A drip coffee maker, aka pour over coffee maker, sits on top of the cup or carafe and using gravity, expresses water through the grounds at a measured rate. Choosing the best drip coffee maker depends a lot on your needs, and what you want from your coffee maker. Factors such as size, automation, as well as types of pots and filters, should all play a role in your decision. Let’s take a look into some of the most important aspects of a drip coffee maker.
Size Matters
The most common pour over drippers are the 1 cup and 2 cup non-automated models. These are stylish, compact, and easily portable so you can always brew the perfect cup at home, in the holiday trailer, at the office, or in the cottage. Drip coffee makers don’t have to take up much space. A single or two-cup brewer can fit easily into the cupboard or can sit attractively on the countertop when not in use.
Considering size also means considering capacity. What do you need this drip coffee maker for? If you’re living alone, a single cup brewer might be ideal, since you’ll only need to make one cup at a time. If you make coffee for larger groups, such as family members, a multi-cup brewer is the better option. There are even dual cup brewers, perfect for sharing a cup of coffee with your partner before work or on a lazy Sunday morning.
Brew Speed
Some people prefer a fast brew because it’s quick and convenient. That is fine, however you’ll risk losing some of the flavor. What can you do if you want a full-bodied, delicious cup of coffee quickly? Drip, or pour over, coffee makers are not as fast as some methods, but they are still very efficient. It takes just a few minutes to get the perfect cup. The measured drip of water through the grounds teases out an incredible amount of flavor. You can taste the difference in a cup made by drip coffee maker. For comparison, a Keurig brews a cup in about one minute. A manual drip coffee maker takes 2-3 minutes. A couple extra minutes is well worth the wait.
Type of Filter
Unlike coffee makers with pods, a drip coffee maker allows you to use the filter you like best. Standard size #2 or V02 cone filters fit most single or double cup angled brewers. You can use a high quality white paper filter, like the new Kajava Mama paper filter, or a reusable filter like the hemp cone or gold mesh. Be aware, however, that different filters can slightly alter the taste of your coffee. For this reason, using a high quality, disposable Kajava Mama paper filter with your drip coffee maker is ideal.
The Best Drip Coffee Maker is the One that Gives You the Perfect Cup of Coffee
While there are many factors to consider when buying a drip coffee maker, the main criteria is this: does it make a cup of coffee that you love? When you look forward to the first sip of the day, you know you have found the quality drip coffee maker you need.