5 Drip Coffee Machine Lessons Learned From Professionals
The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are workhorses capable of hands-off brewing. They can be big and bulky, occupying valuable counter or cabinet space.
The best drip machines are simple and simple to use. Some are equipped with extras that make a morning cup of coffee more flexible with timers that can be programmed and self-cleaning settings.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee. It can go from whole beans to a complete carafe with a few presses. It comes with a built-in grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) which measures out the proper amount of coffee grounds and compacts them before making coffee, eliminating the need for pods and filters made of plastic.
It also comes with a variety of settings that can be adapted to the size and style, from 3oz espresso drinks to 16oz of iced tea and 40oz for the standard carafe. It can pour coffee into any vessel you prefer regardless of whether it's a big cup or a tiny espresso cup. It can even make tea!
Manufacturers love to dream up absurd technical jargons, and this one has the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans according to the choice you make. That's it for marketing. It's crucial that it's simple to use, fast and doesn't cause a lot of mess when brewing. It's not able to brew either a short shot or a long shot espresso, and it does not include steam wand. If you're looking for those features, I suggest looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one of the best drip coffee machines available on the market. It consistently produces delicious, hot cups of coffee that brew efficiently.
We also enjoyed the ease with which we were able to modify the brewing experience. By turning a dial, you can choose the size of your cup (from 5-ounce single-servings to a full-carafe) as well as the strength you prefer and whether you prefer French or regular press setting. You can make cold brew with the touch of a button or select from a range of specialty options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only issue is that the design doesn't match the other more sophisticated models we've tried. For example, the rounded Smeg drip machine looks like a gleaming Easter egg and is a welcome departure from boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark while the brew is in process. It takes some time and thought to start the process in the early morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single-serve coffee makers use K-cups prepackaged and ready to use, eliminating the necessity of measuring and grinding grounds and control brewing times. They can also brew the cup of coffee in under two minutes, which is a lot faster than a standard drip machine.
The Keurigs that we tested made quite a mess than drip machines. The spout spewing the hot coffee creates a 2-inch splash zone that releases drops of water on the drip tray, machine, and counter. They also create an irritating, loud sputtering noise while making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested perform well. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most advanced model, comes with a removable water reservoir, four K-cups sizes with three temperature settings, and a user-friendly program. It also has a milk frother that can froth whole, skim or non-dairy milk. It's a great option for anyone looking to make a new cup of coffee every morning or for families with large families that require a bigger capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is also a good choice for anyone who is looking for a simple and easy-to-use single-serve device. It has an impressive 78-ounce water tank that can brew several cups before it has to be filled. And it can also create a cup of coffee using your own ground coffee, a rare feature for the world of Keurig. The controls are straightforward and simple, though the machine communicates with tones and chirps, instead of a screen, which makes it harder to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced machine comes with all the features you require to start your day. It has a huge reservoir of 14 cups and an open window that clearly shows the water level. The large, clearly labeled buttons make it easy to use. The filter and grinder that are removable can be cleaned easily in the sink. This eliminates the need to brush out the grounds from hard-to reach areas. It also includes a handy brew-strength selector, which lets you select from three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir also comes with a charcoal filter that helps to remove metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors in the tap water. This could cause your coffee to taste bland or burned. This means less maintenance and a better tasting cup of coffee.
Another benefit: The programmability feature makes it easy to set your coffee to brew at a certain time. Also, the pause button lets you to pour a cup or two of coffee before the entire pot has finished brewing, which can be helpful in busy mornings when you need an extra dose of caffeine. It's also a pretty attractive design coffee maker, with sleek design that is more at home on the countertop than the bulky drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older brother of the Six. It offers a premium experience with a slightly lower price and smaller footprint. The single-button system emulates the concept of pour-over, with a precise measured flow of water and the perfect temperature for coffee. The machine consumes 1400 Watts of power to warm the water and complete the brewing process within 5 to 6 minutes. This is much faster than the majority of the less expensive models we test. The speedy brewing time is largely due to the bloom process, which allows coffee grounds to settle before the shower head delivers the remainder of the hot water for optimal extraction.
The Six also features a distinctive heat shield to safeguard the spray head while brewing and to ensure that the water is kept at the optimum temperature. This is one of a handful of brewers to have been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means that it will maintain the proper brewing temperature throughout the entire cycle of brewing.
In terms of design in terms of style, the Six is sleek and minimal and comes with a stainless steel carafe, which sits on top of a filter holder that can accept Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe is insulated, which keeps the brewed coffee warm without the need for a heated plate that helps preserve the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Espresso Maker
The Gevi is a small elegant coffee maker that doesn't take up much counter space. It produces a delicious tasting cup of coffee. Its touchscreen panel features cute little icons that allow you to choose one-touch commands (such as Bold, or if you're making only half a cup, the One to Four cups feature). The machine allows you to set the timer, and turn the audible brew-cycle-finished tone on or off.
The built-in grinder and ability to control the size and strength of your coffee is a nice touch. It takes a little time to get used to the machine but once you've done it, the machine is easy to use. And it has a lot of the features you'd expect to see on higher-end models.
It's not able of brewing an entire carafe of coffee at once. This could be a problem if you're serving a lot of people. It's a good option for those who want an espresso maker with a built in grinder, and the capability to make a variety of drinks. It also has a one-year warranty and excellent customer support.
7. drip coffeee is a top drip-coffee maker that is built to last. It's manufactured by Technivorm in the Netherlands and comes with a five-year guarantee. The elegant glass carafe can be positioned on top of a warmer which keeps the coffee at a consistent temperature for as long as six minutes. It can be programmed to work with either a full or half pot, and is certified to brew coffee using the recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also comes with a "practically hidden drip stopper" which is a small lever located below the brew basket, which stops the flow of coffee if you remove the carafe during the brewing.
The machine is more expensive than many other machines on the market, however it's worth it for anyone looking to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending a lot in the kitchen. All components that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. Although the brewing process takes longer than some other models, it's still faster than pour-over brewing. The Moccamaster's distinctive, reminiscent design of tools used in workshops and scientific equipment adds style to your kitchen.