Coffee Makers & Benefits of Each Type of Coffee Maker

While choosing a coffeemaker model may be a matter of preference, features, brand or price, getting the best type of coffee maker for your home may require some consideration before you start shopping.

Though the standard drip coffee maker is the most popular type of brewer, there are others to consider that may be more appropriate for your particular needs. Let's look at the pros and cons of each type to help you decide.

Standard Drip Coffee Makers

Regular drip coffee makers are available in 4 to 12 cup capacities, in many styles and models and at various prices. Though some models can be pricey, drip makers are generally the most economical, when compared to specialty coffee machines. The most common sizes are 10 and 12 cup with smaller models being more practical for small households. Compact 4-cup makers are ideal for hotel stays or a single person.

You can choose a drip coffee maker that accommodates a thermal or glass carafe, or a model designed for dripping right into a travel mug. Coleman makes a standard drip model that's designed for use on a gas camp stove or RV cooktop.

A standard drip coffee maker is the most common type of brewer and even non-coffee drinkers like to have a standard drip maker on hand for guest serving. If you're looking for a practical coffee maker, this would be it.

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Coffee Percolators

Once the standard brewer years ago, the percolator is making a comeback. Though variety and capacity choices are limited, some believe a percolator brews a richer, full-bodied coffee compared to a drip model. Glass percolators for stove-top use are still popular with those who like to percolate the coffee grounds as long as they want, but the electric percolator with an automatic setting is the most common.

Large electric coffee urns for brewing more than 12 cups operate on the same basis as a percolator and are still very popular for social events such as weddings and buffets.

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Pod Coffee Makers

These are single pod (one cup) coffee makers, where the coffee or tea pod is placed in the basket and water from the reservoir drips through the pod, to a single coffee cup. Though excellent for quick and clean serving of specialty coffees, teas, herbal beverages and lattes, producing only one serving at a time can be inadequate for some households. Some pod coffee makers will accept other pod brands, but this should be confirmed before buying. You should also check the availability of pods in your area, plus factor in the operation cost of buying coffee or tea pods for use with these coffee makers. Some espresso machines operate on a specialty pod system.

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French Coffee Press

This style of coffee maker has been around for decades and is still quite popular. Made for stove-top use, a French Press is designed to push the coffee grounds into the boiling water for richer, darker coffee. The main drawback to this style is the smaller capacity and the need to monitor cooktop brewing.

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Espresso & Specialty Coffee Machines

The higher-priced variety of coffee makers are coffee machines that brew espresso, cappuccino or lattes. With commercial coffee machine functions and features, these brewers allow you make specialty coffees at home, for a lot less than the coffee shop beverages. Some models brew regular coffee, making these large machines more practical for everyday use. Styles vary from pump-driven bar systems to pod drip machines with prices that can reach into the hundreds. Things to consider when buying a specialty coffee machine: Physical size, serving capacity, function and type of brewing. It's a good idea to confirm that a coffee machine includes a frother and regular coffee brewing if these are features you'd like to have.

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Read More About Coffee Makers:

Before You Buy a Coffee Maker
Read Coffee Maker Reviews
Coffee Makers - Splurge or Save?
How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Vinegar
Coffee, Teas & Coffee Pods

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