Coffee Makers

KONA French Press is a product that has made its mark on the market, and with good reason. Making coffee using a French Press is a fairly simple process, but the quality of equipment and its construction matters as much as your skill and the quality of coffee. Careful design and construction are exactly what has gained KONA a strong position in the market, and a place on many a coffee lovers’ kitchen countertops. Our KONA French Press review will give you a closer look at this French Press, and an understanding of what makes it so popular.

The KONA French Press — What It Does Right

Great Build Quality For Filtration System And Plunger

The Kona French Press puts great effort in an excellent build quality. It is built to last, and to take the pressures that a French Press can be expected to deal with. The piston and filtration system are one of the finest in the industry, as is the borosilicate glass cylinder.

Kona uses a stainless steel piston and filtration system. Not only does this setup work better than conventional plastic systems, it is also longer lasting and helps brew better coffee. The plastic is liable to leave some of its smell in the coffee, as many people notice when they fire up their machines. Plastic dipped in hot water (for brewing coffee) doesn’t really make a great recipe for taste. And in case you’re using one that is not upto health standards, it may adversely affect your health as well.

KONA French Press is not susceptible to these issues. Equally important, its filtration system is more reliable. An average plastic system will warp under pressure sooner or later, even though that is the environment it is supposed to work in. This warping may not even be immediately noticeable, but it will steadily make your coffee taste worse, and even make it bitter. Every single part of its three-piece detachable filtration system is made from stainless steel, and stays miles away from plastic.

Well Built Carafe

Kona’s well built carafe is a star. Made entirely of borosilicate glass, this cylindrical beaker/carafe is made to host good French Press coffee. By any indication, the carafe is built to last. Rather than just throw a piece of borosilicate and call it a win, this cafetière has been built from fairly thick borosilicate glass.

While some reviewers have gone on to suggest that the borosilicate glass used is strong enough to survive a fall, we’ll say it is a very bad idea to test it. Throwing even a fairly strong borosilicate glass on the ground is akin to tempting fate. Let’s not go down that route and be overly confident in the strength of the glass.

That disclaimer aside, the borosilicate carafe does indeed look stury. Much like the piston, it is built to last years of life as a French Press, and it hits the target fairly accurately. It also has better resistance to thermal shocks, which means you don’t have to worry about pouring hot water into the tube even as the ambient temperature is cold. That certainly doesn’t mean this carafe is immortal;l it just means that it won’t throw up cracks and issues for every minor issues.

Aesthetics Of Kona French Press

This French Press makes a great impression with its high-quality materials and components, but most of the heavy-lifting is done by a web-like styling on the exterior. The only purpose it has is cosmetic, and it does its job quite well, in the process creating a unique look for the Kona French Press. Overall, it creates a pleasurable look that combines the modern and the vintage into one fine

No Coffee Grounds In Your Coffee

As we discussed earlier, a cheaper French press will see its filtration system give way, which eventually leads to coffee grounds finding their way into your coffee. Even if the filtration system doesn’t warp, many brands simply aren’t prepared for making French Press coffee, and will let some particles through. Kona’s wide screen and good build keep it safe from such problems.

Not only does this French press make a great coffee, it is well priced and convenient to use. Once you get familiar with it, you can even use to make a variety of coffee based beverages, going beyond just the usual.

Salient Points For The Kona French Press

Price

Kona certainly is priced higher than several other coffee makers available on the market. We’ll say the excellent build quality is justification enough for the higher price. Besides, price is relative, and upgrading to a high-end product like the Kona French Press won’t make a significant dent to your shopping budget.

Specifications

Kona French Press is available in two sizes, a 12 ounce that works great when you’re making coffee simply for yourself or a single companion. The other option is at 34oz, which is great if you have friends and family over. It keeps its good looks with the two colors on offer: red, and black.

Kona French Press Brews Tea As Well

Kona French Press will happily go beyond coffee and take you to the realm of tea. Just allow the tea leaves to steep in the water, and then steadily push the plunger like you would do with coffee. Kona’s filtration system is thorough enough to trap the small particles usually present in tea and stop them from entering the brew. If you switch from making coffee to tea, be sure to thoroughly clean the filtration system and the French Press. Coffee flavored tea (or vice versa) isn’t the best option to have around.

Use Good Quality Coffee Beans

When using a nice product like the KONA, remember to use good quality coffee beans to enjoy the best of flavors. If you are a serious coffee aficionado, consider using fresh beans and investing in a nice burr grinder.

Cleaning

Cleaning this French Press is simple. The carafe and plunger are both easily cleaned, and are dishwasher safe. You may also choose to filling the carafe with warm, mildly soapy water and running the piston through it a few times. Remember to rinse the French Press well before you make coffee in it.

KONA French Press Coffee Maker Pros And Cons

Pros:

• Excellent build and aesthetics
• Reasonably priced
• Efficiently keeps coffee and tea grounds out of the brew
• Easy to clean and maintain
• No plastic components in plunger or carafe

Cons:

There really aren’t many. But to nit pick:

• Coffee stays warm only for a few minutes.

KONA French Press Coffee Maker Review — The Finale

If good French Press coffee is your aim, KONA has you covered. A coveted and popular French press, it brew a great cup of coffee, and look good doing it! It is generally considered a bestseller in the world of French Presses, and we can say it is a title the KONA French Press richly deserves.

 

We have covered quite a few electronic coffee makers, but as we all know, the art of coffee making isn’t all about modern machines. There are several tried and tested methods that have stood the taste test of time. A prime example is the Moka Pot. This pot is a popular, and once you get a grasp of it, a simple method for brewing excellent coffee, and even a variety of coffees.

Moka Pot coffee is concentrated and rich, and it doesn’t take much time either. So let’s see what’s involved when making coffee with a Moka pot.

 

Moka Pot Coffee Maker

Mocha pot was invented by Luigi De Ponti, and was named after the Yemenite city of Mocha. It was patented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because Bialetti Industrie continues to sell Moka pots to this day, and is one of the best regarded names in the field.

 

Moka Pot Construction And Working

Traditionally, Moka pots have been made of aluminum, which continues to be a material of choice today as well. Though there are several variations available, including those made from stainless steel and other alloys. A Moka pot generally consists of three parts:

• Boiler: The water filled part that sits on the flame
• Coffee basket: The chamber/part above the boiler that contains your coffee grounds
• Collecting chamber: Lid-covered top chamber where the coffee is collected

Science behind the Moka pot is fairly straightforward. As the water in the boiler heats up and boils, it faces pressure created by steam. This pressure forces the water into the coffee basket, where the soaks the beans and extracts flavor from them. Eventually, the pressure forces the mix into the collecting chamber, and your get your delicious Moka pot coffee.

 

Preparing To Brew: Things You Should Keep Handy For Moka Pot Coffee

Let’s start with the essentials, things you must absolutely have to make a Moka pot coffee. These are:

• Coffee grounds — Grinds should be fine, but slightly coarser than what you would use for espresso.
• Kettle
• Moka pot

That should do it for a basic cup, but if you’re more detail oriented and want more out of your coffee, you might need the following as well.

