Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker Review

If you love coffee, you have probably heard of the Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker. The Moccamaster seems to be the coffee maker by which all others are compared to. And for good reason. It has a storied history, and it is known for legendary reliability.

There are no shortages of reviews online comparing every coffee maker under the sun to the Moccamaster, which could be considered a classic at this point. Let’s take a look at this premium coffee maker through the eyes of a non-expert so you can decide if this is for you.

What is Different About the Moccamaster KBGV Select?

The Moccamaster KBGV Select model has a switch on the right that allows you to select between a half or full pot. In the half pot setting, the flow time is delayed, giving the water enough time to fully extract the flavors of the coffee grinds.

Rose Gold, Copper, or Pink Color?

Before purchasing our unit, I inquired by email if the rose gold color was entirely new or if it was the same color, and they just changed the name to rose gold for marketing purposes. Technivorm responded that it was the same color, but since it has some pink hues, they decided to call it rose gold.

I have always thought the unit looked to be pink, after taking another look on their website, my suspicions were confirmed. The Rose Gold color is now being called pink. The unit has never had a copper color or hue, so I am not sure how it started out as that color.

Moccamaster Construction and Feel

The Moccamaster is not as heavy and robust as you would think. By looking at the photos online, you would think there would be more heft to the unit. The metal used on the unit appears to be thin and the rest of the construction is plastic.

Moccamaster’s claim to fame is their internal components which are said to be very high quality and all parts are replaceable which future proofs your coffee maker. All plastics used on the unit are food-safe and BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalate-free. According to Moccamaster, plastics are used for optimal performance because they do not retain heat, allowing for a more consistent quality coffee.

How Fast Does the Moccamaster Brew a Full Pot of Coffee?

The Moccamaster is a fast coffee maker. From the time you flip the switch to the point you have a full 10 cup pot of coffee, you can expect to wait around 5–6 minutes. The Moccamaster heats superfast thanks to a premium copper heating element.

Does the Moccamaster Fully Saturate the Coffee Grounds?

When reading reviews or comparisons online, you will come across many websites that talk about other brewers that saturate the grounds better than the Moccamaster. While this may be true, I did not have any issues with the water making good contact with all the coffee grounds.

If you watch the brewing process, it does appear the Moccamaster is not saturating all the grounds in the beginning. But, if you let the process play out, the grounds will be fully saturated and brewed evenly over time. Some coffee aficionados like to stir the grounds with a spoon, but that never appealed to me.

Glass Carafe and Hot Plate vs. Thermal Carafe

Since I drink my coffee out of a metal Yeti mug, it can be a pain when I need to reheat coffee. Many times, if my coffee gets cold after several hours, I have to transfer it to a standard coffee mug, so I can reheat it in the microwave. The same goes for when the coffee in our coffee maker gets cold. This is where having a hot plate is beneficial.

The hot plate on the Moccamaster KBGV Select features a 100-minute timer. If the light goes off, and you still need to keep your coffee hot, you can turn it back on. If there is no water in the machine, only the hot plate will activate. It is a great feature to keep coffee at the perfect temperature through the morning, and it does not burn the coffee. We usually activate the hot plate one additional time every morning.

My previous OXO coffee maker had a thermal carafe. While it worked good at keeping the coffee hot, it was not as convenient as having a hot plate that can be reactivated if need be. If you drink your coffee fast, this may not be a problem. If you sip it slowly throughout the morning into the afternoon, having the hot plate is a welcome feature.

Another reason I prefer the glass carafe over the metal is you can see how much coffee is left. In a thermal carafe, this can be deceiving, especially if the carafe is a little heavier to begin with. Glass carafes are also easier to clean because in most cases the top opens wide allowing for easy access to clean with a kitchen brush. This is not always the case with thermal carafes.

Moccamaster Frequently Asked Questions

How many ounces is 1 cup on the Moccamaster?

Each cup on the Moccamaster water reservoir represents 4 oz of water. A full 10 cup pot would be 40 ounces of brewed coffee.

What is the proper grind size for the Moccamaster coffee maker?

The proper grind size for a Moccamaster coffee maker is medium to medium-coarse. It's best not to use anything under medium grind or a fine grind because the water may back up and overflow and your coffee will taste bitter.

If you are having your local coffee shop grind your beans for you, the safest bet is to have them grind the beans coarser than the standard drip coffee setting so you get the best results when brewing. A French Press grind would work ok.

If that is a little too coarse and makes weak coffee, ask them to adjust the setting a notch or two finer, so the water flows a little slower. The Technivorm Moccamaster delivers water continuously through the brew cycle from start to finish. Other premium brewers like OXO and Breville will deliver the water in stages to mimic a hand crafter pour over.

How many grams of coffee is recommended per 4 oz cup of coffee?

I have experimented with this over time and found 7 grams of medium to medium-coarse coffee grinds works best for a balanced cup of coffee. For a full 10 cup pot of coffee, you would use 70 grams of coffee grinds.

How Often Should You Descale Your Moccamaster KBGV?

The Moccamaster coffee maker should be descaled after you have gone through 100 paper coffee filters, which is the number of filters that come in one Moccamaster filter box.

Where to buy Moccamaster filters?

Moccamaster.com sells the 100 pack of filters on their website for half the cost of Amazon.com at the time of writing this article. Of course, that could change over time. The Moccamaster website is also a great place to buy cleaning and de-scaling products for your machine.

Does the Moccamaster have a timer built in?

No.

Would I purchase the Moccamaster coffee maker again?

Yes, but you don’t need to spend over $300 to get a coffee maker that can make great coffee. The Moccamaster has a beautiful simplicity that is appreciated when you rise in the morning. It has a classic design that can’t be mistaken. If that is important to you, then this is the machine for you.

Otherwise, there are premium options from OXO that are around $200 and if that is too much for you, try looking at the offerings from Zojirushi who offers high-quality brewers at a reasonable price. While they may not look as good, they will brew a quality cup of coffee.