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Finding a stylish yet quality coffee maker can be difficult; this made us perform these Smeg coffee machine reviews.
Coffee enthusiasts want a machine that will look stylish in their kitchen, coffee bar, or office but more importantly, they need it to brew consistently good coffee.
This article will touch on the features, specs, performance, ease of use, and flavor profile it delivers.
SMEG – A Brief Overview
The Bertazzoni family founded SMEG in 1948, one of Italy’s most renowned high-quality domestic appliance manufacturers.
Smeg’s notoriety came from making larger appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers, ovens, and smaller devices like toasters and tea kettles.
In addition to the brand’s distinctive style, its appliances are also praised for their advanced technology.
Features of the Smeg drip coffee machine
Here is a quick review of all the Smeg coffee maker’s features before we move on.
In addition to the steel body and powder-coat enamel finish, it also has a glass carafe. There are just four buttons on the simple oval LED display; this makes it very easy to control all machine’s features.
You can also expect the following features:
- There are two default brewing settings, delicate and intense, so you can choose what strength your coffee will be.
- The tank has a capacity of 1.5 quarts and a clear water level indicator.
- A hot plate will keep the carafe and its contents warm for 60 minutes after brewing
- You can brew at any time with an auto-start feature.
- You can use paper filters, but it comes with a permanent filter and auto-descale indicator cycle.
- You can adjust the machine’s water hardness according to your home’s water type using three settings.
- You can brew either one to four cups or a full carafe of 10 cups.
- An intuitive interface with only a few buttons and a minimalistic design.
- Changing your coffee’s aroma will give it a different flavor.
Specifications
- It measures 17 x 12.75 x 11.25 inches
- The weight of the device is 7.5 lbs.
- It is a 120V system
- A 1050W motor powers it
- Approximately 6 cups of water are stored in the reservoir
- A variety of colors is available, including cream, blue, red, black, white, and pink.
Is the Smeg coffee machine compatible with Nespresso pods
They do not use disposable coffee pods as a Keurig does. Instead, the user can use a single origin bean or blend their own mixture of beans or grounds with each pot, although it may be an inconvenience to some.
It is intended to be used exclusively with ground coffee and has been designed and built accordingly.
While using a grinder is not required, it is recommended so that you can grind your entire beans right before serving them to ensure the freshest tasting cup of coffee possible.
Smeg makes grinders to match their coffee maker depending on the color you pick.
To see more info on any of these options, click on the image below.
The machine’s included carafe also allows users to brew a greater quantity of coffee, convenient for families who consume large amounts.
Smeg Drip Coffee Maker: Is it worth the cost?
Its major advantages are convenience and reliability, and this is a well-made machine.
The best materials were used, showing in its price tag, but I’m afraid I have to disagree with people saying it’s overly expensive.
Unless you’re looking for a budget coffee maker, you will be paying between $195 and $297 on a Smeg. The price varies depending on where you buy it and what color you pick.
Its controls are quite simple, but at the same time, you can adjust most of the important factors like brew size, brewing strength, and temperature if you want to customize each cup.
Thanks to its auto-start and warm-up features, you will always have hot coffee available. Users can even turn off the beeping option when the machine is finished.
Obviously, this machine’s stunning looks are one of its most appealing aspects for many people. Smeg separates itself from its competitors by using modern materials wrapped in a vintage look.
Coffee drip machines from Smeg definitely meet this requirement. Elegant metal accents shine on top, and the minimalist form is softly curved. You can purchase it in several different colors, in addition to silver, black and white:
The machine is also appreciated for its durability. Solid steel and non-slip feet make it much sturdier than one made of plastic.
It is very reliable, and many people have kept it for many years without any problems.
Smeg Coffee Machine Reviews
Although they don’t come at a bargain price, they still offer basic entry-level functionality.
These points will give you a better idea of buying one and give you a better idea of what to expect.
Functionality
It is a basic machine (I don’t mean that in a bad way). It is easy to use and functions as expected. If, for instance, you prefer an intensified or a standard brew, your machine provides options based on your preferred intensity level.
A digital clock appears on the Smeg’s LED display, which shows water levels and hardness quality.
The water tank capacity is 1.4 liters. All this means is that you may have to make another pot, but this isn’t a deal-breaker.
