Wilfa Coffee Maker Review: The Key to Fuss-Free Home Brewing?

In a world that always seems to be in a hurry, making delicious coffee can seem like a pain, but it doesn’t have to be. The Wilfa Performance coffee maker could be just what you need.

Its minimalist Scandinavian design, precision temperature control and easy-to-use features promise to deliver. 

I’m excited to explore everything about this coffee machine to help you decide if it’s the ideal addition to your kitchen countertop. I’ll unveil everything – from its design and functionality to its performance, durability and value. 

Let’s take a first look at this ultra-cool drip coffee machine.

Sleek and stylish!

Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker

Great coffee with little effort

Sleek, stylish design

Flow control dial

Compact footprint

Fast brewing

Easy to use

No thermal carafe option

CHECK PRICE

Overview: Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker Review

Drip coffee makers, in my opinion, still dominate home brewing. Today, two in three Americans regularly brew coffee at home, consuming multiple cups daily. Coffee appliance manufacturers know this. So, every company goes out of its way to manufacture a performance machine that brews quality coffee.

Wilfa is no different. This Norwegian company has been manufacturing coffee appliances since 1948. Their Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker, designed in collaboration with world-renowned barista Tim Wendelboe, is the latest addition to their line of auto brewers. It first debuted in North America in early 2023 courtesy of Lardera Coffee Roasters. 

But this wasn’t the first time Wilfa dipped its toe into the competitive waters of the American coffee market. The Wilfa Precision was first sold in 2013 through renowned retailer Williams Sonoma. Unfortunately, this coffee maker was a huge fail due to various missteps. As a result, Williams Sonoma eventually dropped the Wilfa Precision in less than a year.

A decade later, Lardera Coffee Roasters came to the rescue. They partnered with Wilfa to offer an auto drip coffee machine that embodies style, form and function. And thus, the Wilfa coffee maker was born!

The Performance’s minimalist Scandi design, quality materials and sturdy build are truly impressive. All its controls are in the base, making for a sleek, clean silhouette. It’s one of the things I adore about this machine. Indeed, the Wilfa Performance makes a true style statement!

Brewing Capability

This coffee machine’s temperature controls are right on the money. Water is maintained at a constant brewing temperature of between 197 and 204 degrees Fahrenheit (92 and 96 degrees Celsius) throughout brewing. This, as you know, ensures optimal extraction for a delicious cup of coffee.

In addition, the water tower with an even-distribution showerhead, spreads water over every coffee particle, guaranteeing a consistent extraction. A big plus for me is the 42-ounce (1.2-liter) removable water reservoir, which makes for easy filling and cleaning. 

Now onto a feature that really blew me away. On the water tank are measurement marks to help you achieve perfect brewing ratios. Genius! Also, the adjustable flow controller takes all the guesswork out of brewing. This component controls the water flow through the brew basket with expert precision. 

If you’re worried about the brewing time, this performance brewer won’t have you waiting around. Like SCA certified coffee makers, this machine brews within the recommended times. Expect to complete a full brewing cycle in only five minutes! 

I’d say that’s perfect for rushed mornings.

Overall, the unmatched style, ease of use and brewing consistency make this an impressive darling of a drip coffee machine.

Wilfa Coffee Maker Features

Now onto the main features of this bad boy. As auto brewers go, the Wilfa Performance coffee maker is pretty rad, effortlessly blending design with usability.

Size and Design

Talk about quality design! This Wilfa coffee maker has it all, showcasing the best of Scandinavian minimalism. And thanks to its compact footprint, the Wilfa Performance will suit most modern kitchens. 

What’s more, its unique, nerdy design more than stands out. It certainly made an impression on me, as it wouldn’t look amiss in a postmodern science lab. Can someone say Breaking Bad? Just kidding! Back to business.

Importantly, besides the clean and modern lines, this beauty is easy to assemble and use. As I’ve noted, all its controls and components, including the heating element, water tower, and hotplate, are in the machine’s base. To me, this design aspect alone more than justifies the $299.00 price point. 

Fully assembled, the machine weighs a respectable 8.2 pounds (3.7 kilograms), and stands 13.5 inches (34.2 centimeters) high. That’s hardly bulky. In addition, the Wilfa Performance base doesn’t take up much counter space.

However, this brewer comes in just one color: a stylish black matte thermoplastic finish. Then again, if you’re a no-frills brewing enthusiast or a monochrome design disciple like me, I guess this will suit you fine.

User Interface

As with the Wilfa Uniform Grinder, two features define this coffee maker: minimalist design and ease of use. The intuitive interface on the Wilfa coffee machine embodies the latter.

Everything, including the power controls, water pump, hot plate and heating element is hidden within the base. A single Wilfa-labeled LED button and adjustable flow rate slider control the brewing cycle.

To brew coffee, select your flow rate and then press the LED brew button once. The brewer will automatically turn off when it finishes brewing. As a safeguard, you can also manually turn the coffee maker off by pressing this same brew button. How’s that for simple?

