Bonavita Enthusiast Review: Is This the Ultimate Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker?

The drip coffee maker segment has become increasingly competitive over the last few years, with tons of high-quality models now available. In this first-look Bonavita Enthusiast review, I aim to find out whether this compact brewer has what it takes to stand out.

I have to say that things look good for the Boinavita Enthusiast. Sure, it’s somewhat overshadowed by more high-profile coffee makers. However, this SCA-certified brewer has a lot going on under the hood. Plus, it promises to deliver authentic pour-over coffee at the touch of a button.

If that sounds intriguing, keep reading to find out more!

Simple and effective

Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Brewer

A compact, no-frills SCA-certified home brewer

SCA-certified home brewer

Easy to use

Pre-infusion function

Removable water tank

Thermal carafe

Lack of options could feel limiting

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Brewer
Manufacturer	Bonavita
Model number	BVC2201TS
Product category	Drip coffee maker
Housing material	Stainless steel with plastic parts
Color options	Matte Black, Silver
Carafe	Thermal
Keep warm function	No
Milk frother
User interface	Buttons and dials
App
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	40.6 fl oz / 1.2 l
Brew capacity	40 fl oz / 1183 ml
Single cup function
Reusable coffee filter
Coffee pod compatible
Brew styles	1
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Coffee strength adjustment levels
Hot water function
Water filter
Power consumption	1200 W
Weight	9.3 lb / 4.2 kg
Dimensions	12.5 x 6.0 x 15.0 in 31.8 x 15.2 x 38.1 cm
Warranty	1 year
SCA certified home brewer
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual
Current price on Amazon	$149.99
All specifications

Bonavita Enthusiast Review Overview

If you’ve checked out my Bonavita Connoisseur review, you’ll know that this manufacturer can produce high-quality coffee makers that really deliver.

The Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Brewer is a newer model that’s similar in many ways to the Connoisseur. However, Bonavita has definitely upped the ante with this drip brewer. For starters, the Enthusiast is equipped with a fully removable water tank, which I’m really happy to see. What’s more, the simple control panel features a dedicated button for pre-infusion, which will satisfy true coffee aficionados.

As with the Connoisseur, the Bonavita Enthusiast has been Golden Cup-certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). I’ll get into the details of why that’s so important a little later. But for now, you should know that this means the Bonavita Enthusiast has been carefully calibrated to produce consistently excellent coffee.

Costing $149.99, the Enthusiast isn’t exactly cheap. Still, given the machine’s sturdy construction, thermal carafe and precision brewing, I’d say it represents really good value for money.

Bonavita Enthusiast Features

Let’s continue this Bonavita Enthusiast review by taking a look at the most important features on offer. That way, you can start to decide whether this could be the best coffee maker for your needs.

Build Quality and Design

For starters, the Bonavita Enthusiast won’t take up too much space in your kitchen, thanks to its compact size. And while I love the machine’s removable water tank, it is located at the rear. With that in mind, you may have to move the coffee maker to access the reservoir.

The Enthusiast is made of stainless steel, although there are plenty of plastic parts, including the brew basket and water tank lid. Then again, it’s almost impossible to find a coffee maker without plastic components these days.

In terms of its design, the Enthusiast isn’t the prettiest coffee machine I’ve reviewed. Still, it features clean lines and a modern aesthetic that I’m sure will appeal to almost anyone.

SCA Certification

As you now know, the Bonavita Enthusiast has been certified by the SCA to produce Golden Cup-quality coffee. In case you didn’t know, that’s a really big deal, and makes the Enthusiast part of an elite group of home brewers.

In a nutshell, the Bonavita Enthusiast had to go through a rigorous set of tests to ensure it meets the SCA’s high standards. And the certification means you can be sure this coffee maker will consistently brew within the correct temperature window of 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit (90-94 degrees Celsius).

What’s more, the SCA has decided the Enthusiast ticks all the boxes in terms of brew time, overall performance and coffee taste.

User Interface

Part of what makes the Bonavita Enthusiast such an attractive proposition is its apparent simplicity. Sure, the machine has been carefully designed and calibrated. However, as a user, you don’t have to get involved in any of the complicated stuff. Rather, you simply press a button and wait for your delicious coffee to arrive in the carafe.

Sure, some folks might prefer more options, but I’d say those considering the Enthusiast want the easiest way to brew consistently tasty coffee.

Filter Basket

In the past, Bonavita coffee makers were criticized for their filter basket design. However, the manufacturer has since switched from a basket that sits on the carafe to a hanging basket. This is nice to see, and reduces the possibility of making a big mess.

The Enthusiast’s filter basket is made from BPA-free plastic, but it must be well designed because the SCA pays close attention to all components.

My only complaint is that there’s a brew-pause function built in. After all, I just hate the idea that people are sneaking a cup mid-brew cycle. I mean, who wants to suffer through a cup of under-extracted coffee?

Shower Head

As with all the best SCA-certified coffee makers, the Bonavita Enthusiast is equipped with a precision-engineered shower head.

So why is that so important? I’m glad you asked! It all comes down to the fact that a well-designed shower head will gently and evenly saturate the coffee grounds in the filter. And that results in a more evenly extracted and well-balanced cup of coffee. Sounds pretty good, right?!

Thermal Carafe

If you’ve read my guide to the best thermal carafe coffee makers, you’ll know why an insulated carafe is far superior to a glass version. For starters, a glass carafe won’t keep your coffee hot, and a warming plate will simply cook it. The result? A bitter, acidic brew that no one wants to drink.

