Since everybody else is weighing in, I'll put in my $0.02. I have a 12 cup version of the Cuisinart 'Brew Central' (see link) that was sold through Starbucks. I like it best of all the recent coffee pots I've had (and I seem to buy one every year or so). I think it meets the requirements listed that started this thread, even though it is a thermal caraffe type pot. It is programmable, and easy to use (didn't need to read the instructions). It seems durable to me, but we've only been using it since Christmas. It is definately more durable than the previous low-end Cuisinart unit I was using. It uses a #4 cone filter, and comes with the gold mesh filter. I also use brown paper filters, for easy clean up. The documentation for this model doesn't say anything about a warming plate, but it does appear to have one, or at least the base gets too hot to touch. Pros: 1. It works great! The pieces fit into place, and the drip mechanism doesn't seem overly complex or failure prone. This is EXTREMELY important to me, as I've had WAY too many coffee makers over the last year that over flow, or mis-flow, or get clogged, or something goes wrong, spilling coffee all over the place. The LAST thing I want in the morning to to clean up the coffee that I only want to be DRINKING!!! 2. The apparent warming plate turns off right away, and the thermal caraffe keeps the coffee fairly hot for quite a while, without 'Cooking' the already brewed coffee over time. 3. It's a great size, that fits under our cabinets with plenty of clearance. Cons: a. It doesn't have an externally visible level or gauge telling you how much water to add. You have to look down in the tank at a little 'stair-step' thingie to see how much water you've added. When I'm blurry-eyed in the morning, this is one thing I don't want to have to focus on. b. There is no overflow prevention system, and the tank can hold more water than the caraffe. It is completely possible to put too much water in the tank, which will then attempt to flow into the caraffe, and overflow on the counter. To prevent this from happening, I keep a pitcher of water with the exact correct water level marked on it. This also helps address Con #a. c. I wish the coffee was a bit hotter, and that the caraffe kept the coffee hotter longer. If I'm in the mood, I'll pre-warm the caraffe with hot tap water before brewing. The water I use is room-temperature, so that helps. We had an 8 Cup Thermal caraffe pot that kept the coffee HOT for like 6-8 hours. This one will keep it hot enough for about two hours, but after that it's not hot enough for me. I grind up coffee a couple of times each week for the next few days, and I fill the filter cone up to almost the TOP. I love rich, strong coffee! I use Reverse-Osmosis filtered water, and locally roasted beans from my favorite coffee establishment, and I'm happy with the coffee that is produced. We'll see if I'm still happy toward the end of the year, or if I will feel compelled to buy yet another coffee pot or not. :-) Here is a link that might be useful: Cuisinart Brew Central

I'm a big fan of my Chemex pour-over. There are for sure some downsides. Most notably, it's not a push a button and leave sort of deal. Due to this, though, you control the water temperature, and pour, because it's your own hand doing it. It also uses proprietary filters that aren't the easiest to get. I live in downtown Boston and have found a few places within walking distance that carry them. But it's not a matter of going to your local supermarket and grabbing them off the shelf. Coffee geeks also will note often that said proprietary filters impart a "papery" taste into the coffee. I do a rinse with about a cup of hot water and then dump it down the drain before I add my grounds and that takes care of any sort of taste. The final plus? I think it looks beautiful sitting on my counter :)

We had, and loved, our Technivorm Moccamaster CD. Unfortunately its reliability was terrible. The rocker switches froze and the wires got so hot they burned through the insulation eventually causing the machine to quit. This happened twice, on the original 1.5 year old machine, then about a year after that on the replacement. We did a refurb swap two times, with both of those machines also quitting. That was the end of the road for us with Technivorm. It may have just been this particular model; other TV models seem to last much longer. We did French Press for about a year, and now we're using a Bunn Phase Brew (8 cup, thermal carafe, although I use the TV glass pot). The coffee's not quite as good as the TV but it'll do, and it was 1/3 the price.

Thanks everyone for our input. Sorry it has taken so long for me to get back to you. I am still "out there" trying to make a decision. Don't know what's wrong with me. I am usually so decisive. I'm having a hard time with the Miele oven for a couple of reasons. 1) that I would be buying them from a dealer 60 miles away who will no longer be selling Miele and I'm concerned about service. 2) I'm kind of an old dog and all the 18 or so cooking modes scare me. Will I use them? Will I even figure out how to use them? 3) I'm not in love with the style. On the other hand would love to save the extra $. Weissman, thanks for the input on the KA DW. I pine for a DW that is silent (if there is such a thing) since kitchen is wide open to great room and dining room. From your description, I'm not sure KA fits that bill. What do you think? I could go either way with heated dry. Akchicago and Weissman, you both make great points about built in espresso but I do love the look and it would be so so easy to use. We do love our lattes and mochas. :)Plumbing wouldn't be a problem. Everything is torn up so could put unit in butlers pantry next to sink just as you come down the steps from the master and head into kitchen. But then I could just as easily put a free standing unit there too. Yikes, see what I mean about decision making. I can talk myself into and out of anything in 2 seconds flat! Whenzuc, you definitely scored on your SZ. I don't really WANT the LH door and it wouldn't work as well for me but thought if price was fab could go with it. If I could get your great price I would jump on it but now I'm thinking pay a few extra $ and get what I want and need. Could that possible be a decisive statement?!? Antss, why miele over wolf? do you have new navatronic with all the different menus? If so is it hard to figure out? Self clean or perfect clean? any warranty issues? Love that someone else likes the espresso makers. How's the espresso? Your right about JA but it seems like lots of people I know have them and are happy with them. Also, they are better looking tham some of the others. Do you really think Monogram compares with SZ? My service guy (that I truly love and trust) told me to stay away from GE at all cost. Once again, thank you all so much. Hope to hear more. Have a wonderful, happy, healthy New Year