How To Outsmart Your Boss On One Cup Coffee Makers

Single Cup Coffee Makers A single cup of coffeemaker will help you begin your day with a delicious cup of hot coffee. These sleek machines make excellent gifts for coffee lovers in your life. There's a single-cup maker for everyone, no matter if you prefer to use grounds or pods. Find out which models scored the highest in our tests for functionality and durability, as well as ease of use and aesthetics. Easy of Use A single cup coffee maker is a good idea for those who drink only one cup of coffee a day and would like the convenience of being able to make it quickly. They are also perfect for offices or in a dorm because they take up less room than a full sized drip machine, and there is no need to refill the water reservoir. These coffee makers use pre-filled single-serve pods of coffee or ground coffee. They often also have a “brew over ice” option which makes them suitable for making cold brew. We've also noticed that some single-cup coffee makers can be used with loose tea, which is a great option for those who prefer herbal or rooibos teas. There are many one cup coffee makers on the market which means you'll need to decide which features are important to you. You may want to get an enormous reservoir to cut down on the number of times you need to refill it. Some have removable water tanks that you can carry to the sink. Some don't even have tanks and require you to fill it up yourself. A few of our top picks also have an extremely fast brewing time which could save you some precious morning hours. Some have thermal cups that keep your coffee hot for several hours after the brew cycle has been completed. This is an excellent option if you wish to keep your coffee warm. You'll also have to decide if you prefer K-Cups' convenience or would rather use ground beans and a filter. If you fall into the latter category, you may be interested in the Ninja CM407 and other options such as the Nespresso Essenza Mini. If you're looking to enjoy the taste of espresso without the hassles associated when using a drip coffee maker, you can opt for an AeroPress. Whatever one-cup brewer you decide to use, it's important to consider how many people you could serve. If you're serving a family of 3 or more people who consume coffee with each other, a single-cup coffeemaker isn't the best choice. You'll end up with wasted coffee. Ease of Cleaning It is important to wash your single-cup coffee maker. It's because, without proper maintenance and care the gunk could build up in the machine’s carafe or basket, leaving an unpleasant taste. And if the machine is left dirty for too long the reservoir can be a home for mold and yeast according to a study conducted by NSF International. While these contaminants won't significantly impact your health, it could be an unpleasant experience to wake up to a cup of coffee that tastes off. But instituting regular cleaning routines can aid in restoring your coffee maker to its former glory. White vinegar, a household item that you probably always have in your kitchen, can work wonders in removing the hard water accumulation and deposits that could cause your machine to stop working. De-scaling is recommended once a month or every three months, using the same procedure as you would to prepare coffee. Begin by emptying the water bottle. Then with a warm, soft soapy cloth, wipe down the lid of the mug as well as the brewing vessel. Then, pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water into the reservoir. Then brew the mixture just as you would a regular pot of coffee. Allow the mixture to sit for around 45 minutes, which will give the vinegar a chance to dissolve the calcium deposits inside the reservoir of water and basket. After single serve coffee maker After 45 minutes, drain the solution and run several brewing cycles using clean water to wash away any remaining residue. If you don't have vinegar in your kitchen, a mix of baking soda and water could work, but ensure there aren't seeds pulp, rind, or seeds in the solution. If your Keurig is showing signs of a more severe build-up, it is possible to clean it using the same procedure as mentioned earlier by disassembling the machine to the point where you can wash each component individually in warm, soapy water. Then, rinse each part in warm soapy water and dry it with a towel prior to putting the machine back together. Maintenance Ease Our test subjects appreciate the convenience of a simple-to-use single-cup coffee maker, even though a pour-over might be the best option for taste. So, when testing single-serve brewers, we focused on the ease of daily maintenance—including how easy it was to refill the water reservoir, how simple it was to dump spent grounds or pods, and whether the instructions for descaling were clear and easy to follow. We also considered how much waste each model generated either in the form of disposable coffee cups or a filter that can be reused and the frequency at which the brewer had to be descaled. We also evaluated the ease of descale the machine at home with a solution that is usually a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water. This tiny beauty from Sboly is a great value for the price. It has a range of useful features. You can choose between grounds and pods, and it can brew 8 or 14 ounces. It's small enough to fit in the cupboard. Gift Giving Easy Gift Giving If you're shopping for the coffee lover in your life there are a lot of options for gifts. For instance, you could gift your friend an assortment of their favorite beans or a stunning coffee mug. If you're looking for something to impress, consider gifting one of the top single-cup coffee makers for home use. These devices will allow your loved ones to make the perfect espresso every time, and will save money on coffee shop trips. Our experts have curated the best choices for a variety of budgets and lifestyles. They've also created helpful shopping guides to help you make the right choice for your loved family members. Of our choices, we recommend the Ninja CM407 for its exceptional performance. It was able to produce the most hot cup of joe in our testing, and has several brewing options that let you select between a single serving or a complete carafe. It's also compact and easy to use. Keurig K-Cafe is a different option, as it offers various different brewing options. If you want to offer your family and friends with the convenience of K Cups or espresso, this is the best choice. If you prefer pouring manually we like the Chemex with its elegant design and robust construction. Cupping Spoons are a fantastic way to give your friends the gift of coffee. These tools are designed to increase the enjoyment of each cup of coffee by professional tasters. It'll aid your family and friends to savor the aroma, flavors and the texture of their cups of coffee. Of course, you shouldn't forget the final elements that make a great cup of coffee: milks and creamers (both dairy and non) sauces and syrups, even coffee liquors. Talk to your friends about what they like in their coffee and how they differ from the next person. This will guide you to the ideal gift that will put a smile on their face.