• Freshly roasted coffee beans
• Coffee grinder
• Scale to measure the amount and weight of coffee
• Cold Towels
• Oven glove or cloth to handle the hot boiler or Moka pot

 

Suggested Moka Pot Coffee Brew Ratios For Water And Coffee

It is important to hit the right ratio for coffee and water to make a great cup of coffee. A general suggestion is 1:15, which means for every gram of coffee you add, you should add 15ml of water. Or simply put, 15 grams of water. Of course, it isn’t a universal rule and is entirely dependent on your taste and the type of coffee you are making. Anyways, here’s a table you can keep handy for quick reference of coffee to water ratio.

Number of cups	Water measure (ml)	Coffee weight (grams)
1 (2 oz)	60	4
3 (6.5 oz)	200	12
6 (10 oz)	300	18

Now that we’ve got the preparations covered, let’s get to work making some coffee.

 

Making Coffee With A Moka Pot — A Guide

 

Step 1 – Boil Water

Add water to a kettle and bring it to boil. Ideally, you should remove the kettle from the stove right before the water begins to boil.

Why are we heating water in a kettle when our Moka pot specifically has a boiler, you ask? Well, that’s because we want to avoid getting the entire pot hot. Heat travels in a pot, and if the coffee basket gets overly hot, it could char the coffee, giving it a burnt or metallic taste. Secondly, this helps speed up the coffee brewing process. Once we start with the Moka pot, we won’t have to wait for water to hit the right temperature. Besides, you may also want to keep some hot water handy so you can preheat your coffee cup – it does make a difference.

 

Step 2 – Grind The Coffee Beans

Fresh ground beans are best for taste. Your ground beans should be fine, though slightly more coarse than espresso. If you are using an electric grinder, its best to have a setting somewhere between espresso and paper filter. In case you are not sure of the amount you should use, take a look at the table above and pick the right weight of coffee beans.

 

Step 3 – Add Water To Moka Pot Boiler

Transfer water from your kettle to the Moka pot boiler. Take care that the water level remains below the pressure valve. The valve is a safety system, and one you don’t want to compromise by adding more water than required. In case there is an overbuilding of pressure, the valve shoots off, and keeps the structural integrity of the Moka pot safe.

 

Step 4 – Add Coffee Grounds To The Basket

Add the coffee grounds to the basket. Do not tamp the coffee grounds, it’s okay to have them loose. We want them soaked as the water rises up, rather than restricting the movement of water. Do not overfill the basket.

There will be some coffee grounds on the sides or top of the basket; clean them off. We want the basket to form a neat, airtight fit with the chambers. Having coffee grounds stuck at its surface might not allow them to fit right together.

 

Step 5 – Put It All Together

Place the coffee basket over the boiler, and the collecting chamber on top. Remember, the boiler has hot water in it, so you may want to use oven gloves or a cloth to handle it. Fix each chamber securely in its place, but don’t overtighten.

 

Step 6 – Put The Pot On The Stove

Put the Moka pot on the stove, keep it at medium or low-medium heat. Place the pot in a way that the pressure valve faces away from you. Leave the top lid open so you can see the coffee as it enters the collection chamber.

 

Step 7 – Collect The Coffee

You will see the coffee enter the collection chamber. If the coffee is shooting out of the funnel, lower the heat so the coffee takes a slower speed. Coffee entering the chamber will start off as a rich, brown stream and will get progressively lighter. Keep an eye on the color of the coffee, and as soon as it turns honey yellow, remove the Moka pot from the flame and close the lid.

At this point, you may also use a cold towel. Place it at the boiler to stop the brewing process. This is to stop overbrewing that will make the coffee bitter.

 

Step 8 – Pour And Enjoy Your Moka Coffee!

Pour the coffee into a cup. Keep some space, in case you need to add some milk or water to dilute it. Moka coffee can be strong, even strong for people who prefer strong coffee. Take note of how you like the strength, and adjust the coffee grounds for the next time you brew coffee.

 

Precautions While Brewing Moka Pot Coffee

You are working with containers at high steam pressure, so keep some points of safety in mind.

• Before you start making coffee, check if the Moka pot has gaskets in place and that they are in good condition
• Do not cover the pressure valve on the boiler. Water level added in the boiler should always be below the valve
• Thoroughly tamping coffee grounds or overfilling the filter basket is a bad idea, and one that’s best avoided
• You might see steam leaking from the joints in the chambers. This means they are not joined/screwed-on properly. Remove the pot from heat, let it cool, and investigate

 

How To Clean The Moka Pot

You have to show the Moka pot some love for making delicious coffee for you. And that means cleaning it up well after use. If you are using an aluminum Moka pot, do not use soaps or detergents as they can corrode the aluminum layer. Instead, simply rinse with water. You can dry the parts with a towel. Once you are sure all the parts are dry, put them all together as the Moka pot.

Those using a stainless steel Moka pot can use a light soapy solution to clean the pot. But do make sure all parts are dry before you put the Moka pot away.

 

Types Of Coffee You Can Make In A Moka Pot

There are several interesting brews you can make with the Moka pot. Here are some to consider:

 

Espresso

No special preparation required. The strong shot we just made qualifies as an espresso!

 

Americano

Simply dilute the coffee made in the Moka pot with hot water or milk.

 

Mocha

We certainly should consider brewing a mocha when using a Moka pot, if only for their individual familiarities in name. Mix milk with cocoa powder and add it to your coffee, top it with steamed milk.

 

Latte

A latte is basically steamed milk poured over your coffee. For a flavored latte, you can add some flavor to the milk. Common preferences include vanilla, cinnamon, or coconut.

 

Buying The Right Moka Pot

Moka pots are available in several size choices and materials. While the original was made from aluminum, we think stainless steel makes a better choice for the modern world. Similarly, there are several sizes available, easily going to six or nine cups.

We would generally recommend something in the range of one – three cups. Unless you are a large group of moka pot coffee lovers, there is little point in buying a huge pot. It would rarely be used to brew six cups, and won’t fare all that well making smaller quantities like a single shot of espresso. A smaller one like a three cup could work easily. It barely takes a couple of minutes to brew coffee in a Moka pot, and you could as easily make the occasional two rounds in the pot.

Here’s a quick look at some Moka pots popular on Amazon:

 

1. Original Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker

Available in several color options and sizes ranging from 1-cup to 12-cup, this Moka pot is one of the bestsellers on Amazon. Made by Bialetti from highly polished aluminum, this pot retains the classic octagonal shape often associated with Moka pots.

 

2. Grosche Milano Moka 3-Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker

Like the Bialetti above, the Grosche Milano pot too is made from aluminum and keeps the iconic octagonal shape. It is available in three colors, in sizes including 3-cup, 6-cup, and 9-cup.

 

3. bonVIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker

The bonVIVO is the first on our small list here that makes a departure from traditional Moka pot appearance. This one is made from stainless steel in chrome finish, and will work on most heating surfaces, including induction cookers, ceramic glass cooktops, gas cookers, and electric cookers. Available for 6-cups size.

 

4. Primula Aluminum Espresso Maker

Primula’s Moka pot takes on a rather old-timer no-frills look. It’s a simple aluminum pot, available in sizes ranging from 1-cup to 12-cup.

 

5. Espresso Maker Stovetop Moka Coffee Pot

A stainless steel Moka pot, this one is available in sizes ranging from 2-cup to 9-cup. Quite an interesting style, even though this one takes a more gimmicky look.

