Ten Things You Learned In Kindergarden They'll Help You Understand Single Serve Coffee Brewer
single-serve coffee Coffeee Serve Coffee Brewer
A single-serve coffee brewer is a great option for those who prefer the convenience of pods or want to replicate the flavor of drip at home. These machines are simple and easy to use.
They are available in a variety of designs, from the basic to the sophisticated (like latte attachments on advanced models). You can find models that utilize Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ground coffee beans.
How do they work exactly?
A single-serve coffee brewer makes use of capsules, K Cups or pods that are pre-packaged with ground coffee and tea. The user presses a button, selects the cup, and the machine fills that cup with hot water, iced coffee or hot chocolate. Some models feature an automatic shutoff or sleep mode to cut down on the energy consumption.
The majority of brewers featured in our roundup make use of pre-packaged tea or coffee, however there are a few that allow you to make your own. Some have adjustable temperature and brew strength settings while others offer preset settings for your convenience. Look for one with an adequate water reservoir to meet your needs. Consider a unit that has a larger tank to reduce the frequency of refilling.
Some single-serve coffee makers have a variety of options for brewing, from a single espresso shots up to a 16-ounce brew (perfect for a travel mug). The coffee you choose to drink or tea may also influence your decision to buy, since many brewers can only accept one brand of capsules/K Cups.
The convenience of the single-serve coffee maker could reduce time and cost compared to making a pot of drip coffee. However, it's worth considering the impact that purchasing and disposing of a lot of K-Cups or pods have on the environment. These plastic containers end up being put in landfills and have negative effects on the environment.
Some models can brew both ground and pod coffee. If you prefer a traditional drip coffee, look for a model that permits you to choose your own grind size and add water manually.
If you have a habit of drinking many cups of coffee with your friends and family, you might need a single-serve coffee maker that can accommodate more than one cup at one time. The top models have an adjustable drip tray that holds up to three cups. Some models with no drip tray removable can accommodate four to five cups. Check if the model you're considering has different brew size options, such as an 8-to-12-ounce option or a 10 to 14-ounce-sized cup.
What kinds of coffee can you make?
A single-serve machine is able to brew different kinds of coffee. They are most commonly made with coffee pods such as those made by Keurig (K-Cups) and Nespresso (capsules). Some models can also make drip coffee from ground beans. And a few of them can even make lattes and espresso. Although they're not likely to win any beauty contests compared to a Moka or pour-over kettle but they can still make good coffee in just a few minutes.
Some companies offer refillable capsules and reusable varieties if you're worried about the amount of plastic used in the production of these coffee pods. Certain manufacturers offer "eco sustainable" cups that are made of plastic. Additionally, a lot of the coffee makers we've reviewed have a "my brew" setting that allows you to customize your preferred brewing parameters. These settings can be as easy as selecting a cup size or as complex as selecting the beverage type and altering the brewing temperature.
It's also important to think about whether you'd like an appliance that is solely single-serve or if you'd like a carafe-style coffee maker for larger quantities of coffee. We've included a few these models in this roundup, such as the popular Ninja Specialty maker, which can brew four ounces for you, and anyone else you might be brewing for.
Other single-serve machines let you select different brewing styles and sizes, like the Bruvi Precision Brewer, which has options for low acid, Americano, iced coffee, and cold brew. The touch-screen display provides an array of other customizing features, too for instance, the possibility of adding sugar and milk directly into your drink.
Some single-serve machines are focused on making a specific type of coffee, for example the Nespresso Essenza Mini and the Breville Barista Express. Both of these machines are capable of making lungo and espresso coffee with just one touch, which is a foolproof method. Both machines are small enough to sit on your kitchen countertop.
Can they be reused?
While they can provide an easy and quick method to make coffee single serve coffee brewers create an overwhelming amount of waste. The small plastic and aluminum pods are thrown away after use, leaving behind a massive amount of waste that is discarded. This is among the fastest growing waste streams worldwide, and it's important to do what you can to reduce it. Many retailers and manufacturers provide environmentally responsible disposal options for used and old coffee makers. These programs help keep these waste streams from landfills and help to stop pollution to our environment. That's why it's crucial to know whether your favorite single serve coffee maker is able to be reused.
Metals such as copper and aluminum are extremely recyclable, as is glass and other components in your coffee maker. The metals can then be melted and then reformed to make new products. This helps save energy and resources since it does not require the need to mine and process raw materials. In addition, a lot of electronic components found in coffee makers can be reused and recycled which further reduces the environmental impact.
In addition to these metals, most coffee makers are also made from other recyclable plastics and other materials. The "cup" on many K-Cups, and other coffee pods that are disposable, is made of a plastic called No. 5 polypropylene, which can be recycled. In fact, Mother Jones estimates that all of the K-Cups made in 2013 could cover the Earth's equator 10.5 times and that's why it's so important to recycle your used and unneeded pods.
If you are looking to recycle your coffee maker, the best choice is to contact the manufacturer for specific instructions on how to properly dispose of the machine. Some companies, like Keurig and Nespresso have extensive recycling programs that offer drop-off at the local store and mail-in options. You can also look online for a local recycling center, which usually have dedicated recycling centers for e-waste that deal with items like coffee makers and small appliances. Donating or repurposing your coffee maker could be an eco-friendly alternative to recycling, since these methods will not end up in landfills and keep the machine away from non-sustainable charities.
What are they like?
If you are a fan of a freshly-brewed pot of coffee, but don't have the time to brew a whole pot, single serve brewers can be a great choice for you. These machines make coffee, or any other beverage at the push of one button. This means that there is less chances of making enough and then having to throw it to waste later. They are also typically much more efficient than larger drip brewers.
Many grocery stores carry a variety of single-serve coffee brewers. They also have reusable models. Some of these brewers were designed to use coffee pods, that are available in different flavors. Others are more flexible that allow you to use ground beans, teabags or loose-leaf.
Single-serve systems for brewing can be more expensive than regular drip coffee makers, however they're worth the investment for those who value convenience to you. The top models we've tested offer great flavor, are easy to use, and have plenty of customization options for the type of drink you're looking for.
The compact and affordable CSB100S can be used with single-packs of coffee, ground coffee and tea bags. It has a generous water tank and is user-friendly with just one start button and an automatic shutoff. It lacks features to remotely manage the brewing process and some users report problems with its functionality over time.
The Instant Pod Plus is another compact model, a little more expensive than the BLACK+DECKER. It's manufactured by the same company who makes the Instant Pot. The brewer can be used with K-Cups as well as Original Nespresso pods and the brand's compostable pods (though you should note that they require an industrial composting center instead of your backyard pile). The drip tray can be removed and adjusted to fit into a travel mug. However the lid for the hot water button isn't included.
The Aeropress is a single-serve brewer that uses your own coffee grounds to provide an alternative to the traditional. It takes just two minutes to make 8 ounces of coffee and doesn't require hot water or electricity. It can be used with normal coffee grounds, however, you'll have to grind them extremely fine to allow them to absorb liquid fast.