Filter Basket

This coffee maker’s conical pour-over-style filter basket has a black thermoplastic finish in line with the monochrome theme. It sits flush under the impressive water tower for precision brewing. 

Also, in keeping with the seamless silhouette, this basket snaps into the filter anchor with no protrusions and sits directly atop the carafe lid. In other words, it’s all very Tim Wendelboe!

Adjustable Flow Rate

One of the stellar features of this brewer is the adjustable flow controller at the bottom of the filter basket. This function takes all the guesswork out of the brewing process. 

Once the machine begins the brew cycle, the built-in water pump brings water from the reservoir tank to the water tower outlet. Crucially, the heating element maintains recommended SCA coffee maker standards.

With level markers matching the water quantity in the reservoir tank, you won’t risk an improper flow rate again. Adjust the water’s flow rate with the turn of the dial before brewing. 

Alternativy, by brewing with the valve closed, you can achieve a full immersion extraction for the first few minutes. Then, open the valve to filter the bloomed coffee into the glass carafe as usual. This may require a different grind setting, but why not have fun and experiment? This way, you can make a different-style cup of coffee every time you feel like it.

Glass Carafe

When it comes to performance drip coffee makers, I always advocate for a thermal carafe. Nothing, not even the Wilfa Performance’s high-end glass carafe with hotplate, beats the heat retention of a thermal carafe. In fact, a consistent coffee brewer with a thermal carafe can keep coffee warm for up to 4 hours.

So you can imagine I wasn’t too happy about this coffee maker’s glass jug. That said, the quality of the glass and the seamless, cylindrical design won me over. In addition, the carafe’s black plastic lid doubles as a funnel, guiding in coffee from the filter basket neatly as it brews. 

It would please you to know that the Wilfa Performance coffee maker can brew a decent 42 ounces (1.2 liters) brewed coffee. However, I feel it would be ideal if the capacity was larger. But then again, this brewer has a glass carafe, making it a challenge to maintain a large amount of brewed coffee at peak freshness. 

In its defense, the carafe consists of thick-walled, durable glass and works with the warming plate to keep your coffee hot; although only for up to 40 minutes. With this in mind, I’d rather go through the trouble of brewing a second pot of good coffee than suffer through stewed nastiness!

A redeeming feature of the Wilfa Performance glass carafe is how beautifully it pours. Its demur spout minimizes the risk of spills, which means you enjoy every sip of the black gold you’ve just brewed. 

Removable Water Reservoir

A fully removable water tank is one of the features that sold me on the Wilfa Performance coffee maker; it makes brewing a cinch. Before brewing, effortlessly remove it to fill it up with water. Then, lock it into the base of the brewer to begin the brewing process.

Like the carafe, this clear plastic water tank has a capacity of 42 ounces (1.2 liters). Conveniently, measurement markers on the tank show corresponding brewing ratios (coffee grounds in grams to milliliters of water). How neat is that?! You’re guaranteed a perfect cup of joe full of rich flavors every time.

Still, I would have preferred a glass reservoir tank for the quality, durability and peace of mind that comes with plastic-free brewing action. That said, this is hardly a deal breaker for me as the reservoir holds cold, not hot liquid. 

How to Use the Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker

One of the perks of the Wilfa coffee maker is how easily it brews coffee. Once you’ve unboxed and set it up, connect it to a power supply. It’s compatible with all 120-volt North American outlets, so no worries about appliance damage here.

To turn on this auto brewer, flip the power switch on the left side of the base from the off to the on position. Then, remove and fill the reservoir with the water you need for brewing. After this, lock the reservoir into place. I prefer using filtered spring water over tap water for a delicious-tasting final cup.

You’ll then need to grind your whole coffee beans. There are plenty of great models in my burr coffee grinder guide if you’re looking to upgrade!

Next, place your paper coffee filter into the basket. While Wilfa recommends Lardera No. 4, any cone-shaped No. 4 paper filters, like those from Melitta will work fine.

Now, to fill the filter basket. Using your coffee scale, weigh out and place the right amount of coffee grounds into the paper-lined basket before locking it into place. Then, turn the dial to adjust the controller at the bottom of the filter basket to the corresponding flow rate.

Voilà! You’re now ready to brew coffee. Press the LED brew button at the top of this brewer’s base. As soon as it lights up blue, you’re good to go. 

The Brewing Process

As this dream of a machine brews, water drips from the tower (much like in a distillation setup). Then, this water flows through the brewing chamber and the coffee grounds, saturating them evenly. Next, out comes brewed coffee, which goes through the filter basket into the funnel-like lid. This funnel lid guides the coffee into the glass carafe.

A huge plus of the Wilfa Performance coffee maker’s brew cycle is that it’s lightning-fast. This performance coffee maker brews excellent coffee in approximately five minutes. If you think about it, this makes sense. World-renowned barista and roaster Tim Wendelboe knows a thing or two about brewing SCA Gold Cup-standard coffee! And this machine certainly meets these standards. 

After every brewing cycle, the built-in water pump drains the reservoir. This is a feature I especially love! It ensures you use fresh water each time, guaranteeing excellent coffee.

