Coffee Makers - How to Choose a Coffee Maker
BREWING CAPACITY
Among the different factors that influence the buying decision, the brewing capacity is going to rank near the top of the list. Coffee makers can brew anywhere from a single cup to thirty or more cups in a single cycle, with most coffee makers offering a standard size that ranges between eight and twelve cups of coffee.At the low end of the range are single cup coffee makers. These are relatively new, and manufacturers created them to satisfy consumers who didn't want to waste time waiting for a full pot of coffee to brew. With the single cup coffee maker, the consumer not only gets the convenience of an individual cup of coffee brewed in less than one minute, but also the advantage of brewing the exact flavor/style of coffee that is preferred by different members of the household or workplace. There is no need to argue about flavors when you have a single cup coffee maker. One person can drink Hazelnut while the next person in line can select French Roast. The disadvantage with single cup coffee makers is the greater expense per cup. The coffee used in single cup machines is packaged in individual serving containers. These cost more per cup than coffee made from larger, traditional- size packaging.
Most coffee drinkers brew more than a cup at a time, and thus prefer a coffee maker that is capable of brewing at least eight cups. The majority of coffee makers manufactured offer brewing capacities in the range of eight to twelve, so it is easy to find a coffee maker that matches this need. The extra large size coffee makers are generally impractical for home use. They are useful only to those who host parties or who need a coffee maker to serve large volumes of java at special events that include plenty of thirsty participants.
Read Coffee Maker reviews to find one that meets your needs.
CONSTRUCTION
Some coffee makers are certainly more durable than others. Most coffee makers (especially those that are less expensive) are made from plastic and include a glass carafe. These coffee makers are nice for those who want a full pot of coffee and do not mind if the unit doesn't last very long or if the carafe shatters. Many of these budget- priced coffee makers are so inexpensive, they can almost be considered disposable.
For those who want a more durable coffee maker that will stand the test of time, then a steel constructed coffee maker makes a better choice. These coffee makers are often sturdier, heavier, and less likely to break down. In addition to the attractiveness of a stainless steel body, some of these coffee makers also include a stainless steel carafe. With all of this metal comes a higher price for the consumer, but also greater peace of mind, since these coffee makers are built to last.
Read Stainless Steel Coffee Maker reviews
COMBINATION COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MAKERS
Coffee is nice, but some people prefer a greater morning jolt than what ordinary coffee offers and instead prefer the concentrated taste of espresso. But the problem faced by many consumers is often financial in nature. These individuals want to make coffee and the occasional espresso, but they don't want to invest in a separate (and often costly) espresso maker.
For those who love espresso but don't want to purchase a separate espresso maker, don't worry- there are many combination coffee/espresso makers to choose from, and many of them are offered at a fair price. Individual espresso makers are also readily available and many offer the added luxury of doubling as a cappuccino maker. But one has to seriously consider whether they would use these devices enough to warrant the cost. Some of these espresso makers and espresso/cappuccino makers can cost several hundred dollars, placing them out of the financial reach of many families.
