How To Beat Your Boss On Single Serve Coffee Brewer
Single Serve Coffee Brewer Single-serve coffee makers are a fantastic choice for those who want to take advantage of the convenience of pods, or recreate the taste of drip coffee at home. They are simple to operate and fast. They can be found in many different designs, from basic to more sophisticated (like latte-making attachments on advanced models). There are models that make use of Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ground coffee beans. How do they function? A single-serve coffee maker uses capsules, K Cups or pods packed with ground coffee or tea. The user picks one of the cups, presses a button, and the machine fills it with hot coffee or iced hot chocolate or espresso-based drinks. Certain models come with an automatic shutoff or sleep mode to reduce the energy consumption. The majority of the brewers we have included in our roundup utilize pre-packaged coffee or tea but there are some that allow you to make your own. Some have adjustable temperature and brew strength settings, while others offer pre-set settings to make it easier for you to use. Look for an item with an adequate water reservoir to suit your needs. If you brew more than one cup per day, think about getting an appliance with a larger tank that will require less refilling. Some single-serve coffee makers have various brewing options, from single espresso shots to a complete 16-ounce brew (perfect for a travel mug). The type of tea and coffee you like to drink may also affect your buying decision because a lot of brewers are confined to one specific type of capsule or style. The convenience of the single-serve coffee maker could save time and money compared to making a pot of drip coffee, however it's worth considering the impact that buying and throwing away a lot of K-Cups or pods have on the environment. These plastic containers are disposed of in landfills and have negative impacts on the environment. Certain models can brew ground and pod coffee. If you prefer a traditional drip-style coffee, choose a model where you can select the size of your grind. You can also add water manually. If you love to sip coffee with your loved ones and family you might need a single-serve machine that can make more than one cup of coffee at one time. The top models have a drip tray that is removable and holds up to three cups. Some models with no drip tray removable can hold four to five cups. You should also determine whether your model comes with different sizes of brews, such as an 8- to 12-ounce option or a 10- or 14-ounce cup size. What kinds of coffee can you make? A single-serve machine is able to brew different kinds of coffee. Most often, they are used with coffee pods like the ones made by Keurig and Nespresso. Certain models also make drip coffee from ground beans. And a few of them can make espresso and lattes. They're not going to take on beauty contests like pour-overs or a Moka pot but they can make pretty good coffee for one person at the convenience of just a few minutes. Some companies offer reusable capsules and reusable versions for those who are concerned about the amount of plastic used in creating these coffee pods. Some even sell “eco-friendly” cups that contain no plastic in any way. Additionally, many of the coffee makers we've reviewed have a “my brew” setting which lets you alter your preferred brewing parameters. These settings can be as easy as selecting the size of a cup or as complex as selecting the beverage type and altering the temperature of the brewing. It's also important to consider whether you'd prefer an appliance that is solely single-serve or whether you'd also prefer a carafe-style maker to make larger amounts of coffee. We've included some of these models in this roundup, including the popular Ninja Specialty maker, which can make four ounces for you and anyone else you might be making coffee for. Other single-serve machines let you pick from a variety of brewing styles and sizes for brewing. For example, the Bruvi Precision Brewer offers options for low acidity, Americano coffee, iced cold brew and brewed. The touch-screen display provides an array of other customizing features, as well, such as the ability to add milk and sugar directly to your beverage. Some single-serve machines are focused on making a particular type of coffee, for example the Nespresso Essenza Mini and the Breville Barista Express. Both machines can make espresso and lungo in a simple, one-touch way. Both machines are small enough to fit on your kitchen counter. Can they be reused? Single-serve coffee makers are a great way to make coffee quickly however, they also generate a lot of waste. After use, the small plastic and aluminum pods are thrown away leaving behind a large amount of trash that can be disposed of. This is among the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, which is why it is crucial to do everything you can to decrease it. Many retailers and manufacturers provide responsible disposal options for old and used coffee makers. These programs help keep these waste streams from landfills and stop pollution to our environment, which is why it is important to find out whether your favorite single-serve coffee maker can be reused. Metals like aluminum and copper are highly recyclable, as are glass and other components in your coffee maker. Metals like these can be melted down and reformed into new products, saving energy and resources by removing the need to mine and processing raw materials. Additionally, many of the electronic components used in coffee makers can be recycled and reused and reduce the environmental impact. In single serve coffee brewer to these metals, many coffee makers are made from other recyclable plastics and other materials. For example, the “cup” of many K-Cups and other coffee pods is made from a plastic type called No. The polypropylene 5 can be recycled. In fact, Mother Jones estimates that all of the K-Cups made in 2013 could wrap around the Earth's equator 10.5 times this is why it's important to recycle your old and not-needed pods. When it comes to recycling your coffee maker, the best choice is to consult the manufacturer for specific instructions on how to properly dispose of your machine. Certain companies, like Keurig and Nespresso have comprehensive recycling programs for their brewers as well as pods, which include drop-off at the local or mail-in option. You can also look on the internet for a nearby recycling center, which usually have dedicated recycling centers for e-waste that deal with items like coffee makers and small appliances. You can recycle your coffee maker by donating it to charity or repurposing it. This will keep the machine from being dumped in landfills and keep it from charities that aren't as friendly. What are they like? Single-serve brewers are a great alternative if you like the flavor of freshly brewed coffee but do not have the time to prepare a whole pot. These machines can produce a cup of coffee or any other drinks at the touch of a button, so there's a lower chance that you will make enough and then have to dispose of it later. They are also typically much faster to use than large drip brewers. A lot of grocery stores stock a range of single-serve coffee brewers. They also have models that can be reused. Some are specifically designed to work with prepackaged coffee pods, which can be purchased in a wide range of flavors, while others are more flexible and allow you to make use of your own ground beans tea bags, tea bags, or loose-leaf coffee. Single-serve systems for brewing can be more expensive than regular drip coffee makers, but they are worth the investment if convenience is important to you. The top models we tested had a great flavor, are simple to use, and let you customize your beverage. The BLACK+DECKER CB100S is an affordable and compact model that works with single-pack coffee ground coffee, tea bags, and loose-leaf coffee. It has a large water tank and is very user-friendly with just one button to start and an automatic shutoff. It doesn't have any features to remotely manage the brewing process and some users have reported issues with its operation over time. Another compact model that's a little more expensive than the BLACK+DECKER is the Instant Pod Plus, from the makers of the do-it-all Instant Pot. The brewer is compatible with K-Cups, Original Nespresso pods as well as the brand's compostable ones (although be aware that they'll require an industrial composting facility instead of your backyard compost pile). The drip tray can be removed and modified to fit a travel mug. However the lid that houses the hot water button isn't included. For a more traditional choice that utilizes your own ground coffee for brewing, the Aeropress is a highly-rated single-serve brewer. It takes two minutes to brew 8 ounces of coffee and doesn't require electricity or hot water. It can be made with normal coffee grounds, however, you'll have to grind them fine to ensure they absorb liquid fast.