People love coffee and buy tons of coffee makers each year. The problem with your average coffee maker is that it is usually designed to make ten to twelve cups of coffee per pot. This is fine for the office or maybe a diner but a casual coffee drinker doesn’t need all that. With an average coffee maker, if you only drink one or two cups a day, you are wasting between eight and ten cups. That’s a lot of coffee! Another thing is if you buy a big can of coffee, it will most likely get stale after a while. These are all good reasons you might want a single cup coffee maker.

Single cup coffee makers are perfect for single people and those that just want a better cup of coffee than a normal coffee pot will allow. A single cup coffee maker gives you a higher quality cup of coffee because it was designed for just that. One premium cup of coffee. Other coffee makers will brew more at a time but they are designed for speed not quality.

Single cup coffee makers are a bit more expensive than multi-cup coffee makers. This is because normally the only coffee you can use in them is sold in “pod” form. This is basically a self contained package that has coffee inside little flat oval shaped filters. If you browse your retail aisles, you should be able to tell easily what sells and what doesn’t. This is good to keep in mind so you don’t buy a new coffee maker only to have it obsolete and useless in just a few months. There are a few name brands such as Senseo and Mr. Coffee that you can’t go wrong with but you should definitely shop around and read some reviews and comparisons before making your purchase.

Each single cup coffee maker tends to be unique. Some will let you change the strength you desire or if you want four or eight ounces of coffee. Some will put foam or froth on top of each cup. There are many different options available to you.

There are many places you can purchase a single cup coffee maker. The most obvious choice is a retail store that has many different types lined up on a shelf. This lets you see what they look like, what they do, and what they offer. Appearance is important because if your entire kitchen has stainless steel appliances, a black plastic pot might not fit the theme of the kitchen. Price is always a factor because if something will do the exact same thing for $50.00 less, you might as well give it a shot and upgrade if necessary.

The only drawback to single cup coffee makers is that they only make one cup at a time. If you have many guests you will have to run back and forth, replace coffee pods, and make individual cups. The guests might appreciate the higher quality, so that is a choice you will have to make.

Many people have coffee makers but are curious what other types of coffee makers are available. Maybe you would like to try something new or your old coffee maker finally died and you need a good replacement. With hundreds of types of coffee maker on the market, you have many options available and are sure to find something that will suit your needs.

Before you buy a coffee maker you should figure out what exactly you want out of it. Are you a coffee addict who needs 10 cups a day or should you stick with a smaller single serve coffee maker? Do you need to grind your own beans and want a grinder built in? Do you want foam or options for espresso and cappuccino? Or, do you just want something cheap that will make coffee as easy as possible? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself before going to find a new coffee maker.

Naturally, the easiest and most common type of coffee maker is the automatic drip. This is where you put some water in the back or side, put in a filter, fill it with coffee, then push start. Its ease of use is one of the things that makes this type so appealing. These can make just one cup at a time or gallons at a time. It all depends on what you want to use it for. The only thing you really need to worry about is the type of coffee you want to put into it. Quality coffee beans can be ground at stores and they can even be infused with flavors you like such as hazelnut, vanilla, and cinnamon.

The second most popular type of coffee maker is the manual drip. This is just like the automatic drip except you heat up and pour the water yourself. You just pour it into the holder where the coffee filter filled with coffee sits. It drains into the pot and you are done. These also make either single cup or up to 12 cups but aren’t usually used commercially. For people who love fishing, hunting, and camping, these are a good choice as they are portable and you can heat the water however you want. You can use a stove, campfire, even a hot car engine is an option if you really need a cup of coffee immediately.

Espresso and cappuccino machines are more for a selective person who knows exactly what they like. Unlike a normal coffee maker, these are expensive and you need to practice to operate them efficiently. They utilize pressure, foam, froth, and milk depending on the type of machine you buy. Espresso and cappuccino are gaining popularity and these are becoming smaller and more affordable than ever before.

In addition to these, there are many other types of coffee maker you may be interested in. There are old fashioned percolators, vacuum brewers, French presses, and much more available if you choose to look around. You can find anything you are looking for either on line or at a local retailer.

