Suncana H701A Single Serve Pod Brewer - Coffee Machine - Black

We've had this machine for over 4 months, and are very pleased with it. The Suncana pod brewer makes a smooth-tasting cup of coffee with good "crema" -- though not quite as frothy as the $2000 machines. We've used (4 different models) Senseo brand machines in the past, including their top-line, adjustable-volume product. Eventually, the spring mechanism that secured the pod would fail. Other brand machines made very poor coffee. When our last Senseo began to show that touchy-spring behavior which heralds imminent failure, we researched our options and decided on the Suncana.The Suncana has a much better pod-pressure mechanism with positive closure (if your Senseo ever overflowed when you thought it was closed, you know what I mean). We use Wolfgang Puck pods, and occasionally one is ripped. We discovered that if any coffee grounds leak into the pod holder, it will not brew at all. The first time it happened, we were puzzled -- and alarmed, because the brewer would do nothing at all for a few minutes. Turns out, it has a safety override and waits until the pressure drops before it will let you open the pod holder compartment. Then we figured out that just a few grains of coffee were blocking the center hole of the pod holder. Once we rinsed it out, everything was fine (with a new, undamaged pod).We've since learned to check each pod for tears and to brush off any grounds before placing the pod in the brew compartment. Rather than throw away damaged pods, we've been using Melitta make-your-own pod filters, stuffing the torn pod (paper and all) into the empty filter and fitting into the brew compartment. Works great every time.We use filtered water, and rinse the pod holder parts regularly to keep it clean and prevent coffee-oil buildup. The volume meter on the display works great, and the coffee-making process is a lot quieter than the Senseos. We splurged on the silver version because the brewer is in full view on our coffee-tea bar and it blends in with the counter area. It looks great. We can fit pretty tall mugs underneath by taking out the little stainless tray.I debated between 4 and 5 stars because of the need to pay attention to the state of the pod, so to speak. But this brewer does do a terrific job of brewing coffee, holds a lot of water, and has been a worthwhile purchase. Definitely recommended.

This coffee maker is very loud and actually shakes the kitchen a bit when it brewing. With that being said, this brewer makes a great cup of coffee and I love the bit of crema that it makes on each cup. I purchased this about 9 months ago from Amazon. Now, the brewer has an electric problem and kicks the breaker everytime it's turned on. I tried to contact the company, but the phone is not in service and the email I sent hasn't been returned or answered. I'm assuming this company is out of business.

I have used a keurig coffee maker, do not like having to fill the blank one or cost. (We only drink tea in our house but like to have a cup of coffee for guest who want some.) most times we used electric tea kettle and poured into cup over tea bag but I hated waiting. Also my mug is a WIDE 20oz desk/travel mug or 18oz tall travel mug.Neather fit under this coffee/tea maker. It is SO LOUD, like a grinding, when it works. I am use to loose tea or tea bag seaping for 3-5 mins. One bag is strong enough for the 20 oz mug. With this maker I have one extra spoonful ,spoon made for loose tea,in a pod and it is to weak. For the price it should be easer to prime and a LOT quieter and make a better cup of tea. Should be able to set how slow it brews and water temp. It would be nice , for ANY of the single cup coffee makers to allow for larger size mugs and up to 20 oz's of water per mug. It may be different for coffee I do not know. I need a good easy one cup tea maker that is between $30.00 and $110.00 . I may have to go back to electric kettle. :/1/22/2013I like it better now. It is only loud , for very short time, when the pump takes up water from the tank to the heating/brewing section. You only need to prime it once. I unplug every night, sometimes for a few days, and it never needs to be reprimed. I use loose tea so get the empty pod paper to fill with the loose tea. Still looking for the right paper/fillable pods. Some , for me, do not let the water pass through enough making for weak tea. All in all I would change it to 4 - 41/2 stars.I still wish they would make larger mug holders in these one cup machines. My "1" cup is a 19 oz wide and tallish mug and never fits any machine. I use a 3 cup measuring cup in the holder. Brew 10 oz of tea, pour in mug, then 8 or 9 oz of tea, using same pod, and pour that into mug.

This is my fourth brewer and the most expensive. I started with a Home Cafe double cup brewer that had a history of electronic failures and sure enough it lost the cicuit board after 6 months. I then bought a cheap Black and Decker and while it made great coffee it always had a tendency to leak. It has lasted 3 years but the adjustable spout broke off due to the plastic getting brittle and the leaking became more of a flood. I then bought a Hamilton Beach but it turned out to not be a true pod brewer as it does not brew under pressure but just drips through the pod which makes very poor tasting and anemic coffee. That brings me to the Suncana SunCafe brewer. It is a true brewer that uses pressure to fully extract the flavors out of the pod and it brews a great cup of coffee.Appearance - 5 stars - This unit is very pleasing to the eye and the fit and finish is very good.Functionality - 4 Stars - Easy to setup and easy to use but does not have the space to take a tall travel mug so one star off.Taste - 5 stars - I have tried several varietys of pods and it works very well with all of them and they all taste as good as or better than with my old unit.Durability/Value - 3 Stars - Several other reviewers for the SunCafe listing which is the same as the Suncana have had issues with the pod holder cracking and then leaking so I will have to wait and see but due to the price which was 3 times what I paid for the old Black and Decker it will have to last at least twice as long to be considered a good value and if it does I will up my rating.Overall 4 stars.