 

Making Coffee With Moka Pot — The Conclusion

Moka pot is an excellent option for those who do not enjoy the coffee pushed out by drip machines, and would prefer to take on a more traditional approach to their coffee. If you do fall in this category, you may also like to read about Syphon Brewing and Hario V60 pour over coffee brewing. While being a great option for traditionalists, the Moka pot is also great for those on a budget. Most Moka pots are reasonably priced, and are easily affordable. Equally interesting is the fact that they can make espressos that compare to those from espresso makers that cost well into the hundreds.

Mr. Coffee are the purveyors of sensibly priced and unimaginatively (even awkwardly) named coffee machines. This machine you see right here, is the Mr. Coffee 12 cup programmable coffee maker, or as the company likes to call it, the BVMC-SJX33GT. Given that the model name/number rolls off the tongue easily, we’re going to stick to calling it the 12-cup programmable coffee maker for the most part. It isn’t ideal, but it will have to do.

Retailing at a near-$35 price, the machine sounds like quite a good deal. Let’s see how well it holds with our Mr. Coffee 12-cup Programmable Coffee maker review.

 

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Features

Quite like its long name and large brewing capacity, the 12-cup programmable coffee maker has a fairly long list of features. Match them up with its price, and you see why this machine is so popular, and such a big deal. Feature-rich and sensibly priced coffee makers are the bread and butter of Mr. Coffee.

 

Mr. Coffee Reservoir And Filtration System

Mr. Coffee recommends that you use filtered water with the machine. Mineral water is okay too, but distilled water is not. Filtered water helps make the coffee taste better, especially by removing chemicals like Chlorine from the (tap) water. Dissolved minerals can help the coffee taste better, hence the unwillingness to use distilled water.

To keep the filtration on point, the machine includes a water filtration diskette with the water reservoir. Removing impurities also allows for less-frequent descaling of the machine. The reservoir has a 12-cup maximum marking that you should fill up to while brewing 12-cups for the glass carafe, another marking when you brew the 8-cup maximum for the thermal carafe.

 

Carafe Options And Warming Plate

Mr. Coffee 12 cup machine arrives with a glass carafe, though you can use a thermal carafe as well. The machine is compatible with the Mr. Coffee Thermal Carafe DRD95-RB (sold separately). Again, keep in mind, this Mr. Coffee thermal carafe holds only eight cups, and has a separate marked maximum in the water reservoir. Should you exceed the maximum, the extra water will flow out through the overfill hole at the back of the Mr. Coffee coffeemaker.

Switching between carafes does not require any special setting (except checking the water level). When you remove the glass carafe and place the thermal carafe on the warming plate, the machine automatically detects the change and lights up an indicator to show that the change has been registered.

The warming plate will help keep your coffee warm and fresh for up to two hours. It’s a non-stick plate so your carafe will be easy to remove and won’t get stuck on the plate.

 

Delay Brew Timer For Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker

Mr. Coffee delay brew feature is most of the reason why this machine can be called a programmable coffee maker. If you take your coffee at a fixed time every day, like when you wake up, you can set the machine to keep the coffee ready at a preset time. When setting up the time, you can also set the strength (regular/bold) of the coffee you want. If in doubt of the exact time, you can set delay brew for the best time, and if you’re a bit late, the warming plate will have kept your coffee hot.

 

Pause Brewing To Serve a Single Cup

There is no point waiting for the whole 12-cup pot to brew if all you want is a quick cup for yourself! Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffee maker comes with a pause brewing function. You can use this function to pause brewing and pour a single cup of coffee. The brewing process can restart after the cup has been served. Do keep in mind, the machine will make a minimum of four cups (20 oz) of coffee.

 

Clear LCD Display And Clock

Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT includes an LCD display with a clock. It can serve as a simple clock, and also be used to set up other functions like delay brew. It also keeps track of the Fresh Brew feature. In this feature, the machine keeps track of time since it started off and brewed coffee, and creates an audible warning to signify that the previously brewed coffee may not be fresh, or may have lost its taste.

Mr. Coffee suggests you turn off (and then turn on) the machine before brewing a second pot, so the freshness timer can reset. We would have hoped the freshness timer was more intuitive and kept time from its last brew.

 

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Machine Brew Strength Selector

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup coffee maker comes with a function to select the strength of the brew. You can choose regular, or go for a stronger coffee with bold. This feature also remains available with the daily brew timer, so your programmed coffee making needs are covered as well.

 

Other Features

• Auto Shut Down: The machine will power off automatically if it hasn’t been used for two hours.
• Cord Storage: If you place the machine close to an outlet, the extra cord does not have to lie snaking around and create a mess. This coffee maker has room for its cord.

 

What’s Included In The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker Box?

Here are other components you can expect packaged with your Mr. Coffee 12 cup programmable machine:

• Mr. Coffee Machine
• 12-cup glass carafe
• Water filter
• Instruction manual
• 12-month standard warranty

Here are some additional things/accessories you may want to purchase along with your machine.

• Thermal Carafe. Or as Mr. Coffee calls, it, 8-Cup Stainless Steel Double-Walled Thermal Decanter DRD95-RB.
• Mr. Coffee Basket-Style Gold Tone Permanent Filter. This is a reusable filter, and removes the need to use paper filters

 

BVMC SJX33GT Build Quality And Design

It should be no surprise that the Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffee maker makes extensive use of plastic in its construction. At the sub $35 price point, there is no way around it. The design and build is somewhat similar to the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker System. Front of the machine is covered in a glossy panel with metallic look, and that helps it looks decent enough. It’s not a beauty by any standard, but it looks presentable and gets the job done.

Clock, indicators, and buttons are all located at the face of the machine, making the operation simple, and the settings clear. With the corresponding indicator lights on, you will have clear information of exactly what setting the Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffeemaker is using. That makes it easier if you’re not the only person using the machine, or if you’re unsure if you set the Delay Brew on Mr. Coffee.

Dimensions of 9.4H x 11.6W x 15.7D inches are quite average for a machine of this segment, so you can place it comfortably under a kitchen cabinet. The possibility to keep the extra cable stored in the machine is also quite useful.

 

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker Maintenance And Use

Mr. Coffee recommends that you clean the machine before you start brewing coffee. This prepares the machine, and helps get rid of the plastic smell and taste that would otherwise end up in your coffee. It is also useful to run water through the machine everyday, so all parts stay clean. The glass carafe, lid, filter basket, and permanent filter are dishwasher safe, whereas thermal carafe and filter disk should not go into the dishwasher.

Descaling your machine regularly will help your coffee taste better, and the machine last longer. You can descale the machine using specially available packets from Mr. Coffee, or you can use 20 oz of undiluted white vinegar. Remember to remove the water filter before you add vinegar to the reservoir.

Just brew the machine with vinegar, and follow up with a couple of cycles of water to make sure the vinegar taste is gone. Clean the reservoir, and start off with your coffee making. You could also contact Mr. Coffee customer support for more information on descaling and priming.

