KitchenAid JavaStudio™ KCM515 10-Cup Coffee Maker  Product Reviews

"I have owned this coffee machine for about 1 month now. I wanted a 12 cup machine. I decided to buy a Kitchen Aid because of their excellent customer service. I own other kitchen aid appliances and I am very pleased! BUT, I am soo unhappy with this machine! 1. It is very difficult to fill it with water. I use bottled water not the carafe to measure and I have trouble seeing the little white water level indicator to see how much I am filling. 2. IT DOES ONLY MAKE 3 MUGS. Cups are another thing. My husband and I get 1 mug each and I am left with 1/2 of a travel mug to take for my drive to work. (I'm use to at least 2 cups (mugs) of coffee each. I got that from my other machine. 3. I am using MORE grounds and yielding less coffee. No value there as I don't buy store bought coffee. 4. End result only OK coffee. In fact the last few days I have avoided making coffee at home and stopping at Starbucks. I guess I have a $100+ paperweight. {:( This machine IS NOT worth its price. "

"I was in a hurry to replace my thermal carafe Krups, which gave me great service for two years then stopped working today. Went to Linens and Things, bought the KitchenAid, THEN did my research. I expected ice coffee, based on other reviews. I guess I got a good one. Nearly burned my tongue off, expecting lukewarm, but getting HOT coffee. Maybe they improved it, or a bunch of bad ones went out for those who think the coffee doesn't get hot enough? I like that the filter doesn't swing out separately, and doesn't require an additional piece of non-cleanable hardware."

"I received this coffeemaker as a Christmas gift and was initially skeptical of the thermal carafe being able to make hot coffee and the basket-style filter. After using the maker for a week, I have to say my skepticism was unjustified. This machine makes great-tasting coffee that is as hot as I could want it. I never liked the "cooked" coffee that regular, glass-carafe makers produced - burned tasting after the first cup. The coffee from this machine is consistent from the first cup to the last. I fill the carafe with hot water, mill my beans and fill the reservoir, empty the carafe and enjoy. After two hours, the coffee was still hot. One great feature not highlighted is the front-fill aspect: Kitchenaid designed the top with a channel to fill the reservoir by pouring the water from the front, right next to the filter. No more struggling to pour water in the back and see the water level. Extremely convenient. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer - this machine makes ten 5-ounce cups. After reading the review, I double-checked the carafe capacity against my old Krups machine: exactly 10 cups; more than enough for our household. All in all, a great-looking, great-performing coffeemaker that meets Kitchenaid's high standards. I highly recommend it."

"I am not a coffee connoisseur, so my criteria for a good coffee maker is probably modest. I bought the KA Javastudio because I own several KA appliances and have always been pleased. Although, the KA 10-cup is pricey, I felt that buying a thermal carafe represented an upgrade from my previous glass carafe. I also figured that the wide spray mechanism might mean a richer cup of coffee. I did as much research as I could, reading reviews and looking at available coffee makers in my area. After trying out our new KA yesterday, my husband and I were both disappointed in its functionality and performance. Here are some points to consider about this product: 1. The KA 10-cup makes 4 1/4 oz cups. In other words, if you're looking for 8 ounce servings, the most this will make is about 5 real cups of coffee. 2. The thermal carafe is heavy. If you're planning on keeping this on your counter - and possibly under a cabinet, it is a tug to pull it out each time you use it to pour water in the back. 3. There is no way to figure out the water level in the tank. The directions say to use the optional white water filter insert. 4. For us at least, taste-wise, there is no discernible difference between what the KA brewed and what we've tolerated with our old coffee maker. Good luck with your search for a more perfect coffee maker. "