The Capresso CoffeeTEAM Therm 455 grinds and then immediately brews the freshly ground beans to deliver an exquisite cup of steaming hot coffee.

Learning to use the CoffeeTEAM Therm may seem confusing at first, but spending a few minutes to become familiar with the coffee maker is time well spent. The included directions take you step by step through programming the clock, clock timer and the various coffee grinding, quantity and brew strength functions. A How-to DVD is included, which demonstrates complete set-up and use instructions for the CoffeeTEAM Therm.

The control panel features three lighted operating buttons, and a rectangular LCD display with AM/PM clock and 24-hour programming. The programming button is used to set the clock, the auto-brew time, and also to program the grinder based on the desired strength and number of cups you are making. The grinder can be programmed for both immediate grinding and auto-on grinding, and has options for 4, 6, 8, or 10 cups, and for mild, medium, or strong coffee. There is an on/off button and an "A" button, which is used to program the coffeemaker to grind and/or brew at a preset time.

The attractive stainless-steel carafe keeps coffee hot for hours. The 1,000-watt heating system results in a 200-degree Fahrenheit brew temperature, which keeps coffee hot (approx. 180 degrees) in the carafe. Coffee actually remains hot for up to four hours after brewing. After brewing is completed, the machine automatically shuts itself off.

The bean container holds enough beans to brew two full carafes of coffee. The coffeemaker grinds only the amount of beans needed for your specified cup amount and strength. We liked the ease of not having to measure the beans each time we used the machine. Flavored or coated beans should not be used in the grinder since the coating can stick to the burrs of the grinder and negatively affect performance. The burr grinder is conical in shape and grinds the beans directly into the filter. There are four grinder settings for light to dark beans, and a window for the purpose of checking coffee ground flow.

The water reservoir, situated in the back of the coffee maker, is a transparent plastic container with numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 clearly marked. We found that filling the container with the desired amount of water was easy.

To brew a pot of coffee immediately, load the bean container and water reservoir, select your desired settings, and press the "on" button. The grinder begins channeling the beans through the burrs and automatically ejects the grounds into the unit's GoldTone filter. The filter holder then automatically swings under the water container lid and the brewing process begins. If you prefer, you can also use pre-ground coffee.

Cleaning the CoffeeTEAM Therm is only slightly more complicated than other units. The gold-tone filter and filter holder insert are upper rack dishwasher safe. The bean container needs to be emptied only once every 2 months or so. However, since moisture and/or oils can build up in the feeder channel, it needs to be periodically cleaned with a dry cloth.

The Capresso CoffeeTEAM Therm 455 is attractively styled with its combination of black and stainless steel. It is definitely pricier than standard machines; however, the quality construction, with a built-in burr grinder, makes it a worthwhile investment. Coffee connoisseurs will appreciate the wonderfully flavorful and HOT coffee this unit produces.


Pros: Programmable clock/timer, built-in burr grinder, customizable settings
Cons: Noisy during grind cycle, complicated controls

Warranty
1 year, limited