Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker Review

The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker stands out in the market with its combination of advanced features and elegant design. This coffee maker is designed for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate both quality and convenience. It offers a range of programmable settings, a built-in grinder, and Wi-Fi connectivity, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen.

Built-in Grinder and Brewing Options

One of the standout features of this coffee maker is its built-in grinder. The grinder has six adjustable grind sizes, allowing you to customize the grind to your preference. Freshly ground beans can significantly enhance the flavor and aroma of your coffee, providing a more robust and enjoyable experience. If you prefer using pre-ground coffee, the machine allows you to bypass the grinder easily.

The coffee maker also offers flexible brewing options. You can choose to brew a single cup, ranging from 6 to 24 ounces, directly into a travel mug. Alternatively, you can brew a full 10-cup carafe, perfect for serving multiple people or keeping coffee ready for an entire morning. This versatility caters to different needs, whether you’re in a rush or hosting guests.

Programmable Settings and Customization

The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is fully programmable, allowing you to tailor your coffee to your exact preferences. You can adjust the brew strength to light, medium, bold, or gold, depending on how strong you like your coffee. The temperature is also adjustable, ranging from 185 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring optimal extraction and flavor.

In addition to strength and temperature, you can set the brew volume to match your needs. The machine also features a programmable timer, enabling you to schedule your coffee to start brewing at a specific time. This is particularly useful for those who want to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Certification

The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). This certification means that the coffee maker meets the rigorous standards set by the SCA for brewing quality coffee. The gold setting, in particular, adheres to these standards, providing a balanced and smooth cup of coffee. This certification is a testament to the machine’s ability to produce high-quality coffee consistently.

Design and Build Quality

This coffee maker is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. It features a modern design with copper accents, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. The coffee maker is available in three finishes: matte black, matte white, and stainless steel. These options allow you to choose a style that best matches your kitchen décor.

The build quality is robust, with durable materials ensuring long-lasting performance. The machine includes a removable water tank with a 75-ounce capacity, making it easy to fill and clean. The water tank’s large capacity means you won’t need to refill it frequently, adding to the convenience.

Wi-Fi Connectivity and Smart Features

The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control it remotely via the SmartHQ mobile app. Through the app, you can customize settings, start brewing, and receive notifications. This feature adds a layer of convenience, especially for busy mornings when you can start brewing your coffee from your bedroom or while getting ready.

The smart features also include voice control compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can use voice commands to start brewing or adjust settings, further enhancing the ease of use.

Performance and Coffee Quality

The performance of the Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is impressive. The built-in grinder works efficiently, providing a consistent grind that contributes to the rich flavor of the coffee. When using fresh coffee beans, the difference in taste is noticeable, offering a full-bodied and aromatic cup.

The programmable settings allow for precise control over the brewing process, ensuring that each cup is tailored to your taste. The gold setting, in particular, produces a well-balanced and smooth coffee, meeting the SCA’s high standards. The thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without losing flavor, ensuring that you can enjoy a fresh-tasting cup throughout the morning.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Maintaining the Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is relatively straightforward, although it does require some effort. The machine includes a charcoal water filter and a descaling alert, which help maintain optimal performance. Regular cleaning of the grinder and brew basket is necessary to ensure consistent quality.

The removable water tank and drip tray make cleaning easier, but it’s important to note that the parts are not dishwasher safe. Manual cleaning is required, which can be a bit tedious but is essential for maintaining the machine’s performance and longevity.

Noise Level

The built-in grinder operates at a noise level of about 48dB, which is relatively quiet compared to other coffee makers with grinders. This ensures that the machine won’t be too disruptive, even in a quiet household. The brewing process itself is also reasonably quiet, making it suitable for early mornings when you don’t want to wake up the entire household.

Conclusion

The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is an excellent investment for coffee enthusiasts who value both quality and convenience. Its built-in grinder, programmable settings, and Wi-Fi connectivity offer a high level of customization and ease of use. The machine’s stylish design and robust build quality make it a durable and attractive addition to any kitchen.

While it requires a bit of maintenance and comes with a higher price tag, the quality of coffee it produces and its range of features make it a worthwhile purchase. Whether you’re brewing a single cup for yourself or a full carafe for family and friends, this coffee maker delivers consistently excellent results.

Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker Specifications

Product Overview:

• Type: Drip Coffee Maker
• Model Number: C7CGAAS2TS3

Dimensions and Capacity:

• Height: 17.5 inches
• Width: 14.5 inches
• Depth: 10.5 inches
• Water Reservoir Capacity: 75 ounces
• Brew Size Options: 2 cups to 10 cups

Features:

• Built-in Grinder: Yes, with six adjustable grind sizes
• Programmable: Yes
• Wi-Fi Enabled: Yes, compatible with SmartHQ app for remote control and scheduling
• Certifications: Gold Cup Standard certified by the Specialty Coffee Association

Adjustable Settings:

• Brew Strength: Light, Medium, Bold, and Gold (SCA-certified strength setting)
• Brew Temperature: Adjustable between 185 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit
• Brew Volume: Customizable
• Grind Size: Adjustable from fine to coarse (settings 1 to 6)

Design:

• Water Tank: Removable for easy filling and cleaning
• Materials: Available in matte black, matte white, and stainless steel finishes with copper accents
• Brew Basket: Swing-out design (note: may drip if opened immediately after brewing)
• Carafe: Thermal carafe included, designed to keep coffee hot for hours

Additional Features:

• Charcoal Water Filter: Included, with a filter cage and cartridge to remove deposits like calcium and magnesium
• Descaling Function: Yes, with alerts to indicate when descaling is needed
• Real-Time Status Updates: Display shows stages of brewing process (e.g., GRINDING, HEATING, INFUSING, BREWING, READY)
• Audible Alerts: Beeps when brew cycle is complete (can be turned off if desired)

Maintenance:

• Cleaning: Brew basket, mesh filter basket, carafe, and carafe lid can be rinsed and washed with soapy water (not dishwasher safe)
• Grinder Maintenance: Requires brushing out grounds and removing burr for cleaning

Performance:

• Noise Level: 46 to 50 dB
• Single Serve Option: Yes, brews directly into a travel mug (6 to 24 ounces)

Price:

• Retail Price: $329 (sometimes available for $299 during sales)