There's no shortage of coffee paraphernalia (and opinions on which is the tastiest cup):espresso machines,Organized, Pour over Brauer efrench presses, just to name a few. But drip coffee makers are perhaps the most ubiquitous, and according to onesurvey 2021. However, since they differ in features, design, price, and the quality they offer, how do you choose the right one for your needs and budget? After extensive testing, I named themOXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Makermy absolute first choice. I would recommend it to most buyers for its great-tasting coffee, smart features, and overall reliability. For those on a budget I recommend thisNinja programmable coffee maker 12 cups, my "Best Value" pick, offering superior performance for less.
For almost a month, ten coffee pots and five kilos of medium roast beans were part of the furniture in my living room. (Yes, I said "living room"; let's not get into the details of why I chose this project with a kitchen that is roughly 6 feet by 8 feet.) In addition to the two options above, here are the results of my complete test procedure:
- The best coffee maker overall: OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
- Coffee maker at the best price: Ninja programmable coffee maker 12 cups
- The best honorable coffee machine: Ratio Six Coffee Maker
- The most versatile coffee maker: Breville Precision Brewer Thermokaffeemaquina
BUT FROMFORBES REVISED
my specialty
I've been an editor for about a decade, half of that time working in food and drink publications, covering the best recipes and cookware on the market. During my tenure as chief content officer there, I oversaw the beverage industry launch at Food52, recruiting contributors to cover beverages of all kinds, including coffee and tea. For this story, I brought my personal knowledge and experience from speaking with several key figures in the coffee industry:Sara Nguyen, founder ofNguyen coffee deliverynot Brooklyn, New York; Travis Bell, Founder ofTorraria Black Acresen Baltimore, Maryland; y Patrick Cottercafetera seattle, a leading specialty coffee retailer. I consulted all three to learn what factors lead to the best brew possible, what features consumers should prioritize (or skip) when buying a drip coffee maker, and how to optimize your home brew for a better cup every day.
How I tested the best coffee makers
oSpecialty Coffee Association(SCA), the world's leading coffee trade organization, has very detailed guidelines on what makes a great cup of home brew. They also do extensive testing on the coffee makers submitted for testing and have strict, science-based criteria that they expect from the coffee makers they certify. I used several of his standards as the basis for my tests, particularly in areas that I could objectively judge, as follows:
temperature consistency
According to the SCA, optimal coffee extraction occurs when the water temperature is between 185 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Cotter agreed: "A coffeemaker with a good constant heating element will sufficiently heat water to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the brewing process and keep it there during fermentation." He adds that "many cheap brewers just boil the water and then dump it on the ground," which "burns the dust and leaves a bitter burnt taste." Using a simple ThermaPen probe thermometer, I measured the center of the filter bed as the coffee was brewing and the temperature of the coffee as the liquid hit the carafe.
fermentation time
SCA also recommends that drip coffee makers soak coffee grounds for a minimum of four minutes and up to eight minutes with water; if it is shorter or longer, there is a risk that the coffee will be extracted too much or too little. I have taken this into account when using each machine and I have timed the preparation time from when the first drop of coffee falls into the coffee maker until the water tank is empty.
Heating
I tried several models of machines, some with a glass carafe and heating element in the base of the coffee maker, others with an insulated stainless steel thermos and no heating element. The SCA suggests that certified brewers should maintain the coffee temperature between 176 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit during the first 30 minutes of post-brew hold time. For coffeemakers with a heating element, the guidelines state that "because of this heating element, the temperature of the coffee should not exceed 185 degrees Fahrenheit at any time." To assess this factor, I measured the temperature of the coffee in the thermos (or in the glass jug and with the help of the resistance of the machine) 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes and 240 minutes after preparation.
I also evaluated the following criteria:
- Structure, size and appearance:Here are some considerations. First, was the machine big and bulky, taking up valuable counter space, and/or not fitting comfortably under cabinets? Was it designed with easily accessible, refillable, and removable parts? In addition to functionality, I also considered aesthetics. Given that most people use their coffee makers on a daily basis, and would therefore likely leave these machines on the counter, were the models display-worthy, or at least not a glaring eyesore?
