There are many ways to get that morning caffeine boost: Espresso machine, brewer, French press, mocha coffee maker, stovetop - the list goes on and on. But there's also the classic coffee maker. It turns out that even the pickiest people (and by that I mean the coffee industry) often have such a coffee maker at home, which allows them to brew the standard coffee that they just pour in and forget about. But not all coffee makers are created equal. That's why I spoke with a few baristas, roasters and coffee shop owners about their favorite models - the ones they rely on to brew a strong cup (or two, or three) without much fuss.
What we look for
Capacity: this is a simple question, of course, but the capacity of a particular coffee maker should be a factor in deciding whether or not it's worth choosing for your facility. Most coffee makers on this list can brew up to eight or ten cups, a slightly larger one can handle 12 cups, a smaller one can handle four cups, and one differs in that it can only brew one cup at a time (useful if your family's daily coffee consumption fluctuates).
Size: although not as large as most espresso machines, coffee makers do take up a considerable amount of space on the table - certainly enough to consider this important aspect when making a purchase. I've included the dimensions of each.
Temperature maintenance: most coffee makers on this list brew the coffee in a stainless steel thermos, which keeps the coffee warm for several hours without the need to reheat it from below. This method is usually preferred by professionals because it doesn't burn the coffee. However, one of the models we marked does not, and two are designed for the preparation of iced coffee.
Bonavita Connoisseur 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker
Capacity: 8 Gallons / Special Feature: Dishwasher safe / Material: Stainless steel
The Bonavita Connoisseur was praised by most experts. One of the main reasons is the machine's ability to brew coffee at the right temperature. According to Ken Nye, owner of Ninth Street Espresso, few coffee machines "consistently bring the water temperature to 198-202 degrees," which he calls "the accepted standard." Nye explains that the Connoisseur "maintains that temperature throughout the brewing process." It also brews the coffee directly into an insulated thermowell, which keeps the coffee warm without heating it underneath.
The Connoisseur brews coffee very evenly because the flat-bottomed basket (into which the ground coffee is poured) and the shower-like spout ensure even water distribution and extraction. The flat-bottomed basket "distributes the ground coffee evenly," says George Howell, owner, and founder of George Howell Coffee.
Connie Blumhardt, founder, and editor of Roast Magazine notes that the machine is programmable, "a great option for Deep L lovers who want to brew coffee at the touch of a button without sacrificing quality," she says. This model may not be as extensively equipped as some of the other options on this list - or on the market in general - but experts recommend it above all others for its affordable price, ease of use, and above all, reliability. "It's consistent from start to finish," Howell says.
[Editor's note: The eight-cup version of this coffee maker is currently only available through third-party sellers on Amazon and is not sold anywhere else. If you don't need that much coffee at once, you can buy the five-cup version on Amazon for $130].
Moccamaster 53941 KBGV Select 10-Cup Coffee Maker
Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker was the second most recommended. It's expensive, but experts who use it say it's worth it if you want to invest in better equipment. Like the Bonavita Connoisseur, the Moccamaster has constant temperature control and even cooking. Suyog Modi, the founder of Driftaway Coffee, explains that the Moccamaster is made from the best parts and has a sturdy construction, while the brewing "mechanics" is similar to cheaper drip coffee makers. I've been using it daily for more than three years with no problems," he says. "It's just not cumbersome. And, frankly, it looks good on the kitchen table." The design is certainly appealing and the quality craftsmanship ensures a long life, but experts wouldn't recommend this coffee maker if it didn't make a quality beverage. "I've tried coffee from all types of coffee makers, and this machine consistently delivers a better cup," says Jim Munson, founder, and president of Brooklyn Roasting Company.
Jerad Morrison, co-founder, and CEO of Sightglass in San Francisco is also a fan of Technivorm but prefers a slightly different model. His favorite has the same features, but instead of pouring the coffee into a glass carafe on the burner, it's poured into a stainless steel thermal cup (like the Connoisseur). "It keeps the coffee hot for hours," he says, "without changing the flavor or burning it.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
Jamie McCormick, co-owner of Abraço Coffee Shop in the East Village, told us he prefers to keep the process of choosing coffee machines as simple as possible. "People fuss over a lot of little things" when it comes to brewing equipment, he says. In his opinion, a simple Mr. Coffee coffee machine is the best choice for any "amateur who wants to flatter his coffee grounds." As a coffee roasting enthusiast, I couldn't agree more. I used the Mr. Coffee coffee maker before I switched to a stovetop to save space, and have never been disappointed. Since the machine doesn't have a high-tech mechanism for distributing water evenly like some other models on this list, McCormick offers an important tip: Open the machine while brewing and "stir the water to make sure it's hydrated."
OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker
| Capacity | 64 Fluid Ounces |
| Brand | OXO |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Special Feature | Manual |
| Material | Polypropylene |
This model comes highly recommended by Noah McKeown, general manager of Go Get Em Tiger in Los Angeles. "The real advantage for me is that there's a valve hole in the lid, so the coffee brews right in the carafe," he says. "It retains heat and flavors better and is safer because the liquid doesn't spill. There's also an insert that allows you to brew one to four cups of coffee instead of five to eight. The settings are a little different, so there's less water applied at once and more stirring when it hits the ground beans. "It's almost the same as brewing coffee by the pour-over method, but in an automatic coffee maker," McKeown says.
OXO Good Grips 32 Ounce Cold Brew Coffee Maker
| Capacity | 32 Fluid Ounces |
| Brand | OXO |
| Color | Black |
| Special Feature | Dishwasher Safe |
| Material | Glass, Plastic |
Cold-brew machines aren't exactly plug-in electric coffee makers, but they're still important, especially for those who drink cold coffee year-round. Dennis Ngo, chef and co-owner of Di An Di restaurant in Brooklyn, prefers this particular machine. "I'm addicted to the smoothness and low acidity of cold-brewed coffee," Ngo says. "I can experiment with different beans and concentrations and get enough cold brew coffee for two weeks at a time. It also folds up for storage, which is an absolute requirement in my tiny New York apartment.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
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