KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker Review 2024

In our KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker review, we take a look at a beautifully crafted model that uses a unique vacuum brewing effect that dates back to the 1800s. Let’s get started!

Siphon Coffee Maker KitchenAid Design Overview

KitchenAid is known for its glorious mixing machines, but did you know they also manufacture coffee makers?

One of its more artistic models is the KitchenAid Coffee Siphon, which is the star of our review!

If this is your first time learning about a siphon system, upon first glance, you might think it looks like a chemistry setup. 

Two glass carafes magnetically lock together, one on top of the other. A reusable mesh filter for holding ground coffee is inserted into the top chamber, while the bottom chamber is inscribed with clear demarcated lines for measuring water.

Traditional siphon coffee makers require butane burners and halogen bulbs to power the system, but KitchenAid designed a simpler version that is electric and automated.

The magnetic lock that holds the carafes together and an ergonomic handle make it much easier for users to put the setup together, which can be a pain point with other models.

Plastic and stainless steel accents complete the look of the KitchenAid Siphon Brewer, making this a well-constructed, durable option altogether.

The dimensions are 8.7 x 6.7 x 14.3 inches, and it weighs 4.8 pounds, so it’s the perfect compact coffee maker for any-sized home—especially if you live in an apartment and don’t have much space.

Overall, this is a beautiful appliance to have on your kitchen counter. It will probably be a conversation starter when guests arrive, and it is visually stimulating to watch the brewing process unfold (we will cover this in more detail later).

Now, there are a couple of minor drawbacks to the design. A few KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker reviews have mentioned that the placement of the lip is awkward, making it difficult and slow to pour out the coffee.

As well, since this model is automated, you’re going to pay for it. The KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker is expensive at around $220—costing much more than models that can be used over a burner. 

So, is the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker even practical for that kind of dough? We’ll see if it’s worth it as we cover its features next!

Siphon Coffee Brewer KitchenAid Features

Ready to learn all about what the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Machine can do? To give you a brief overview, the features are entirely unlike that of a drip machine, semi-automatic, or superautomatic. 

This is a unique drip coffee system that might give you frightening flashbacks to middle school chemistry class, but thankfully, KitchenAid has made its model easy to use and operate. Let’s take a look.

KitchenAid Siphon Filter

The top chamber of the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker holds pre-ground coffee, scooped on top of a plunger-style stainless steel mesh filter. 

You can also use cloth filters with this machine, which are highly efficient at filtering out loose grounds that make it into the coffee.

The mesh filter is reusable, so you’ll never have to run to the store to waste money on single-use paper filters. It’s also easy to clean—simply rinse it under the faucet.

This type of filter is compatible with preground coffee, and a plastic scoop is included in the package to help you measure accordingly.

If you want to enjoy the most aromatic, flavorful coffee, we do recommend buying the coffee beans whole and grinding them with a separate grinder. This may incur an extra cost, but fresh beans produce the best flavors if you love coffee.

This setup brews 2-8 cups of coffee in one session, and the bottom carafe holds up to 18.8 oz at a time.

Accessories

Along with the siphon coffee maker, you get all of the tools needed to maintain the device for years to come. You won’t have to invest in extra accessories, which is a convenient plus.

This includes:

Brewing Capabilities

Welcome to full immersion siphon brewing. Now, what is it exactly?

Let’s start from the beginning. Water is measured into the bottom carafe, and coffee is loaded into the top carafe over the mesh filter. 

The KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker manual includes various water-to-coffee ratios for experimentation if you don’t know how much coffee to load.

The water is then heated, building vapor pressure. This creates a vacuum suction effect that pushes the water up into the top chamber through the siphon tube. The coffee steeps in hot water, straining the coffee grounds through the filter. 

When the user decides to cut the heat, the coffee is then drawn back down into the lower chamber. 

The automated system makes it easy to monitor the temperature, but note that you are stuck with only one type of brew method as there is no customization.

The result is a light-bodied, mellow flavor profile, which some users might not prefer.

Brew time is clocked at around two minutes, which is faster compared to other models that brew in four to five minutes.

