The Bodum Bistro 12-cup is part of the Coffee maker
test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Coffee maker
models like the Bistro 12-cup are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.
Brew performance: The ability to reach 195° to 205° F for five or six minutes, the industry standard for optimal brewing and an indication of the coffee's concentration.
Convenience: Reflects ease of filling the reservoir, placing the filter, gauging the amount of coffee remaining, and cleaning up. It also reflects how clear we judged the controls.
Carafe handling: Covers handle comfort, tendency to drip while pouring, balance of a full carafe, and how easy it was to empty the last liquid. Models with no score here brew into single-serve cups or are self-serve models. The latter hold the coffee in a tank; you fill your cup by pressing it against the dispenser lever.