Technivorm’s Most Recent and Most Sophisticated Model
While most Technivorm Moccamasters have been in the market for years (and in some cases, for over a decade), the KBGV has only been available for a few months. It is, literally, Technivorm’s most sophisticated Moccamaster to date. That doesn’t mean it comes with many bells and whistles, as I will be explaining below
In terms of technology, it is very similar to previous KB models. Initially I will only be covering the models that come with glass carafes, for the sake of comparing only the differences in brew and warming plate settings.
The original KB has 3 manual brew settings. There are settings for a full or half carafe, and the third setting is nothing more than a manual drip stop. Next to the power switch is a high/low temperature switch (high keeps the brewed coffee at 185 degrees, low at 175 degrees).
The KBG only has one default brew setting (for a full carafe), and it has an automatic drip stop instead of a manual . Other than this, it’s essentially the same thing as a KB.
Below I will get into more detail about Technivorm, the KBGV Select, and the differences compared to other Technivorm coffee machines.
The Main Benefit of Owning a Moccamaster KBGV Select
In terms of coffee brewing, the Moccamaster KBGV Select does one thing that none of the earlier KB models do. In the same place that the earlier KB models have a warming plate temperature switch, the KBGV has a switch to select either a half or full carafe.
While that doesn’t seem much different from what the KB model does (it would seem that the only method of choosing a half or full carafe changed), the KBGV Select adjusts in brewing a half carafe so that the same golden cup standard of a full carafe is achieved.
The KBGV’s Unique Half Carafe SCA Certification
The other SCA Certified Machines (the 31 besides the KBGV) only have that certification for a full carafe. The KBGV Select has achieved a first (and for now only) in having achieved a certification for less than a full carafe.
To those who are not familiar with the fine details of the SCA certification, this may seem trivial. However, a key variable change when brewing a half carafe (the brew time). If not compensated for precisely as done with the new KBGV technology, the flavor of the coffee will fall short of the golden cup standard.
More About Technivorm and the Moccamaster Models
What I mentioned above is mainly for the benefit of those who are already familiar with Technivorm and the earlier Moccamaster models. In this section I will provide more information to assist any potential KBGV Select buyer, regardless of whether it’s a current Moccamaster owner looking to upgrade or someone considering buying a Moccamaster for the first time.
First I want to review the basics of the main types of similar models, because a KBGV Select purchase or upgrade isn’t necessarily going to be a “must do” for everyone. The only way for a person to know if a KBGV Select is the best alternative is to compare what it doesn’t have relative to the other options (other Moccamaster models or comparable coffee machines from other brands).
Technivorm
Those who are familiar with Technivorm know that this company excels both making coffee machines and providing customer service. The machines are superbly designed and manufactured, so they experience relatively few issues. In the rare instances that they do, Technivorm is more than happy to assist customers in resolving those issues
Technivorms maintain a substantial amount of their value, even beyond the 5-year warranty period. However, to some nothing will beat the peace of mind that comes with that 5-year warranty. Current Moccamaster owners have the benefit of being able to sell their coffee machine to upgrade to a newer one, without having to spend a lot of money to do so.
Below I will be reviewing earlier Moccamaster models. The differences among most of these are relatively minor. I believe that deciding on a particular one is mainly a matter of individual preference and not necessarily based on overall superiority of one model over the other.
You can view the full details of the Moccamasters I’ll be describing by clicking the images or product links below. Also, for additional information on the company you can visit the Technivorm page on Amazon.
Moccamaster KB
As you can see from the photo above, even the original Moccamaster KB is not significantly different than the KBGV Select in terms of design. To review what I mentioned in the first section, the settings are all manual. One of those settings is for a half carafe, but unlike the KBGV the KB doesn’t internally adjust to make the coffee optimally for a half carafe.
There are only two colors to chose from: brushed silver (as shown above) and black.
Moccamaster KBG
Once again, not much variation in terms of the design of the Moccamaster KBG compared to the other KB models. There is only a default setting for a full carafe, and this model has an automatic drip stop.
A big difference is the variety of colors available for this model compared to the others. Listings exist for 25 different colors, though they are not all currently in stock.
Moccamaster KBT / KBTS / KBGT
These are the Moccamaster machines that come with thermal carafes (and therefore, without warming plates). Otherwise, they are the same as their glass carafe counterparts. The KBTS is smaller than the other two and has a slightly smaller carafe (32 ounces compared to 40 ounces for the other two).
There are four color options for the KBGT (polished silver, stone gray, black, and off-white). There are three for the KBT (the same as for the KBGT, minus the off-white). The KBTS is only available in polished silver.
Moccamaster CDT Grand
The Moccamaster CDT has a cylindrical brewer housing and the largest carafe (60 ounces compared to 40 ounces for most of the others). It is only available in polished silver.
When Does It Make Sense to Consider the KBGV Select?
Perhaps this question is best answered by a process of elimination. Since the KBGV has a glass carafe (and at least for now, there is no thermal carafe counterpart), it’s not a good fit for those who prefer a Moccamaster with a thermal carafe.
A switch to the KBGV from someone who current owns a KB or KBG may or may not make sense for a variety of reasons. It’s hard to imagine someone upgrading from a KB just to get a more unique color. Therefore, it would likely take wanting to switch to a KBGV because it’s fully automated or because it guarantees the same flavor for a half carafe as for a full one.
Finally (as mentioned above), a switch to the latest model with a fresh 5-year warranty can make sense for some owners of earlier Moccamaster models.
Comparisons With Other SCA Certified Brands
For now, this comparison will be in general terms. As I evaluate additional SCA certified machines from other brands, I will update the various coffee machine reviews with comparisons of the most relevant ones.
Design and Durability
Moccamasters in general are designed and built to last. They come with the most comprehensive warranty of any home coffee brewing machine. The machines are also designed so that replacing parts and repairing can extend the life considerably.
When comparing Moccamasters with high end coffee makers from other brands, potential buyers will want to keep in mind that the machines from other brands may not be quite as robust. Moccamasters are very reliable to begin with, though they are also designed with future repairs in mind.
Machines from other brands may work well while they are working (however long that may turn out to be), but repairing and / or replacing parts may be another story.
Convenience Features
Moccamasters provide no-frills options for those who value above all the coffee making capabilities of Technivorm machines, the longevity of the machines, and exceptional customer service.
They are not going to be a good fit for those interested in basic convenience features that are pretty much standard across other brands (and would be even less of a fit for those looking for features beyond the basic ones).
In stark contrast to the Moccamasters, the Ninja Specialty Coffee makers are loaded with features. First, like most other machines, they can be programmed to start brewing at specific times.
They also have a variety of brew settings and a very convenient built-in frother. The most recent models are K-cup compatible. Some Ninjas can even be used to brew tea.
Final Thoughts on the KBGV Select
For owners of earlier Moccamaster machines, evaluating what the KBGV has compared to the other Technivorm machines will be fairly simple. Using Moccamasters is straightforward and without complicating features, and this is common for all the various models.
Not much varies for those interested in making in full carafes beyond carafe size and type, available colors, and drip stop capability (manual or automatic). Those interested in having the option to make half carafes have only a bit more to consider.
Someone considering owning a Moccamaster for the first time would have to feel confident about being able to live with a decision that is sure to involve some difficult trade-offs. Moccamasters tend to cost more than many other high end coffee makers, yet they have less features.
For some, these trade-offs will be obstacles that will be impossible to overcome. Those who can live with the trade-offs will rarely regret purchasing a Moccamaster, because the added value becomes progressively more apparent with the passing of time.