Melitta SENZ V Review: Pour-Over Magic or Morning Mayhem? 

Coffee brewers in all their forms are my kryptonite. That’s why today, I’m focusing all my attention on this Melitta SENZ V review.

This Melitta brewer claims to elevate pour-over brewing to new heights of precision. Does it live up to its claims? Is it savvy enough to detect your brew’s “chocolate notes” or “wild berry hints”?

Let’s take a first look to see if this could be your new pour-over BFF.

Overview: Melitta SENZ V Review

The Melitta SENZ V Pour-Over Coffee System is a programmable pour-over coffee maker from Melitta, one of the world’s oldest coffee brands.

Are you surprised? Don’t be! Melitta doesn’t just make coffee filters, but has been in the drip, pour-over and super automatic espresso machine game for a while now, featuring machines like the Caffeo Solo and the Vision Coffee Maker. However, their coffee makers don’t have much press. Whether it’s due to outdated advertising, or lack of social media, I don’t know. Consequently, this German brand has taken a back seat to more aggressive pour-over makers from the likes of Chemex, Kalita and Hario.

This pour-over maker has two versions — one with Bluetooth connectivity to a third-party app (Wabilogic) and one without. Today, I’ll focus on the one without.

What immediately stands out is the clean, flawless Scandi-inspired design. The simplicity and clean lines of the glass carafe, pure white ceramic brew basket and natural wood accents add up to something out of an Alvar Aalto home!

But beyond design, as my Melitta SENZ V review will show, this coffee dripper is actually feature-rich. It packs some impressive brewing functions, including a built-in scale, timer and thermometer. Moreover, it boasts an Aroma Sensor and Taste Teller, which promise pristine-tasting coffee. Oh, and a built-in hydraulic release valve to control flow rates.

In essence, the Melitta SENZ V will suit you if you want to simplify your manual brewing routine. But at $N/A, it might have you doing a double take. Then again, the one-year warranty is a saving grace I guess.

Overall, I’m impressed, but still have questions. Is it overkill for a simple pour-over setup? Maybe. Will it make you the envy of every coffee nerd in your social circle? Absolutely! It all depends on your personal brewing goals.

Melitta SENZ V Features

Now that you’re all caught up on the generalities of this all-in-one pour-over system, how about we dive deeper into its functionality and features?

In this Melitta SENZ V review (and any other review, really), the details are as important to me as the bigger picture.

Here’s what to expect from this Melitta brewer.

Size and Design

More than anything, this pour-over marvel marries form, function and thoughtful design. I absolutely love the clean, minimalist look!

You could say it’s a triple threat of quality, boasting:

At 11 inches (27 centimeters) high, this pour-over tower is compact enough to nestle on your countertop or tuck away in a cabinet. It also comes with a built-in rechargeable battery and USB connectivity that powers up the user display. This way, you can turn this beauty into a portable brewer.

The pour-over setup will particularly appeal to you if Scandi minimalism is your thing. The three-prong design fits well with any modern space and is, frankly, iconic. How iconic? It received a 2020 Good Design Award. Well deserved, if you ask me.

User Interface

A must-mention for this Melitta SENZ V review is the simple but high-tech user interface. It sits pretty at the bottom of the pour-over tower, packing a wide range of brewing features.

First up, there’s the timer and scale. This duo helps you nail coffee-to-water ratios. So, no more eyeballing or infuriating guesswork!

Then comes the Taste Teller (how cool is that name?) and thermometer. Although this is no SCA coffee maker, these team up to track brewing temperatures and TDS extraction. It’s kinda like having a tiny robot coffee sommelier inside your brewer.

Lastly, there’s an Auto-Start/Stop feature for starting and completing your brew.

With these automated features, it doesn’t matter if you’re a light and bright fan or a dark roast devotee. In either case, you’re likely to achieve a precision-perfect pour-over.

Timer

One game-changing feature on this pour-over system is the contact time tracking. You see, pour-over brewing is, as much as anything, about timing.

The longer coffee grounds mingle with water, the more they open up and release aromatic and flavor compounds. Too short a time and your coffee will taste weak and watery. Too long and you’re left with bitter, harsh coffee.

In this regard, Melitta seems to have got it right. As soon as you pour, this coffee maker’s timer should count down to help you achieve perfect extraction.

For pour-over drip brewing, this should happen at around the 5-minute mark. No more worry. No more guesswork. And no more inconvenient sneak peeks at your phone’s timer.

Scale

The Melitta SENZ V’s built-in scale is at the heart of this brewer’s precision. This smart scale measures coffee grounds and coffee-to-water ratios with pinpoint accuracy. This way, you won’t take chances with the quality of your final brew.

The beauty of this built-in coffee scale is that it lets you experiment like a mad scientist. Fancy a little more coffee for a bold Monday morning kick? Or a touch less for a smooth Sunday afternoon sip? This brewer’s scale has your back. Once you find your ideal ratio, you can replicate it without guessing amounts with every brew cycle.

Thermometer

The SENZ V has revolutionized the pour-over temperature game. Its nifty temperature probes do away with guessing whether your brewing water is hot enough. How? By keeping a watchful eye on H2O temps and displaying them as you brew.

Why does this matter? Well, apart from timing, pour-over brewing also relies on temperature for the perfect cup. Too cool, and you’ve got yourself a weak, flavorless brew. Too hot, and you’ve scorched those precious pour-over beans.

The SENZ V’s temperature probes help you hit that coffee sweet spot: 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit (90-96 degrees Celsius) without breaking a sweat.

