Taylor Swoden-01 Drip coffee maker: Full Review

The Taylor Swoden-01 is a programmable drip coffee maker that allows you to brew coffee automatically at preset times. This machine features a compact and sleek stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. As a programmable drip coffee machine, the Swoden-01 can be set to start brewing fresh coffee in advance so you can wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The machine has a 10-cup glass carafe and a removable filter basket to accommodate different brew sizes and coffee grounds. With its programmable timer, showerhead for even saturation, and keep warm plate, the Swoden-01 aims to provide convenience and consistently good tasting coffee.

Design

The Taylor Swoden-01 has a simple but elegant design perfect for any kitchen. It's made of brushed stainless steel and high-grade plastic for durability and easy cleaning.

With dimensions of 12 x 8 x 15 inches, it has a medium footprint that can fit well on most countertops without taking up too much space. The stainless steel exterior gives it a modern and sleek look.

The Taylor Swoden-01 comes in 3 color options - black, red, and stainless steel. The black and red models have accents in those colors, while the stainless steel is a uniform metal finish. All colors have a clean, minimalist style.

The aesthetic is contemporary but approachable. Subtle contours along the sides and top give it some style without looking too futuristic. The brew basket and water reservoir are well-integrated into the body for a seamless look.

Overall, the Taylor Swoden-01 has an attractive, user-friendly design made with quality materials that looks great in any kitchen. The dimensions and style make it versatile enough to complement different decor styles.

For another option, consider the MUELLER HOME DC-550. This model features advanced brewing technology for superior coffee flavor and aroma. Its sleek design includes a high-capacity water reservoir and an easy-to-use control panel. The MUELLER HOME DC-550 also offers multiple brewing strengths and adjustable settings to meet various coffee preferences, making it a great addition to any kitchen.

Features

The Taylor Swoden-01 drip coffee maker comes with several useful features:

• Programmable timer - You can program the coffee maker up to 24 hours in advance to brew a pot at the desired time. This allows you to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee or have it ready when you get home from work.

• Brew strength control - There are options to brew a regular or bold coffee strength. The bold setting utilizes a slower drip for a more concentrated and robust flavor.

• Adjustable keep warm plate - After brewing, the coffee carafe sits on a warming plate to keep it hot. The temperature can be adjusted between low, medium, and high settings.

• Water filter - A removable water filter helps remove impurities and chlorine from the water for better tasting coffee. The filter is easy to access and replace.

The product Café C7CDABS3RD3 is another excellent option for coffee enthusiasts. It offers a sleek design and advanced features such as a high-capacity water reservoir and customizable brewing options. Additionally, it includes a built-in frother to create creamy lattes and cappuccinos right at home. The intuitive touch-display makes it simple to navigate all its functions, providing a premium coffee experience with every brew.

Ease of Use

The Taylor Swoden-01 coffee maker is designed to be simple and intuitive to operate. The control panel layout is straightforward, with buttons for power, start/stop brewing, programming the clock, and setting the timer.

Programming the timer is easy - just press the timer button and use the arrows to set the hour and minutes you want the machine to start brewing. The display shows the programmed time so you can double check it is correct.

The water reservoir on the back of the unit slides out for easy filling at the sink. There are water level indicator lines inside the reservoir so you can see how much water you are adding.

The filter basket slides smoothly in and out of its holder. The basket is basket-style, not cone shaped, so the flat bottom filter fits neatly inside. Grounds are evenly saturated during brewing. The basket has a release button on the handle to eject the wet grounds into the trash after brewing is complete.

Overall, the well-designed control panel and intuitive parts like the water reservoir and filter basket make the Taylor Swoden-01 very simple to use on a daily basis. Programming the timer makes this machine convenient for having hot coffee ready when you wake up or get home from work.

Brew Performance

The Taylor Swoden-01 has excellent brew performance thanks to its showerhead design and optimal water temperature. The showerhead evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds for uniform saturation and extraction. This helps produce a flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee.

The Swoden-01 automatically heats water to the ideal brewing temperature of 195-205°F. ThisGoldilocks zone temperature extracts the best flavor from the beans without making the coffee taste burnt or bitter. You can expect a nicely balanced cup that brings out the subtle flavors and aromas of the particular coffee blend used.

Brew time clocks in around 6-7 minutes for a full 10 cup pot. This is a good pace that doesn't rush or drag out the brew cycle. Flavor and aroma remain vivid thanks to the optimal brew time.

