What better way to start the day than a cup of coffee? Every morning person should own a coffee maker, but deciding which one to pick can be taxing because of the many options available. In this regard, we have collated and reviewed some of the best products below.
Coffee maker buying guide
Probably the first machine you turn on in the morning, a coffee maker is an essential home appliance. You should carefully select it by understanding its features, pros, and cons. To ensure you get your money’s worth, this buying guide covers everything you need to know to make the most informed decision while shopping.
What is a coffee maker?
A coffee maker is an appliance used to brew and prepare coffee. This appliance needs pressure to move hot water through the coffee grounds.
A coffee maker is not necessarily a home appliance. It is used in restaurants, coffee shops, schools, offices, cafés, etc. Besides preparing coffee to your taste, owning a coffee maker helps to save time and the cost of repeatedly running to a coffee shop.
What are the types of coffee makers?
With the number of coffee maker types available, you’ll be spoilt for a choice. We have detailed most of them here, so you can check which one suits your style and meets your needs the most. Here they are:
Automatic coffee maker
Automatic coffee makers have the most straightforward navigation, making them simple to use and control. This coffee maker doesn't require hard labour or complex human effort. Since they have automatic controls, they require little supervision to achieve your desired brew.
They have a simple operational mode, producing coffee by gently pouring hot water into a bed of ground coffee. They have single-brew and multiple-brew options to meet different demands.
Pour-over coffee maker
Pour-over coffee makers are portable and convenient to set up. These types don’t need a list of procedures to understand how to put them to use.
However, after each brewing process, you must pour water into the coffee reservoir to brew a new batch, which can be a tad stressful.
Espresso machine
These types can make various beverages, from lattes to cappuccinos, mochas, etc. They possess in-built grinders and frothing milk equipment.
An espresso machine can be expensive and needs a whole lot of management. You also have to learn techniques depending on the type of beverage you would be brewing.
Satellite coffee brewer
These are primarily suitable for malls or restaurants–basically anywhere with high-volume demand. Satellite coffee brewers are designed to make large volumes of fresh coffee in short durations. Modern models have programmable controls, making them easy to operate.
Coffee urn
These types of coffee makers are mostly adequate for offices and homes. They are built to brew, hold, and keep coffee warm for extended periods. They are mostly electric-powered with metal bodies, so they can be risky to handle because of how hot the outer part becomes.
Liquid coffee dispensers
As its name implies, the liquid coffee dispenser dispenses coffee fast and efficiently using an in-bag box system connected to a direct water line. They are ideal for commercial uses to keep up with high demands. However, they can be expensive and difficult to manage.
Cold brew coffee maker
Cold brew coffee is prepared by steeping grounded coffee in cold water for about 12 hours. The results can remain fresh for up to two weeks in a fridge. While brewing takes time, owning this type means fewer brews, and they are easy to clean.
Single-cup coffee maker
These coffee makers are suitable for homes, hotel rooms, and offices. The single-cup coffee maker is easy and fast to brew single coffee cups in different flavours.
Furthermore, they have programmable controls but lack a large reservoir capacity and can only hold a little water for one brew.
French coffee press
A french coffee press works by dipping ground coffee in hot water and filtering the residues. They are manual coffee makers, but quick, having your coffee ready in less than five minutes. They are easy to use and maintain and perfect for home use.
Vietnamese coffee press
This 2-in-1 coffee maker is a press and a filter used to make Vietnamese-style coffee. It is typically constructed using stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic. With this, you can easily and quickly make coffee in different flavours.
What are the factors to consider before buying a coffee maker?
There are several coffee makers from different brands, so choosing the right product can sometimes take time and effort, especially when figuring out what features to look for. Not to worry, this section details the most crucial factors to look for when shopping.
Coffee type
When considering the coffee maker to buy, you must consider the type of coffee you like and the flavours. There are wide varieties of coffee makers, and you will see many of them. Make sure the coffee makers you get can brew the type of coffee you take.
Suppose you like more than one type of coffee flavour. In that case, there are versatile coffee makers that can brew and prepare different types of coffee, so you always have options.
Number of servings
As much as you consider the type of coffee when getting a coffee maker, the allowable cup fills must also be evaluated. A single-cup coffee maker will suffice if you want one for personal use. On the other hand, if it’s intended to serve a family, you should consider makers with 2-12 cup fills.
Controls
The product you’re looking at should have easy controls. Programmable controls are easiest and preferable, but not all makers offer that, so look for what works for you.
Durability
The coffee maker should have a solid construction to serve you for a long time. Many of them are made from metals, which are preferable as they are sturdier than their plastic counterparts.
Safety
Safety is one of the top features to consider when getting coffee makers. Electric models should have their wirings or plugs properly insulated to avoid electrocution. They should also be constructed from non-toxic materials; if you’re buying one made from plastic, make sure it is BPA-free.
Extra features
Additional features such as milk frothing, grinding options, and light or sound indicators are also lovely to have. Most of these functions are found in an espresso machine.
How to maintain a coffee maker
To enjoy the value of your money and the machine, maintaining it correctly is necessary. Once or twice a week, you will bring out all the removable parts and soak them in hot water. Then you pour vinegar and leave them for about an hour before removing and rinsing them. If the parts are dishwasher-safe, that’s even better.
Conclusion
This article reviewed the pros and cons of some top coffee makers, described their features, detailed things to look for before making a purchase, and explained how to maintain them.