But that’s because the KitchenAid Siphon heats to a temperature that exceeds 212°F. It is much hotter than the butane burner method, which keeps the heat just below boiling.

Boiling coffee leads to a bitter extraction, which is why we think KitchenAid compensated by decreasing the steeping time.

Siphon Coffee Brewer reviews also mention that the bottom carafe is left scorching hot, which quickly breaks down the acids in the freshly strained coffee as it fills the carafe, turning the acids harsh. This may be tough for sensitive tummies.

That means the coffee must be decanted as soon as possible to keep the extreme heat from changing the composition too much.

KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer Cleaning Process

Probably the biggest drawback with the KitchenAid artisan siphon coffee maker is the cleaning process. Every part will need to be disengaged and washed by hand after each use.

Furthermore, the parts are NOT dishwasher safe, and the electric components can’t be submerged in water. So, time and consideration are needed to ensure the fragile parts are handled with care.

The mesh filter is fairly easy since you can dump the grounds out and rinse the filter underwater. But the siphon is a long, narrow tube attached to a glass chamber that requires the special cleaning brush included with the accessories.

If you drink coffee daily, the maintenance can get tedious—especially if you’re trying to rush out the door for work. 

Plus, cleaning is not one of the high points of coffee enjoyment, which is why many people opt for superautomatics due to self-cleaning programs. If this is a priority for you, the siphon coffee maker might not be your best bet.

Siphon Coffee KitchenAid Pros vs. Cons

The KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Pot is beautiful to look at, especially the dramatic brewing process. But is it worth over $200?

We don’t think so. If you’re a power drinker who needs a reliable, easy coffee machine with options, this is not a high-performance design.

The Siphon Coffee Maker is an artistic design for the passionate hobbyist. It lacks many of the features that allow users to customize the coffee, plus it’s certainly not the easiest to clean.

When compared to basic drip coffee machines or superautomatics that produce multiple specialty drinks, Siphon Coffee is more or less a fun show to put on for your guests at Sunday brunch.

The biggest perk of KitchenAid’s model over other siphon coffee makers is that it’s electrically automated, so you won’t have to prep a burner or cut the heat at the precise moment. That’s what makes it more expensive than other siphon systems.

It also gets points for being compact and easy to operate, and it produces a large amount of coffee in two minutes. But is it worth $200? We think you should be able at least to customize the temperature and coffee strength for that amount!

We recommend the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker for…

KitchenAid KCM0812OB Siphon Coffee Brewer Warranty

If your coffee machine stops working or you need KitchenAid Siphon coffee maker parts, KitchenAid offers a one-year full warranty from the date of purchase. Full details can be found inside the user manual.

Comparable Products

Check out how the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker compares to other similar models on the market!

A huge part of the siphon coffee experience is the meticulous craftsmanship behind the design. This model is stunning to look at, taking users through the alchemy of immersion coffee with intricate glass and stainless steel parts.

This is an affordable, high-quality model for coffee snobs on a budget. It gives off steampunk vibes while still being easy to use with heat-resistant borosilicate carafes and its own burner. 

For around $70, this siphon coffee maker adequately demonstrates the cost difference between classic burner models and automated models. Still, the artistic flair of this glass setup is hard to beat. It comes with cloth filters and a burner and brews up to five cups of coffee at a time.

KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker Review Conclusion

Siphon coffee makers are entertaining to watch as the hot water bubbles up into the top chamber and steeps the coffee, pulling the golden brown liquid down into the bottom carafe.

To conclude this Kitchenaid Siphon Coffee Maker review, you’ll be paying top dollar for the electrical automation, which is a lot considering it only brews light coffee without the option to customize. 

Although pretty, we don’t find it practical for power drinkers. It is suitable for hobbyists who enjoy the artistic design of siphon coffee machines.

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Official Manufacturer Support

Resources & References:

• KitchenAid, Official Brand Website.
• KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Maker Manual
• The Science of Coffee: How Physics Can Perfect Your Caffeine Hit, LA Trobe University.
• The Impact of Coffee on Health, Science Direct.
• The Chemistry and Physics Behind the Perfect Cup of Coffee, Smithsonian Magazine.