Krups GVX231

Author's product rating:   

Ease of use
Durability
Cleaning & Maintenance
Safety
Value for money

Advantages:	It doesn't turn off automatically, it takes filter papers, and is very simple to use .
Disadvantages:	The 'smooth side trigger action' isn't very effective .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

In December 2006, my coffee filter machine broke, well, it was the operators’ error, but I thought it was broke … so, I bought a new one: the Krups version.

For those who are unaware, a filter coffee machine is, an electrical device that filters water through ground coffee, into a jug underneath. The jug is kept hot on a heated base, for you to drink at your leisure.
Here are the key features:
Capacity: 1.25 litres
Coffee type: Ground
Filter: Paper
Cup warmer: Yes
Removable reservoir: No
Dimensions: H35.8 x W25.5 x D22.9cm
Wattage: 1100W

Krups is a mid-range brand in the coffee machine world. I had decided on this machine before I went out to buy one: due to the advertised features. I found it difficult to locate any Krups machines in Chester; they had top end machines and the rubbish lower end ones, but Krups, Magimix, Dualit etc, were hard to come across. I eventually found it in Browns for £49.95. It can also be purchased for a similar price from the Internet, John Lewis and other similar shops.

The coffee machine is very simple to use, you put a paper filter in, the appropriate amount of coffee, add the water and turn on. It makes up to 10 - 12 cups or 5 mugs of coffee at a time.
The machine uses standard filter papers, which you buy from any supermarket for approximately £1, for 40 papers. The coffee used is, ground coffee for filter coffee machines, retailed at as cheap or as expensive as you like. The coffee is available widely from; supermarkets, coffee suppliers, the Internet and many coffee franchises.

The thing I like most about this machine is the simplicity. There is a measuring device to tell you how much water you have poured in ‘a graduated water gauge’, which is your old fashioned ball thing, that floats up, according to how much water you have poured in.
The turquoise illuminated, on/off button, turns on and stays on, no silly timers, no turning off automatically after a few hours … it is very co-operative and just does as it’s told.
As aforementioned, the machine takes filter papers, which you just throw away after use. Rather than the silly plastic things, that no matter what you do, seem to leave coffee grounds everywhere after washing.
The jug (technically called the carafe) is microwave and dishwasher safe; I have neither a microwave nor a dishwasher, so that is irrelevant to me. The machine has storage for the cord, should you require it, and finally you could remove the jug early, if you can’t wait for it to fill completely.

I find that compared to my previous machines (magimix and Dualit), it is far more user friendly. On all my other filter coffee machines, there has always been something that hasn’t been quite right; I can find some of my desired features, but not all boxes get ticked. Especially the very annoying function, ‘turning itself off’ after a few hours, I know the coffee isn’t as fresh after a while, but I like expensive coffee and therefore, will quite happily drink it later on in the day; and thence I find it really frustrating when I’ve gone out for a while and the machine turns itself off, thereby the coffee goes cold and to waste!
This could, however, work against you, drying out and cracking the pot. If you forget to turn it off it will waste electricity. Leaving on too long could also cause it to burn out, potentially ruining your machine.

The machine is very robust and durable; I have it on all day everyday, consuming approximately three pots daily. As mentioned earlier, I have had it since before Christmas, it still works just as well as when I bought it and it still looks like new.

The machine is aesthetically very pretty; it has an old fashioned/modern combination look. It is a classy stainless steel material, made in the old fashioned standard style. (See picture). A lot of brands opt for the classy sleek look (except Alessi, who are just plain weird and fabulous), but I like the look Krups have gone for in this model.

The only negative comment I have, is that, you have to take the top part apart to get the coffee in. It’s only two pieces, but it’s a bit fiddly trying to balance the bits and put the coffee in. It’s something you get used to and it doesn’t bother me at all now, it’s just becomes habit.
However, most filter coffee machines have a swing function, which is far more practical. Krups do advertise it as a ‘smooth side trigger action’, but it isn’t! It is too precarious, coffee will end up everywhere if you don’t take extreme care, it is easier and less risky just to take apart the two bits.

One other thing to take into consideration is that you will have to keep purchasing filter papers (and if you’re anything like me, occasionally you’ll forget, run out and panic). I do, however, prefer this method, as it’s more convenient and easier to throw the filters away than to keep cleaning the plastic container. It may sound bad for the environment, but paper is biodegradable, the plastic isn’t, so ultimately, filter papers are better.

The price is standard amongst similar brands, as is the quality, really. It just depends on what features and look, you want from a machine. Choosing a coffee machine is a very personal choice, needing to be catered to your particular requirements. Should this Krups machine be your choice, then you’ll get your moneys worth, it is excellent. However, if you like other features, the magimix etc are all worth the money you pay too.

Overall, this is a good-looking and standard priced, filter coffee machine. It works very effectively as a, no-nonsense, straightforward filter coffee machine. I give it big thumbs up.