It can make a minimum of 21 to 4 cups or up to 10 cups, so this isn’t a deal-breaker
Aesthetics
The design is its biggest selling point. The look and design will make it a conversation piece, whether it’s on your kitchen counter, bar, or office.
Taking a look at the exterior first, let’s talk about appearance. It’s stunning to look at. It was specifically designed to be easy on the eyes – it makes a great first impression.
It’s wrapped in stainless steel and chrome. The machine doesn’t rock when you fill the water reservoir or push the buttons. Even the carafe looks cool and feels great in your hands.
Almost any kitchen will benefit from its retro style, which perfectly fits many color options, such as cream, mint green, red, green, stainless steel blue, and black.
In addition to being heavy and sturdy and made of high-quality materials.
It’s a good idea to measure your space if you think the counter might be too small for it.
Flavor
What does the coffee taste like? So let’s get to the bottom of what you really want to know. No matter how good it looks, if it doesn’t make great coffee, it’s not worth it.
Taste is greatly affected by the coffee beans you use, so ensure they are fresh and ground correctly to achieve the best possible taste.
Smeg coffee makers brew coffee that tastes rich and smooth. This is due to the Aroma intensity function: allowing you to select light or intense depending on your personal flavor profile.
Often, with these types of features, you don’t notice a change when you use them, but we experienced such a difference that a couple of our team members performed a blind taste test to see who could pick the right settings.
If you were wondering, Julie won.
Dimensions
Smeg brewers are larger than traditional models because they are rounded and retro in style. So, for it to work properly, you will need a reasonably sized and dedicated space.
Consider measuring the area of your counter and compare it to the dimensions below beforehand if you’re worried about space or know your counter is small.
- 17″ High
- 12.75″ Wide
- 11.25″ Deep
Its feet are anti-slip, making it a good choice for families with small children or pets who are curious about the kitchen counter.
Features
This is a list of features you will receive with every Smeg, with a short description of how they work.
Auto Shut-off
If you are prone to forgetting to turn off your machine or purposefully leaving it on all the time, you should get used to the automatic shut-off feature of this particular pot.
LED Display
Smeg’s are digital. Simply put, it’s straightforward to use. A convenient LED display shows the device’s information, while a subtle backlight resists glare.
You’ll find all the information you need on the LED display to keep it running smoothly; it was easy to see and very bright.
The “keep warm” and “aroma intensity” functions are available here, as well as information about the water hardness, the level of water inside the brewer, and the time.
What types of filters does it use
It’s one of those things you don’t appreciate until you use it, but the permanent filters are really nice.
I would also rather use these filters instead of paper filters since they’re better for the planet, and paper filters have a bad habit of absorbing the oils extracted from your coffee beans, making it taste weak.
It’s still possible to use your normal filters, so this is an additional feature instead of something you must use.
Automatic start
It has an auto-start feature that allows you to schedule when it will brew. So, for example, set or when you wake up that way when you walk into your kitchen, it’s already brewing.
Aromatic setting
It adds some extra extraction time and changes the final result if you want to. The aroma setting function is a nice added extra. The choice is always better, however, as I always say.
Keep-warm function
The keep-warm function works well, which is good. However, 60 minutes will be considered short by some people. Most brands stay warm for up to 2 hours, which can lead to sour coffee, so there are trade-offs for both situations.
Maintenance
No one wants to spend time cleaning their machine, but it is an unfortunate chore if you want it to continue to brew great-tasting coffee.
The smeg has a sensor that will tell you when the water is too hard and when it needs to be descaled.
Many people complain about this feature, but it’s in your best interest to not use hard water since it will build up calcium in the inner workings causing your coffee to taste subpar and decrease the life of your machine.
DCF02 Vs. DCF01
You may have noticed a difference in this Smeg coffee maker review and others on the Internet.
A few other reviews may have inconsistently described the length of the auto shutdown, the noise level, and whether the machine functions around the clock.
The smeg coffee maker actually comes in two different models, the original DCF01 and the newer DCF02.
The DCF02 is the model this review was based on.
Smeg has some of the best customer service and R&D departments in the industry and came out with the DCF02 model to fix the problems with the DCF01 model.
