Coffee Makers
Second to staying in bed, drinking that morning cup of coffee is a most coveted crack-of-dawn activity. When fighting with the alarm clock is not an option, make sure you're geared up with the right coffee maker  to get things brewing.
Common Types of Coffee Makers
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Percolator - Old-school model.
- Not recommended by coffee enthusiasts.
- Boils coffee and abuses grounds.
- Considered an antiquated, inferior method (although it still has some fans).
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Automatic Drip - Fast and convenient.
- Many can be programmed to turn on at a specific time.
- Some coffee enthusiasts find drip-brewed coffee made with a filter to have a less rich flavor than other brewing methods, but it makes a decent cup for the time and effort.
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French Press - Produces a rich, heavy, full-bodied cup of coffee with a strong aroma.
- Popular in Europe, starting to gain a following in the U.S., especially among coffee aficionados dissatisfied with automatic drip.
- Easy to use.
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Espresso Machines - For the aficionado: an investment.
- If you love strong espresso coffee on a regular basis, this is the machine for you.
- Great for making cappuccinos, too.
- See our complete article on espresso machines.
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Vacuum Coffee Maker - Like a chemistry project, this pot sucks water from a lower chamber into a coffee filled upper chamber.
- Thought to brew smooth, rich coffee with more coffee flavor minus the bitter flavor.
- Difficult to clean.
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- Other methods, including regional specialties (Read about them at Sally's Place or on Wikipedia.)
- Cold water method : Not for the impatient; makes a less acidic coffee.
- Instant coffee : What is gained in convenience and long shelf life is often considered to be lost in flavor and caffeine content.
- Neapolitan flip : Common in Italy, this metal, two-chamber pot that is heated on the stove, then removed from heat and flipped upside-down to produce 3-4 cups of coffee.
- Turkish coffee : From the Middle East, North Africa, and Greece, this coffee is prepared in a stove-top copper pot with coffee and sugar boiled right in the water. This has a very specific thick texture and rich taste.
- French drip pot : This five-part coffee pot is a native of Louisiana and brews a strong, oily coffee.
The Grind and Brew Machines
Most coffee lovers will say that freshly ground beans are key - you don't want to loose any flavor! Some coffee makers are all-in-one machines that have integrated grinders, so you can be sure you are using only the freshest grounds. Some recommended coffee makers in this category are the Cuisinart Grind & Brew, which now comes in stylist and functional insulated stainless steel, the Melitta Automatic Mill & Brew, and the Capresso CoffeeTEAM Luxe. Of course, you could also buy a separate grinder.
Coffee For One
Want a quick cup of joe for yourself? Either the pod system or the K-Cup or similar T Disc system of single-serve coffee may be for you. Insert a packet, called a "pod," of pre-measured coffee into your machine, and out comes exactly one cup of fresh coffee. Some machines can also brew tea, if that suits your fancy. In addition to your own kitchen, a single-serve coffee maker can help clients feel at home in a waiting room and will enliven a staff room. One drawback is the nuisance -- and environmental unfriendliness -- of throwing away individual pods. Also, as many of these machines can only take coffee packaged in their own company's pods, limiting the selection. The pods themselves can run into money. Some find the flavor somewhat disappointing, but others say it depends on the quality of the pods and machine. However, fans site the convenience of these quick brewers. According to the buzz on SingleServeCoffee.com, the models below serve a fine brew.
Video Reviews
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Tassimo
Cost: $150
- Makes wide range of drinks
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Keurig B50
Cost: $150
- Has many flavors available; can also be used with a refillable K-Cup.
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Senseo
Cost: $70
- Makes coffee considered to be more delicious than average.
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Preva xSport
Cost: $50
- Tiny; good for students and hikers.
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Grindmaster GPOD PrecisionBrew
Cost: $150 - Accepts pods by other companies.
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Coffee For More -- Does Size Matter?
If you entertain, you need a high-volume coffee maker. Serving coffee at brunch is a given; offering your evening guests coffee also politely signals the end of an event. But how much do you need? Brewing too much can leave coffee growing stale in a pot, but a coffee maker that holds too little may require extra time if you have to brew more than one pot. Assess your needs based on how many people you generally need to serve and where you need the machine. In addition to the Zojirushi Fresh Brew (above), which brews 10 cups (good for a small party), Zojirushi also makes a coffee maker in their sleek Zutto line that brews 5 cups (good for an intimate gathering). If you need to handle groups of varying sizes, the 14-cup Cuisinart Brew Central (also above) may be your match: it has a setting for small batches, but can also cater to a crowd. The Hamilton Beach BrewStation line, notably the BrewStation Deluxe, offers a feature useful for parties or business meetings - just press a mug against a lever and fresh coffee flows directly into it.
New Trends in Home Coffee Brewing
So, what's brewing for the future of coffee makers? Some manufacturers have their eyes turned towards convenience. Black and Decker has come out with the SpaceMaker, which hangs on the counter to save space, although it sounds like they still have some kinks to work out. Even Chemex has a new alternative to their classic design with the addition of a glass handle for easier pouring.
Single-serve coffee brewers are still piping hot. We're looking forward to seeing more machines that can use more of our favorite coffees, rather than pods we'd have to buy from selected retailers.
Many innovations will come in the form of sleeker designs. Many makers have turned to a stainless steel carafe rather than the glass pitcher with warming plate, as a warming plate can burn the coffee and glass carafes break. In addition to the functional appeal of stainless steel and chrome, the increasingly popular metallic finishes add an element of class and style to any kitchen. For those who love these new metalic finishes but require a spotless kitchen, Oster is soon to introduce a fingerprint-free coffee maker in the Counterforms Collection.
Related Products
External Links
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Shopping Directory
Melitta One:One Pod Coffee Maker
