15 Surprising Stats About Single Cup Coffee
Which Single Cup Coffee Maker is Right For You?
When you're making coffee, you have a lot of choices. Which one is right for you?
Single cup coffee makers are simple and can be operated by just a single button. The machines make use of pods or capsules bought from the market (like K-Cups), to brew the desired beverage. They are typically made of aluminum or plastic, and could result in significant waste.
1. Easy to use
Single-cup coffee makers are ideal for people who want a quick cup of java but don't need a larger coffee maker. They're easy to use and provide various choices for brewing to suit various tastes. They are smaller on the counter than a traditional coffee maker. This is an advantage for kitchens with small spaces.
Most of the models we tested make coffee using ground coffee or pre-portioned, store-bought pods or capsules. Pods are small plastic or aluminum cups that contain pre-measured ground coffee and an integrated filter. They are convenient to use and less expensive than buying whole beans however they can become costly in the long run. Many manufacturers produce reused filters that can be used with their pods. You can reuse these filters.
Certain machines can also brew cold coffee and some have milk-frothing attachments for making lattes or cappuccinos. Others such as our top choice can brew coffee and tea. We compared the models on their functionality, durability and the ease of setup and breakdown, aesthetics and included warranties to determine the best one-cup brewers for home use.
Our top pick stood out due to its simple design, multiple options for brewing and a single-touch operation. It produced the hottest cup of the bunch, allowed for various sizes of brewing and was the easiest to clean of all the models we tested.
The model also comes with a built in grinder which was the most valuable feature of the single-cup brewers that we tested. It was able to grind regular and dark-roast coffee beans to the same level of coarseness and was extremely quiet throughout the process. We also found it to be the most durable machine we tested, and its compact footprint made it easy to stash in a tight space.
We'd like to add one last note. While single-cup brewers are great for using both grounds and pods but we wouldn't recommend anyone to buy their own pods that are reusable. They are typically made up of aluminum and plastic which can wear out the heating element in the machine over time. Coffee bags are constructed from a mixture of filter paper and plant-based materials. This is a greener choice.
2. Easy to clean
A single cup coffee maker utilizes pre-portioned ground or whole bean coffee, along with a filter to make one cup of fresh brewed coffee. Most models use pods. These are small aluminum or plastic cups that contain preportioned ground beans and an integrated filter. Keurig K-Cups contain polypropylene, which is recyclable. However, you must verify with your local recycling center if this material is accepted. Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum and are also usually recyclable.
3. Much less expensive than other coffee makers
There's no need to spend the money to buy a huge machine for brewing. Single-serve brewers like the Keurig are a great method of brewing an instant cup of coffee for yourself or a coworker. The Keurig also comes with the benefit of allowing people to get together and enjoy the table with a hot cup of coffee.
The majority of single-serve systems utilize ground coffee pre-portioned into small plastic or aluminum pods that have an integrated filter that makes the process fast and easy. Coffeee are single-use and practical, but they also cost more than making your own beans, and result in a lot waste. Companies such as Green Mountain, Wolfgang Puck and others provide a range of Fair Trade and Organic K-Cups which are both affordable and environmentally-friendly.
You can also use your own ground coffee and an reusable filter to replace the pre-portioned pods which are used in single-serve coffee makers. This means you don't have to purchase and eliminate single-use pods. Although this may take a bit more time to prepare, it can save you money in the long run. It also allows you to select your own ground coffee instead of having to stick with the same brand.
When you are deciding on a single-serve coffee maker you must consider the amount of caffeine you consume on a regular basis and whether you prefer the convenience of a ritual or. If you consume lots of coffee and frequently find yourself sprinting out the door with a mug in your hand, it may be worthwhile to invest in a single-serve maker.
If you only drink a few cups of coffee per day, it may be worthwhile to invest in a drip machine capable of handling large quantities at a time. This will allow you to enjoy a variety of flavors and avoid throwing out coffee that is burned or stale.