How To Save Money On Single Cup Coffee
Which Single Cup Coffee Maker is Right For You?
There are a lot of options when it comes to brewing coffee. Which single serve coffee and espresso maker Coffeee is the best for you?
Single cup coffee makers are easy and can be operated using a single button. The machines make use of pods from the store or capsules (like K-Cups) to brew your desired beverage. They are typically made of plastic or aluminum, which could result in significant waste.
1. Easy to use
For people who need an instant cup of coffee but don't have the space for a larger brewer Single-cup coffee makers could save the day. They are easy to use, and they provide a variety of brewing options to satisfy different tastes. They also require less counter space than a traditional drip coffee maker, which can be an enormous benefit in a cramped kitchen.
Most of the models that we tested can brew ground coffee or pre-portioned capsules or pods from a store. Pods, which are small cups made of aluminum or plastic include pre-measured coffee grounds as well as filters built-in. They are convenient and cheaper than buying whole coffee beans, but can get expensive over time. Many companies also make reusable filters for their pods, and you can often reuse them.
Certain machines can also brew cold coffee, and some even have milk-frothing attachments for making cappuccinos or Lattes. Some, like our top choice can brew coffee as well as tea. We assessed the models based on their performance, durability easy installation and breakdown aesthetics, as well as their warranty to identify the top single-cup brewers.
Ultimately, our top pick stood out from the rest because of its straightforward design, multiple options for brewing, and its simple one-touch operation. It made the most hot cup of the bunch, allowed for various sizes of brewing and was the most easy to clean of all the models we tried.
The model also comes with an inbuilt grinder which was the most valuable feature of the single-cup brewers we tried. It was able to grind regular and dark roast beans to the same fineness, and was extremely quiet while operating. We also found it to be the most robust machine we tested and its small footprint made it easy to stash in a small space.
One final note: While it's wonderful that single-cup brewers can be used with grounds and pods, we don't recommend them for anyone looking to make their own pods to reuse. These are typically a combination of aluminum and plastic which can be hard on the heating element of a machine over time. Coffee bags are made of a mixture of filter paper and plant based materials. This is a greener choice.
2. Easy to clean
A single-cup coffee maker makes use of pre-portioned whole bean or ground coffee, and filters to make a cup of fresh brewed coffee. Most models utilize pods. They are small plastic or aluminium cups that are preportioned with ground beans with a built in filter. Keurig's K-Cups are made of polypropylene which is recyclable, but you should inquire with your local recycling center to determine whether this material is acceptable within your local community. Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum and are usually recyclable.
3. Coffee makers that are less expensive
There's no need to spend the money to buy a huge machine for brewing. Single-serve brewers such as the Keurig are an affordable option to grab the perfect cup of coffee for yourself or your coworker. The Keurig also has the added benefit of allowing people to get together and enjoy the table with a hot cup of coffee.
The majority of single-serve systems use pre-portioned, ground coffee in small pods made of plastic or aluminum with a built-in filtration system. This makes the process quick and easy. Although these single-use coffee cups are convenient but they can be more expensive than making your own ground beans, and also create a lot of waste. Companies such as Green Mountain, Wolfgang Puck and others provide a range of Fair Trade and Organic K-Cups that are affordable and eco-friendly.
You can also use your own ground coffee and a reusable filter to replace the pre-portioned pods which are used in single-serve coffee makers. This will eliminate the need to purchase and dispose of single-use pods. This method may take a bit more time however it will save you money in the long haul. Moreover it allows you to choose your own ground coffee, instead of having to stick with the same brand each time.
It is important to think about the amount of coffee you consume regularly and whether ritual or convenience is more important to you. If you drink lots of coffee and often rush out the door with a mug in your hand, it could be worth getting a simple single-serve brewer.
If you drink only a few cups of coffee per day, it may be worth investing in a drip machine that can handle large quantities at once. This will let you have a variety of tastes and not have to throw out coffee that is burned or stale.