- Type of water supply:As Cotter told me, "It's important to find a coffee maker with a decent shower head that distributes the water evenly across the ground. This is done so that the extraction is even throughout the entire coffee bed, resulting in a flavor of perfect drip." Most of the coffee makers I have chosen to testfezhave this functionality; Additionally, I measured its effectiveness by examining the powder after infusion to see if there were patches of a lighter (no water saturation) or darker (better water saturation) color.
- Machine capacity, versatility and practical features:Some machines had a specific "half carafe" setting or required a different brew basket or strainer to brew a smaller pot to optimize the extraction stage for this lower performance. I also considered whether the machine could do additional tasks, like brewing iced coffee or a cold drink. The experts I spoke to pretty much agreed that adjusting the brew strength and pre-set/timer options isn't that important; after all, freshly ground coffee is the gold standard, and according to Nguyen, "infusion of brew strength can come with the grind." and the ratio of coffee to water we use.” However, I looked to see if the machines had one or both of these features to ensure maximum versatility.
- Easy installation and cleaning:To gauge ease of assembly, I timed how long it took me to set up each machine and get it ready for brewing (including running a water-only "rinse cycle" where specified in the coffeemaker's instruction manual). After I finished setting up each machine, I also timed how long it took me to clean it and get it ready for another use. I also checked to see if the machine had any dishwasher-safe parts and ran anything that could be cleaned that way in a cycle to see how it worked. Although I haven't used the machines long enough to run a descaling cycle that would have a significant impact on the flavor of the coffee, I plan to do so during longer-term testing and will update the results.
- Degree of extraction (and taste of the drink):Although professional coffee organizations like the SCA use refractometers to determine how well machines extract coffee as it brews, I didn't find this realistic for a home coffee maker. Instead, I chose to determine this based on the color and flavor of the coffee being brewed. Bitter or burnt-tasting coffee is fairly easy to taste, as is weak coffee with an underdeveloped (or watery) flavor.
To determine all of the above factors, I brewed four batches of coffee in each machine and looked at different criteria in each test. In my first round, I tried to determine the ease of use and setup time of the machine; in the second I evaluated the infusion temperature and the degree of extraction during the infusion (color and flavor); Third, I tested if I could make a half batch and register the consistency with a full glass; Fourth, I tried all the additional features of the machine such as: B. Brew delay/scheduling and any special accessories.
According to the experts I interviewed, the safest way to make better coffee at home is to use the freshest beans possible, which means they are roasted and ground just before brew time. As Nguyen told me, "Freshly ground coffee versus pre-ground coffee makes a huge difference in the flavor and aroma of a cup of coffee." the best." adding flavor to your cup". So I used Stumptown Coffee Roaster'sroaring mountainwhole beans for all my tests. It's a medium roast blend with hints of caramel, chocolate, and some citrus that's strong enough to show up in many brewing methods (including drip). To ensure a consistent routine across the board, I enlisted the help oforchard additionGratschleifer, set in alevel 18to create the recommended average texture for a drip machine; I also used a simple one.digital kitchen scaleMeasures the correct amount of coffee to brew a full carafe according to the SCA recommended "Golden Cup Ratio" of 16 parts water to 1 part medium ground coffee. More recently, I have used a basic Brita filter to purify the water I use, as well as paper filters (Melitta #4 cone filter or standard size basket filter depending on what the machine requires), whether the machine came with Gold or not, it became reusable clay.
With all those data points in mind, here's how the winners were ranked.
Overall the best filter coffee maker
A discreet machine that does more than deliver
OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
ability: Nine Cups |filter type: Kegel |Type of water supply:shower head |crystal style: Thermal with pass-through lid |small series function: Sim |Brew Delay/Timer: Sim |Guarantee: | two years |Other properties:Digital clock, brew pause function, SCA certified
OXO coffee maker 9 cupsIt's a super functional machine with top notch features at a moderate price, and I've had a nice smooth cup each time I've used it. It's understated in a good way, with a simple stainless steel and black exterior, a simple digital display, and just a dial on the front to set the machine. Setup was easy: I inserted the conical plastic brew base into the machine, attached the silicone mixing tube to the brew jar lid, and ran a water-only cycle. After that, I brewed a full bottle of ground coffee, which took exactly eight minutes, maintaining a constant water temperature of 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the cycle. The thermally insulated stainless steel carafe kept coffee at 166 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours after brewing, and the brew timer worked well, too; I set up the machine the night before so I could wake up to a pot prepared, and the difference in flavor between freshly ground beans and beans that were placed in a colander overnight was minimal to my taste buds.
