SHORT VERSION: As is usually the case with Mr. Coffee coffee makers, the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew has lots of features at a very reasonable price. If you’re just looking for a machine that will brew fast and keep your coffee hot, this one should fit the bill. If you want fast coffee but tend to have high expectations, however, you might want to look at a higher-end model, like maybe a Bunn Velocity Brew (read review here).
The Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew comes with some nice features, and it’s very affordable. Its sleek design helps to add to the look of your kitchen. This coffee maker is the perfect fit for coffee lovers who like to make their coffee themselves. There is no better feeling than being able to make your coffee at home.
REASONS TO BUY THE MR. COFFEE OPTIMAL BREW
This coffee maker is packed with features. To let you know how fresh your coffee is from the time it’s brewed, the machine comes with a freshness timer. This timer helps to ensure you get the freshest tasting coffee every time you pour yourself a cup.
This Mr. Coffee coffee maker also comes with a removable water reservoir which makes filling the machine a lot easier. All you have to do when you are ready to make your coffee is remove the water tank, fill it, and you should be ready to go. Most coffee makers require you to pour water into the top of the unit which can be cumbersome, so this is a welcome feature.
Also, the 2-hour auto shut-off feature turns the machine off after 2 hours to help you save on energy. Now you don’t have to worry about forgetting to shut down the coffee maker because it does this for you.
The device also comes with a cleaning cycle which will tell you the best times to clean the machine. Follow this, and you will be able to keep your machine working for a very long time. Knowing when to clean your coffee maker is easier now that you have this feature telling you when to do so, and if you do regular cleanings you will almost certainly be extending the life of your Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew. Quite a few coffee maker breakdowns occur as the result of clogged hoses and poor maintenance (here’s how to clean a coffee maker).
REASONS TO NOT BUY
Although the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew has some useful features, it does have some drawbacks that you should know about before making a purchase. For instance, some reviewers on Amazon say the carafe pours too slowly. This slow pouring is a problem for some people, especially those who are usually in a hurry in the morning. To ensure that your coffee is made right and it stays hot it needs to be sealed tight. This tight seal causes the coffee to pour slowly.
Also, because the machine is a thermal coffee maker you’ll have to clean it often. Typically after 5 or 6 brew cycles, you should clean the machine or else your coffee will start to taste weird, and this isn’t something you want happening.
Some reviewers claim that the first time you make coffee in this machine, it will not taste right. To overcome this problem, many recommend you take the time to clean the machine before you start making your coffee with it.
“It’s true the first 5 to 6 pots of coffee have a weird taste. There are a couple of reasons for that and ways to fix it. One the pot needs to be washed after manufacturing. I advise you to save yourself the stress and go ahead and run 5-7 cycles of plain water through it before you brew coffee to make sure there is no strange first brew taste. And the other reason the taste and even coffee strength can be off is it filters your water” – Vinnie Amazon Reviewer.
Most of the complaints you’ll find on this coffeemaker are that it leaks. This leak typically starts around the carafe seal. This problem is fixed by taking the time to use the machine properly. Using it correctly means you take the time to ensure everything is in the right place before you start brewing your coffee. By not cleaning and using the Mr.Coffee Optimal Brew correctly you run the risk of the leaking problem.
SUMMARY
Finding the right coffee maker comes down to finding the right features for you. The Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew is a very good coffee maker for the money and it does all the things you’d expect a full-featured coffee maker to do. As with everything, there are a few things that could be improved to make it a better machine but nothing that should hinder your decision to get this coffee maker. If you follow the instructions and use the machine the way it was intended to be used, then you shouldn’t have many problems.
Most people who buy this coffee maker are quite pleased with their purchase, and naturally there are some who have lodged the usual complaints (leaking, weak coffee, etc.). As of this writing, there are over 1,500 positive reviews of the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew versus about 700 negative reviews.
RECOMMENDATION
BUY IT if you’re looking for a thermal carafe and all the bells & whistles
The Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew has lots of great features and there aren’t a lot of coffee makers in this price range that come with a thermal carafe. It’s also a pretty interesting-looking thing to have in your kitchen!
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So please, tell me how to use the carafe properly so that it doesn’t leak. What exactly does taking enough time mean? The carafe leaks from the gasket inside of the carafe.
Hi, I have an Optimal Brew Coffee Maker, my second one actually. I love them but my second one keeps leaking. I’ve only had it 5 mths. I’ve tried all the recommended tricks but nothing has worked. Quite disappointing since my first one lasted years and had no issues like this. Please advise/help!!!