Morning coffee rituals are sacred territory for most of us, and finding the perfect machine for that ritual can be an uphill task. That's why I decided on this GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew review today.
Morning coffee rituals are sacred territory for most of us, and finding the perfect machine for that ritual can be an uphill task. That’s why I decided on this GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew review today.
Truth be told, this brewer’s been on my radar since the beginning of the year. GE describes it as a sleek, smart-connected drip coffee maker that promises to bridge the gap between convenience and precision brewing. That caught my attention.
Still, the question remains: Is this just another drip machine trying to do everything? Or is it GE’s ambitious (and successful) attempt at creating a truly smart, all-in-one grind-and-brew system?
There’s only one way to find out. I thought I’d give you first dibs on this Wi-Fi-enabled, AI-powered drip coffee maker to help you decide if it’s worth digging into your pocket for.
A coffee brewer with brains
GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
High-tech meets high-quality
Sleek design
High-quality build
Tons of programmable settings
SCA-certified
Built-in grinder
Could be overkill for some
Table of Contents
GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Review Overview
Does technology enhance your morning cup? Or does it complicate what should be a simple pleasure? That’s the question coffee enthusiasts have been wrestling with for over a decade.
So, it seems, has the all-American company GE, which came up with the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker earlier this year. This coffee machine forms part of their expanding lineup of connected countertop appliances.
Standing 16.4 inches (41.7 centimeters) tall, it presents a large but manageable presence in most home coffee spaces. It also fits with modern aesthetics, boasting a sleek stainless steel or carbon black body with clean lines.
At its heart is an adjustable conical burr grinder. Engineered with six settings, it eliminates the need for a separate grinder due to its impressive range. It also promises precision grinding for optimal brews.
Also worth mentioning is the intuitive user interface. This touch screen allows you to brew manually or with connected smart features. This interface couples with a removable reservoir and double-walled, insulated carafe to keep your coffee warm for hours. Very convenient!
Speaking of convenience, this coffee maker with grinder has Wi-Fi-enabled functionality that connects through voice commands or the SmartHQ app. This feature, more than any other, stands out in this GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew review. With it, you can customize MyBrew profiles, grind times, bloom times and more. As an automatic coffee machine enthusiast, if that doesn’t get you going, I don’t know what will!
So, how much does this brewer cost? At 379.00 Euro, it ain’t cheap. But this price makes sense. The GE Profile Smart Grind Brew has enhanced durability, superior functionality and smart features. As GE appliances go, I think it offers great value for money.
GE Grind and Brew Coffee Maker Features
Now that we have an overview of what the GE Profile Smart Grind Brew drip coffee maker is all about, does it measure up on closer inspection? Let’s dive into its features to see what’s what.
Materials and Design
As it happens, this machine boasts a relatively compact footprint, with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. But it also weighs a hefty 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms), so keep that in mind.
A built-in grinder and integrated brew basket add to its space-saving features. However, you’ll need to check your under-cabinet clearance before commiting.
Durability is another quality I like in this coffee machine. The conical-fronted body consists of stainless steel and durable plastic, the materials of choice for the best drip coffee makers. You can also get it in a matte carbon-black finish if you prefer a more understated look.
Clearly, GE gave serious thought to the Smart Grind and Brew’s aesthetics and functionality. It not only looks good but also enables a smooth workflow, something you don’t want to be struggling with first thing in the morning.
User Interface
As expected, this AI-powered coffee machine boasts an intuitive user interface. It comes complete with an LED touchscreen, built-in timer and auto shut-off function. With this interface, you can adjust brew strength (Light, Medium, Bold, Extra Bold or Gold), volumes, brew times as well as receive maintenance alerts.
At the front is a dynamic light bar. This is more than for aesthetic flair; it provides real-time feedback on grinding and brewing. If anything showcases the machine’s convenience factor, it’s this feature right here.