Coffee has a language all its own. Here are a few of the frequently used coffee maker terms.

Auto Frother: device that automatically froths milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

Automatic Drip Coffee Maker: machine that automatically heats water and filters it through the coffee.

Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: an espresso machine featuring controllable, programmable coffee dosing.

Bean to Cup: fully automated coffee making process. Machines with bean to cup capability do everything from grinding the beans to filling a cup with coffee.

Boiler: steam machine inside coffee maker. Machines with larger boilers usually are more powerful and produce more hot water for beverages.

Boiler Element: electric element that heats boiler in electric espresso coffee makers.

Cappuccino: Italian espresso based beverage.

Cup Warmer: metal portion at top of espresso coffee maker where cups are placed for warming.

Dosing: refers to either the number of grams of coffee per cup or the amount of brewed coffee per cup.

Drip Tray: Part of espresso coffee maker where coffee cup sits for filling.

Espresso: Italian black coffee which preceded specialty coffees. Rich black coffee.

Filter Basket: Metal filter where grounds are placed for brewing.

Filtered Method: process of brewing coffee with a filter, coffee is separate from the water.

French Press: aka plunger pot. A cylindrical coffee maker in which ground coffee is steeped then filtered. Coffee grounds are pushed to the bottom of the pot with the plunger. Coffee stays in the top of the pot.

Fully Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machines which automatically manage the brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee.

Grind: process of preparing coffee beans for coffee brewing.

Group: Portion of espresso coffee maker that brews coffee.

Group Handle: Portion of espresso coffee maker that holds the filter basket that ground coffee goes into.

Heat Exchanger: heats water for coffee without taking water from the boiler.

Hopper: portion of grinder that holds coffee beans.
French Press coffee maker:

Knock-out Box: container used to knock the used coffee grounds from group handle.

Latte: Hot beverage made with one quarter coffee, three quarters of steamed, hot milk with little froth.

Mocha: term used to describe hot beverage made from espresso, chocolate and milk.

Moka Pot: Classic Italian espresso-maker used on top of the stove.

Percolator: coffee maker that continuously runs water through the coffee grounds to make coffee.

Pod: a self-contained, single serving unit of ready to use coffee.

Pour/Pour Speed/Pour Time: the amount of time required to pour coffee from group into cup. Should be 25 to 30 seconds for espresso.

Pump: device that moves water through the coffee maker.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine without pre-set dosing capability.

Steam Arm/Wand: metal tube delivering steam to froth milk.

Super Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker: machine which automatically manages brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee in addition to other features such as a water filter.

Tamping: act of pressing ground coffee into filter basket.

Vacuum coffee maker: machine using vacuum process to make coffee.

Traditional espresso coffee maker: machine that is not a bean to cup automated model.

Water Filter: filters contaminants from water for better coffee taste.

Water Font: nozzle used to dispense water from machine boiler.

Water Softener: filters lime and minerals from water, preventing build up of scales in the coffee maker. This is a must have for anyone using hard water.

One will always get and ear-full of how great a coffee maker is when walking into a friend’s home. You put up with all the details of the machine and eventually try out the greatest coffee it can produce. At another friend you get the same story, but concerning a different coffee maker. You can make the best cup of coffee with a very simple coffee maker, and one specific machine is the manual drip machine.

The French Press is a glass jar. It has vertical sides and a plunger, and attached to the plunger is a mesh filter. The coffee is inserted in the jar, hot water is poured in, the lid is attached, and after 4 minutes all you have to do is slowly press the plunger down. That is all it takes, and with that you will be able to enjoy a tasteful cup of coffee.

Next are coffee percolators. You do not want to make your coffee with one of these. Percolators are pots that have to stand on the stove for endless hours. This is not the best way to use up the coffee beans that you carefully selected. When coffee is brewed, the temperature of the water has to be just below the boiling stage. Percolators are culprits for boiling the flavor out of the beans. If you think otherwise, keep your old percolator. However, if you want the quality out of your coffee beans, try using a different maker.

