This Is The Advanced Guide To Single Cup Coffee

Which Single Cup Coffee Maker is Right For You?

There are a lot of options when it comes to making coffee. But which one is best for you?

Single cup coffee makers offer convenience at the push of an button. The machines utilize capsules or pods from the store (like K-Cups), to create the beverage of your choice. They are typically made of plastic or aluminum, which can result in a significant waste.

1. Simple to use

For those who require a quick cup of joe but don't have the space for larger brewers Single-cup coffee makers could help. They're easy to use and provide various coffee brewing options to meet different tastes. They are smaller on the counter than a traditional coffee maker. This is an advantage for kitchens with small spaces.

Most of the models we tested can use ground coffee or pre-portioned, capsules or pods purchased from stores. Pods are small plastic or aluminum cups that are filled with ground coffee that is already measured and an integrated filter. They are convenient to use and less expensive than buying whole beans however, they can cost a lot in the long run. Many manufacturers also make reusable filters for their pods and you're able to reuse them.

Some machines also brew cold-brewed coffee, and some even have milk-frothing attachments to make Lattes or cappuccinos. Others like our top pick, can brew both tea and coffee. We evaluated the models on their function, durability and the ease of setup and breakdown, along with their appearance and included warranty to find the best one-cup brewers for use at home.

In the end, our top pick stood out from the crowd because of its simple design, numerous options for brewing and its simple one-touch operation. It made the most hot coffee of the group that could accommodate different sizes of brewing, and was the simplest model to clean.

The model also comes with a built in grinder, which was the most useful feature of the single cup brewers we tested. It was able to grind regular and dark-roast coffee beans to the same degree of coarseness, and was extremely quiet throughout the process. We also found it to be the most durable machine we tested, and its compact footprint made it easy to stash in a small space.

We'd like to make one final note. Although single-cup brewers are excellent for using both grounds and pods in one but we wouldn't recommend them to anyone looking to create their own reusable pods. These are typically a combination of aluminium and plastic, which can be hard on the heating element of the machine over time. However, you can buy coffee bags made up of filter paper and plant-based materials which is a greener option.

2. Easy to clean

A single cup coffee maker uses pre-portioned ground or whole bean coffee, and an evaporator to create one cup of fresh brew. The majority of models use pods. These are small plastic or aluminium cups that have preportioned ground beans with an integrated filter. Keurig K-Cups contain polypropylene that is recyclable. However, it is important to verify with your local recycling center to determine if this product is accepted. Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum and are usually recyclable.

3. Coffee makers that are cheaper

There's no reason to spend the money to buy a huge brewing machine. Single-serve coffee brewers, like the Keurig, are a great way to make an easy cup for yourself or a colleague. Keurig has the added benefit of allowing people to socialize and gather around the table with a hot cup of coffee.

The majority of single-serve coffee systems utilize ground coffee that has been pre-portioned into small pods made of aluminum or plastic with a built-in filtration system. This makes the process quick and simple. The pods are single-use and useful, but they be more expensive than using your own beans, and result in a lot waste. Companies such as Green Mountain, Wolfgang Puck and others offer a range of Fair Trade and Organic K-Cups that are affordable and environmentally-friendly.

You can also use your own ground coffee and a reusable filter to replace the pre-portioned pods that are used in single cup coffee maker with pods-serve coffee makers. This will eliminate the need to purchase and dispose of single-use pods. This method can take a little longer however it will save you money in the long run. Additionally it allows you to choose your own ground coffee, rather than having to stick with the same brand all the time.

You need to consider the amount of coffee you consume regularly and whether convenience or ritual is more important to you. If you're a regular coffee drinker and find yourself frequently leaving the house holding a mug, it may be worthwhile to invest in a single-serve coffee maker.

If you only drink a couple cups of coffee per every day, it's better to purchase a drip or percolator capable of handling larger quantities at one time. This will allow you to take advantage of a variety of flavors and not have to throw the coffee that has been burned or stale.