 

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Review: Pros and Cons

 

Pros:

• Feature rich. Mr. Coffee 12 cup has the features, bells and whistles you would expect from a machine priced much higher
• Surprisingly low priced
• Choice of carafes
• Easy to use controls, even with the variety of features offered
• Warming plate keeps coffee hot for longer

 

Cons:

• Must be pulled out for water refills
• While the coffee served is hot, it is not brewed at the recommended temperatures
• No illumination for LCD clock

 

Mr Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Review — Final Impressions

Our review of the 12-cup programmable coffee maker points to this Mr. Coffee machine being an excellent budget choice. It’s feature rich and extremely well priced. And honestly, with those many features and this low a price point, finding cons with the machine seems a bit nitpicky. Certainly, it is no premium machine and won’t hold up to the same impeccable standards that apply there. But, it is a hell of a lot cheaper, and does a whole lot more than more expensive options. Mr. Coffee 12 cup programmable coffee maker makes good coffee at a great price.

Check it out on amazon

A spawn of collaboration between coffee giants Keurig and Mr. Coffee, the Mr. Coffee single serve coffee brewer brings flavors from Keurig to a budget machine by Mr. Coffee. The versatility of flavors available and the name could be a lure for Mr. Coffee to try their hands on a Mr. Coffee Keurig coffee machine.

There are several single serve coffee makers in the range of the Mr. Coffee Single Serve Coffee Brewer BVMC-KG6-001. These include machines by Nespresso and even Keurig themselves. In fact, Keurig sells cheaper machines for the entry level as well. So how does Mr. Coffee stack up against the giants of single-serve coffee? We do a Mr. Coffee Keurig Single Serve Coffee Brewer review to find out.

 

Features Offered On The Mr. Coffee Keurig Single Serve Machine

The machine is Keurig approved, and uses functions powered by Keurig Brewing Technology. That of course, would be necessary for the machine to accept the patented Keurig K-cups. This Mr. Coffee machine has 40 oz water reservoir, so you can make several drinks of your choice before having to refill the water reservoir.

 

Making Your Coffee And Beverages On Mr. Coffee Keurig Machine

Simplicity is the hallmark of this Mr. Coffee Keurig machine. And there’s no better way to test it than to whip up a brew. There are three cup size options on offer, 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz. If you remove the drip tray, you can place a full-size travel mug to go with the machine.

You can get your choice of beverage in just three simple steps.

1. Make sure the water reservoir is full
2. Insert the K-Cup of your choice
3. Press the button corresponding to your desired coffee volume

Voila! Your coffee is ready. Of course, since you’re using K-cups, you might as well be brewing tea or hot chocolate.

The buttons are easy to identify and use, attesting to the simplicity of this coffee maker. You can make several different drinks easily, and one after the other without having to clean the machine or worrying about letting loose one flavor onto the next cup. The brewed beverages are consistently hot, showing marks of a successful technology induction by Keurig.

 

Is The Mr. Coffee Keurig Locked On To K-Cups?

Well, yes, and no. If you’re buying a single serve coffee maker like this one, you’re buying it for the sake of flavors that Keurig brings to the table. Justifying the purchase of this machine with the K-cups is nigh impossible.

Certainly, the Mr. Coffee single serve coffee maker won’t have any problem if you use their reusable cups. However, in that case you would just be pouring and tamping coffee in a K-cup sized cup. Since the machine is not built for conventional coffee, expect some taste troubles even as it brews your coffee. The machine is also compatible with third-party K-cups, so you just may get a chance to experiment with other flavors, as well as the uncertainty of getting generic cups working well as K-cups. So yes, this Mr. Coffee single serve’s fortunes are tied to K-cups.

 

Mr. Coffee Single Serve Speed

We don’t want to wait for a long time to get hold of our single cup of coffee. Especially since it is falling into a cup and not a carafe, it won’t stay hot for long. Once you get distracted, there’s a good chance you’ll just end up forgetting your coffee was brewing, and come back to a lukewarm beverage shudder.

Mr. Coffee claims that the machine will serve your drink in less than a minute. Also keep in mind, you have to wait another minute before you can get the next brew going.

Several customers also complain that the brewing times are longer than advertised, and the machine can take a few minutes to get the coffee ready. Now that would be disheartening.

 

What’s Included In The Mr. Coffee Keurig Box?

The box includes:

• Mr. Coffee Single Serve Coffee Brewer BVMC-KG6-001
• User manual and quick start booklet
• Standard warranty
• A starter pack of five K-cups

Other options that you can get with the purchase of your machine are an extendable warranty, and a reusable K-cup so you can add your own coffee.

 

Keurig Mr. Coffee Single Serve Machine Build Quality And Design

Exteriors of the machine are made out of hardened plastic, though its dimensions appear surprisingly large for a single serve machine. It’s dimensions are 14.1 inch tall, 11.8 inches wide, and 14.2-inch deep. It needs more space than the feature rich Ninja Coffee Bar! In fact, it is also in the same price range of the Ninja!

The Mr. Coffee Keurig has one thing going for it; it looks better than the bareboned appearance of the Ninja Coffee Bar. But then again, if we look at the competition, the Nespresso Inissia has this Mr. Coffee beat on looks and functions available, although for a slightly higher price.

Well, the machine’s large footprint is a bit of a mystery.

There are no advanced functions or programmability on the machine, so the Mr. Coffee Keurig maintains simplicity of function and use as a major asset.

 

Maintenance For Mr. Coffee Keurig Machine

A new machine, or one that has been unused for a long time should ideally be primed before use. To prime the motor on this coffee machine, start by removing the water tank. Then, pour some water into the gap from where the reservoir feeds water to the machine. Press the button to start the process, and then push on that bit of water you added so it enters the machine. As the last step, reattach the water reservoir and allow the priming process to continue.

Similarly, you will need to delime your machine regularly, especially if you see the quality of coffee declining, or if the Mr. Coffee single serve machine starts taking longer times to prepare your coffee. For this process, simply fill half the reservoir with white vinegar, and let the machine circulate and push it through. Once you’re done, run a couple of cycles with water to ensure the vinegar is completely removed from the machine.

 

Mr. Coffee Keurig Single Serve Coffee Brewer Review — Pros And Cons

Pros:

• The large variety of drinks on offer. It’s not just Keurig K-cups, but the machine’s willingness to accept generics that creates a wide web of options. Keurig alone has more than two hundred and fifty flavors available across coffees, tea, and chocolate milk
• Fairly well priced
• Easy to operate and maintain
• Fairly quick in making a cup of coffee

 

Cons:

• Even though generic cups and pods can be used, they are not fully supported. You might just end up trapped with Keurig K-cups
• You can use reusable pods to add your own coffee, however it does not work that well, and there are other machines that work with user added coffee better and cheaper
• Has a relatively large footprint on the cabinet
• The cord provided is rather short, so you will have to place it near a socket

 

Mr. Coffee Keurig Single Serve Coffee Brewer Review — The Verdict

Mr Coffee BVMC-KG6-001 puts a relatively low price point first, followed quickly by convenience. And that is exactly what you should be expecting from it. There won’t be exotic drinks that don’t come out of K-cups, and adding your own freshly ground coffee is better avoided. However, the Mr. Coffee Keurig single serve does its job, and that’s exactly what it promised. If you want to buy a Keurig but but would rather not spend on the initial cost, this is the machine for you.