SmartHQ App
The SmartHQ app elevates the GE Smart Grind and Brew from a simple brewer into a truly smart appliance. It allows each user to choose brew settings to match their preferences. Adjust brew strength, grind size, bloom time, brew volume, temperature and even activate remote brewing. Once programmed, these unique profiles do away with the need for subsequent manual adjustments.
Uniquely, this drip machine is voice-activated. It works seamlessly with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. This integration works via the SmartHQ app and goes beyond simple on/off commands. If you’re a coffee nerd who loves tech, you’ll love this feature! Simply choose who you wanna be for the day. Go old-school with the touchscreen, modern with the app or futuristic with voice controls.
SCA Certification
You may ask, what exactly is Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certification? As per SCA brewing guidelines, this certification stipulates that good coffee should brew at between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit (90-96 degrees Celsius). It should also have evenly saturated grounds and an optimal brew time (typically 8-10 minutes for a full carafe). Lastly, well-brewed coffee should result in a clean cup with minimal sediment.
As an SCA-certified coffee maker, this brewer meets all these strict standards. But this is no marketing gimmick. Rather, it’s a sign of confidence that you’ll brew the perfect cup every time.
Adjustable Grinder
Like most integrated high-quality brewers, the GE Profile Smart Grind Brew has a built-in grinder connected to a 6.7-ounce (190-gram) bean hopper. This professional-grade conical burr grinder has six distinct settings, which adjust from 1 (finest) to 6 (coarsest).
I like that this grinder uses 48mm stainless steel burrs. Unlike blade grinders that inconsistently chop coffee beans, burr grinders crush beans evenly between the two surfaces. This action guarantees consistent particle sizes for your ground coffee. What’s more, these burrs are stainless steel, making them more durable. They certainly won’t bail on you when you need them most.
Brew Sizes
One of my favorite features of this GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew review is its versatility. It allows for both single-serve and full-carafe (batch) brewing. This means you’ll never have to waste leftover coffee again.
Uniquely, unlike pod brewers, the single-serve function brews using the same high-quality ground coffee and water as for a full-carafe. This versatility ensures you maintain consistent coffee quality across the different volumes.
Carafe
I love that this is a thermal carafe coffee maker with a double-walled insulated carafe. And so it should be, as it’s SCA-certified! You can rest assured that it’ll keep your coffee warm without the risk of cooking it — the bane of many machines that use glass carafes and hot plates.
The design is also extremely ergonomic. Its pour spout design should allow for a smooth and consistent flow of liquid without spilling or dripping. Furthermore, the heat-proof plastic handle makes it easy to pour without the risk of burning.
With a 10-cup capacity, this carafe is perfect for large households or entertaining. However, I wonder if it can keep coffee warm for up to two hours (the literature doesn’t mention this coffee machine having a warmer). As such, you may need to transfer your fresh-brewed coffee into a thermos or travel mug. I certainly plan on testing this feature out as soon as possible.
Water Tank
Most people forget that capacity doesn’t just apply to carafes, but also to water reservoirs.
The GE Profile Smart Grind Brew boasts a 90-ounce (2.6-liter) removable reservoir that hits the sweet spot for convenience. You can brew two full carafes before needing to refill it again, which is pretty sweet!
Apart from offering brewing convenience, this tank is easy to fill, refill and clean seeing as it’s removable. It also boasts a carbon water filter for the best coffee water. The clearly marked indicators also make it easy for you to see what’s going on in terms of water levels.
How to Use the GE Smart Grind & Brew Coffee Maker – Best Settings
Alrighty! Let’s get to brewing with this smart coffee machine. It might look intimidating at first, but once you understand the workflow, it should be fairly intuitive.
Initial set-up: You’ll only need to do this once. After unboxing, wash all the removable parts thoroughly. The burr grinder comes pre-installed, so leave it as is for now.
