Aromaster KF20

The Aromaster KF20 is an electric drip coffee maker designed by Florian Seiffert for Braun in 1972. The design features a vertical tower structure that optimises kitchen space, with a smooth cylindrical polycarbonate plastic housing for the water reservoir at the top, a black plastic band housing the paper filter below, and a removable glass carafe with a black plastic handle at the base. Two vertical chromed metal tubes connect the top and bottom sections, creating a unified cylindrical form. The coffee maker operates by boiling water in the upper chamber, which then drips through ground coffee into the carafe below, with a heating pad at the base to keep the coffee warm. The construction uses durable polycarbonate plastic for the casing, rigid plastic for components in contact with hot water, and a clear glass carafe, ensuring both longevity and visual clarity. The design was available in multiple colours including orange, white, yellow, red, and olive green, all featuring black plastic accents and a clear glass carafe. The KF20 represents Braun's commitment to functionalist design principles during the 1970s, embodying the era's minimalist aesthetic and emphasis on clean lines and geometric forms. Released in 1972, it arrived at a time when household appliances were transitioning from utilitarian objects to design statements, and the KF20's distinctive vertical form and vibrant colour options helped establish coffee makers as collectible design objects. The coffee maker's influence extended beyond its immediate success, inspiring numerous versions from other manufacturers and helping to make coffee consumption a more casual and constant part of daily life. Its appearance in popular culture, including the 1979 film "Alien," further cemented its status as an icon of 1970s design. Today, the KF20 stands as a testament to Braun's innovative design philosophy, valued by collectors and design enthusiasts as both a functional appliance and a significant piece of industrial design history, even though its brewing performance may not meet modern standards.