How to Buy a Coffee Maker
Choosing the right type of machine and accessories
Did you know that in one day, Canadians drink enough coffee to transform Montreal's Olympic Stadium into a giant swimming pool? For many, the day only properly begins after the first (or second) cup of java, and everyone has their own favourite version of this popular drink.
Whether you prefer a traditional brewed coffee or a flavoured latte, we now have tools that allow us to prepare our favourite fix right in our own home. In this guide you will find helpful tips to help you buy the right espresso maker, filter coffee machine, or pods coffee maker, as well as some useful gadgets to make your morning as easy as possible!
A quality machine will help in making your coffee as good as it can be, but remember that quality comes directly from the bean so have fun with it and experiment with different roasts and brands!
Before you get shopping ask yourself a few questions:
- Regular coffee, espresso, cappuccino... How do you like your coffee best?
- How many cups will you need at a time? Remember that what manufacturers refer to as a cup is often only a 4oz pour. Keep this in mind and choose your model accordingly.
- What kind of features do you need? Pre-programmable, thermos, automatic shut-off, water filtration, permanent filter? Just remember that the more feature-rich the machine, the more expensive it is going to be.
- How much space do you have? Some models can be mounted under a cabinet to save valuable counter space.
Filter or Drip Coffee Makers
Filter coffee makers are still the most common coffee brewing method in homes today. They work by dripping hot water onto ground coffee in a filter, which then seeps through and pours into a waiting carafe below. There are two different kinds of filters to choose from: paper or permanent. A permanent filter is less expensive and better for the environment. Some people also say that paper filters absorb some of the flavor producing oils of the beans, thereby diluting the taste.
Thermal carafes are able to keep coffee warm without cooking it like a glass pot on a burner does. The only disadvantage is that you can't see through it to know how much coffee is left. If you're always in a hurry, you could always opt for a design that brews directly into a thermal go cup for the commute to work.
Some designs have an integrated grinder. These are a good idea if you have limited storage space, but remember that you might have to change both appliances at the same time if one of them ever stops working.
Another feature to consider is a removable water tank, which is easier to fill and to keep clean.
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Pods Coffee Makers
Pod coffee makers work by forcing hot water through a disposable pouch of pre-measured ground coffee (not unlike the tea bag concept). These coffee makers are a good choice if you're a “one-cup-at-a-time” type. It allows for a no-mess, fresh cup of coffee in record time. The downside of this type of coffee making process is that it ultimately works out to be more expensive by the cup.
Pods coffee makers come with some very interesting features depending on what you need and are willing to spend. Some of these features include:
- the ability to brew ground coffee, as well as pods.
- the function to control cup size
- the ability to adjust the strength of coffee
- a programmable On/Off
- a water filtration system
- a milk frother (like a traditional espresso maker)
Before you settle on a pod coffee maker, make sure to assess the availability and cost of the pods.
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Espresso Makers
If you love strong coffees, fancy lattes and luxurious cappuccinos, an espresso machine is what you need. Types of espresso makers include:
- Steam machines work by boiling water until there is enough pressure and steam to either froth the milk force, or the water through the tampered coffee to make an espresso shot. The downside of the steam machine is that it can make the water too hot, or may lack the bar pressure to get the ultimate espresso shot.
- Electric pump machines are typically more expensive and range between the completely manual models to super automatic machines. Manual models allow you to control everything from the pressure to temperature. Super automatic machines will do everything for you, from measuring to brewing to collecting the used grinds.
Features to consider:
- Bar pressure – 15 to 19 bars of pressure is what you should be looking for to get the ultimate espresso. Lack of pressure could result in a bitter coffee.
- Wattage – the higher the wattage, the faster your machine will heat up and the more espressos you will be able to make without waiting.
- Removable drip tray - definitely makes your life easier when comes time to clean!
- Tamper – the right amount of tamping (the act of compacting the coffee grounds) is important to achieve the perfect espresso as it will dictate the speed at which the water runs through the coffee grounds. Some machines will do it for you.
- Pod adapter - gives you to have the best of both worlds: a quick, mess-free cup of coffee in the morning, and a traditional espresso or specialty coffee when time permits.
- Steam Wand – some machines have a swivel steam wand that you can move over the drip tray when steaming milk, and back out of the way when your done.
- Frothing attachment – some espresso makers will even automatically froth your milk for you.
- Cup warmer – espressos get cold a lot faster than a regular cup of coffee, but a cup warmer will help maintain the heat by warming the espresso cup prior to brewing.
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Coffee Grinders
There are two types of coffee grinders:
- Usually smaller, blade grinders are less expensive although less consistent, and tend to burn the beans if they are ground for too long.
- The burr grinders work like a pestle and mortar and offer the advantage of grinding more evenly. There are 2 types to choose from:
- Wheel grinders are a little noisier, but cheaper and do a great job with the espresso grind.
- Conical burr grinders will cost you more, but they won't wake up the household when you put them to use! Also, since they don't clog as easily, they are very effective for oily or flavored coffees and espresso.
Different types of coffee prep, require specific types of grounds:
- Drip coffee-machine: granulated sugar size
- Espresso: fine powder or sand texture
- French presses or percolators require a coarse grind
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Gifts for the Coffee Lover
Coffee has become such an established part of our culture that the market is now flooded with cool gift ideas and sets to satisfy even the pickiest of coffee connoisseurs. Coffee accessories also make really great office or exchange gifts as they are unisex and appropriate for almost anyone.
Other Great Gift Ideas
Coffee is not the only warm beverage that requires tender love and care in its preparation. Tea and hot chocolates are also widely appreciated gifts and there are some great gift sets on the market to satisfy those “coffee drinkers in training”! These are some of our favorites:
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