Melitta 1011-16 Look IV Thermal Timer Filter Coffee Machine

Filtered coffee is one of the simple pleasures of life, and if you’re lucky enough to find a high-quality filter coffee machine that can produce consistently flavourful cups of coffee, you’re that much farther down the road.

The Melitta 1011-16 Look IV Thermal Timer filter coffee machine definitely fits the bill for a basic, reliable, no-fuss coffee maker that is simple to use and does its job well. This should come as no surprise, as the Look IV Therm is manufactured by Melitta Group, the 100-year-old German consumer products giant that introduced the first electric filter coffee machine to the German market back in 1965.

Reasonably priced and simple to operate, the Look IV Therm produces delicious coffee, and looks great to boot.

Melitta 1011-16 Look IV review

Melitta 1011-16 Look IV

What are you buying?

I would be lying if I said that this machine is super-sophisticated – it’s actually a welcome break from all of the tech-heavy coffee makers in the retail space right now that have convoluted control panels, and are a nightmare in terms of clean-up.

No, the Look IV Therm keeps things simple, which is actually the way most filter coffee drinkers like it.

It features a programmable timer that allows you to start brewing before you even wake up; this is a great plus for those of us who like to be greeted by a warm cup of joe first thing in the morning.

The Look IV Therm also features a super-convenient “one-handed operation” jug, a drip-stop swing filter, and a dial at the top that allows you to adjust the coffee strength to your particular liking (I tend to keep it at 80%).

To ensure safety, the Look IV Therm comes with an automatic shut-off timer as well. It takes Melitta filter papers that are sized 1 x 4, and can produce anywhere between 8 to 12 cups of coffee per pot, depending upon your mug size.

One of the most outstanding features of the Look IV Therm is its double-walled airtight thermal jug; not only does it feel good and sturdy, but it can keep your coffee hot for hours after brewing without losing any flavour quality.

I was concerned about whether or not the Look IV Therm could keep my coffee warm well after I had finished brewing, but much to my surprise (and delight), the cup of coffee I enjoyed two hours after brewing had the same great taste as the first two.

I had read quite a bit of online reviews about this machine’s excellent ability to keep coffee nice and hot, but it’s an entirely different thing to experience it first-hand! Simply put, when it comes to coffee flavour production and retention, the Look IV is the bee’s knees.

How easy is it to use?

If you’re a person who values simplicity, you will really appreciate the ease of use that the Melitta Look IV Therm affords. As I mentioned earlier, the machine is already very straightforward, but the Look IV Therm’s intuitively designed control panel makes it that much easier to operate.

Not trying to sound insulting here, but if you can’t figure out how to make coffee with this machine, you might need to be kept away from any sharp objects as well.

Thankfully, the thermal jug is very easy to clean, since the top actually comes off instead of flipping up, which can be a real nuisance when you’re trying to wash or rinse it out. The reservoir is super-easy to get to and is a breeze to fill, which is another compliment to the savvy designers at Melitta.

Having used several different filter and bean-to-cup coffee machines in the past, I can tell you from experience that many coffee machine manufacturers commit some of the most basic design flaws in existence; fortunately, whoever developed the plans for the Look IV Therm had the end-user in mind, instead of just trying to come up with something flashy to impress their boss.

Another highlight in terms of ease of use is the fact that the Look IV Therm features removable components and simple wipe-down surfaces, so you won’t have to struggle with keeping the machine clean. Its descaling programme, CALC indicator and programmable water hardness settings also ensure that your machine is optimised for hassle-free cleaning all the way round. As far as filters go, the most common choice is to utilise paper filters, but many coffee drinkers opt for a permanent metal mesh filter in order to save on the expense of paper filter replacements.

What accessories are included?

As mentioned earlier, the Melitta Look IV Therm is a very straightforward filter coffee machine, which means that it doesn’t come with a whole lot of extra accessories – mainly because they’re simply not needed. All that you need to brew superb cups of coffee is contained in the Look IV itself, and it does its job with remarkable reliability. All you need besides the machine itself is a paper (or permanent) filter, some water, and your choice of pre-ground coffee, and you’re good to go. What could be easier?

Key features of Melitta 1011-16 Look IV Therm Timer

Pros

• Makes excellent coffee
• Simple to use
• Coffee stays hot for hours on end without stewing or losing quality
• Well-built and reliable

Cons

You know, at the risk of sounding way too biased, I will have to say that I don’t have any hang-ups about this machine. It does what it’s supposed to do, and I haven’t had any trouble out of it at all in terms of malfunctioning or inconsistent performance. If I could name one minor thing, it would be that some capacity indicators on the water chamber (in litres) would be nice, but this is far from a make-or-break issue. No complaints here!

Anything else you should know?

The great thing about the Melitta Look IV Therm Timer is that its double-walled thermal jug can keep the coffee hot for ages without any heat needed from the hotplate. This beats the heck out of the old-fashioned glass jug that requires constant heat from the hotplate just to stay warm. Although it may seem like a simple thing, this one design upgrade makes the Look IV Therm stand head-and-shoulders above traditional filter coffee machines.

Conclusion

The Melitta Look IV Thermal is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a simple yet high-quality filter coffee machine that will get the job done without any headaches or hassle. It’s easy to use, outstandingly reliable, easy to clean, and it makes delicious coffee. What more could you want?

Where to buy?

• Amazon UK: Check today’s price

Frequently asked questions

1. Can the Melitta 1011-16 Look IV make espresso coffee?

No, it cannot. Melitta is a filter coffee machine, meaning it uses gravity to pass hot water through ground coffee and extract as much flavour as possible. The process is slower than making an espresso, but the filter coffee has great flavour that has no shortage of fans.

The Melitta machine is a great choice for coffee lovers who prefer the taste of brewed, filter or drip coffee.

2. How do I descale my Melitta filter coffee machine?

Mix water and the Melitta liquid descaler (sold separately) in the water tank. Do not put a filter or ground coffee in the machine. Press the CALC button and the machine will begin an automatic decalcification process.

When it’s done, pour out the descaling solution and run clean water through the machine twice to rinse it off.

Note that the CALC button will light up when calcification has built up in the machine, letting you know that it’s time to descale it. If you live in a hard water area, you’ll get this alert often – once or twice a month.

3. How long does the Melitta filter coffee machine take to brew coffee?

If you fill the water tank to the brim (15 small cups or 10 large cups), it takes about 6 or 7 minutes for the coffee to finish brewing.

If you are brewing fewer cups of coffee, it’ll take less time.