Check it out on Amazon

Now this is a machine that wants you to know what its job exactly is, and perhaps packs in a bit of redundancy in the name. Calling it Mr. Coffee coffee maker doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, so we’ll have to get used to calling it the Mr Coffee maker. That makes us imagine this coffee maker as a sassy dude, who points a finger and goes It’s Mr. Coffee for you. Now that we’ve got that painfully poor joke out of the way, let’s get on with work and our Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew System review.

Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker System Features

Mr. Coffee maker sits at the entry level of mid-ranged coffee machines. Sitting around the $70 range, it isn’t a cheap coffee maker, and certainly isn’t an expensive one. It doesn’t pull a Goldilocks and find a perfect price either — and well, we guess that will have to do. It does however hit several coveted features, which makes Mr Coffee optimal brew a fairly popular machine.

Mr Coffee Reservoir and Filtration System

Let’s start with the first step to making coffee, the reservoir. Mr. Coffee maker has a large reservoir to hold enough water to brew the 10-cup coffee pot it promises. The reservoir is removable and easy to fill and empty. Should you feel like the water needs additional treatment, this 10-cup thermal coffeemaker system will let you add a filter to clean up your water.

At the very least, the filter should remove the presence (or taste) of tap water components like chlorine thus giving you a better tasting coffee. Trapping some other impurities can mean the filter reduces the need for descaling and gives you longer breaks between descaling the machine.

Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew Time Feature

Mr. Coffee seems to be proud of its optimal brew time feature. So much so, that you see it named right in the title. Apparently, the optimal brew time is seven minutes for the full 10-cup thermal carafe, where the machine manages full extraction without over extracting.

Just Brewed Thermal Carafe

Mr. Coffee thermal coffee maker won’t just let the optimal brew that it is so proud of go to any random pot. It goes straight to a double walled, stainless steel, splatter free Mr. Coffee 10-cup thermal carafe. The carafe keeps the coffee warm and fresh, using its just brewed technology to keep the coffee hot and its taste locked.

More Features of Mr. Coffee

This machine is feature rich, which is what makes Mr. Coffee VMC-PSTX91-RB a popular choice in its price range. While we’ve already gone through features that cover coffee making, these are features that go beyond the generic to make the Mr. Coffee machine a convenient and easy to use option.

• Daily brew timer: The Delay Brew, or daily brew timer lets you setup a fixed time for your coffee to be ready. Just fill it up with water and coffee grounds, and the machine will whip up a nice cup of coffee at a time of your choosing, with a 24-hour range. For example, you could set it up to have your coffee ready everyday at a fixed time.
• Clear LCD display: The machine has an easy to read, and fairly big LCD display that generally displays time, but also helps you setup and use features like the daily brew timer.
• Freshness timer: Once the Mr. Coffee machine is done making your coffee, it starts running a freshness timer. Should you let your coffee sit unused for far too long, the machine will remind you to get your coffee.
• Single cup coffee: There is no point brewing the full 10-cup pot if all you want is coffee for yourself. The machine will let you pause brewing the full cup, and let you make a single cup of coffee, while making the full pot is put on pause.
• Brewing temperature: Mr. Coffee optimal brew keeps its water temperature at 205 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is optimal for extracting flavor from the coffee grounds.
• Auto power off: The machine powers off automatically if it hasn’t been in use for two hours.
• Cleaning and maintenance: Mr. Coffee tries to make the cleaning, maintenance, and descaling of the machine easy. The filter basket is removable making it easier to place your filter and add coffee, and also to clean the basket. The machine lets you know when it’s time for cleaning, and descaling is fairly easy as well.

What’s Included In The Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker Package

Here’s what you’ll find when you open up the box for Mr. Coffee.

• Mr. Coffee coffeemaker
• Standard warranty
• Water filter
• 10-cup thermal carafe
• An (optional) gold tone permanent filter to replace the paper filters you may be using for the machine. A permanent filter for this budget machine can save you a ton of money that could be spend on filters, and it also means there’s less work to put into cleaning.

Mr. Coffee Review — Build Quality And Aesthetics

Our dear Mr. Coffee maker tries its best to look decent and well-built. And while it does manage to fair respectively well — thanks in part to its big metal carafe, the (over)use of plastic is painfully evident. In fact, there is a good chance you will have that awful plastic taste in your coffee for the first few runs. As the machine gets broken-into, there will be less of a trouble with plastic taste, though it may take time to go away completely.

Another build quality issue comes from the carafe. While the thermal carafe keeps your coffee from spilling, getting cold, or losing its flavor, it does bring in a small side effect of being a little slow in pouring coffee into cups. Not much of a problem for one or two cups, but a big deal if you’re pouring 10 cups.

Overall though, the machine does look its part and is fairly well built. There are some minor inconveniences, but then every machine has to deal with some pros and cons.

Mr. Coffee Review — Pros And Cons

Pros:

• Easy to use.
• Water filter adds convenience and helps the coffee taste better.
• Adding a permanent filter adds convenience and helps you save money over time.
• This Mr. Coffee machine is pre-programmable, and makes it easier to accomplish.

Cons:

• Weaker coffee. The machine does not have a “bold” setting and the coffee it makes can often be weak. If you prefer a stronger drink, you can get around the problem by using more, and finely ground coffee.
• Noisy.
• It pushes steam off its back, making it necessary to pull the machine away from kitchen cabinets while it’s brewing coffee.

Mr. Coffee Review — The Verdict

Mr. Coffee machine is best suited for people who want convenience above all else. The pre-programmable and easy to maintain features will find takers. However, if you like your coffee strong, Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker may not be the system for you. It’s a fairly good machine, but you can always take a look at the top coffee makers on the planet. Overall, Mr. Coffee is a machine that does justice to its price point. Even though it may have its shortcomings, it manages to provide a number of excellent features, and does justice to its price.

Check it out on Amazon

We, as a people, are fond of our coffee. Whether you choose to brew your own, or you make a beeline to the coffee shop, coffee is an important part of your daily routine. There are some people who would be satisfied with just about any cup of coffee. But many people like us and you, dear reader, are more discerning in our tastes. We may happily walk to the coffee shop, but we also prefer to have a good coffee maker at home to cater to our own tastes and whims. Can’t have anything less than the best coffee maker at the job!

There is a rather impressive variety of coffee makers available on the market. And of course, each one wants to be, or claims to be the top coffee maker money can buy. It’s a mind-bogglingly huge array of choices, and it’s understandably tough to keep up. We intend to make your choice easier, checkout our list of top 10 coffee makers that offer you the best.

 

10. Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Combining the powers of being reasonably priced and feature rich, this little machine has plenty to offer. Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker will merrily start off brewing coffee for you, but just in case you are in a rush, you can hit pause on brewing and get your cup of java out quickly.

There is however little reason to hit pause in the morning. The programmable coffee maker allows you to set a time for it to brew coffee. You can program this 4-cup coffee maker to have your brew ready when you wake up, and you will wake up to delicious coffee. It includes a removable filter basket for easy cleaning, and a water window so you know when to refill the reservoir.