Some other weighted features to note were theOXO 9 Tassenthe brew pause feature (present on several machines I've tested), as well as the freshness timer on the digital display that runs up to 60 minutes after brewing to let you know how long the coffee has been in the carafe. Cleanup was easy too; The paper filter stowed away in my bin quickly and easily after use, and the carafe and detachable bed washed in just a few minutes with dish soap and hot water, then air dried. (The machine also tells you when to descale to remove mineral buildup after a few months of use, which was a unique feature of this machine that I find quite nice.)
As for the drawbacks, there are a few, but they are not insurmountable. First, the machine is 15 inches tall and 17 inches wide, which can be problematic for those with limited counter space. Also, the brew timer will not work as intended if the jar is slightly off (in fairness, the machine will warn the user if this is the case). Nothing in this coffee maker is dishwasher safe, so keep that in mind. Last but not least, the price is definitely on top of the models I've tested. Still, backed by a two-year warranty, this dependable machine is an investment that's likely to turn out hundreds, if not thousands, of delicious cups over the years.
Better for:
- Tropfkaffee-Fans
- Those who want a programmable brew timer
- All day coffee drinkers who want their beverage to stay hot for hours without turning bitter
Skip if:
- Do you have a smaller kitchen?
- Are you on a budget or looking for a higher capacity machine?
Filter coffee maker with the best value for money
An economical and multifunctional coffee companion.
Ninja CE251 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
ability: 12 Bags |filter type: cone (reusable) |Type of water supply: spirit |crystal style: low resistance glass |small series function: Sim |Cook Delay/Programmable Timer: Sim |Guarantee: One year |other properties: digital clock, removable water tank, personalization of the intensity of preparation, cleaning function, keeping warm function, measuring spoon attached to the machine
I did not expect to loveNinja CE251same as me, but those are the secrets of product testing. It offers tons of useful features and delicious coffee at a very reasonable price, making it the best budget option I've tried. Setup was easy, requiring a quick wipe down of the included parts and accessories and then a rinse with just water. The Brause coffeemaker dispenses water in the same way and at similar temperatures as a much more expensive machine, resulting in a mild-tasting end product; For reference, I recorded the water temperature at around 195 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the entire brewing process. It also features a tapered brew base that can hold either a reusable gold filter or #4 paper filter, and the glass carafe comes with a "flavor straw" that protrudes from the lid and ensures coffee is circulated. good in the jar This means that every cup you pour will have a similar flavor and extraction level, whether it's the first or last in the pot. Keep in mind that the total brew time for a full bottle is a pretty long 15 minutes; According to the manufacturer, this is due to a pre-brew cycle that takes place before the coffee is brewed.
The front of the machine also offers a variety of features that allow you to customize your experience: you can brew strong "classic" or "rich" coffee, or brew a small batch of just two to four cups. I found that tastes didn't vary much between "rich" and "classic" modes; they were about the same between the full glass and the smaller batch. The brew delay button allows users to program coffees up to 24 hours in advance (again, I found that the flavor of the beans was not significantly affected by being ground a few hours before brewing). Finally, the machine's "Keep Warm" feature can be programmed to run anywhere from one to four hours, but it did bring the coffee temperature down to around 159 degrees Fahrenheit even when it's on, lower than other coffeemakers I've used. used. As for other useful features, the machine comes with a measuring spoon that easily attaches to a hook on the body of the coffeemaker, and it offers a "brew pause" feature that worked moderately well in my tests (it still let slip a few drops from the infusion bed and burn the lower heating plate). When it's time to clean the machine, all of its parts can be safely placed on the top rack of the dishwasher; For heavier jobs, the coffee machine has a "Clean" function to descale.
Like all devices, the CE251 has its limitations. Of course, the only glass carafe and heating element setup with moderately good performance is one thing, and the slowness of the machine is another. The removable water reservoir in particular will be something I'll keep an eye on for long-term testing, as reviewers of the product have noted that it loses its seal over time and water leaks everywhere during the fermentation cycle. .
