|
While I love going to cafes and sitting and having my coffee, sometimes I just want a cup while sitting in my PJs and watching CNN International.so I sprung for the Brisk Brew.It's TINY - and I like that it's a bit squared, so it fits nicely into the side of my suitcase. I find that filling the filter half way is perfect.
The only issue I have found besides what's already been noted by other reviewers - which is that it has to cool down between cups - is that it often shuts off before it brews a full cup - there is often about 1/4" of water left in the reservoir that just doesn't get brewed.But besides that, I LOVE my Brisk Brew. It brews the little cup fast.
I am a flight attendant and fly only international - and have yet to stay in a hotel in Europe or South America that had a real coffee maker. It has a travel pouch and works fine with my international adapter.It is very easy to use - just be careful not to use too much coffee or else you'll end up with a mess of grounds.
I've told all my FA friends who are also coffee lovers that it's a must-have. I was stuck with Nescafe.
It doesn't take up much space and isn't heavy.
(If you fill the filter with grounds while it is already in the filter holder, some of the grounds can get into the holder and seep into the coffee). Still, it's a great product because it's so compact and makes good coffee and it worked in Great Britain with a plug adapter, so that's nice. It's the best one for traveling.
Even if I didn't fill the container totally with grounds, even filling it 3/4 full, somehow during the brewing process, the grounds kept spilling into the water and then into the cup of made coffee. Also, I used it for the hot water and then put in powdered cappincino mix that the hotel had and that worked well. So, I had to scoop a bit of grounds out of the coffee cup of made coffee.
I really do like how small and compact it is for travel. I'm glad I got it - I feel I can count on this product.(This part is written 7/1/09 after I took it on another trip:) The only issue I found is I really couldn't keep the grounds from getting into the water. Still give it 5 stars because it's better than anything else I have found for traveling and it's so cute too.
To keep grounds from getting in the coffee itself, I figured that you can fill the filter with grounds first, then put it into the filter holder. Also, the little spoon is great for scooping out coffee to put in the little filter - a regular plastic spoon is too big.
The heater and the lamp go out. Let me explain how it works.Once all the water has brewed away and the reservoir is empty, the heating element is still ON. And btw if anyone demands a strong cup while traveling, check out the Handpresso. That bi-metal switch needs to be reset by YOU pressing the button.If it hasn't cooled enough, the internal switch won't allow you to turn the power back on. It remains ON until it "overheats". The on-off "switch" is not an on-off switch. Then (once it's cooled) press the button to turn it on again.now I'm off to wash this thing and try different amounts and grinds of coffee to see what works for me. At some factory-set temperature it bends far enough to disconnect the power.
At that time the heater's internal temperature switch clicks OFF, disconnecting the power. I saw so many complaints about the switch I felt obligated to respond. The lamp won't stay on.--------I just got this coffee maker for $2.99, complete, at a thrift store and didn't know what it was. I haven't had a lot of time to play with it. Once it cools enough, you could then press the "ON" button and the internal switch will reactivate the heater unit.
That heater unit and it's bi-metal switch eventually cools off. Then press the button and it will go on and brew, and stay ON until you unplug it OR it switches itself off.-------So, the unit shuts itself off, which is nice and safe. I own one and it's a 5-star imho. But if you pour another batch of cool water in the reservoir the unit cools in less than 20 seconds. This is a simple design. but if left to cool by itself, it can take about 4 or more minutes to cool off enough to allow you to reset it. It's only an ON switch.
It'll just go off again. A thin piece of metal bends when heated. Without water flowing past it, it will overheat in about 30 seconds. It's safe and effective.That internal switch is a bi-metal switch.
Took a picture of it for my blog. This cunning little machine saved my life in Las Vegas where there are NO coffee makers in any rooms. I love it.
It worked great. I found that 2 of the 'M&M Mini' candy containers will hold enough coffee for several days, and easily fit in the included carrying pouch. Just returned from a trip to Belize. An entire coffee maker with coffee that easily fits in any travel bag. I can't say enough about how pleased I am with this product. There was no in-room coffee maker. luckly I had planned for just such an event with the Zelco Brisk Brew.
|