 

9. Bonavita 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker Featuring Glass Carafe and Warming Plate

Bonavita One-Touch coffee maker feeds off the love for simplicity. All you need to do is press a button, and the machine will get working. That does mean you have fewer options to work with, but a minimalist design and simplicity of operation will gain your approval. For its part, the Bonavita 8-cup coffee maker will keep your coffee at the perfect temperature. It makes use of a showerhead system to ensure even saturation of coffee grounds for maximum extraction.

The machine is not entirely bereft of features. You can choose to pre-soak your coffee to get a better flavor. Its warming plate will keep your coffee warm for up to 1.5 hours. Following the philosophy of simplicity, maintenance on the machine is easy too. An LED turns up to let you know it’s time to clean, and you can start off the process by simply pressing the “Clean” button.

 

8. Cuisinart CPO-800 Pour Over Coffee Brewer

Cuisinart CPO-800 ups the game by bringing several options to match your taste in coffee. This coffee maker lets you adjust the temperature and strength of your coffee. You can adjust coffee flavor to mild, medium, or bold depending upon the strength you want. Similarly, the temperature goes from hot to extra hot.

CPO-800 includes an 8-cup glass carafe, with option available for a thermal carafe as well. Apart from going the way of drip coffee, the CPO-800 also includes the option to make pour over coffee, allowing you to let your coffee bloom before you brew. The machine has a simple, somewhat minimalist design made prominent by use of stainless steel exterior and digital touchpad controls.

 

7. BUNN MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer

There’s no point brewing a 10-cup carafe if you’re the only one looking for coffee. Single Cup Coffee machine like the BUNN MCU make things easier and more efficient by letting you brew a quick cup for yourself. While there aren’t many explicit options in the BUNN MCU Single Cup Home Coffee Brewer, there are plenty of flavors and types of coffee you can extract from it.

The machine uses coffee pods, or more specifically, Keurig K-Cup pods. That brings you the option of a wealth of flavors from the pods, and also the option to brew tea pods, or even loose tea! Should you decide not to brew your coffee from pods, the machine comes with a ground coffee drawer to accommodate your tastes.

 

6. BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

BlackAndDecker coffee makers are almost a staple in the budget range. A good list of features, plus a good build and great price make these an easy choice. Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker lets you brew one big pot of coffee, a feature that many families and small offices come to appreciate rather quickly.

The machine has soft button digital controls, and an overall pleasing aesthetic. This coffee maker also includes a 24-hour auto brew feature so you can have it brew your coffee at specific times without manual intervention. It would be ridiculous to brew 12 cups if only one person is waiting for their coffee, so the machine includes a feature to pause brewing and focus on getting one cup to its destination.

 

5. Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Compared to its sibling that we saw at Number 8 above, the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central takes a more budget-sensitive approach to coffee. It gives up finer details like custom temperature and brew strength to take on a simpler approach. It makes a noteworthy 12-cup pot of coffee, and let’s you automate making coffee with its programmable 24-hour brew start.

The machine includes charcoal filter and a gold tone filter to ensure that the coffee made is pure and no impurities are introduced by water or coffee grounds. If you don’t want to wait for the full 12-cups to brew, you can set it on pause and get a single cup of coffee ready first. If you want less than five cups of coffee, the machine 1 to 4 cup feature, and only prepares the volume required.

 

4. BUNN NHS Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer

Want your coffee and need it now? BUNN NHS Velocity Brew can whip up a full pot in less than four minutes. This BUNN 10-Cup Coffee Maker is available in two variants, the NHS and the CSB2 Elite. There are some difference between both models, but the story here is the ability to brew 10-cups of coffee in three minutes.

The multi-stream sprayhead fully saturates the grounds, extracting the full flavor from your coffee. To keep its brewing speed, the BUNN NHS has an always-on hot stainless steel water tank. Of course, you may not always want the coffee maker on standby, so it includes a “vacation switch” that turns off heat to the tank.

 

3. Behmor 5393 Brazen Plus Temperature Control Coffee Maker

This coffee maker brews 40oz of coffee, and lets the user choose a brewing temperature ranging from 190F-210F. Behmor 5393 Braze Plus does take its temperature seriously, staying with 1F of the temperature set by the user. It also supports pre-soaking your coffee grounds, which allows the coffee to bloom, allowing better and richer flavor from your coffee.

Should you choose to not let the coffee bloom, the machine will send a pulsed water flow to saturate the coffee grounds. The series also includes the innovative Behmor Connected Customizable Temperature Control Coffee Maker, which takes a step further in automation and allows you to brew coffee through voice commands, thanks to its compatibility with Alexa. These machines are quite exact in their functioning, which has helped them earn certification from Specialty Coffee Association of America.

 

2. Braun KF7150BK Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker

Braun BrewSense 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is all about features and coffee flavor, which we can totally agree with. Braun 12-cup coffee maker allows you to choose the strength of your coffee, going from regular to bold. And of course, they won’t expect you to make the full 12-cups of coffee every time, so they let you pause brewing to get one cup ready. If you need less than five cups, this Braun coffeemaker has a function to brew just the required 1-4 cups.

The machine is fully programmable including 24-hour clock that enables the user to set a time for the coffee to brew automatically and be ready. Having an extra-large digital display probably helps not just the looks, but also the programmable functions. Most of the parts of the machine are dishwasher safe, making it a breeze to clean and maintain.

 

1. Hamilton Beach (49980A) Single Serve Coffee Maker and Coffee Pot Maker

Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker receives much praise, and it has proven itself worthy of all the love. This coffee maker goes covers the ground, working as a single serve coffee maker and 12-cup coffee maker. When in single serve mode, the Hamilton Beach uses disk-shaped soft pods to make its coffee. If it’s time to brew a pot, Hamilton beach takes on its role as a Drip Coffee Machine and Hamilton 12-cup coffee maker. If you’re in a hurry, set the machine to single serve mode, and walk away with a 14oz travel mug. Or adjust the machine a bit, and sit back and enjoy your brew in a smaller cup.

The 2-way brewing options also allow for making a single cup of coffee by adding coffee grinds directly to the mesh filter. Take things up a notch and pour the full 12 cups into the glass carafe and enjoy your caffeine dose for the day. Features of Hamilton Beach coffee maker also include the option to select the strength of your coffee, going from regular to bold. And of course, a list of our top ranker won’t be complete without the automatic programming feature that lets you decide a brew time for the machine up to 24 hours in advance.

Ninja Coffee Bar is a feature packed gadget that will take care of your coffee needs with the dexterity of a ninja, and leave you impressed. Ninja Coffee Maker can prepare your coffee at the touch of a button, or if you prefer, you can tinker around and create the coffee you love. Ninja is a brand better known for its blenders, juicers, and mixers. They have moved their attention to the coffee maker niche, and the Ninja coffee bar system is everything they could have hoped for.

Well, let’s dive deeper with our Ninja Coffee Bar Review.

Ninja Coffee Bar Features

Ninja Coffee Bar goes beyond a quick machine, enriching itself and the user experience with a number of options and accessories. While moderately priced, the Ninja makes coffee comparable to premium machines, and is a worthy adversary to not just premium coffee makers, but also your local coffee shops.