Better for:
- Those who want to spend a little less for delicious coffee.
- People who want a machine with removable parts and dishwasher safe
Skip if:
- Do you want your coffee fast?
The best honorable filter coffee machine
A sleek, fast machine that looks as good as it performs
reason six
ability: Eight cups |filter type: Déso |Type of water supply: spirit |crystal style: Thermos with separate lid (not continuous) |small series function: No |Brew Delay/Timer?: No |Guarantee: five years |other properties: Flowering stage before preparation, three colors (matt white, stainless steel, matt black), SCA certified
Sleek and streamlined is the name of the game here: Thereason sixIt's a beautiful, well-designed machine that makes excellent coffee. Setup is as simple as can be (and Ratio gets bonus points for packaging the stainless steel machine and its mostly metal parts in fully recyclable, plastic-free materials). The machine comes pre-washed and laundered, so it's ready to go – a touch considered unique to this machine and Technivorm Moccamaster. Simply place a flat bottom filter with the heavy ground coffee in the filter holder and screw on an optional heat shield, stack it on top of the insulated thermos, fill the water reservoir and press the maker's only button. And the.
The machine then goes through a short bloom cycle to hydrate the powder before priming it with a shower-style water dispenser. You get a full pot in about eight minutes, with the water temperature approaching 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a good investment from an SCA perspective. The result is a truly flavorful cup with many nuances that come from the pour over method. It's also a mug that stays comfortably hot in your thermos for several hours with the insulated lid (even four hours after brewing, I found it measured 168 degrees Fahrenheit).
Despite its well-thought-out design, the Ratio Six coffee maker has a few quirks. First, the machine does one thingintestine, but only one. If you want a brew timer, different brew intensity settings, or even a half brew setting (like many of the other machines I've tried), the Ratio Six won't give you that. Then the water reservoir has a very small opening with a small stainless steel twist-on cap, which makes filling a little slower and more fiddly than it otherwise would be. Finally, there are some removable parts that don't quite fit into the stripped-down setup, namely the plastic drip tray and thermos lid. And none of the machine's parts are dishwasher safe, so you'll have to spend some time washing your hands after each use. But these are just minor quibbles: the Ratio Six really is an excellent coffeemaker, through and through.
Better for:
- Design Conscious Personalities
- obsessive coffee
Skip if:
- Do you have a limited budget or are you looking for multifunctionality?
The most versatile coffee maker
A brewing workhorse that can do it all
Breville Precision Brewer Thermokaffeemaquina
ability: 14 Scholarships |filter type: Basket (for higher yields); cone (for up to 8 cups); both reusable |Type of water supply: Filtered Shower |crystal style: Thermal with pass-through lid |Small fermentation function.: Sim |Brew Delay/Timer: No |Guarantee: One year |other properties: control of temperature, time and intensity of fermentation; Settings for cold brew and iced coffee
oBreville Precision Breweryit's a force. With a 14-cup yield, this machine is among the largest coffeemakers I've tested, so it's not necessarily the best choice for small homes (or kitchens). But this large size offers a host of useful features, with precise adjustment at nearly every step of the brewing process. Using the digital menu on the front of the machine, you can not only adjust the amount, temperature, brew time, and strength of the brewed coffee, but the precision brewer also features two interchangeable brew baskets on the based on the amount of coffee you want. you're brewing (sharp for eight cups or less and a wicker bed for up to 14 cups). The machine also has a cold brew and iced coffee setting, making it the only one I've tried that had these added features.
The setup here was a bit more complex: The Precision Brewer comes with a pH test stick, which you use to test your tap water before brewing (water pH affects the acidity of your last cup of coffee). You also need to submerge and insert a disposable water filter into a designated slot in the reservoir, but it will need to be replaced every two months. ANDSoYou are rinsing with just water. All in all, the brewing process itself was a breeze. During the brewing process, for a total of 11 minutes, including the bloom cycle and at a preset temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit, the coffee flows through a hard-to-screw-on lid into a thermos. The coffee tasted good, clear and not mushy; It also stayed nice and toasty in the bottle at a temperature of 165 Fahrenheit for at least four hours after fermentation with the cork in the closed position.
