Why You Should Concentrate On Improving One Cup Coffee Makers
Single Cup Coffee Makers
A single cup of coffeemaker will help you start your day with a delicious cup hot coffee. These sleek machines make perfect gifts for the coffee enthusiast in your life.
If you prefer using pods or grounds there's a great single-cup brewer for you. Find out which models scored highly in our tests for function, durability, ease of use and aesthetics.
Simple to Use
If you drink only one cup of coffee per day, a single cup coffee maker is the best option for you. It allows you to make coffee quickly and efficiently. They're also great for a dorm room or office because they require less space than a large drip machine and have no reservoir of water to refill.
The coffee makers are made with single-serve pods or coffee ground. They often also have the "brew over ice" option which makes them ideal for making a cold brew. Single-cup coffeemakers can be used with loose leaf tea which is great for those who like herbal teas or rooibos.
You'll need to determine what features are important to you. For instance, you may require a large reservoir of water to reduce the number of times you'll need to refill it. Some water reservoirs are removable that are simple to carry to the sink, whereas others do not have a tank at all and require you to put in your own water.
Some of our top picks have a quick brewing time that can save you valuable morning minutes. Some include a thermal carafe that keeps your coffee warm for a couple of hours after the brew cycle has ended and can be an added convenience if you need your cup to last for a long time.
It's also important to decide if you want the convenience of K-Cups or prefer ground beans and filter. If you fall into the second category, you may think about the Ninja CM407 and other options like the Nespresso Essenza Mini. If you want to enjoy the flavor of espresso without the hassles that come with using a drip coffee maker choose an AeroPress. It's important to consider the number of people who will be drinking the coffee. A single-cup coffee maker isn't a great choice for families of three or more that all consume coffee at the same time, as you'll likely end up with leftovers that will be wasted.
Ease of Cleaning
It is important to clean your single-cup coffee machine. This is because, without proper maintenance, gunk can accumulate in the basket and carafe, causing an unpleasant taste. If left unclean for too long, the reservoir could harbor yeast and mold according to a 2011 study conducted by NSF International. Although these nasties won't seriously affect your health, it can be a bit of a turn-off to wake up to a cup of brew that doesn't taste good. A regular cleaning routine can restore your coffee maker back to its original splendor.
White vinegar, a common item that you probably always have in your kitchen, can work wonders to remove the hard water deposits and buildup that could cause your machine to stop working. De-scaling is recommended every month or every three months by following the same steps like you would make coffee.
Begin by emptying single serve coffee brewer , then cleaning the lid, mug, and brewing basket using a soft cloth that has been dipped in warm soapy water. Then, add equal parts of white vinegar and water into the reservoir. Then, brew the mixture like you would with a regular pot of coffee. Let the mixture remain in the reservoir for 45 minutes. This allows the vinegar to dissolve the calcium deposits.
After the 45-minute timer has ended then pour the solution out and run several brewing cycles using clean water to wash away any remaining residue. If you don't happen to have vinegar, a mix of baking soda and clean water will suffice. Make sure there are no pulp or seeds in the solution.
If your Keurig is showing signs of a more extensive build-up, it is possible to clean it with the same procedure as mentioned earlier by disassembling the machine to the point where you can wash each part separately in warm, soapy water. Then, wash each part in soapy water, and dry it with a clean towel prior to putting the machine back together.
Maintenance Ease
While a traditional pour-over might offer the best taste however, the majority of our test subjects are happy with an easy, simple one cup coffee maker on busy days at work. So, when testing single-serve brewers, we focused on the ease of daily maintenance--including how easy it was to refill the water reservoir, how simple it was to dump spent grounds or pods, and whether the instructions for descaling were clear and easy to follow.
We also took into account how much waste each model produced either in the form of disposable coffee cups or a filter that can be reused and how often the brewer required to be descaled. For the latter we examined how easy it was to get the machine up and running with an at-home descaling solution, that is typically a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water.
While a bare-bones single-serve coffee maker that is priced at the entry level may not be the most durable or pleasing of our choices however, this tiny beauty from Sboly comes with a wealth of smart features for its price. You can select between grounds and pods, and it can brew cups of 8 or 14 ounces. It's compact enough to fit in a cupboard.
Gift Giving Ease
If you're looking for the coffee lover in your life there are a lot of options for gifts. For instance, you can give your friend the bag of their preferred beans or a beautiful coffee mug. But if you're looking to impress, think about giving one of the best single cup coffee makers for home use. These gadgets can help your loved ones to make the perfect cup of coffee every time and save them money on trips to the local coffee shop.
Our experts have chosen the best options for a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. They've also put together shopping guides to help you in making the right choice for your loved ones.
Among our picks we would recommend the Ninja CM407 for its exceptional performance. It was able to produce the most hot cup of joe in our testing, and has several brewing options that allow you to choose between just one serving or a complete carafe. It's also small and easy to use.
Keurig K-Cafe is a different option, as it offers various brewing options. If you're looking to give your family and friends with the convenience of K Cups or espresso, this is the best alternative. For those who prefer to pour their coffee using a manual method, we recommend the Chemex because of its elegant design and sturdy construction.
You can also present your friends a great gift that will help them enjoy their coffee to its fullest with a Cupping Spoon. These tools are used by professional coffee tasters to make the most of every sip. This will allow you and your family to enjoy the aroma, flavor, and the texture of their coffee.
Of course, you shouldn't overlook the final factors that make a good cup of coffee: milks and creamers (both dairy and non) sauces and syrups, even coffee liquors. So talk to your friends and loved ones about what they like about their java, and what makes it better than the next person's. This will guide you to the perfect gift that will bring a smile to their face.