CoffeeHow to Select A Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
There are three basic things you need to consider when you shop for a grind and brew coffee maker. These three things are reliability, ease of maintenance and quality of flavor. I will teach you some simple yet specific ways you can spot these three elements when evaluating a possible grind and brew coffee maker purchase.
To identify a reliable grind and brew coffee maker, you need to look for two things: materials and warranty. A quality, durable coffee machine will have an explicit and generous warranty provided by the manufacturer. You also want to look for sturdy materials. Is the coffee maker made with a brushless aluminum veneer or is it made with real steel or aluminum? Are its internal organs made with metal or heavy grade plastic or with flimsy little pieces of plastic?
To weigh a grind and brew coffee maker"s ease of maintenance, look again at the materials, but then also consider its layout. Is the grinder placed right above the brewer? This can create a real mess as the steam combines with the leftover coffee grinds to make a cement-like mess that needs to be cleaned after each use. Trust me: it"s a nuisance you want to avoid. Additionaly, is the thermal carafe easy to wipe clean? Some coffee makers feature carafes with a very small opening, making it difficult to keep the inside of it fresh and clean.
Now the part you"ve been waiting for... flavor! There are three basic steps to obtaining a high quality flavor from a grind and brew coffee maker. First you need a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder, which ensures a gentle and even grind of the beans. Second you need a quality heating element which brews at a minimum of 185 degrees Farenheit. And lastly you need a thermal carafe which does not sit on a heating plate, because open pots and heating plates just spoil and burn the coffee as it sits there.