Yum, Coffee Drip Brewers are probably the most common and the best when it comes to coffee machines. You probably own one or have one at work. All this requires is for you to add your coffee in the filter, fill with water, flick the switch and watch the container fill with coffee. If you have a good coffee maker model, the water will hit the coffee at the exact temperature. These brewers can supply you with a cup of coffee you will never forget.

There is however a downfall with these machines and you’ve probably tasted the downfall two hours after it was made in the machine. What happens is after the coffee has brewed and is now standing on the hotplate, after some time the hotplate starts cooking your coffee. The solution is to make just the right amount you think you will consume in the next thirty minutes. It is advisable to make a fresh pot if you want more coffee an hour later.

Single mug coffee brewers have their advantages and their disadvantages. The advantages are that you will have a fresh cup of coffee every single time and there will be no mess and coffee ground will not be spilled. The disadvantages are that you can only brew the coffee that is sold in these pods or cups. You will not be able to go down to the store to try a new blend of coffee beans. Manufacturers have their own coffee suppliers, and what they have on the shelf is what you get.

Coffee makers have come a long way. From yesterday’s cowboy pots boiling coffee over the coals to today’s sleek gourmet brewers, there’s a coffee maker to fit every taste, every lifestyle, every budget and every counter space. So how to select a coffee maker of your dreams?

Before you head for the appliance aisle at your favorite store, do a little homework. Consider what kind of coffee you prefer, how often you drink coffee, how much space you have for a coffee maker, how much you can afford to spend on a coffee maker. These are the issues involved in deciding whether to purchase an espresso or a non-espresso coffee maker.

Choosing a Coffee Maker: Espresso or No Espresso

Espresso coffee makers are fancy. They cost more than other coffee makers (some cost thousands of dollars) and make a variety of coffee types including cappuccino and lattes. Espresso machines often make only one cup of coffee at a time and require cleaning after each cup. The coffee is stronger than that brewed by other means.

True coffee aficionados often prefer to use the espresso coffee maker, especially the super automated models that do everything from grinding the coffee to pouring it into the cup.

Typical coffee drinkers who prefer to have a pot of coffee available at all times and aren’t interested in lattes or other versions of coffee tend to prefer non-espresso coffee makers. Non-espresso coffee makers work well for people who like to start the coffee brewing and go on about their usual activities while it brews. They buy coffee already ground and don’t bother with beans or grinding.

For coffee drinkers needing large quantities of coffee, non-espresso is the way to go. Large percolator type coffee urns can be used to make more than a hundred cups of coffee at one time.

They also prefer returning to the coffee pot time after time and refilling their coffee cup over making only a cup at a time. Non-espresso type coffee makers are much less expensive than espresso machines.

Choosing a Coffee Maker: Non-Espresso

These coffee makers are available in drip, French press and combination models. Drip machines often make 6 to 10 cups of coffee at a time. For those who need a lesser quantity, it’s better to buy a model that makes 4 cups (or less) at a time. Drip coffee makers are inexpensive and easy to use.

There are pod coffee makers available which use single serving pods to brew coffee. Pod coffee makers can be inexpensive but the coffee itself costs more than standard cans of pre-ground coffee.
French Press coffee makers are great for a few cups of coffee at a time. Combination coffee makes featuring both espresso and non-espresso coffee makers in one machine are also available. These machines give coffee drinkers the best of both worlds.

Choosing a Coffee Maker: Espresso

Espresso coffee makers come in semi-automatic, fully automatic and super automatic models. These machines make fewer cups at a time and may require more time and attention that a standard drip coffee maker.

The more automated an espresso coffee maker is, the more features it will offer. Some take care of everything from grinding the coffee beans to filling the cup with coffee and ejecting the used coffee grounds.

The more features the espresso coffee maker offers, the higher the price tag attached to it. These coffee makers can cost anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.

The first decision to be made in choosing a coffee maker is the need to determine whether an espresso coffee maker or a non-espresso coffee maker is needed. Coffee preferences, budget and quantity of coffee to be made are factors that affect the decision making process.