Ninja Coffee Bar Beverage Options

The versatile Ninja Coffee Maker can be used to create a whole range of beverages, going from dripped coffee to iced lattes. Similarly, it can go all the way from brewing a single cup (9.5 oz) to a full carafe (38 oz). One generic problem when choosing to get a single cup from a coffee machine is the risk of splash and splatter. Ninja Coffee Bar gets over this problem by employing an adjustable multi-serve cup platform, which can be moved to accommodate a cup or a full carafe.

For those who want their coffee made the conventional way, the “Classic” mode should do the trick. If you want your coffee to be deeper and richer, pick the “Rich” mode. Another great feature is the “Over Ice” for when you want a cold brew. With this option picked, the Ninja Coffee Bar will strengthen your coffee a little to offset the watery taste added by melting ice. It works great, and you get delicious coffee.

Finally, there’s the “Specialty Brew” setting that creates a more concentrated product that you can use to whip up a fine espresso, cappuccino, or several others from the whole wide world of coffee.

Ninja Coffee Bar Machine

Ninja Coffee Maker isn’t just about whipping up all the different kinds of coffee, it’s the features on the machine itself that give the Ninja coffee machine a leg up. Ninja coffee bar has the unimaginatively name Auto-iQ One-Touch Intelligence function. Thankfully, the unimaginative nomenclature can be forgiven in favor of its usefulness.

With the touch of a button, the machine automatically calibrates the water temperature required, and the water saturation needed. Another plus point of the automation is the ability to set a drink to be brewed at a fixed time in 24 hours. You could have a nice coffee ready the moment you wake up, or just as you walk into your home. Now that’s a killer feature.

A simple drip stop button pauses the brewing, and you don’t have to worry about droplets continuing to splash after the carafe is removed. A simple thing, and a whole lot less of mess.

It’s also nice to be introduced to the automatic cleaning system, that reduces your work dramatically, and increases the efficiency and life of the Ninja Coffee bar. There obviously are times when manual intervention would be needed, but it is fairly simple. Thanks to small parts that are easily removable and washable, and some that are dishwasher safe, you will find that the work is remarkably easier.

Ninja Coffee Bar’s Thermal Flavor Extraction technology is an intricate blending system that extracts the full flavor from your coffee grounds to get an excellent drink into your cup.

Other noteworthy features on the Ninja coffee machine include an auto-off that switches off the machine after two hours of inactivity, a carafe warming plate, and a milk frother that could be a professional.

What’s Included In The Ninja Coffee Bar Package

Even if the Ninja coffee machine features great automation, all those features aren’t going to work themselves! This machine comes with a good number of accessories to get it rolling. Here’s what accompanies the Ninja Coffee Bar unit in the box:

1. Milk frother
2. Permanent filter
3. A coffee scoop to help you measure for brewing different quantities
4. Glass carafe with warming plate
5. 40-recipe cookbook. Find your favorite brew, or experiment!
6. 8oz hot and cold tumbler
7. Instruction manual
8. Warranty

Do note that the included items vary with the model of the Ninja coffee machine you purchase. For example, some models include a 43oz stainless steel double-wall thermally insulated carafe. Others might forego the permanent filter in favor of paper filters. Keep these small details in mind when you pick your Ninja coffee bar.

Aesthetics and Design of the Ninja Coffee Bar System

The Ninja coffee machine has a lot going for it with features, now let’s see how they stack up with the appearance of the machine. And to these features deliver?

Build Quality of the Ninja Coffee Bar

Ninja coffee machine is not a premium coffee maker. It looks pretty neat, but a good look and you know the build quality is economical. For starters, there’s plastic everywhere. Since several components are black, the construction is not immediately noticeable, but it’s not exactly something you’ll miss.

The plastic construction creates a slight chance of getting “that plastic taste” in your coffee, but that’s well-contained in the Ninja coffee bar and manageable. So yeah, even if the Ninja coffee machine tries to imitate the look of premium coffee machines, it doesn’t quite get there. But then remember that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, and there’s only so much cosmetic additions to go around at Ninja coffee bar’s competitive price point.

It’s important to point out that the build is economical, not flimsy. This machine isn’t just some plastic slapped together. It’s good quality plastic placed where it’s meant to go.

Ninja Coffee Bar measures 10.8 x 10.5 x 14.9 inches and weighs 8.2 pounds. Going nearly 15-inch high, the machine needs some prime space for its top to fit. Remember you also need to clear a few inches to keep the top-access clear for water. You might just manage to place it under a cabinet, but there is a possibility that the height may bring some trouble.

Aesthetics Of The Ninja Coffee Bar

We’ve already delved into the plastic construction, so direction of the aesthetics is pretty clear. The Ninja coffee machine looks decent, but it’s nothing to write home about. While the machine does come loaded with accessories to go along, there is no storage in the machine. Keep some space available for accessories like the scoop and coffee filter.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Ninja Coffee Bar

Ninja coffee machine comes loaded with options and automated features, so even an amateur user will find this machine useful. Your beloved cup of coffee comes that much more easier. There are a few things to note so you can harness the full potential of Ninja coffee maker.

Avoid Overbrewing

Your coffee making ninja has a tendency to go overboard with brewing. Often, the machine ends up taking its internal temperature to 208°F. This temperature is a bit too hot for brewing, and you might end up with a coffee that has more bitterness than you bargained for. Avoiding the “Rich” brewing mode might do the trick.

Cleaning and Descaling

Make the most out of the automated cleaning function on your Ninja coffee maker and clean it regularly. Similarly, don’t forget descaling the machine regularly.

Find It A Nice Space

At nearly 15-inch high, the Ninja is slightly taller than most coffee makers. Make sure you have a good space to place this machine, and keep in mind you’ll also need top access. Also, keep room for the accessories of this little counter hog.

Brew Sizes

You can have the machine brew coffee for four different sizes. These are:

• Single cup – 9.4 oz
• Travel mug – 14oz
• Half carafe – 19oz
• Full carafe – 38oz

Remember to use the adjustable cup platform with each brew size so as to avoid splash and splatter!

Ninja Coffee Bar Review – Pros And Cons

Pros:

• Brews good, flavorful coffee
• Can brew for different requirements, ranging from a cup to a full carafe
• Adjustable platform avoids mess created by splashes
• Easy to operate, and easy to customize brew
• Several options to fit different tastes and requirements
• 24-hour delay brew
• A wealth of accessories
• Excellent value for money

Cons:

• Possibility of overbrewing
• A plain design
• Integrated filter could do better

Ninja Coffee Bar Review – The Verdict

We like the Ninja Coffee Bar. It might have some faults, but the pros far outweigh the cons. In fact, we can easily overlook the cons, mostly because the features offered by the Ninja coffee machine are impressive. It’s decently priced, and empowers even the amateurs to get great coffee with just the push of a button. Yep, this one can beat several premium coffee makers, or be as good.

There is the art of making great coffee, and the art of the vacuum pot that makes delicious coffee with a process that’s a wonder to behold. Vacuum pot coffee has been around for a while, first making its appearance in the mid 1800s, but eventually it lost in popularity to simpler methods. The arrival and convenience of drip coffee machines pushed it further into the background, but the vacuum coffee brewer has made a comeback.

Also called syphon or siphon, this is one of the best coffee brewing methods around. Sure it does require a careful approach that can’t match the push-button convenience of drip coffee, but the unique taste of vacuum pot coffee is reward enough for the work that goes into preparing it.