OTHER COFFEE MACHINE FEATURES
In addition to the brewing capacity, construction, and multi- tasking capabilities of a coffee maker, different bells and whistles can make or break the buying decision for coffee lovers. Among the other important factors are:
- Coffee Filtering - In the past, drip coffee makers required the purchase of disposable paper filters. It was an inconvenience when paper filters ran out, and it could often bring a quick end to an otherwise pleasant morning. But now, consumers have a new option when they purchase a coffee maker: Permanent filters. These filters are made from a porous material that allows the coffee to flow through while retaining the coffee grounds. These permanent filters eliminate the need to make special trips to the store to purchase paper filters and for some, a permanent filter is no longer a luxury- it is something they insist on when they consider buying a new coffee maker. Read Coffee Maker reviews with Built- In Filters
- Automatic Brewing - For early risers, an automatic brewing feature can make life much easier and more convenient. This feature automatically starts the brewing cycle at a specified time each day, eliminating the need to wake up early and remember to start the coffee maker. Like with permanent filters, some coffee drinkers consider automatic brewing a must- have when they purchase a coffee maker. Read Coffee Maker reviews with Automatic Brewing
- Water Filtering - Once considered a luxury item, filtered water is becoming more and more a mainstay and there are some who will not consume any water unless it is pre- filtered. Manufacturers of coffee makers realize this concern, and they have responded by producing coffee makers with built- in water filters. These filters provide added peace of mind for health- conscious consumers. But before you pay the extra money for a feature like this, you need to decide whether or not it is a necessary addition to your coffee maker. Obviously, if you already have quick and easy access to filtered water, either through a home water filtering device or filtering pitcher, then you do not need a built- in water filter. Read Coffee Maker reviews with Built- In Water Filters
- Pause and Serve - This is yet another handy feature that was introduced by manufacturers to eliminate a common consumer complaint. Before pause and serve was invented, the consumer was either forced to wait until the end of the coffee brewing cycle to pour a cup or physically challenged to attempt to tilt the coffee pot at just the right angle to pour a cup of coffee while the stream of liquid was still flowing into the carafe below. This inconvenience led manufacturers to develop the pour and serve feature. Put simply, this feature allows the consumer to temporarily halt the brewing cycle so that a single cup or two can be poured. Once the carafe is safely back in place, the pause and serve can be turned off and the brewing cycle can continue as normal. Read Coffee Maker reviews with Pause and Serve
RELATED PRODUCTS
For those who love coffee, and can't live without it, here are some other related products to consider include:
- Coffee Grinders - For those who like their coffee as fresh and delicious as possible, it makes sense to consider purchasing a coffee grinder along with a coffee maker. Coffee grinders take whole bean coffee and grind it into find grounds for use in a drip coffee maker. Some consider a coffee grinder a luxury but for the serious coffee lover, a coffee grinder is essential because it helps achieve the ultimate cup of hot brew.
Coffee grinders, vary a lot, but coffee grinders offer one main function (grinding coffee beans) and nothing more. The differences between one coffee grinder and the next are less noticeable and usually less important than the differences between coffee makers. With coffee grinders, there are only a few considerations to make before deciding on the final purchase. One is the durability of the coffee grinder. Others include its speed of grinding, its capacity, its noise level, and, of course, its price. Another popular option among true coffee devotees is to purchase a combination coffee maker and coffee grinder. This can save some money, since the cost is usually lower than purchasing each appliance separately. However, there are very few products on the market that combine coffee making and coffee grinding and thus there are very few choices. Read Coffee Grinder reviews
- French Presses - These appliances are loved by those who appreciate a full- bodied cup of coffee. The French Press is named for its ability to "press" as much flavor as possible out of the coffee grounds by using a plunging device and a nylon or wire mesh that allows the water to stay in contact with the coffee grounds for a longer period of time when compared to paper filters. This results in a more flavorful, more intense taste of coffee than can be achieved through traditional coffee makers.
With French Presses, much like with coffee grinders, there are few differences from one brand to the next and thus there are very few considerations to make when deciding on a French Press to purchase. One consideration is the ease of cleaning. Another is the price. Yet another is the quality of the coffee itself. Unlike coffee makers, there are only a handful of French Presses available in any retail store or online store and that means there are very few choices and often very few differences between the different options. Read French Press reviews
THE BOTTOM LINE
Coffee makers are considered an essential kitchen appliance by many consumers. Even those who do not consider themselves coffee drinkers will often still purchase a coffee maker because they feel that it makes a kitchen look complete. Others like having a coffee maker available to use when coffee- drinking guests decide to pay a visit. Whatever the reason, coffee makers are a very popular small appliance found in most kitchens.
With coffee makers, the most important consideration is the brewing capacity of the device, followed by its construction and its ability to multi- task by also brewing espresso and other hot beverages. Once these considerations have been decided, the rest of the task involves deciding what other features are critical and/or desirable. For some buyers, an automatic timer is absolutely necessary. For others, the local water supply might be laced with minerals, necessitating the purchase of a coffee maker with a built in water filter.
The important considerations with coffee makers vary from one person to the next and the nice thing about these consumer differences is that manufacturers have successfully produced coffee makers with many different styles, features, and capabilities. There are enough options available that most anyone should be able to find a coffee maker that suits their needs. With proper planning and evaluation, the consumer can find the right coffee maker and move one step closer to brewing the perfect cup.
READ COFFEE MAKER REVIEWS BY BRAND
