Coffee maker features

Coffee makers come in a few styles. Standard coffee makers have glass carafes, and the coffee temperature is maintained by a heated plate beneath the carafe. However, experts say this setup produces acidity in the coffee if you don't drink it fast enough, contributing to a bitter taste. Thermal coffee makers, on the other hand, use an insulated carafe in lieu of a warming plate, making them convenient for serving coffee on a patio without constantly running inside for refills. Thermal coffee makers usually maintain hot temperatures for about three to four hours; some can keep coffee hot for up to eight hours. But they are quite a bit more expensive than standard automatic-drip machines with a glass carafe.

Single-serve coffee makers are another option; these coffee makers brew a single cup of coffee at a time. We cover single-serve coffee makers in a separate report.

Reviewers say the following about shopping for a coffee maker.

  • Pause-and-serve is a must for impatient types. Most coffee makers have this feature, which allows you to sneak a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle is over.
  • Glass or thermal carafe? Most experts and coffee lovers prefer thermal coffee makers, because the warming plates on models with glass carafes tend to continue to cook the coffee as it sits, producing acidity. But if your family goes through a pot of coffee quickly, or you're not as picky, an automatic drip coffee maker is cheaper.
  • Consider a programmable timer for convenience. Those who don't have a problem remembering to push a button on their coffee maker first thing in the morning do fine with basic models, but if you're the planning type, a programmable coffee maker will satisfy your need to prepare your morning routine the evening before -- and you get to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
  • Check for a chlorine reducing water filter, if your tap water doesn't taste great. A number of coffee makers include carbon water filters, which reduce the amount of chlorine in tap water. If your coffee maker doesn't have one, using filtered water may improve taste. These coffee makers also work just fine without the filter installed.
  • Permanent filters reduce paper waste. Reusable filters eliminate the need to constantly purchase paper filters, but they require regular cleaning to avoid residue build-up that can affect coffee taste.
  • An auto shutoff is helpful if you're the forgetful type. Another option is to go for a thermal carafe coffee maker, because these turn off automatically after brewing.

Cold-brew methods are gaining popularity

Cold-brew coffee doesn't depend on heat and it doesn't require an electric coffee maker. Essentially, you make a liquid coffee concentrate that you can then add to hot water to make single cups of coffee or add to cold water to make iced coffee. To make a genuine cold brew, fresh coffee grounds should sit in room-temperature water for a full 24 hours, using a French press, a Toddy or something like the Aerobie AeroPress that will easily allow you to separate the grounds from the water after steeping. This produces a thick concentrate; some connoisseurs like to filter this mixture an additional time before using it. If you're interested in this method, check out our Productopia blog post on the topic. 

Back to top