Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this product, free of charge,from Shark Ninja, via the Amazon Vine Program, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own.
Coffee.
Nirvana of the Gods, right?
I know you've all got a favorite cofee pot, but WHAT if I could convince you there is ONE coffee system that actually allows you to make a great cup of java, make any speciality coffee you like, and even the new faddish iced coffee?
Meet your new inspiration:
This next-generation Ninja Coffee Bar is a single serve and full pot carafe coffee system, complete with a built-in frother (with hot and cold frothing capabilities), and the convenience of a iced coffee pitcher, plus a host of delicious coffee recipes you can create and enjoy, all from the comfort of home!
I was thrilled to be able to check out this new Ninja system, as I had seen the ads on TV, but just didn't want to pay that much, too only find it wasn't worth it. Boy, was I wrong!
The Ninja Coffee Bar thermal Carafe system literally comes with everything you need to be your own barrista at home (well, except for the coffee and cream- you have to add those, LOL). You get the Ninja System itself, complete with permement removable filter, glass iced coffee pitcher and the thermal carafe. And it all comes in such SECURE packaging, that you know you are getting a product worth the money!
I love that you get pod-free single serve, as well as carafe brewing, for a full pot. You literally get to be in TOTAL control of your coffee! The permanent fine mesh coffee filter sits nicely in the pull out filter holder. It rotates when it pulls out, allowing you to get full access to it. I love the large pull tab, that makes it easier to pull it out quickly.
The ease of use isn't the only difference about the filter. The system doesn't send water through the filter in the normal way either. It uniformly wets the grounds first, stops, then sends the water through the filter, and coffee, in a 12 hole, shower like, pattern. So no more water going ONLY through one spot (which you see in traditional coffee pots), rather ALL the coffee gets used. Why is this important? This means YOU get the maximum flavor for each brewing cycle. This is why the entire brewing cycle lasts about 6.5 minutes, versus 4-5 like other coffee makes. But once you TASTE the coffee, you'll agree the extra minutes are totally worth it!
Even more convenient is the included coffee scoop! Yes, INCLUDED and ATTACHED! It snaps into the side of the Ninja system, so you never have to look for it in the drawer, or the coffee canister (ugh, nothing worse than needing a cup of coffee badly and the scoop is at the bottom of the canister, right?). It's a small feature, but it is HUGE once you start using the machine! It also makes sure you get the RIGHT amount of coffee to get a strong cup of jo!
The system is super easy to set up too. When you turn it on, the time will be flashing. You just set the time and waa-la. You're ready to get your machine ready. You should run the cleaning cycle twice, before making your first coffee., to clear out the system, and get it ready. Then it's just a matter of start the system, wait for the ready beep (for the water to heat) and make your copy!
Or you can set up the coffee you want, and use the delay brew feature, to set your coffee to start when YOU want it to!
Ninja's Advanced Thermal Flavor Extraction technology allows you to unlock the full flavor potential of your favorite ground coffee and enjoy a hot (seriously, it gets the water to 195 degrees!), great-tasting brew with variable levels of richness. Your choices include Classic, Rich & Over Ice Brew. Or you can select Ninja's Signature Brews, Cafe Forte and Specialty, to really takehome styled coffee to the next level.
Cafe Forte is a full-bodied cup of coffee that amplifies your coffee's unique nuances down to the last sip, while Specialty Brew is a super-rich 4 oz concentrate that can be combined with frothed milk to create bold, decadent coffeehouse-style drinks-hot or cold, layered or blended.
As you can see you also use the turn knob to select the SIZE of coffee you need:
- Cup- 9.5 oz
- XL Cup- 11.5 oz
-Travel Mug- 14 oz
-XL travel mug- 18 pz
- Half Carafe- 5 cups
- Full Carafe -10 cups
This is really HUGE- you get the right amount of coffee AND wtaer for the size you are actually brewing! The quick guide has a quick guode for the amount of coffee that I would place nearby, so it's always handy! This is really helpful on the delayed brew cycle, when your making your coffee in the am before work, and are running late- you need that full cup of coffee, not a 3/4 one!
In order to facility using the mugs, regular and large, there is a FOLD DOWN ledge for them! You pull it down, and then after your coffee is done, you just fold it right back up out of the way! Easy Peasy! Or you can use travel mugs or the carafe instead. ANY travel mug can be used, because unlike other coffee pots you own, there is NO burner to overheat and burn your coffee (or mug). Rather, the Ninja System preheats the water in a small boiler, which ensures that it gets to that 195 degrees, and that it stays that hot throughout the ENTIRE brewing cycle. If you want a pot for 2 hours, then use the carafe and you'll have that hot coffee!
And you can have that coffee whenever you like, thanks to the removable, large mouth, easy pour water reservoir. Aeasy to access flap extends nearly the entire opening of the reservoir, allowing you to pour water in from the side, if pusing bittles water. Or you can pull the whole resevoir off ad fill off your filtered water tap. The reservoir tank does have a minimum fill line, a line for cup, to go carafe, half and full pot lines, but I have pretty much kept it full, so it's always ready to go!
The one thing that might seem amiss is that the system has no auto stop feature. Which actually DOES make sense, when you think about how the system works. It wants you to wait for it to be finished, so you get the ultimate cup/pot of coffee. BUT if you have to stop and grab a cup and go you CAN. There is a drip stop lever, which you slide, to stop thecoffe, so you can grab your cup. Then you just slide it back, and the process takes up where it stopped.
The one unique feature that really can elevate your home brewing is the built-in frother! It swings out from the back, to the side. It's easy to use, just swing it out, then insert it into your cup of milk, press the top button down and it froths for you. Easy peasy. Now you SHOULD heat your milk or cream for 30-40 seconds in the microwave, before frothing, for the best taste. That way you have hot milk being added to your hot coffee! It is super easy to get a flat white, as you can see!
Plus it's just as easy to use. Just twist to remove and and rinse with clean water, then dry and reattach.
Everything about the Ninja System is about making it EASY for YOU! They even give you a full-color recipe booklet, with about 50 pages of differentcoffee combinations and recipes, to make all those tempting assortment of beverages you get from the coffee shop!
Plus they give you a “Clean” button, to maintain the machine correctly. There is even a drip catcher under the coffee cup/carafe holder, to catch any accidental runoff and keep it off your counter!
In fact, the only thing you need is coffee, cream/milk and any flavorings you want, to make the BEST cup of java you've had all year!
If you've been looking at the Ninja System and wondering if it was worth the cost, like I was, let me assure you- it very definitely IS! In fact, I would say put this one at the top of your gift wish list for birthday and Christmas!!
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