Upgrades include a 60-minute automatic shutoff instead of 20 minutes, the option to switch the clock from 12 to 24 hours, an easier-to-open lid, and the ability to turn off the notification alarm that many people said was way too loud.
It seems smeg has accomplished this well. The newer model is far superior and clearly displays its commitment to getting to know its customers.
A Smeg may not be right for you if…
No matter how great a product is, there will be people who would do better off with something else.
Here are some of the reasons we believe may keep you from buying a Smeg
Customizability and advanced functionality are important to you
While it can accomplish basic tasks well, it doesn’t provide many options for modifying your brew beyond its standard features.
A heavily customizable coffee machine will filter water, grind beans, generate coffee bloom, and allow an adjustable coffee temperature.
These types of machines would be for the person who wants to be the home barista and can tinker with the settings and flavor outcomes.
That isn’t what they designed this machine to do; it was built to do the basics of coffee brewing and do them well, which they have achieved.
If you’re on a budget, you’d like a coffee maker that isn’t so expensive
Despite their higher price tag, Smeg coffee makers come in a stylish retro design, so the Smeg is a good choice if the look is important to you.
The market offers a variety of drip coffee makers that are less stylish but offer comparable features.
If saving money is more important at this time, read my review of the best coffee makers under $50
Pros
- It will look stunning in any kitchen with its amazing retro design
- Stainless steel wrap
- keep warm function to keep your coffee hot
- It produces smooth, delicious coffee every time
- Easy to use
- Auto-on
- Automatic shutdown feature
- Colors are available in a variety of hues
- The feet feature anti-slip rubber to ensure stability
- You are guaranteed not to burn your coffee
- LED user-friendly control panel display with full digital capabilities
- A high yield capacity
- Control panel with LEDs that is intuitive
- Has permanent filters, but you can use paper filters if you prefer that
- Perfect temperature for brewing
- Aromatic setting
- Stainless steel cup holder
- Each Smeg machine has a flow stop function
Cons
- It occupies a lot of space
- Maintenance and descaling necessary on a regular basis
- It can be difficult to fill the reservoir because the lid gets in the way
Is the Smeg Coffee Machine worth it?
In most cases, the Smeg Drip Coffee Maker will be a great addition, unless you need to make more than 10 cups at once or need something under $100.
Smeg stands out from other popular drip brewers with the high-quality materials they use, but you are paying a little more for the stylish looks.
In the end, you need to decide if it fits your home’s style and your family’s coffee needs.
Despite Being Beautiful, Does It Make Good Coffee
I know you will love its looks since it is one of the coolest designs on the market.
We were more concerned about the product it would deliver; I’ll drink coffee out of a cardboard box if it tastes great.
Without much of a surprise, it brewed a rich, silky cup of coffee every time we tested it.
A solid pick, it is easy to operate, flavorful, and has a keep-warm feature.
However, the Smeg may not be sufficient if you need more advanced customization, like a water filter, built-in grinder, or the ability to change the water temp.
Smeg Espresso Coffee Machine
The Smeg ECF01 espresso machine has a rounded chrome Zamak steam lever to froth milk, drip tray, adjustable cappuccino system, stainless steel filter holder; hot water dispenser textured stainless steel cup warmer on top of this slim, elegant machine.
These espresso machines’ small countertop footprint measures 35 x 17 x 35cm, although you’ll need some room above and around it to fill the water reservoir, use the portafilter, and work the milk frother.
I’m afraid I have to disagree with one design aspect: where the water reservoir is located. Unfortunately, as with all coffee makers, it’s located at the back.
Once you get your grind size dialed in, dosing, and tamping, this machine makes a great shot of espresso.
If you want to know more read our review of the ECF01 espresso machine here
Conclusion
As you can see from this Smeg coffee maker review, there really isn’t anything terribly wrong with this brewer. However, your coffee needs will be satisfied if you can make minor changes to how you make your coffee and how much you make at once.
The downsides we discussed are minor, with most of them being just annoyances and not affecting the machine’s functionality in the long run.
Although the machine is made from high-quality materials and feels premium, its design was more of a priority than the features.
If you’re okay with paying a little more for a basic coffee maker that looks stunning and is very good at what it does then, you have found the perfect model for your kitchen.