Coffee yield is also impressive with the Swoden-01. It can brew anywhere from 1 to 10 cups while still delivering concentrated, robust flavor. The coffee is never weak or watery even when making just a single serving. Grounds are saturated evenly during brewing so you get high extraction and coffee solids in each cup.

Maintenance

The Taylor Swoden-01 is designed for easy maintenance to keep it running smoothly for years.

Cleaning

To clean the coffee maker, unplug it and let it cool completely before wiping down the exterior with a damp cloth. The carafe, filter basket, and water reservoir are all dishwasher safe. For a deep clean, fill the water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water. Brew this vinegar solution through the machine to dissolve built-up mineral deposits. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water when finished.

Descaling

Over time, mineral deposits from water can build up in the inner workings of the coffee maker. To descale, fill the water reservoir with undiluted white vinegar and brew it through. Let the hot vinegar sit in the machine for 30 minutes before brewing fresh water through to rinse away dissolved mineral deposits. Descale every 2-3 months for optimal performance.

Part Replacement

The water filter should be changed every 2-3 months for clean water and great tasting coffee. Replace the gold tone filter every 3-6 months depending on use. Thankfully, the Taylor Swoden-01 uses widely available #4 cone filters that can be purchased nearly anywhere. If the glass carafe breaks, replacement carafes are available from the manufacturer. Inner parts like tubing and heating elements can also be individually purchased if repairs are needed.

Pros

The Taylor Swoden-01 drip coffee maker has several advantages that make it a good choice for many coffee drinkers:

Simple to Use and Operate

The Swoden-01 has an intuitive interface and clear buttons that make it easy to program and brew coffee. It doesn't require any technical know-how to operate. The buttons are labeled clearly and it's simple to program timer and brew settings. This is a big pro for those who want a fuss-free coffee maker.

Brews a Full Pot Quickly

This coffee maker can brew a full 12-cup pot of coffee in around 7 minutes. The 1500 watt heating element ensures water is heated rapidly so you can get your morning coffee fast. The quick brew time is a major plus for those in a hurry.

Removable Reservoir for Easy Filling

The Swoden-01 has a removable water reservoir that makes it simple to fill up with water. No need to fumble with trying to pour water into a small opening. Just remove the reservoir, fill it up at your sink, and pop it back in place. This is a nice feature that improves ease of use.

Cons of the Taylor Swoden-01

• The water reservoir capacity is small at just 12 cups. This means you'll have to refill the water tank frequently if brewing for more than a couple people.

• The carafe is made of glass and does not have an insulated thermal layer. This results in the coffee cooling down faster than models with insulated carafes.

• The LCD display is very basic with limited programmability options. You can only set auto-on timer and clock, there are no custom brew settings or profiles possible.

Verdict

The Taylor Swoden-01 drip coffee maker earns a 4 out of 5 star rating. This is a great option for someone looking for an affordable, programmable coffee maker with basic features.

The Swoden-01 brews a solid pot of drip coffee. It has a simple interface and offers useful programming options like auto-brew and keep warm. The water reservoir is easy to access and the basket-style filter works well.

The machine lacks some of the extras you'd find on pricier models, like a backlit LCD screen, strength control, and bypass doser. The plastic parts also look a bit cheap. However, for the price this Brewer delivers where it counts - hot, tasty coffee.

If you want a fuss-free, programmable drip coffee machine that doesn't break the bank, the Taylor Swoden-01 is a good choice. It provides great value for money. The simple interface is beginner-friendly too. More advanced users may want to consider a machine with more customization options. But for basic drip coffee, the Swoden-01 gets the job done well.

Comparable Alternatives

The Taylor Swoden-01 drip coffee maker competes with other popular programmable coffee makers in a similar price range. Here are a couple alternatives to consider:

Cuisinart DCC-3200 14-Cup Glass Carafe Coffee Maker

The Cuisinart DCC-3200 is slightly more expensive but offers high-end features like a stainless steel carafe, brew strength control, and 24-hour programmability. The plastic parts are BPA-free and it can brew up to 14 cups. However, the water reservoir is smaller than the Taylor Swoden's and some users report issues with reliability over time.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

For a more budget-friendly option, the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker delivers solid performance at a lower price point. It lacks some bells and whistles but includes the core functionality like programmable timer, pause and serve, and auto shut-off. The carafe is glass but feels cheaper than higher-end models. It's a good basic choice if you just want coffee on a schedule without advanced features.