Of course, the imposing size of this machine isn't for everyone; As mentioned, it's also quite complicated to set up and use. I also noticed that the water tank was not completely emptied during the brew cycle of the machine. Also, a one-year warranty seems a bit limited for such a premium product with so many removable bits and pieces; For such a sophisticated (and expensive) coffee maker, I'd expect a more robust coating.
Better for:
- Coffee drinkers who want to control every aspect of their cup
- Larger families or common areas that consume large amounts of coffee
- People who want to make cold coffee, iced coffee and hot coffee in the same machine
Skip if:
- Do you have a small kitchen?
- Prefer a machine with a brew timer?
Other coffee makers I've tried or considered
- Bona Vita Connoisseur 8-Cup Coffee Maker: Although I didn't actually test this machine in my tests, the Vetted team had previously voted it our best overall coffeemaker, and it's a longtime favorite among readers for its simplicity and quality. However, when evaluating the models that were tested for the purposes of this guide, I felt that the machine did not stand out enough from the rest, both in design and features.
- Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Seleccione: Don't get me wrong: this machine is truly excellent and revered for good reason. Its design is sleek and streamlined (bonus points for the wide range of colors available) and produces truly great coffee in just four to six minutes for a full carafe using a unique copper coil drive system. This particular model uses a glass carafe with a heating element at the bottom; While this keeps coffee hot for two hours without burning it, I figured for such a high price, a thermos (and less plastic in general) should be the expectation.
- Specialty filter coffee maker: There's a lot to like about this high-tech machine from GE: It's SCA-certified and striking, with a largely metallic exterior (your choice of brushed stainless steel, matte black, or matte white), sleek copper-colored accents, and the choice of glass jug or thermos (the latter costs more). Under the hood is a cone-shaped brew bed that can accommodate a reusable gold shade or paper filter, as well as a brew timer/programmer, brew intensity setting, and temperature settings. All of these features can be manipulated with a smartphone app (or voice control via Alexa or Google Home) since the machine is Wi-Fi enabled. In about eight minutes for a full carafe, Café Specialty brews a very firm-tasting cup. Still, I felt that the bells and whistles, which is probably part of the reason this machine costs extra, were "nice to have" rather than actual necessities that significantly affected the taste of the coffee (or the convenience of the experience). .
- Cuisinart PurePrecision 8-Tassen-Pour-Over-Brüher: Another SCA-certified option, Cuisinart's PurePrecision Coffeemaker mimics the style of serving coffee in a handy drip machine, like many of the models before it. The coffee in this model tasted great, and the machine itself had many good points, such as a brew timer, temperature control, and a self-cleaning function. But with a small capacity, a charcoal water filter that needs to be replaced occasionally, and a lack of dishwasher-safe parts, I'd suggest choosing another machine on this list.
- BLACK+DECKER Black 12-Cup Coffee Maker: Looking for an economical optioncomThe benefit of a vacuum sealed thermos, I was hopeful when I landed on this machine. The results, however, disappointed me: the machine's shower-style water dispenser produced poorly extracted coffee that tasted bitter and lacking in nuance. Halfway through fermentation, the water temperature was around 183 degrees Fahrenheit and not uniform; One brew cycle took 17 minutes for a full carafe. While the coffee stayed decently hot (and tasted fairly consistent) for several hours after brewing, you can spend far less than the $70 this machine costs to get the resulting quality of flavor. It is also programmable to plan your preparation for the future.
- Cuisinart Perfectemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe:This Cuisinart machine was the biggest I've tried, but it turns out that bigger isn't always better. I found this machine to be quite functional but not particularly memorable in the scheme of my tests. There were definitely some good aspects here, such as programmability, semi-brew settings, temperature settings, and self-clean features. However, due to the lack of a shower-style water dispenser, inconsistent temperature readings during the (long) brewing process, and a resulting average-tasting (but completely harmless) drink, this is probably not a machine to which I would like to.
