Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Single Brew Coffee Machines
Single Brew Coffee Machines
This model is the ideal option for those who want a single-serve machine that will brew coffee or tea to your liking. It's simple to use and has four different brewing options. It can also be used with single-pack or ground coffee and tea bags.
It is also a great option for reused pods. This is a great solution for those concerned about the plastic waste generated by disposable K-cups.
1. Keurig K-Select
This Keurig makes a great option for those who are passionate about coffee but don't have the space to invest in larger brewing machines. It's the smallest Keurig on the market and measures only 13.6 inches front to back. This makes it able to be tucked into a small office or kitchen. It has a water reservoir that can hold up to 52 ounces and can brew a single cup within a minute. It also comes with a "strong" option that boosts the strength of the coffee to match your preference.
This machine has one downside It doesn't produce crema, the caramel-colored foam layer that coffee drinkers believe enhances the flavor of their drinks. This isn't an issue for the majority of people, but some might find it an issue. It's easy to clean: simply unplug the machine and then remove the pod holder. The machine can be cleaned by spraying it with a cleaning solution and wiping it clean. The brewing needles can be cleaned and removed using a paper clip which is a useful feature to use when your machine is becoming clogged.
Another downside to this machine is that it can only work with K-Cup pods which can be costly. It is not able to accept third-party pods that came on the market in 2012 after the Keurig 2.0 Patent expired. You may want to consider another model if you're looking for a device that comes in a variety of sizes and an insulated carafe.
The Keurig K-Select is also the easiest to use. It has a large button which is used to turn on the machine, and a smaller one which is used to select your preferred cup size. The smart brewer shuts off automatically after two hours, which helps save energy. It also has a window on the water reservoir that indicates when it is time to refill it.
2. Cuisinart Grind & Brew
Contrary to many other single brew coffee machines that offer only the option to make use of pre-ground beans or off-the-shelf K-Cup pods, this one allows you to use both. This machine is perfect for those who are eco-conscious, have limited space, or are fond of both filtering and single-served coffee.
This machine can grind whole coffee beans into finely-ground ready-to-brew ground coffee or brew pre-ground coffee you store in a removable tray. You can also use Keurig's K-Cups or other popular pods that are single-use. This allows you to have a quick cup of espresso or a large pot of coffee without having to wash the carafe.
The controls on the Grind & Brew are easy to use. All the relevant information is displayed on the front of the machine: brewing capacity (in increments of two) power on/off the brew indicator light, decalcification alert, and grinding settings. The machine can also prepare 12 cups of carafe coffee and can be programmed that allows up to 24 hours advance in brewing.
The machine includes a reusable drip tray and capsule holder. It does not come with an cleaning brush, however you can wash the tray and holder by hand or pop them into the dishwasher. The machine is backed by a three-year guarantee and is available directly from Cuisinart and also Williams Sonoma, Amazon, Crate and Barrel, as well as Target. The machine was securely packaged and surrounded by molded pulp for extra protection during shipping. The packaging is recyclable. The machine and its contents were in good condition. The box and its contents came with a user manual that was easy to read. The machine will alert you when decalcification is due.
3. Breville Precision Brewer
The Breville Precision Brewer takes drip coffee to a new level. This machine has customizable settings that let the user make a perfect cup espresso every time. There are six brewing preset modes, including "gold," "fast," "strong," "iced," and "cold brew." The brewer also has a dedicated single serve coffee machine cup mode that accepts cone and flat filters. In addition to these brewing options the machine comes with six different basket shapes that can be used to highlight particular flavors in the made cup.
The machine uses a thermocoil pump and a heating system that has a digital temperature control PID to maintain a constant water temperature during the fermentation process. This is a major benefit in that many premium drip coffee machines use a heated plate to heat the water. This is not the best method of heating water since it can result in scorching your coffee and uneven the brewing. The Breville also has a water pump that makes a humming sound while it is making coffee. This is a fantastic feature as it alerts the user when their coffee is done in the process of brewing.
The brewer is sleek and minimalist and will look stunning on any countertop. The polished stainless-steel and clear plastic construction gives it a modern and elegant appearance. Breville's brewer measures 12 x 7 inches by 16 inches, and can be placed in most medium to large kitchens. Breville also includes a couple of quick start pamphlets and a full instruction manual to help new users get up to speed quickly. The only downside to the brewer, is the noise of the water pump. This can be distracting for those who live in apartment buildings.
4. Aeropress
The AeroPress is a nifty little device that can make one cup of coffee at one time. It's an old-fashioned piston brewer that makes use of air pressure to push water through the grounds and into your cup, yielding a clean and defined flavor. Aeropress coffee is widely praised by coffee connoisseurs for its balanced, well rounded flavor. It's an excellent option for travelers and campers because it's lightweight, compact and rugged.
The manual brewer can be used easily. You just need to add the freshly ground Cupper's coffee into the inverted AeroPress chamber Stir, and then add hot water. You can choose to let it steep for a few moments or plunge it straight away. After that you can have the coffee served straight out of the cup or poured into your mug to make an espresso-like drink.
One of the best things about the AeroPress is that it lets you to regulate the strength of your coffee, no matter if you're making a weak French press or a strong single-cup pour-over. The unique shape of the device helps speed up the process by reducing the length of time that the coffee sits in the filter.
The AeroPress is relatively new to the world of brewing gadgets, but it's already breaking sales records, generating a vibrant community and inspiring a whole generation of coffee lovers. AeroPress brewing contests are organized on a global scale! For those who prefer to brew on the move AeroPress Go is the perfect choice. AeroPress recently launched a complete portable unit known as the AeroPress Go. This version combines the device with a travel-mug, which is a great addition for campers, hikers, and globetrotters. The price is comparable to the original model, however the device is smaller and offers the same features.
5. Keurig K-Duo Plus
The K-Duo Plus has two functions it can brew single serving coffee maker-serve cups and carafes. It can brew either K-Cup pods or ground coffee, and comes with different sizes of brew, such as 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces per cup, and a 6-,-8-, 10- or 12-cup carafe. It also has the option of brewing strong and programmable auto-brew options for the carafe, as well as a thermos carafe that keeps your beverage warm up to two hours.
This coffee maker is ideal for families who want to be able brew a single cup or a full carafe. The screen is easy to read and the buttons are simple. It also has a gold-toned reusable filter, so you don't need to buy paper ones. We also appreciate that this model doesn't lose water temperature quickly when you're making back-to-back pots which is a problem with other models we've tested.
The Keurig K-Duo Plus is perfect for any occasion, whether you are hosting a party or simply enjoying a morning alone. It can make single-serves, as well as a carafe. It can be used to brew your favorite ground coffee as well as hundreds of K Cup pods of tea, cocoa, and coffee. It's programmable up to 24 hours in advance and offers options for the type reviews of single serve coffee makers coffee you'd like to make, the strength of the brew, and a variety of drink size options from 6 to 12 ounces. This model has an adjustable drip pan that can accommodate travel cups. The 60-oz reservoir is able to be placed towards the either right or left or towards the back to make room for more counter space. This is a great choice for those who have limited counter space or a sloppy kitchen arrangement.