November 2007
Coffeemakers: Important features
A removable filter basket is the easiest for loading and, later, for removing the used filter. Baskets that sit inside a pullout drawer can be messy.
Paper filters--usually “cupcake” or cone-shaped--absorb oil and keep sediment from creeping through. Models with a permanent mesh filter
need to be cleaned after each use, but can save you money over time. Neither type of filter detracted from coffee flavor in
our tests. The simplest type of water reservoir is one with a big flip-top lid and lines that mark the number of cups in large,
clearly visible numbers. Some reservoirs are removable--so you can fill up at the sink--and are dishwasher safe. Transparent fill tubes with cup markings let you check the water level while pouring.
A thermal carafe helps retain flavor and aroma longer than a glass pot on a hotplate. Other niceties: a small-batch setting, which adjusts the brew cycle to compensate for the relatively short heating and brewing times compared with a full pot (they claim to prevent too-weak or too-cool brew), hot-plate temperature and brew-strength controls, and a pause-and-serve feature that lets you pour a cup before the whole pot’s done. (A purist would say the flavor balance of the pot and the poured cup are compromised.) A programmable timer lets you add ground coffee and water the night before, so you can wake up to a freshly brewed pot in the morning. An auto shutoff feature turns off the heating element, compensating for human forgetfulness. Most models have a preprogrammed time; others let you set the time. If you’re pressed for space, you might appreciate a coffeemaker with controls on the side. That allows you to turn the machine sideways, making it less deep on the counter.
Full-sized coffeemakers can be full of features, but not all of them add much. Here are some features of dubious value.
There’s little need for a self-clean cycle. Sending a mix of water and white vinegar through the machine usually cleans it effectively. A special cycle just holds the cleaning solution longer. A water filter is supposed to eliminate off-tastes and odors. But you must replace it after a specified number of pots (about $5 per filter) to prevent bacteria buildup. If water quality is a worry, a whole-house or faucet filter might be a better choice than a coffeemaker filter.
A carafe prewarm setting heats the carafe before the coffee drips in. In theory, that helps keep coffee warmer longer. In practice, it doesn’t make much difference. Built-in bean grinders can be annoying to use and clean. Grounds tend to spill, and you might need to upend the machine to empty residues. A separate burr-type grinder should work better.
A thermal carafe helps retain flavor and aroma longer than a glass pot on a hotplate. Other niceties: a small-batch setting, which adjusts the brew cycle to compensate for the relatively short heating and brewing times compared with a full pot (they claim to prevent too-weak or too-cool brew), hot-plate temperature and brew-strength controls, and a pause-and-serve feature that lets you pour a cup before the whole pot’s done. (A purist would say the flavor balance of the pot and the poured cup are compromised.) A programmable timer lets you add ground coffee and water the night before, so you can wake up to a freshly brewed pot in the morning. An auto shutoff feature turns off the heating element, compensating for human forgetfulness. Most models have a preprogrammed time; others let you set the time. If you’re pressed for space, you might appreciate a coffeemaker with controls on the side. That allows you to turn the machine sideways, making it less deep on the counter.
Full-sized coffeemakers can be full of features, but not all of them add much. Here are some features of dubious value.
There’s little need for a self-clean cycle. Sending a mix of water and white vinegar through the machine usually cleans it effectively. A special cycle just holds the cleaning solution longer. A water filter is supposed to eliminate off-tastes and odors. But you must replace it after a specified number of pots (about $5 per filter) to prevent bacteria buildup. If water quality is a worry, a whole-house or faucet filter might be a better choice than a coffeemaker filter.
A carafe prewarm setting heats the carafe before the coffee drips in. In theory, that helps keep coffee warmer longer. In practice, it doesn’t make much difference. Built-in bean grinders can be annoying to use and clean. Grounds tend to spill, and you might need to upend the machine to empty residues. A separate burr-type grinder should work better.