Thanks to the hot plate’s auto-warming feature, your brew will stay warm for up to 40 minutes. To turn this feature off, simply press the LED button at the top of the Wilfa Performance base.

Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker Cleaning

Any coffee lover knows that a dirty brewer is the fastest way to funky-tasting coffee. So, to guarantee exquisite coffee with rich flavors at home, you must make regular cleaning a part of your routine. 

Conveniently, the Wilfa coffee maker comes with an auto-reminder, which activates after 180 brewing cycles. When the time comes, the LED light will prompt you to clean your machine. So very handy! 

In North America, Wilfa recommends using cleaning tablets from Lardera Coffee Roasters. However, commercially available tablets like Active will do the job just fine.

To begin the descaling process, dissolve the descaler in 40 ounces (1 liter) of water in the reservoir tank before running a full brewing cycle. If in doubt, consult the user manual for further instructions.

To clean the filter, close the adjustable flow controller. Then, fill the filter holder with warm water and detergent. Let soak for half an hour before emptying this liquid and rinsing the equipment. 

As the water reservoir and carafe are removable, you can hand wash them with mild dish detergent and warm water. You can, of course, deep clean them with cleaning tablets if they are heavily stained with leftover coffee grounds.

Wilfa Performance Technical Specifications

Wilfa Performance vs Other Drip Coffee Makers

The Wilfa Performance coffee maker packs quite a punch! But to get the true measure of its capabilities, it makes sense to compare with other leading brewers.

How about we take a look at how this performance brewer measures up? Read on to learn more. 

Wilfa Performance vs Technivorm Moccamaster

Let’s get ready to rumble! It’s the battle of the Norwegians against the Dutch! How will the Wilfa Performance measure up against the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select?

For starters, the Dutch-made Technivorm Moccamaster costs slightly more than the Wilfa Performance, at $359.00. But there’s a valid reason for this price difference. Each Moccamaster coffee machine is handmade in the Netherlands using only the highest-quality materials, while its counterpart is made in China. Furthermore, unlike the Wilfa Performance, this high-end coffee machine comes in various color finishes. 

About brewing. Both coffee makers go through a full brew cycle in about the same time: five minutes for the Wilfa Performance and six for the Technivorm. However, one advantage the Moccamaster has that the Wilfa Performance doesn’t is SCA certification. Either way, the Wilfa Performance still makes great coffee.

Regarding similarities, both machines have cone-shaped, pour-over style filter baskets. In addition, both have valves at the bottom of the brew basket for pre-infusion brewing. And when it comes to keeping brewed coffee warm, both have glass carafes with a plastic lid. However, the Technivorm’s hotplate is independent of the base.

Overall, these two coffee makers come neck and neck. Both make a delicious cup of coffee! Choosing one over the other will eventually come down to your style and brewing preferences.

 See Also: Technivorm Moccamaster Review 2024

Wilfa Performance vs Breville Precision Brewer

Next, how does the Wilfa Performance coffee machine come up against the Breville Precision Brewer? Another SCA-certified machine,the Breville has a definite one-up over the Wilfa Performance.

Costing slightly more at $299.95, the Breville Precision Brewer towers over its counterpart. It also weighs substantially more. 

It goes without saying that because the Breville machine is bigger, it brews more coffee. In fact, it can pump out 60 ounces (1.8 liters), compared to the Wilfa Performance’s 42 ounces (1.2 liters). This machine also has six brewing modes, including pour-over and SCA Gold Cup-standard coffee. While the Wilfa Performance is more simplistic, both have easy-to-use interfaces that make it easy to brew a good cup. 

One advantage the Breville Precision Brewer has over the Wilfa Performance coffee maker is its thermal carafe. This is a particular nit pick for me as a thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for longer. Another difference lies in the brew basket. While the Wilfa coffee maker only has a conical filter basket, the Breville boasts both a flat-bottomed and a conical brew basket. 

It’s kinda hard to choose which machine is better. Both brew great coffee. Still, I guess if you need a coffee maker with more bells and whistles, I’d go with the Breville Precision Brewer. 

See Also: Breville Precision Brewer Review 2024

Wilfa Coffee Maker vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker

Sleek and stylish!

Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker

Great coffee with little effort

Sleek, stylish design

Flow control dial

Compact footprint

Fast brewing

Easy to use

No thermal carafe option

CHECK PRICE

I know this is just another coffee maker among many. But I’m giving much thought to getting hold of the Wilfa Performance coffee maker. This coffee machine goes beyond the ordinary, offering a delightful blend of form and function. 

From the sleek, Scandi-inspired minimalist design to the consistent extraction and brewing, this Wilfa coffee maker, caters to casual coffee enthusiasts and aficionados alike. 

Moreover, the intuitive interface makes it a welcome addition to any home. And while its premium features come at a price, this justifies the investment for those who value quality. 

Despite its flaws, the Wilfa Performance coffee maker definitely earns my stamp of approval. This consistent coffee brewer is stylish and functional. I can tell you right now it’s on my bucket list!