Braun KF7070 Drip coffee maker: Full Review

The Braun KF7070 BrewSense drip coffee maker is a sleek and stylish 12-cup coffee machine that offers premium features and delicious coffee brewing. Braun is a well-known German brand that has been manufacturing high-quality small kitchen appliances since 1921. The KF7070 model combines classic Braun design with innovative brewing technology to deliver great tasting coffee and maximum convenience.

This drip coffee maker features Braun's unique BrewSense technology that automatically adjusts the brewing time, temperature and volume based on the specific roast of the coffee beans. The BrewSense sensor monitors the brewing progress to optimize flavor extraction for bolder, more intense coffee that is never bitter or watery. With BrewSense, you can enjoy delicious coffee without needing to adjust settings every time you use a different roast or grind size.

The KF7070 has a beautiful, minimalist design with a premium brushed stainless steel finish that will elevate any kitchen décor. At the same time, it doesn’t compromise on functionality, with its 12-cup capacity, 24-hour programmable timer, auto brew-pause feature, replaceable filter and other convenient functions.

This review will provide an in-depth look at the key features, performance, ease of use, price and pros and cons of the Braun BrewSense drip coffee maker. It aims to help you determine if this Braun model is the right choice for your home or office.

Design & Build Quality

The Braun KF7070 drip coffee maker has a sleek and modern stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen counter. The metal and plastic construction feels sturdy and durable.

The stainless steel accents and black plastic give it an elegant, minimalist look. The materials used in the water reservoir and brew basket also feel solid and long-lasting.

There are no flimsy parts that make the machine seem cheap. The buttons have a satisfying click and the handles feel sturdy.

Overall, the high-quality materials like brushed metal and BPA-free plastic make the Braun KF7070 an appliance that is built to last. The modern aesthetic blends seamlessly into both traditional and contemporary kitchen decors.

In addition to the KF7070, Braun offers the Braun KF7170SI model, which also features a high-quality stainless steel construction and modern design elements. The KF7170SI includes additional programmable features for a more customized coffee experience. It retains the same durable build quality with sturdy buttons and solid handles, ensuring it stands the test of time while looking stylish on any counter.

Features

The Braun KF7070 BrewSense drip coffee maker comes with several useful features that allow you to customize your coffee brewing experience.

• Programmable timer: You can program the Braun coffee maker to start brewing up to 24 hours in advance. This allows you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee every morning.

• Brew strength control: There are two brew strength options - regular and bold. The bold setting lets you maximize the flavor extraction from the coffee grounds for a stronger, bolder cup of coffee.

• Brew pause: The brew pause function lets you sneak a cup mid-brew. When you remove the carafe, the brewing process temporarily stops, so you don't end up with a messy countertop.

• PureFlavor: Braun's proprietary PureFlavor technology optimizes the brewing temperature and process for robust coffee flavor while reducing bitter oils.

• LED display: An easy-to-read LED display shows the current settings and time left for brewing.

• Automatic shut-off: For safety, the coffee maker automatically shuts off after 2 hours of inactivity.

• Water level indicator: Interior water level markings let you see how much water you've added without opening the lid.

Ease of Use

The Braun KF7070 coffee maker is designed with convenience and ease of use in mind. It has several features that make the brewing process simple and user-friendly.

• The coffee maker has a clear LED display that is easy to read. It shows the clock, programming options, and brew strength. The buttons below the display are intuitive to operate.

• Programming the brew schedule is straightforward with options for setting the start time and shutting off automatically after 2 or 4 hours. You can easily set it to have coffee ready when you wake up or get home from work.

• The anti-drip system stops dripping as soon as the carafe is removed from the hot plate. This prevents messy drips and spills.

• The removable filter holder and permanent anti-scale filter are simple to take out and clean.

• The water tank has markings on the side so you can easily see the water level and know how much to add.

• A 1-4 cup setting allows you to brew a small batch or full pot with equal efficiency. No need to waste coffee when making a single cup.

• The keep warm plate keeps coffee hot for 2 hours without burning or scalding the brew.

Overall, the intuitive design and convenient features of the Braun KF7070 coffee maker make it very easy to use for brewing great tasting coffee.

Brew Performance

The Braun KF7070 brews a pot of coffee in around 7 minutes, which is fairly standard for drip coffee makers in this price range. Thebrewing temperature reaches the ideal 195-205°F range recommended for drip coffee, ensuring proper extraction of flavors from the grounds.

The coffee produced by the Braun has a well-balanced, smooth taste without any bitterness. It brings out the subtle flavors and aromas of your preferred coffee beans nicely. The aroma while brewing is rich and inviting.