Prime your brewer: Fill the water reservoir and run a brew cycle. This flushes out post-manufacturing residue and familiarizes you with the controls. Discard this water and rinse the carafe with warm water when through. At this stage, you should also create your custom brew profiles. Use the touchscreen, SmartHQ app or voice control to select your brew volumes, brew strength and more for the perfect cup.
Load coffee beans: Add your best coffee beans to the hopper. Should the machine pause and flash “add beans,” don’t panic. Simply, open the hopper and push the beans closer to the grinder. Now, set your grind size using the top-situated selector. I suggest starting with a 3-4 grind size and adjusting from there. Then, insert the brew basket and close the brew compartment.
Batch brewing: Place the insulated carafe under the brew head. Then, select your volume and brew strength before hitting “Brew.” The machine will automatically select the brew temperature, and the amount of coffee and water. It’ll also grind and bloom automatically. The whole process should take 8-10 minutes for a full carafe.
Podless single-cup brewing
If you’re brewing yourself a single cup of coffee, you won’t want to batch brew. In this instance, switch to “single-cup mode.”
The brewing stand is removable, so remove it before placing your mug under the dispensing area. Make sure your mug’s big enough; even the best espresso cups won’t work here.
Select your coffee’s strength and size. The machine will grind and brew directly into your mug with no need to weigh or transfer ground coffee.
One criticism to note for this GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew review is that the single-cup brew basket is too small to automatically sit correctly in the brew compartment. So, ensure everything is properly aligned before you hit that “Brew” button.
GE Profile Coffee Maker Cleaning
Proper and regular cleaning is another must-do for anyone who loves their coffee. Fortunately, this GE Profile machine makes things easy in this department. Once you’ve studied the user manual and cleaned a couple of times, it should be smooth sailing.
Daily, wash and rinse the insulated carafe and small or large basket filter with warm water. They’re dishwasher-safe, but you may also wash them by hand.
Pop the button on the left side of the machine to remove whichever brew basket and empty it out. Oh, and remember to repurpose the used coffee grounds. Also, empty the water reservoir if you won’t be brewing for a while and check the drip tray, emptying any overflow. Lastly, don’t forget to wipe the outside of your machine.
Weekly, clean all removable parts thoroughly with soap and water. Brush out the grinder burrs and grind chute and wipe down the burr chamber. Also, check and clear the single-cup brewing area of leftover ground coffee and residue.
Monthly, you must deep clean your machine, and that means flushing and descaling. Empty and rinse the bean hopper and run grinder tablets through the burrs. Then, run a blind brew cycle to flush out the machine, and change the built-in water filter when prompted or after every 1-2 months.
Remember, unless you’re brewing daily, don’t leave your beans in the hopper. Store them in an airtight container and add them to the hopper as needed to keep your bean fresh.
GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Specifications
| GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker | |
| Manufacturer | GE |
|---|---|
| Model number | P7CGAAS2TSS |
| Product category | Grind and brew coffee maker |
| Housing material | Stainless steel with plastic parts |
| Color options | Stainless Steel, Carbon Black |
| Carafe | Thermal |
| Keep warm function | No |
| Milk frother | |
| User interface | Touchscreen |
| App | |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 87.9 fl oz / 2.6 l |
| Brew capacity | 50 fl oz / 1479 ml |
| Single cup function | |
| Reusable coffee filter | |
| Coffee pod compatible | |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | 6 |
| Bean hopper capacity | 6.7 oz / 190.0 g |
| Ground coffee option | |
| Brew styles | 5 |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Coffee strength adjustment levels | |
| Hot water function | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 1200 W |
| Weight | 20.0 lb / 9.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 16.4 x 7.5 x 12.3 in |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| SCA certified home brewer | |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, gold tone filter, carbon water filter, grinder brush |
| Current price on Amazon | $379.00 |
| All specifications | |
GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew vs Other Coffee Makers
Now, how does this bean-to-cup machine stack up against its closest rivals? Let’s take a closer look for this GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew review to give you an idea of its comparative value.
