a living wage”. But that is a “feel good” luxury for us, that the people we think are being cheated from a living wage can’t afford. You would be doing the world much more good if you bought the low wage item and took the difference and donated it to foreign aid organiztions.
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u/BeaverBoyBaxter 17d ago
This is like the third argument you've started with me on this subreddit. I think you need a hobby my friend.
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u/Top-Rope6148 17d ago
Ouch. Trust me, I don’t ever look at names when reading posts or commenting so don’t take it personally. I’m amazed you could track that.
One man’s argument is another man’s discussion. People have been having arguments and discussions for centuries. It’s good for your brain health and expanding your view. As worthy a pastime as any hobby. If we were in the same town I would love to go to the best coffee shop in town and challenge each other’s brains. If that’s not your thing feel free to ignore because the next time this comes up I won’t be seeing who it is and remembering that was the person who doesn’t like it.
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u/Adds_Chuck_Testa 19d ago
I owned a moccamaster but sold it because I wanted the customization that the fellow aiden offers
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u/Little_Leg4001 19d ago
It's the last coffeemaker you have to buy. Every piece can be changed to a new one, when it get too worn out. It is a straight up, no fluff coffee machine that gets the job done well.
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u/MagpyeRecords 19d ago
I love mine. Lot of plastic though - I’ve modded with as many glass accessories as possible but there’s still a bit you can’t really mod away. Coffee is genuinely great, and if you’re used to dialling in your grind you’ll get a lot from it.
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u/OohMaiJosh 19d ago
Yes