The brewing time can vary depending on factors such as the number of cups and the coffee grind size, but generally, the brewing process for a standard-sized pot of coffee takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Founded in the early 1900s after the invention of the very first documented paper coffee filter, Melitta owes its name to the clever German housewife, Melitta Bentz, who made perforations in a metal cup and lined it with some of her son’s blotting paper to create the earliest known filter coffee. This simple innovation made it easier for thousands of people to make delicious coffee without the risk of bitter grounds getting into their cups and the company have gone from strength to strength in the century that’s passed since her coffee-making ingenuity was first put to the test. After each use, you’ll need to wash the jug, but the good news is that it's dishwasher-safe. Thanks to the integrated drip stop in the AromaFresh II Filter Coffee Machine's filter, you won't have to deal with annoying coffee drips on the hotplate.

Ideal for the smallest coffee quantity

REFINING – slightly thinner and with more perforations, this band allows an even and consistent brew time as the coffee develops its flavour. It's important to ensure that you set up your machine for either ground coffee or coffee beans. This can be easily done through the LED display. Additionally, you can fine-tune the grinding fineness of your freshly ground coffee using the convenient 'grinding fineness regulator' located at the top of the machine. How I got on with the AromaFresh II Filter Coffee Machine These filters are a standard size that fit most filter coffee machines no matter what brand, and they’re ideal for any 8-10 cup filter coffee jug. Not just for Melitta coffee machines, these high quality Aromapor Paper Coffee Filters have been specially designed to optimise the flavour extraction of your favourite coffee from grounds to cup. Melitta Bentz was the maker of the first ever documented coffee filter, and her company is proud to have followed in her footsteps, making the best possible coffee machines and filter papers that fit into virtually all makes of coffee machine as well as filter jugs and pour-over cup filters. Although you don't get a scoop with the AromaFresh filter coffee machine, you do get a cleaning brush for the grinder. The instruction manual is also easy to follow when it comes to setting up the machine, and parts of it are available online via a QR code, such as the cleaning and maintenance section. However, I couldn't access these as the QR code was too small to scan with my phone camera, which was a little frustrating. Getting started with the AromaFresh II Filter Coffee Machine

Melitta coffee filters are quite different from other brands, patented with three grades of paper in every filter and extra perforations in the higher levels; this creates three distinct aroma zones with advanced multi-layer filtration to get the best results from whatever grounds you are using: The grinding of the beans can be a bit noisy, but it won't disturb the entire house. The aroma of freshly ground coffee and the brewing process is almost irresistible, truly living up to the 'AromaFresh' name. We discovered that grinding the beans finely resulted in the best cup of coffee - strong and flavourful. Over the years, we've had our fair share of filter coffee machines, ranging from affordable Russell Hobbs models to high-end Cuisinart grind and brew machines. The Melitta AromaFresh is the largest coffee machine we've ever owned, and it took some time to adjust to its size. If you've used a filter machine before, you'll find that the AromaFresh II Filter Coffee Machine follows the same basic principles. Simply fill the water tank with the desired amount of water for the number of cups you want, add the appropriate amount of coffee to suit your taste, and switch on the appliance. I found that regardless of the volume, the coffee machine consistently produced a deliciously aromatic coffee every time. The filter is easily removed and can be composted or binned. Melitta recommends regular cleaning of the bean container, grinder, and ground coffee chute. It's best to clean these parts when they're empty. You can find detailed instructions on how to clean them in the manual.Another option is the Smeg Lavazza A Modo Mio, which is gorgeously designed, as expected from the premium kitchen brand. It's available in a range of colorways, allowing you to find the perfect match for your kitchen decor. The price is similar to the AromaFresh, but this machine uses coffee pods. BALANCING – this topmost band is thinner still and more highly perforated. This helps to encourage a balanced taste and aroma with no bitterness. The manual also details how to descale the coffee machine when needed and gives step-by-step instructions. How does the AromaFresh II Filter Coffee Machine compare to other coffee filter machines? During my testing, I tried four different types of coffee. First, I experimented with a supermarket's brand of Colombian ground coffee. Then I moved on to Italian coffee beans, known for their full-bodied flavour and strength. However, the AromaFresh does produce an excellent cup of coffee, especially when you increase the brewing strength and use freshly ground beans. The coffee quality, convenient timer feature, and 60-minute keep warm feature convinced us to keep the AromaFresh filter coffee machine.