Fortunately, the Bonavita Enthusiast comes with a double-wall stainless steel carafe that’ll keep your coffee nice and toasty for hours. And it’ll continue to taste fresh into the bargain.

Pre-Infusion Mode

If you don’t know about pre-infusion, you’ll have to trust me when I tell you that it’s really important. No matter which brewing method you’re using, it’s important for freshly ground coffee to “bloom” for a short period before the extraction begins. This helps carbon dioxide escape and allows complex aromas to begin to develop.

So, I’m happy to report that the Bonavita Enthusiast has a dedicated (and optional) Bloom button. Oh, and forget the whole optional thing. You should always use the pre-infusion function!

Removable Water Tank

Remember the bad old days, when we filled water tanks using the coffee maker’s carafe? Now that’s just nasty! Fortunately, we know better now, and would never stoop to such lows. Even more fortunately, the Bonavita Enthusiast has a fully removable 40-ounce (1.2-liter) reservoir, so you won’t even have to feel tempted.

Incidentally, the minimum brew volume is four cups, so the Enthusiasty doesn’t work as a single cup coffee maker. Then again, if you’re used to filling your 20-ounce travel mug before heading out for the day, it’ll feel like a single-cup brewer!

How Do I Use the Bonavita Enthusiast?

Throughout this Bonavita Enthusiast review I’ve emphasised the machine’s simplicity and ease of use. Believe me, preparing top-notch coffee couldn’t be easier. With that said, I should remind you to use the best coffee beans you can find and to always grind ’em fresh before brewing. Oh, and forget the blade grinder – you’ll need a quality burr coffee grinder for the best results.

I’d recommend sticking to the so-called Golden Ratio for brewing coffee, which is 1:18. So, if you want to make a full 8-cup carafe, use around 67 grams of medium-ground coffee. And if you don’t own a coffee scale, this will equal around 15-16 scoops of coffee.

Start by filling the tank with fresh, filtered water, before popping an 8-12 cup basket filter in the basket and adding your ground coffee. Give the basket a quick shake to level the coffee grounds, then slide it into place above the carafe.

Now it’s simply a case of pressing the power button, then the Bloom button. In a few minutes, you’ll be rewarded with delicious coffee.

How Durable Is the Bonavita Enthusiast & What Maintenance Is Required?

Thanks to its solid construction and high-quality materials, I wouldn’t have any durability concerns with the Bonavita Enthusiast. With that said, you will have to take care of the thing if you want it to last.

After each brew cycle, make sure to wipe off the shower head and rinse the filter basket. And every week or two, I’d recommend removing the shower head and scrubbing it under running water.

As for the thermal carafe, I’d recommend rinsing it after each use. And if coffee oils start building up inside, fill the carafe with hot water and add a pinch of Puro Caff. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then rinse really thoroughly.

Most importantly, you’ll need to descale the Enthusiast on a regular basis. There’s a dedicated descale button, which will light up when the machine needs attention. Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t bore you with the details of how to descale the Bonavita Enthusiast here. That’s what the user manual is for!

Bonavita Enthusiast Specifications

Bonavita Enthusiast vs Breville Precision Brewer

Retailing for $298.45, the aff id=”50330″ text=”Breville Precision Brewer” lang=”en”] is a good deal more expensive than the Bonavita Enthusiast. However, it justifies the additional investment by offering more functionality in a larger package. The Precision Brewer is another SCA-certified coffee maker that can really deliver the goods. What’s more, it offers a ton of customizable settings and six brew styles.

To be honest, I see the Breville Precision Brewer appealing to those who like to tinker with settings and experiment. On the other hand, the Bonavita Enthusiast offers a no-nonsense approach while still maintaining a high level of performance.

See Also: Breville Precision Brewer Review

Breville Enthusiast vs Breville Precision Brewer Comparison Chart

Final Verdict: Is the Bonavita Enthusiast Worth It for You?

Simple and effective

Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Brewer

A compact, no-frills SCA-certified home brewer

SCA-certified home brewer

Easy to use

Pre-infusion function

Removable water tank

Thermal carafe

Lack of options could feel limiting

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Brewer
Manufacturer	Bonavita
Model number	BVC2201TS
Product category	Drip coffee maker
Housing material	Stainless steel with plastic parts
Color options	Matte Black, Silver
Carafe	Thermal
Keep warm function	No
Milk frother
User interface	Buttons and dials
App
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	40.6 fl oz / 1.2 l
Brew capacity	40 fl oz / 1183 ml
Single cup function
Reusable coffee filter
Coffee pod compatible
Brew styles	1
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Coffee strength adjustment levels
Hot water function
Water filter
Power consumption	1200 W
Weight	9.3 lb / 4.2 kg
Dimensions	12.5 x 6.0 x 15.0 in 31.8 x 15.2 x 38.1 cm
Warranty	1 year
SCA certified home brewer
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual
Current price on Amazon	$149.99
All specifications

Having reached the end of this Bonavita Enthusiast review, I think it’s safe to say that we know exactly what we’re dealing with. Namely, a simple, yet sophisticated drip machine that will consistently pump out great coffee.

I think that the Enthusiast will satisfy even the most demanding of coffee snobs, seeing as it offers precision and a no-frills approach. With that said, if you like to experiment with brewing parameters and styles, you may be better off investing in something like the Breville Precision Brewer.

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