One Cup Coffee Maker: A Holiday Shopper's Guide
The one cup coffee maker is the latest, most exciting innovation in the coffee world.
With the holiday season upon us, you may be thinking about purchasing a single serve machine for yourself, or as a gift. Here are five key points you should consider when buying a one cup coffee maker.
1) Price
You'll find a wide range of prices among single cup brewers.
You can get a simple machine such as Mr. Coffee Home Cafe for less than . Other, more elaborate machines, such as the Braun Tassimo Hot Beverage System, run around 0.
I suggest setting your budget from -0. This will get you a quality machine, with lots of features.
2) Appearance
Single serve coffee machines are some of the most attractive kitchen appliances out there. Why not get a model that will look fabulous standing on the kitchen counter top?
Senseo one cup coffee makers are known for being stylishly designed. They're available in white, black, blue, red, and chrome.
Most other one cup coffee makers are available in a black finish.
While you're looking at appearance, pay attention to the dimensions of the machine, too. Most single cup machines tend to be compact, but you'll want to make sure that it will fit under the kitchen cabinet, or wherever you or the gift recipient will likely store it.
3) Features
Pod coffee makers often include a bewildering array of features, but there are a few fundamental areas to consider.
Check out the capacity of the water reservoir. In general, look for a coffee maker that holds enough water to brew at least 5 cups of coffee. If it holds less than that, you'll have to refill the tank often, slowing down the brew cycle.
Examine the brew size options. If it brews only a 6oz cup, will this be sufficient? For versatility, look for machines that brew larger sizes.
Is there a brew temperature control? How about a programmable clock?
Can the single serve machine brew other hot beverages, such as tea, hot chocolate, espresso, and lattes? This is a very nice feature to have, so don't overlook it.
4) Ease of use
Get a coffee machine that offers little initial set up, and easy daily operation. To get your daily cup of coffee, the system should not be any more complicated than filling the water reservoir, adding a coffee pod, T-disc or K cup, positioning your mug on the drip tray, and pressing the start button.
5) Variety and availability of coffee pods
Look for a one cup coffee maker that offers a good selection of coffee pods that will be readily available.
For example, the Keurig kitchen brewer uses only their K Cups, but there are over 70 varieties of coffee, tea, and hot cocoa K Cups available.
Other single cup machines, like the Senseo and Melitta, can use any 62mm coffee pod, which is the industry standard. You can often find Senseo coffee pods in your local supermarket.
A one cup coffee maker is a wonderful holiday gift. With these shopping tips, you'll hopefully be prepared to make the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Do some of you know the coffee machine Tassimo? What is your opinion?
I have see a coffee machine called Tassimo, do you think it is a good quality?-
ANSWER:
yep,I bought one on TOPONS three years ago.
It is good now.
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QUESTION:
Coffee Maker Rating : Is the Tassimo Coffee Machine any good?
I'm looking to buy one of the single cup coffee machines and am thinking about the Tasimo coffee maker.Does any one have a Tassimo coffee maker and can tell me what they think of it? Also can you recommend where to buy the machine along with plenty of spare Tassimo tdiscs?
Many thanks,
Katy-
ANSWER:
Hi Katy,I've had a Tassimo Coffee Machine for about three months and I absolutely love it!! It's such a pleasure coming down the stairs in a morning with a gorgeous cup of coffee to look forward to.
I find the Tassimo easy to use and importantly, easy to clean too. It's also very easy to but the Tassimo tdiscs that are what the coffee comes in.
When I bought my machine I was considering the Tassimo along with a couple of other machines. I eventually decided after seeing the reviews at: http://www.premiergold.info/recommends/coffee-makers.html which convinced me of my choice. The links on that site also allowed me to get the machine at a price cheaper than I'd seen anywhere else and the Tassimo was delivered to my door in just three days.
I love my coffee maker and wouldn't want to be without it. I'm sure you'll be the same Katy.
Kelly
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QUESTION:
My Tassimo coffee machine needs to be descaled, the light remains on?
I tried just cleaning it but the light remained on. Where can I buy a descaler or is there a safer home remedy that works?-
ANSWER:
Run white vinegar through it ( run as if you were brewing coffee) and if that doesn't fix it, run CLR through it ( CLR is available at most stores) and rinse thoroughly afterwards, then run white vinegar through it after the CLR just to make sure there is no residue as far as flavor goes etc.
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QUESTION:
Does anyone who has the Tassimo coffee machine know where i can buy Maxwell house T disc.?
I would like to try the maxwell house coffee disc but i cant seem to find them in Manhattan does anyone know where they can be found. I don't want to buy online and pay for shipping fees.-
ANSWER:
There isn't one in Manhattan proper, but just across the river you can find them at your local Target.
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QUESTION:
Has anyone bought an old style Tassimo Coffee machine lately. I don't want the new £100 Bosch one.?
If so where from and how much. I dont mind if its on-line.
Thank youRuth - Thirsty and desperate for coffee
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ANSWER:
I dunno bout the Tassimo one but I can recomend the dolce gusto machine,gave one to my sister for christmas and its been the best thing I have baught,I often nip round to hers for coffee lolthey also do a gorgeous choccoino too,perfect night time drink.
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