Vacuum Pot Coffee Basics – Best Coffee Brewing Method

First thing you should know about brewing a vacuum pot is that it’s going to look like a rad chemistry experiment from the Victorian era. That should fit, considering the year of its invention was mid-19th century. It’s probably not the choice for your daily cup, but vacuum pot brewing is your friend for the odd occasion, especially when you have friends over.

A vacuum brewer has four basic components:

• Bottom container
• Top container
• Siphon/Syphon
• Filter

Of course, there is more to brewing siphon filter coffee than those four components. To brew a good cup, you will also need the following:

• Coffee beans (obviously)
• Grinder
• A burner – preferably a butane burner
• Thermometer
• Timer
• Flat stirrer

The Science Behind Vacuum Pot Coffee Brewing

As the name very well implies, the method relies on vacuum (suction) to create the excellent cup of coffee you love so much. Water is added to the bottom container, and the siphon and top container are fixed. Once it begins boiling, the water has nowhere to go except follow the siphon into the top container. Coffee grounds are added to the water in the top container, while the water in the lower container continues to boil.

Once heat is removed from the lower container, the vacuum left by the vapor and water travelling to the top container works with gravity and sucks in the water-coffee mixture from the top container, pushing it through the filter. The filter removes the grinds, and the lower container gets the coffee you want.

Step by Step To Creating a Perfect Vacuum Pot

Step 1 – Add Water

Add water to the bottom container. Most containers come with markings to indicate the number of cups they’re going to make, so take your pick. It might be a good idea to pre-heat the water you add. You will have to boil the water, and a stove might just move things along faster than starting with a burner.

Step 2 – Turn On Heat

Place the burner and set it on high. There’s a chance you got a wick-burner when you bought your vacuum pot brewer. Push that thing away and use a butane burner.

Step 3 – Prepare Filter and Top Container

Firmly place the filter in your top container. Loosely place the funnel inside the lower container, at an angle. Wait for the water to boil.

Step 4 – Measure and Grind Coffee

Measure and grind your coffee, preferably to medium coarseness.

Step 5 – Attach Top Assembly

Once the water begins to boil, attach the top container securely to the assembly. Soon enough, water will start flowing upwards into the top container and it will begin to fill. Some water will remain in the bottom container, you do not need to be concerned about that.

Step 6 – Measure Temperature and Add Coffee

Once the top is full, use your handy thermometer to take a temperature reading. Ideally, you want the water at 195-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you hit the right temperature, add coffee and give it a good stir with a flat stirrer so as to saturate all grounds. Start the timer.

Step 7 – Lower the Heat

Depending on your personal preference, though usually between 40 seconds to 1 minute, give the coffee a gentle stir to make sure everything is completely saturated. Now turn down the heat.

Step 8 – Turn the Heat Off

At about a minute and thirty seconds, turn the heat off. Now that there is no heat, the vacuum pot starts sucking all the water back, pushing the mix through the filter. Your coffee will start flowing down into the lower container/globe, and will be done in about another one or two minutes.

Enjoy the fruits of the effort you put into the best brewing method!

Don’t be Afraid to Experiment

Like any other preparation, vacuum pot brewing can be changed to suit your cooking instinct and taste. Feel free to adjust the amount of coffee, filter and even the brewing temperature.

Vacuum Pot Coffee Makers

To get you started on the quest of your perfect vacuum pot, we’ve gathered some of the best rated syphon coffee makers on Amazon:

1. KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer

This KitchenAid setup simplifies the vacuum pot brewing considerably. It takes the form of an automatic siphon brewer that heats the water at the flip of a switch, thus negating the requirement of an open flame.

It automatically turns off once the water reaches the desired temperature, so you don’t have to spend time checking water temperature and managing the burner. Includes a stainless steel as well as a cloth filter, ad priced at $299.99.

Pros:

• Simplifies vacuum pot brewing process
• Automatic controls for heating
• No open flame

Cons:

• Expensive
• Less control over the brewing process

2. Yama Glass 8 Cup Stovetop Coffee Siphon (Syphon)

The Yama Glass Stovetop Coffee Siphon brewer is primary geared towards those starting the journey of the vacuum pot. It does not require a specific setup and can work on gas and electric rangetops, and has an included accessory wire diffuser for electric coil burners.

Made from heat resistant borosilicate glass, tt uses a filter cloth and makes 22 oz of coffee. Priced at $63.99.

Pros:

• Simple, no-frills siphon coffee brewer
• Convenient due to stovetop use

Cons:

• Oversimplified process does not quite fit the best coffee brewing method

3. NISPIRA Belgian Belgium Luxury Royal Family Balance Syphon Siphon Coffee Maker

If you thought the average siphon coffee maker looked intricate, take a look at Nispira and see the setup take a whole new level of complexity. Another “twist” is that the lower container is made from metal, so heating it is a lot quicker. The metal container comes with a tap so you can start pouring your brew right off the bat.

Interestingly, this one relies entirely on vacuum, seeing as the construction effectively blocks any flow into the “lower” container through gravity. This vacuum coffee brewer makes about 500 ml (17 oz) of coffee, uses a cloth filter, and is priced at $125.99.

Pros:

• Good looking, unusual design
• Balance siphon construction adds more to the vacuum pot

Cons:

• Requires more maintenance compare to conventional design

4. Bodum PEBO Coffee Maker, Vacuum Coffee Maker

This take on the vacuum pot claims that the process is “entirely sealed off so no aroma can escape”. You can buy the burner and accessories separately to go along the vacuum coffee maker, or just simply buy the coffee maker and use a stovetop to do the heating.

The PEBO brews about 34 oz of coffee and uses a plastic filter, though you may want to use a cloth filter for better results. The coffee maker is priced at $58.15.

Pros:

• Simple vacuum pot brewer
• Makes 8 cups of coffee in one go
• Works on burner as well as stovetop

Cons:

• Use of plastic filter may distort the taste

5. Kendal Glass Tabletop Siphon (Syphon) Coffee Maker

Kendal glass tabletop siphon keeps a rather conservative look and a simple design. It includes an alcohol burner for heating up the water, though you might want to stick to preheating water before you add it. Makes 5 cups, uses a cloth filter, and priced at $80.99.

Pros:

• Simple, no-frills design
• Good quality construction

Cons:

• Relies on alcohol burner, which can take a fairly long time

Maintaining And Cleaning Your Vacuum Pot Brewer

Your vacuum pot uses some specialty equipment, and as such needs special care. You might want to buy cleaning supplies when you purchase your vacuum pot, as that will save you a lot of trouble looking for the right cleaning equipment. Depending on the model you are using, you might need to use a curved steel rod brush. You should avoid using steel wool on the glass components of your vacuum pot coffee maker.

Be extra careful when you scrub and clean the containers and various pieces as they can easily break. If you’re using cloth filters, rinse the filter thoroughly and place it in water. Store in your refrigerator.

When you start brewing your coffee, make sure the containers are completely dry. When you add water to the lower container, there is a good chance some of it will end up on the outer side as well. Clean and dry the outer surface well before you turn on the heat.

Your vacuum pot is a complex setup that rewards you with delicious coffee. Remember to be careful when brewing the coffee, and take good care of your vacuum pot brewer to increase its life and longevity.