The best automatic drip coffee maker
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Listen up, Joe, this one is going to get me into hot water!
Pun(s) absolutely intended!
Let me start off by saying that my very own, beloved mother is a representative for Cuisinart. Thanks to her, our home is decked out with several fine Cuisinart products. I have had a Cuisinart coffee maker and enjoyed many satisfying cups from their “grind and brew” machine.
Notice the word “satisfying.”
“Satisfying” is okay, but it can sometimes be akin to “nice.” “Nice” is not how one would want to be described if someone was setting them up on a blind date with a friend.
David Brent must have been described as “nice” by this poor woman’s friend. Ah, The Office! Thank you, Ricky Gervais!
By no means is this a criticism of the Cuisinart coffee maker. This post is about my research and ultimate purchase of my favorite coffee maker, to be revealed below.
Like many of you, I consume coffee daily.
I do my best to get 7-8 hours of sleep per day, along with regular exercise and a healthy diet blah, blah, blah.
Still, though, I just need my coffee or, “Hustle Juice” to kickstart my day.
Like James Reese, the protagonist of Jack Carr’s hit book series, I enjoy my daily veteran-owned Black Rifle Coffee with cream and a little honey.
My daily “cup of joe” tells my body that it’s time to get after the day. On a cold morning commute, it’s comforting to sip, and it's equally enjoyable over ice on a hot NorCal summer day. Just make sure that there’s a toilet close by within 30 minutes of said coffee consumption!
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, consumption of 3–5 standard cups of coffee daily has been consistently associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.
Sold!
While there are many ways to prepare coffee, drip coffee makers are among the most popular. However, not all drip coffee makers are created equal.
What exactly sets these stimulating machines apart?
Let’s take a look:
Brewing Temperature
One of the most important features of a high-performing drip coffee maker is the brewing temperature.
According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the ideal brewing temperature for coffee is 200 degrees +/- 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the temperature is too low, the coffee will be weak and sour. If the temperature is too high, the coffee will be bitter and over-extracted. The ideal drip coffee maker has a temperature control feature to ensure that your coffee is brewed at the optimal temperature.
Brewing Time
Another important factor to consider is the brewing time. The ideal brewing time for drip coffee is between 4 and 6 minutes. If the brewing time is too short, the coffee will be weak and under-extracted. If the brewing time is too long, the coffee will be bitter and over-extracted.
Water Dispersion
The way water is dispersed over the coffee grounds can also affect the quality of the coffee. Ideally, water should be distributed evenly over the coffee grounds to ensure that they are all fully saturated.
Filter Type
The type of filter used in a drip coffee maker can also affect the quality of the coffee. Paper filters are the most common type of filter and are known for producing a clean and clear cup of coffee. However, they can also absorb some of the coffee's oils and flavors. Mesh filters are another option and allow more of the coffee's oils and flavors to pass through, resulting in a richer and fuller-bodied cup of coffee. Look for a drip coffee maker that has a removable filter basket so you can easily switch between paper and mesh filters.
Capacity
Finally, the capacity of the drip coffee maker is another important factor to consider. If you're the only coffee drinker in your household, a small-capacity drip coffee maker may be sufficient. However, if you frequently have guests over or if there are multiple coffee drinkers in your household, a larger-capacity drip coffee maker may be more suitable.
So now that we know enough about the basics and important features of a quality drip coffee maker, let’s take a look at my favorite.
There are plenty of great machines out there, and I found several that I would have been quite “satisfied” with. I wanted to fall head over heels for my new coffee maker and make a long-term coffee consumption commitment!
The winner: Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer
Ain’t she a beaut? Model number: KBT 741
How do I know that I made the right decision?
My co-worker, Mike!
I’ve known Mike for 18 years. Similar to me, Mike is a serial-consumer researcher.
Mike has a fantastic perspective on life, travel, family, and gear, among many other topics. I respect his feedback and always enjoy bouncing ideas off of him.
One day, I asked Mike if I could run something by him.
Here’s how our conversation went:
Me: I’m thinking about buying a new coffee maker.
Mike: Oooh, this is a fun topic. Tell me what you’ve found, because I know you’ve probably been obsessing over this decision.
Me: totally! (I then proceeded to rattle off the names of 3 finalists and the reasons why, with my conclusion being the Moccamaster)
Mike: Haha! You’ve done the research and came to the correct conclusion. Tommy, just go and buy the Moccamaster and don’t look back. We have the Moccamaster and couldn’t be happier.
Technivorm Moccamaster at a glance:
coffee brewed in 5-6 minutes
copper heating element that keeps water temperature to the above mention ideal temperature between 195-205*F
9-hole spray arm that evenly disperses water over grinds
Insulated carafe: this one is important. The glass carafes that sit on a heating element can cause your coffee to sit and burn, leading to bitter coffee. The carafe is the way to go!
Minimal parts and easy to use
Made in the Netherlands, how cool is that?!?
Note: this is not an inexpensive machine when compared to most automatic drip coffee machines. In my opinion, the premium is certainly worth it if you value high quality, consistent robust flavor and fine European design :)
Like toilet paper, mattresses and facial tissue; I’m willing to spend the extra nickels to invest in quality items that I know I will use every day. For me, the Technivorm Moccamaster fits into that description.
Our coffee consistently tastes fantastic!
Make sure to clean your machine :)
One of the sites that you should check out, which I found very helpful in my research is www.SeattleCoffeeGear.com. They carry many coffee products, and have some incredible “how to” and “review” videos that you may find helpful.
This particular video below featuring Gail, shows how to easily clean your new Technivorm Moccamaster. It’s spot-on and exactly how we effectively clean ours.
Gail is a gem! She is super helpful and clearly passionate about coffee.
I’m sorry if this one offended you Mom. Come to think of it, Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Perhaps we can host you and Dad for a Mother’s Day brunch with some well-balanced, SCAA-approved coffee brewed by the Technivorm Moccamaster?
For the rest of you…
I hope this post got you all hopped up on the purchase of your new home coffee maker. It sure was fun for me to write. Full disclosure, I enjoyed my second cup of coffee today while writing this one.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom!
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coffee/
https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/
https://www.officialjackcarr.com/
https://www.scaa.org/PDF/resources/golden-cup-standard.pdf
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/technivorm-moccamaster-manual-coffee-maker-thermal-carafe/?pkey=celectrics-technivorm
https://us.moccamaster.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgLOiBhC7ARIsAIeetVCmH6DSBySJEwdArD2Z0O5odhJf9plUO59SDHx3K9QRtXMIBX-8320aAlDgEALw_wcB
