Drip Coffee Machine 101 This Is The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are robust machines capable of brewing without hands. However, they can be large and bulky taking up valuable counter space or a spot under cabinets.
The best drip machines feature a simple design and are simple to use. Some drip machines have additional features like programmable clocks or self-cleaning mode that can make your morning coffee more personalized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee - it goes from whole beans to a complete carafe with a few presses. It has a built-in burr grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) that measures the proper amount of coffee grounds and compacts them before making the coffee - eliminating pods and filters made of plastic.
It also has a variety of settings to suit the size of your cup or design, from 3oz espresso drinks to 16oz of iced tea and 40oz for the standard carafe. It can dispense coffee into any container you choose whether it's a large cup or a small espresso cup. It can even make tea!
Manufacturers are known to come up with ridiculous technical-sounding jargon and this one comes with the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans based on your selection. However, it's really nothing more than marketing. It's important that it's easy to use, fast and doesn't cause lots of mess when brewing. However, it does not have the capability to brew an espresso shot that is either long or short of espresso, and it doesn't come with steam wands for milk. If you're seeking these features, I suggest looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the top drip coffee machines on the market. It consistently produces delicious hot cups of coffee that brew quickly and efficiently from sleek, relatively compact hardware that's turnkey to operate, all at an extremely affordable cost.
We also enjoyed the ease with which we were able to modify the brewing experience. You can select your cup size (from 5-ounce single serving to a full carafe) and the strength you want by simply turning an dial, as well as choose between either a french press or regular setting. You can even make cold brew using the press of the button, or select from a variety of specialty options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only issue is that the design doesn't match some of the other more sophisticated models we tested. The Smeg drip maker that is rounded, for example, looks like an Easter egg and is a welcome change from the boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, especially in the dark while the brew is underway. It takes a bit of thought and effort to get going in the morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of K cups that are pre-packaged that eliminate the requirement to measure or grind grounds. They also allow you to control the brewing time. They can also brew the cup of coffee in less than two minutes, which is considerably quicker than a standard drip machine.
The Keurigs that we tested produced much more mess than drip machines. The spout, which spews hot coffee creates a 2-inch splash zone that leaves droplets on the drip tray, machine, and counter. And they produce an irritating, loud sputtering noise while brewing.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested perform well. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, and comes with an easily detachable reservoir, four K-cup sizes and three temperature settings and a customizable menu. It also has a milk frother which can be used to froth whole, skim or non-dairy milk. This is a great choice for those who want to brew different coffee every morning or for large families who require a larger capacity.
filter coffee maker is another excellent option for those who is looking for a simple, easy-to-use single-serve machine. It comes with a 78-ounce tank that can brew multiple cups before needing to be refilled. It can also create a cup of coffee using the coffee you grind yourself, which is a rare feature for a Keurig. The controls are easy and simple, though the machine does communicate with tones and chirps, instead of a display which makes it difficult to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features you require to get your day started. It has a large, 14-cup reservoir and a clear indicator of the level of water. It is easy to use because of the large buttons and clearly labeled labels. The grinder and filter that can be removed are both easily cleaned in the sink. This eliminates the need to brush out the grounds from difficult to reach places. It also comes with a handy brew-strength selector, which lets you choose between three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir comes with a charcoal-filter which helps to remove metals and unpleasant flavors as well as odors from the tap water. This could make your coffee taste dull or burnt. This means less maintenance and a better-tasting cup of joe.
Another benefit: the ability to program allows you to set your coffee's brewing time to a specific time. The Pause button allows you to pour a cup or two before the entire pot has finished brewing. This is a great feature in busy mornings when you require an additional boost of caffeine. It also has a sleek and modern design and looks more at ease on the kitchen counter compared to the majority of drip coffee machines.
5. Ratio Six
Like its predecessor, the Ratio Eight, the Six offers a premium experience with a lower price and smaller footprint. The single-button controls mimic the concept of pour-over, with a precision measured flow of water and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine makes use of a powerful 1400 watts to heat water and complete the process in five to six minutes. This is far shorter than most of the cheaper models we tested. This speedy brewing is in part due to the bloom cycle, which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head is able to deliver 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 keep the water at the optimum temperature. It is among the few brewers that have been Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means it keeps the right temperature for brewing throughout the brew cycle.
In terms of design, the Six is sleek and minimal, with a stainless steel carafe that sits on the top of a filter holder that can accept Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee warm without the necessity of a heated plate and helps preserve the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi brews great-tasting coffee and features a sleek, relatively compact design that doesn't require any counter space. 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 pot, 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 grind size and strength of your coffee is a nice touch. It takes some time to learn how the machine functions, but it's intuitive once you do. It has many of the features you would expect to see in higher-end models.
The only drawback is that it's unable to make the entire carafe in one go, which can be a problem if you're serving multiple people. However, it's a great choice if you're looking for drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder as well as the flexibility to make different types of drinks. It comes with a 1-year warranty and a great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a high-end drip-coffee maker that is built to last. It comes with a five-year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. Its sleek glass cup sits on top of a warming device that keeps the coffee at an optimal temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a whole or half pot, and it's certified to brew at the optimal times and temperatures suggested by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also comes with a "practically invisible drip stopper," which is a tiny lever located below the brew basket that stops the flow of coffee if you take the carafe off during brewing.
This machine is more expensive than other machines on the market, however it's worth it for those who want to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending too much in the kitchen. All parts that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. The brewing process is slower than other models, but still faster than pour over brewing. Additionally, the Moccamaster's unique design that is reminiscent of workshop tools or other scientific equipment will add the perfect touch of elegance to your kitchen.