This Week's Top Stories About One Cup Coffee Makers
Single Cup Coffee Makers
A single cup of coffee maker can help you get started on the day with a delicious hot cup of coffee. These stylish machines make great gifts for coffee lovers in your life.
If you prefer using pods or grounds, there's a good single-cup brewer available for you. Find out which models performed well in our tests on functionality, durability and ease of use.
Ease of Use
If you drink only one cup of coffee a day, a single cup coffee machine is the best choice for you. It allows you to make coffee quickly and efficiently. They're also ideal for offices or dorms because they require less space than a full sized drip machine, and there is no need to refill the reservoir.
The coffee makers are made with single-serve pods or coffee ground. These coffee makers also have an option to "brew over Ice" which is ideal to make cold brew. Some single-cup coffeemakers may be used with loose leaf tea which is perfect for those who like the taste of rooibos or herbal teas.
There are many one cup coffee makers that are available, so you'll have to choose which features are important to you. You might want to have an enormous reservoir to cut down on the number of times you'll have to refill it. Some have removable water reservoirs that are easy to transport to the sink, whereas others don't have a water tank at all and require you to add your own water.
A few of our top choices have a fast brewing time that can save you time in the morning. Some also come with a thermal cup that keeps your coffee warm for a couple of hours after the brew cycle ends, which could be a great benefit when you want your coffee to last for a long period of time.
You'll have to decide if you prefer the convenience and ease of K-Cups, or if you would rather use ground coffee beans that have a filter. If you're in the latter category, consider the Ninja CM407 or other options such as the Nespresso Essenza Mini. If you want to enjoy the flavor of espresso without the hassles associated with drip coffee makers choose an AeroPress. Whatever type of brewer for one cup you choose, it's important to think about how many people you could be serving. A single-cup coffee maker isn't a good option for families of three or more that all drink coffee at the same time, as you'll likely have leftovers that can be thrown away.
Cleaning is easy
While a single cup coffee maker may seem like an efficient option for those traveling but it's essential to keep this workhorse clean. It's because, without proper maintenance and care gunk can build up in the carafe of the machine or basket, leaving an unpleasant taste. According to a study conducted by NSF International in 2011, If the reservoir is dirty, it may be a home for yeast and mold. Even though these unpleasant things won't have a serious impact on your health, it's nonetheless a bit unsettling to awake with a cup of coffee that isn't as good. A regular cleaning routine can bring back your coffee maker back to its original glory.
A simple wash using the one item that you likely always have on hand--white vinegar--can do wonders in getting rid of the accumulation of hard water and sludge that can cause your coffee maker to stop working properly. We recommend de-scaling the machine once every month (or every three months) following the same procedure you would use to brew a pot of coffee.
Begin by emptying the water bottle. Then, using a warm, soft soapy cloth, clean down the mug and lid as well as the brewing container. Pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water into the reservoir. Brew the mixture as you would a regular pot of coffee. Let the mixture sit for about 45 minutes and give the vinegar time to dissolve the calcium deposits in the reservoir of water and basket.
After the 45-minute timer is over, pour out the solution and run a few brewing cycles with clean water to wash away any remaining residue. If single serve coffee don't happen to have vinegar, a mix of baking soda and clean water can work. Make sure there aren't any pulp, seeds or rinds in the liquid.
If your Keurig shows signs of a more extensive buildup You can clean it by following the same procedure as described above. You can take apart the machine so that you can wash each part separately in soapy water that is warm. Then, rinse each part in warm soapy water and dry it with a towel prior to putting the machine back together.
Maintenance Ease
While a regular pour-over may offer the best taste however, the majority of our test subjects like the convenience of an easy, simple single-serve coffee maker for 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 examined the amount of waste produced by the various models, whether it was in the form disposable coffee cups, reusable filters, or how often the brewer was required to be descaled. For the latter we compared how easy it was to get the machine up and running with an at-home descaling solution, which typically consists of vinegar and warm soapy water.
Although a basic, entry-level single-serve coffee maker may not be the most durable or pleasing of our choices but this small beauty from Sboly has a plethora of innovative features for the price. You can choose between grounds and pods and it can brew cups of 8 or 14 ounces. It's compact enough to fit into a cupboard.
Gift Giving Made Simple
If you're shopping for the coffee lover in your life, there are a lot of options for gifts. For instance, you can gift your friend a bag of their favorite beans or a beautiful coffee mug. If you're looking to impress your friends, you can gift them one of the top single cup coffee makers at home. These appliances can help your loved ones brew the perfect cup of coffee every time, and also save money by not having to go to their local coffee shop.
Our experts have put together the top options that accommodate a range of budgets and styles. They have also compiled shopping guides to aid you in making the right choice for your loved ones.
Among our picks we recommend the Ninja CM407 for its exceptional performance. It was the most hottest cup we tested and offers a variety of brewing options that allow users to select one-serving or a complete carafe. Additionally, it's small and user-friendly.
Another option is the Keurig K-Cafe, which also offers a wide selection of choices for brewing. It's the best option for your friends or family members are looking for the convenience of K-Cups or espresso. If you prefer to pour their coffee using a manual method, we recommend the Chemex due to its stylish design and sturdy build.
You can also gift your friends a wonderful gift that will help them enjoy their coffee to its fullest with A Cupping Spoon. These tools are designed to increase the enjoyment of every cup of coffee by professional tasters. This will let you and your family members enjoy the flavor, aroma and texture of their coffee.
Of course, you can't overlook the finishing factors that make a good cup of coffee: creamers and milks (both dairy and non) sauces and syrups, even coffee liqueurs. Talk to your friends and loved ones about how they like their coffee, and what makes it better than the next person's. This will help you pick the perfect present to make their day.