If you’re a Coffee buff like me, you know the importance of having a good Coffee maker! For those of you looking to buy your first Coffee Maker or just replacing your current one here are some tips on what you should consider while looking for that machine to make your perfect cup-a-joe in the morning.
Size : Ask yourself how many cups of you’ll be making on a regular basis. Keep in mind that when a Coffee Maker states single cup, 2-4 cups, 6-8 cups, 8-12 cups….that it signifies the no. of cups it can make at a time.
Coffee Filter : While choosing a Coffee Maker it’s very important to consider what type of filter you want. Some coffee makers come with paper filters or a more permanent filter. Paper filters are said to impart an aftertaste into the coffee, and they absorb some of the special flavor molecules and aromatic oils from your coffee beans, which are what gives your cup of joe its tantalizing taste. For a permanent filter you can choose a basket type filter or a cone shaped filter, the difference in the two being different contact times between the coffee grounds and the water. A basket type filter provides a longer contact time between the water and the coffee grounds, so if a basket filter is your preference, make sure you use coffee grounds that are fairly large. Cone type filters are generally less prone to spillage.
Water Filter : If you don't use a water filter before you brew your coffee, then you should consider a coffee machine with a built in water filter to clean chlorine that comes from your tap. Water filters take out any chlorine or iron tastes that may be present in your tap water. Bear in mind that you will need to buy replacement filters in the future.
Pause n’ Serve :If you don't want to wait for the coffee to stop brewing before you have a fresh cup of coffee then the Pause n’ Serve feature is a must for you. The Pause n’ Serve feature allows you to remove the coffee pot before the brewing cycle is complete, without having coffee dribble all over the heating plate. The opening under the filter is low and touches the top of the pot. The valve closes when you take out the coffee pot.
Digital Programming : This feature is not a necessity but merely for convenience for those of us too busy or just plain lazy. It involves a timer which enables you to program your coffee making up to 24hrs in advance. A great use for this is for when you wake up for work, you have little time, so the coffee is waiting for you in the kitchen as soon as you're ready for it, very convenient. A part of this feature is the Auto-Off option for or those forgetful types who never remember whether or not they left the coffee maker on.
Integrated Bean Grinder : In general, coffee that is freshly ground tastes better. Not a typical feature, but you can buy coffee makers that have a built-in coffee bean grinder. These types of machines will usually grind just enough coffee with each use, for the freshest brew around. This way you do not need to buy a separate coffee bean grinder but Coffee makers with this feature tend to cost more.
Cup Warmer: Some coffee makers have mug-warming plates on them so that you can get your cup ready for the brew, usually a flat area on the top of the machine that’s warm. It’s simple but useful nonetheless.
Pod Compatibility :The latest thing in coffee making are pods. Pods are pre-packed discs of ground coffee which reduce the preparation time quite dramatically, making coffee preparation a snap with no mess. Newer models of coffee machine can take both pods and normal loose coffee.
Cleaning : If you cannot easily wash the coffee pot with soap and water, your coffee will taste stale over time due to the build up of residue that cannot be cleaned easily, so make sure your entire hand can fit inside the coffee pot to make cleaning easy. Built-in grinders make the coffee maker harder to clean. For permanent filters, you may have to clean the filters after each use, but this little bit of extra work is well worth it. For easy cleanup a plastic drip tray that can be removed is good to have. It makes life just a little bit easier.
Popular Brands: Choosing the right coffee maker is not easy. Make sure you purchase from well-known manufacturers. You will be able to find replacement parts and will be assured of an acceptable level of quality. Some of the popular coffee maker manufacturers include Braun, Cuisinart, Mr. Coffee, Krups, Senseo, Black & Decker and KitchenAid.
Choose a coffee maker that meets your basic needs and any has additional features you desire. You’ll find many good deals on Coffee makers online, so by shopping around you may get a better model than your budget would normally allow.
No comments:
Post a Comment