Taste Teller

The Melitta Senz V doesn’t just brew java — it predicts the future of your cup. But how, I hear you ask? Well, it tracks your brew with hawk-like precision, crunching numbers “in real time.” Then, it displays this data on its easy-to-read LED digital display.

For the layperson, this means getting coffee extraction levels right. As you brew, it shows you your TDS or Total Dissolved Solids, which should be between 18-22%. In addition, the Senz V also categorizes your brew. It uses one of nine taste profiles. These include characteristics like bright or balanced, mild or strong and acerbic (sour) or bitter. All this before you even remove the carafe for a taste test.

Pour-Over Brew Basket

This brewer’s ceramic glazed pour-over brew basket is a game-changer for coffee extraction.

First off, why ceramic? Well, for this Melitta SENZ V review it’s not just for looks (though it does evoke a timeless design). Ceramic is also durable and perfect for heat retention. It keeps brewing temperatures stable as your coffee grounds bloom and brew.

Another thing about that smooth glaze is that it’s a breeze to clean. And you know what that means? No more coffee oils clinging on for dear life!

Below the ceramic brew basket is a handy clear glass buffer tank. It showcases the ceramic sensors, dripper and siphon mechanism. This little marvel also regulates the flow of coffee, ensuring that each drop of coffee spends just the right amount of time in the brew basket.

Glass Brewing Tank

The SENZ V’s glass carafe isn’t just a vessel for your brewed coffee, but also a masterpiece of design and function.

First up, it doesn’t consist of your average glass but borosilicate glass. This thermal-shock-resistant material can handle whatever temperature swings your brew throws at it. And the best part? It’s completely BPA-free so you can sip worry-free.

Now, let’s talk aesthetics and engineering. This sleek glass cylinder also has a wooden support pillar running through it. It’s not there to look pretty (though it does) but also provides crucial structural support to the coffee tower. Here, form meets function in the most elegant way possible.

We also know that size matters in the coffee world. As such, this glass carafe hits the sweet spot with a 12-ounce (354 milliliter) capacity. That equates to two 6-ounce cups of joe, ideal for your morning ritual or a cozy catch-up with a friend.

In effect, the SENZ V’s glass brewing tank says, “Hey, I’m not here just to brew coffee. I’ll also make it an experience.”

How to Use the Melitta SENZ V Pour-Over Coffee System

At first look, the process of brewing with this pour-over maker seems straightforward. To begin, as with every review, and particularly with this Melitta SENZ V review, I insist you grind whole coffee beans. I recommend using a manual or electric burr grinder on a medium-fine grind setting. Think sandy, not powdery (like for espresso) or chunky (like for cold brew).

Also, opt for a light to medium roast profile for the best flavor notes.

Next, load up a Melitta No. 2 cone paper filter into the ceramic brew basket. Then, press the “Power” button once to turn the device on. The SENZ V will prompt you to add coffee grounds to the filter. After which, press the “Start” button again. This time, the scale zeros out for you to begin pouring in brewing water.

On the first pour (bloom), the auto-timer should start. Concurrently, the LED screen should sense the added coffee and water weight, and begin to guide you on coffee-to-water ratios.

Remember to intermittently pour water from a height in a circular motion. This will ensure that you cover all the grounds. I strongly suggest using a gooseneck kettle; it not only guarantees the best pour but also regulates brewing temperature.

Keep pouring as you look to the LED display for guidance. It’ll pretty much show you the extraction percentage and other brewing variables in real time.

After about a minute, if the SENZ V detects no further dripping, it should conclude the brew cycle. Alternatively, you can press the “Stop” button to complete the brew.

At this point, the user display should give you the final brew results. This includes factors, such as TDS, brew time and brew temperature. It also gives you a detailed assessment of your pour-over flavor profile (discussed above). In effect, the SENZ V takes the guesswork out of brewing so you can focus on what matters most: flavor!

Melitta SENZ V Cleaning

Now that you’ve mastered the art of brewing with this Melitta SENZ V review let’s tackle how to keep your dripper clean. After all, in the coffee world, cleanliness yields a godly brew.

After each use, recycle used coffee grounds and filters, before giving the SENZ V’s removable parts a quick wash and rinse. Doing so prevents staining and a build-up of coffee grounds and oils. In addition, don’t forget to wipe down the wood and ceramic components with a damp-dry cloth.

At least once a week, give your coffee maker some deep cleaning action. This means carefully disassembling all removable parts before soaking them in warm, soapy water. Use mild dish soap and gently scrub with a soft cloth or brush. Finally, rinse everything before air drying.

You should also pay special attention to the digital display and its sensors. Use a damp-dry cloth to wipe it down. No rough stuff here; treat the display delicately to ensure it remains functional.

As for descaling, do so every couple of months or when your SENZ V starts acting like it’s made one too many pour-overs. You may use a homemade water/vinegar mix or buy a commercial descaler from Amazon. The user manual should guide you through all these cleaning processes.

Verdict: Melitta SENZ V Review

In the end, the Melitta SENZ V pour-over coffee maker shows what is possible when you marry technology with the sensual art of manual coffee brewing. All while retaining the old-school charm of pour-overs.

However, I suspect that while most functions are automated, this coffee maker’s interface might still present a challenge at first. But with time, you should get the hang of it.

Does it make good coffee? I haven’t tested it out yet, but like all other appliances I intend to. Next question: Should you get it? It all depends on what you want to achieve from your brewing.

If you’re serious about pour-overs, but haven’t quite gotten the hang of the manual brewing process, the Melitta SENZ V might be worth a look. Just as long as you’re okay with paying more for the automated features.