The filter basket design and shower head of the Braun distribute water evenly over the coffee grounds. This uniform saturation helps extract the full spectrum of flavors evenly during brewing. The end result is a pot of coffee with great flavor consistency from the first cup to the last.

Capacity

The Braun KF7070 coffeemaker has a decent capacity that can brew up to 12 cups of coffee at a time. The glass carafe has a 10-cup capacity, which is standard for most drip coffee makers in this class. You can brew any amount between 4-12 cups using Braun's intuitive BrewStrength System. This allows you to adjust the brew strength based on how much coffee you are making. For example, the brewer will use more coffee grounds and a longer brew time for 4 cups versus 12 cups to optimize flavor extraction. The max brew size is practical for most home or small office use. However, if you regularly need to brew larger batches, there are commercial coffee makers with larger capacities in the 14-20 cup range. But for typical daily use, the Braun's 10-12 cup capacity provides good flexibility.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Braun BrewSense drip coffee maker is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance.

Descaling

Descaling helps remove mineral deposits that can build up in the water reservoir and internal components. Braun recommends descaling every 3-4 months depending on your local water hardness. The descaling process is straightforward - simply fill the water reservoir with a vinegar/water solution, run it through a brew cycle, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

Carafe Cleaning

The glass carafe should be hand washed with warm soapy water. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could scratch the carafe. For thorough cleaning, the carafe lid and basket can be removed completely.

Removable Parts

The permanent filter, water reservoir lid, shower head, and drip stop are all removable for easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. The control panel can be wiped down with a damp cloth to keep buttons and display clean.

Price

The Braun KF7070 coffee maker typically retails for around $80-100 USD. This puts it in the mid-range for drip coffee machines. However, given the features and performance it delivers, it provides excellent value.

Some key things to consider regarding the price:

• The KF7070 is Braun's mid-range model. So while not cheap, it's also not their premium offering. You're getting impressive quality without paying top dollar.

• It has a number of features you would usually only see on more expensive coffee makers, like the PureFlavor brewing system and BrewSensor technology. So you're getting great bang for your buck.

• $80-100 is very reasonable for a 12-cup machine with high-end European styling and engineering. Comparable models from other brands cost considerably more.

• The Braun name and German build quality command a bit of a price premium. But you know you're getting a product that will last.

• For a mid-range brewer with unique innovations like PureFlavor and BrewSensor, the KF7070 delivers excellent value compared to other drip coffee makers in this segment.

So in summary, while not the cheapest option, the Braun KF7070 justifies its price tag by packing in premium features and proven performance that make it stand out from the crowd. Given its capabilities, it offers solid value for money compared to both lower and higher priced models.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 24-hour programmable timer allows you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee
• Drip-stop brew-pause lets you pour a cup before brewing is finished
• Precision brewing system optimizes brew temperature and saturation for flavor
• Sleek, modern stainless steel design looks great on countertops
• Easy one-touch control button operation
• Automatic shut-off and anti-drip system for safety and convenience

Cons

• No insulated carafe to keep coffee hot for extended periods
• Brew basket can be tricky to properly align and snap into place
• Max brew size is limited to 10 cups
• Water reservoir capacity is relatively small at 1.2 liters
• Not compatible with reusable filters

Conclusion

The Braun KF7070 BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker is a solid option for people looking for an automatic drip coffee machine with premium features and brew performance.

The KF7070 produces consistently hot and flavorful coffee thanks to Braun's PureFlavor technology and precise temperature control. The BrewSense feature allows you to tweak brew strength and volume to customize your coffee. Design and build quality are excellent with a stylish stainless steel exterior and dishwasher safe parts.

For convenience, the KF7070 has features like a programmable timer, pause and serve mid-brew function, self-cleaning, and an LCD display. The permanent filter means you don't have to buy paper filters. The capacity is large enough for households that drink a lot of coffee.

In terms of downsides, the KF7070 is more expensive than basic drip coffee makers. It's also quite large and heavy, so not as suitable if you have limited counter space or want something portable.

If you're looking for comparable alternatives, the Cuisinart DCC-T20 Touchscreen Thermal Coffee Maker is similar in price and quality but has a thermal carafe. For a budget option, the Mr. Coffee 10-Cup Coffee Maker provides solid performance at a lower cost. Or if you want more manual control over brewing, a pour over or French press may be preferable.

Overall, the Braun KF7070 BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker is a great choice if you want advanced features, consistent brewing, and customization options. For most home brewers looking for an automatic machine, it's hard to beat.