A How-To Guide For Drip Coffee Machine From Beginning To End
The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are workhorses capable of making coffee hands-free. However, they can be large and heavy taking up valuable counter space or a spot under the cabinets.
The top drip machines feature a simple design and are simple to use. Some drip machines come with extras like programmable clocks and self-cleaning modes to make your morning coffee more personalized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew can be used to make coffee in just one step - from whole beans to a carafe of coffee in only a couple of presses. It comes with a built-in grinder (taken directly from the espresso machines of De'Longhi) which measures out the correct amount of coffee grounds and compacts them prior to brewing – eliminating wasteful pods and plastic filters.
It also comes with a variety of settings for your preferred cup size and style, from 3oz espresso-style drinks to 16oz iced coffee, or 40oz of a standard carafe. It pours the coffee into your choice of vessel, ranging from large mugs to those tiny espresso cups or tall travel mugs that wouldn't normally fit under regular drip machines. It can even make tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a technical term that manufacturers love to employ. It "adapts and grinds" beans to suit your selection. This is all marketing. What matters is that it's simple to use, fairly fast and doesn't make much of a mess when brewing. It is not able to make a quick shot or a long shot of espresso, and it does not include a steam wand. If you're looking to get those features, I would suggest looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one of the top drip coffee makers on the market. It consistently produces delicious hot cups of joe that brew quickly and efficiently from sleek, compact components that are easy to operate--all for an incredibly affordable cost.
We also enjoyed the simplicity of customizing the making process. With just a dial turn you can select your cup size (from 5 ounces single-serving up to a full-sized carafe) as well as the strength you prefer and whether you want either a French press or a regular setting. You can also make cold brew using the touch of the button, or select from a range of specialty options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only drawback is that the design doesn't match some of the other more sophisticated models we've tested. The rounded Smeg drip maker is for instance, and looks like an Easter egg and is a refreshing change from the boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, especially in the dark when the brew is in process. It requires a bit more thought and effort than most customers would like to see as part of their morning routine.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of pre-packaged K cups, which eliminates the necessity of measuring or grinding grounds. They also let you control brewing time. These machines also brew the cup of coffee in under two minutes, which is significantly quicker than a standard drip machine.
But the Keurigs we've tested create a lot of mess--much more than drip machines. The spout spewing the hot coffee creates a two-inch splash zone, which leaves droplets on the drip tray, machine, and counter. They also make a snarling loud sputtering noise while making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs that we've tested have performed well. The K-Cafe Smart Keurig, the most advanced model, comes with a removable water reservoir, four K cups sizes as well as three temperature settings and a customizable program. It also has a dishwasher-safe milk frother that can be used to froth skim, whole and non-dairy milk. It's a great choice for those who want to make a different cup of coffee each morning or for families with large families that require an extra capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is a ideal choice for anyone who wants a straightforward and easy-to-use single-serve device. It has an impressive 78-ounce water tank that can make many cups before needing to be refilled. It can also brew using your own coffee grounds, a feature that isn't often seen in the world of Keurig. The controls are simple and easy to use, however the machine communicates with tones and chirps, instead of a screen which makes it difficult to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features that you need to get your day started. It has a big 14-cup reservoir, as well as an easy-to-read water level indicator window. It is simple to use thanks to the large buttons with clearly labeled labels. The removable filter and grinder are both easily cleaned in the sink. This eliminates the need to brush out the grounds from difficult to reach areas. It also comes with a handy brew strength selector that lets you pick from three different settings, including strong.
The reservoir comes with a charcoal-filter which helps to remove metals and unpleasant flavors as well as odors from tap water. This can make your coffee to taste flat or burned. This means less work, and a more enjoyable cup of coffee.
A second benefit: the programmability feature allows you to set your coffee brewing to a particular time. The button to pause allows you to make a cup of coffee or two before the pot is done making coffee. This can be helpful during busy mornings, or when you require an additional boost of caffeine. It also has a sleek design that is more comfortable on the kitchen counter compared to other drip coffee makers.
5. Ratio Six
Like its predecessor, the Ratio Eight, the Six offers premium quality with a lower price and smaller footprint. Its single-button operation mimics an expert pour over, with precise metered water flow and ideal coffee temperature. The machine uses 1400 Watts of power to warm the water and complete the brewing process in between five and six minutes. This is significantly faster than the majority of the lower-end models we test. The speedy brewing time is partly due to the bloom cycle, which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head delivers the rest of the hot water to ensure optimal extraction.
The Six also uses a unique heat shield to protect the spray head while brewing and also to keep the water at an optimal temperature. It is among a few brewers that has been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means that it will maintain the proper temperature of brewing throughout the entire process of brewing.
The Six is minimalist, sleek and minimal in its design. It has a stainless steel carafe, which sits on the top of a Melitta flat bottom filter holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee warm without the necessity of heating plates and helps keep the flavor intact.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Espresso Maker
The Gevi is a compact elegant coffee maker that doesn't take up a lot of counter space. filter coffee machine brews a great tasting cup of coffee. The touchscreen has cute icons that allow you to select one-touch commands (such as Bold or, in the case of making just half a cup, the One to Four cup feature). The machine allows you to set the timer and turn on or off the audible tone that signals the end of the brewing cycle.
It's nice to have a built-in coffee grinder that allows you to alter the size of the grind and the intensity of your coffee. It can take some time to get used to how the machine works but it's easy once you've mastered it. And it has a lot of the features you'd expect to see on more expensive models.
The only downside is that it's not able to brew an entire carafe at one time, which can be a problem if you're serving a lot of people. But it's a solid choice if you're looking for drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder and the flexibility to make different kinds of drinks. It also comes with a one-year warranty and a great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a top drip-coffee maker made to last. It is made by Technivorm in the Netherlands and is backed by a five-year warranty. Its sleek glass carafe sits atop a warmer that keeps the coffee at a perfect temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to make a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at ideal times and temperatures recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also features a "practically invisible drip stopper," a small lever located below the brew pot which will stop the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe from the making coffee.
While this machine is more expensive than most other models on the market it's worth the extra investment for those who want to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending too much time in the kitchen. All components that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. The brew process is slower than other models but still much faster than pour-over brewing. The Moccamaster's unique, reminiscent design of tools for workshops and scientific equipment adds style to your kitchen.