- Black+Decker DLX1050B 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker: Another contender for value for money, this machine may sound familiar—you'll find it in every hotel room and office space. While it's extremely cheap at around $30 at various online retailers and has a ton of useful features (timer/brew program, coffee strength setting, one-cup setting, and two-hour auto shutoff), that's all. that the benefits seem to be ending. Although it has a shower-like water distribution mechanism to saturate and bloom the beans more evenly, the perforations were so concentrated that their effect was almost imperceptible. To this machine's credit, the water temperature fluctuated 194 degrees Fahrenheit during the brewing process (albeit somewhat inconsistently), but housed in a glass carafe and heated from below, the coffee flavor went from slurpy to bustling to even. it burned quickly.
How to choose a coffee maker
There's a lot to consider when looking for the best coffee maker for you – just look at the thousands of words above for proof. But with helpful help from the experts I interviewed for this story, here's a breakdown of the main things to keep in mind.
ability
This one is self-explanatory, but worth mentioning. How much coffee do you drink and how long do you plan to drink it? As Sahra Nguyen says, "If it's just you and one other person, you may not need a 14-cup coffeemaker."they areFor a small family that consumes large amounts of coffee throughout the day, the style of your carafe is even more important when it comes to a fresh, hot cup for hours on end.
Temperature control
Pat Cotter of Seattle Coffee Gear put it best: “The first thing I look for in a filter coffee maker is temperature stability. Many cheap coffee makers simply boil the water and then pour it on the ground, letting it cool as it drips through the coffee. This burns the powder and results in a bitter, burnt taste. Unfortunately, many people think that this is what coffee tastes like. A coffee maker with a good, consistent heating element will adequately heat water to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the brewing process and keep it there during fermentation.
Nguyen agrees, adding: “I've seen some machines with an 'extra hot coffee' option for people who like to add milk to their coffee so the machine brews the coffee at a higher temperature. Technically speaking, using a higher temperature for coffee extraction is not always good. However, if possible, I'd like to see if the company clarifies what the Fahrenheit definitions of "highest temperature" and normal temperature mean. Keeping it between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal."
spray tip type
Experts agree that a shower-style water dispenser that mimics the brewing method uses a drip machine to produce the best possible coffee by far. That's because, according to Bell, the water "can cover the entire ground for even extraction."
Beverage customization
While most high-quality (and certainly SCA-certified) machines offer great temperature and brew time settings as standard, not all coffee beans are created equal. That's why Bell says the ability to set brew times and temperatures is important. For example, increasing the soak time allows you to extract more flavor from a softer bean. Lowering the brew temperature when working with a heavier or darker roasted bean can help balance and smooth the brew there.
Nguyen also suggests considering the tones and noises coming out of the machine, if any: "Does the coffee beep or make a noise when it's ready? And if so, is there a way to turn off the sound so it doesn't disturb someone?" pets?" Finally, and this is based more on personal choice, Cotter adds that "Scheduling can also be a nice added feature, but less important than constant fermentation temperatures and even the application of water."
cleaning
Find a coffee maker that is easy to clean, either for daily maintenance, such as removing coffee grounds from the brew base, or for long-term cleaning, such as the monthly descaling recommended by many manufacturers (be sure to follow the owner's manual). your machine's instructions for this). . ). Machine cleaning, including mineral deposits accumulated in tap water over time, affects the quality and taste of the finished drink in much less time than expected.
What is the best home coffee maker?
While the best coffee maker is right for you and your preferences, the list above can help you find the best one for you. EITHEROXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee MakerIt passed my tests with flying colors due to its high-quality but no-frills build, easy setup, and very flavorful, flavorful coffee result.
What is the best coffee maker brand?
Again, you'll see some highly reputable brands I've reviewed, from tried-and-true favorites like Cuisinart, Breville, and OXO to newcomers like Ratio and even SharkNinja.
How long do the best coffee makers last?
Premium coffee machines are an investment and built to last. Depending on the brand's warranty, these machines are covered against all manufacturing defects for a period of one to five years. Of course, the better you take care of the machine with routine maintenance and descaling (following the manufacturer's instructions in the product's user guide), the longer your machine is likely to last.
Are the best coffee makers really worth it?
In short, yes. A good drip coffee maker, as described by Cotter, produces "that rich sweetness with even a hint of smoke (depending on the bean)" created by the laborious pour-over method "without losing the complexity that can be achieved with a pour over." " . Investing in a quality machine will ensure that you will make a consistent and convenient cup for years to come.