GE Profile Smart Coffee Maker vs Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
Here’s a fun fact: Both the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew and the Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker are GE appliances. However, they’re positioned differently in the market. The latter comes in at a more affordable price of $278.96. It also boasts many of the same features as the Profile. These include a single-cup mode, built-in grinder, timer and water filter. It also has a removable water tank and thermal carafe and is app-controlled.
Although less expensive, the Café Specialty wins hands down in the looks department. If you’re the type who wants your appliances to be conversation starters, this brewer’s tall, standalone brew head, bold styling and copper accents will have you down. Its cup warmer also gives it a leg up on the GE Profile Smart Grind Brew.
Under the hood, both GE appliances are essentially twins. They’re also both SCA-certified. So what’s with the difference in price?
Well, the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew leans harder into smart home integration. It has more Wi-Fi-enabled features and better app integration. In contrast, the Café Specialty prioritizes premium aesthetics and build quality.
Which of the two GE appliances you choose will not only depend on your budget but also your brewing priorities.
Related: GE Café Coffee Maker Review
GE Profile Smart Coffee Maker vs Breville Grind Control
At first, you may mistake these two machines for one another. But the Breville Grind Control has been around for much longer – since 2015, to be exact.
It has a devoted following, with many calling it the best grind-and-brew coffee machine. Why? Simple — it has a ton of adjustable settings while still being approachable. Moreover, the Breville Grind Control is all about giving you control, and lots of it.
It boasts a built-in, six-setting grinder with smaller 40mm stainless steel flat burrs. The burrs ensure greater consistency and as the grinder is adjustable, more customizable controls. It also offers eight strength settings to the GE Profile’s five and flexible brew volumes (1-12 cups).
This Breville machine also features a thermal carafe and a smaller, easy-fill removable water reservoir. However, the GE Profile offers true single-serve convenience, which the Breville lacks.
Overall, the GE Profile sits at an interesting middle ground. It’s more tech-focused than the Breville, which costs slightly less at $N/A.
Both machines will satisfy most home coffee drinkers. But the Breville appeals more to the coffee curious. Ultimately, your decision will come down to whether you rank control (Breville) over convenience (GE).
See Also: Breville Grind Control Review
Verdict: GE Profile Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
A coffee brewer with brains
GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
High-tech meets high-quality
Sleek design
High-quality build
Tons of programmable settings
SCA-certified
Built-in grinder
Could be overkill for some
So, what’s my verdict for this GE Profile Smart and Grind Brew review? At first glance it’s a solid bean-to-cup machine. The built-in burr grinder is a significant advantage, removing the need for a separate appliance. The SCA certification also helps. You’re guaranteed standards many home brewers fail to achieve. Last but not least, you’ve gotta love the smart connectivity features. These add genuine convenience for home brewers on busy mornings.
That’s not to say I don’t have concerns. By their very nature, all-in-one machines compromise on the quality of individual components. In addition, the burr grinder, while adjustable, likely won’t match the consistency and range of the best burr coffee grinders. Maintenance may also be an issue; if one component fails, the entire machine may need service.
I’d say the GE Profile Smart Grind Brew machine is perfect for convenience-focused coffee lovers. It’ll serve you well if you love tech-focused brewing, need an easy-to-use office brewer or have a large family. However, experimental brewers or coffee purists who prefer manual control may not love it so much. If any one of these is you, you might wanna look elsewhere.
What do you think of the GE Profile Smart Grind Brew coffee machine? Is it right up your alley or too over the top? Let’s hear it in the Coffeeness community section below!
GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker Reviews FAQs
An AI powered coffee machine uses sensors, data and machine learning to optimize brewing variables, such as grind size, brew temperature and extraction times.
No. GE Profile appliances are mid-to-upper tier. They sit between basic GE appliances and the premium GE Monogram line.
GE Profile appliances offer better finishes, performance specs, precise controls and enhanced smart connectivity. As such, they cost more than basic GE appliances.
