SUPERMARKETGURU FOOD &
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COFFEE TRENDS: Fashion, Function, and Affordability Show the Way
Published on: January 10, 2007
Whether you're buying a new coffeemaker to replace the old one or want to add something exciting to a new kitchen remodel, you can find exactly what you want.
What's "Out There"
High-end manufacturers like Bosch and Gaggenau and several fine Italian brands really do make the coffee connoisseur's dreams come true for massive dramatic style. Yet, unless you're running a restaurant, there's really no need to spend so much for machines that probably won't fit anywhere comfortably in the average home kitchen. Prices for "no brainer" on/off machines that are plain white with plastic housing and a glass carafe range anywhere from $10 to $40 max; mad-scientist bells and whistles range from a surprisingly affordable $19.99 to an astonishing $1,999. You can get some terrific bargains, particularly the $80 to $130 price bridge, for coffeemakers that have elegant design, sophisticated technology, and ease of operation.
The most popular manufacturers from Braun to Mr. Coffee to Krups and Cuisinart all have replaceable glass carafes, additional charcoal filters, and gold-tone filters to replace wasteful paper ones. If you've already dropped a glass carafe or two, think stainless steel. They're practical (they may dent if dropped), keep coffee hotter longer without over brewing, and the thermal styles are really terrific.
We scoured the shelves before the holidays and prices were about 20 percent less than suggested retail, so look for even greater discounted prices now that January-the-Sale-Month is here upon us at your local appliance/electronics/houseware stores. Do check online sources for even greater bargains.
How to Choose:
When choosing a new machine, remember to consider real counter space availability - big tall machine may knock your socks off but if you have to knock off the bottoms of the cupboards to make it fit on the counter, it's not for you. Also think about how much coffee you really drink. The suggested cup measurement for most machines is six ounces; if you regularly use a 12-ounce mug, that's two cups, so a 10-cup machine makes five mugs. If you're a six-mug family, buy a bigger machine. If, on the other hand, you and your mate drink one modest cup with a possible refill, then a four-cup machine is just perfect.
Automatic shut offs are smarter than people who get distracted by the morning news, the kids, or the phone - definitely something to consider. Most mid-range pots come with programmable features; this saves maybe two minutes of time but it's a lovely luxury to walk into the kitchen and, voila, coffee is at-your-ready, sir/ma'am. Temperature adjustments sound more dramatic than they really are; most machines keep coffee at a typical 175°F, which most people find hot enough.
Just a Few Samples:
Here's a rundown of the automatic drip machines that shopkeepers say fly off the shelves month after month. Each has something wonderful, all brew well, and the range of features runs from only on/off to enough flips to fascinate an airline pilot. In the end, though, all the bells and whistles don't matter as much as choosing the right beans in the first place.
BRAUN Model# KF 420
Excellent middle-of-the-road family glass carafe coffee brewer that makes 10 cups, uses a gold tone filter with swing-out filter basket, pause-and-serve function, and it's under twenty bucks.
CUISINART Model#DCC-450BK
This is sleek, simple, and elegant for singles and couples who just want one perfect mug at a time. The four-cup carafe is stainless steel in a black housing; brew-pause and 30-minute shutoff, and it's got Cuisinart technology priced just under thirty bucks. Small machine for those office-bound without a lot of room for a big macho machine.
KRUPS Model# FMF4-14
Pause and serve function and automatic shut off, adjustable carafe temperature function, signals when done, and programmable. Water filter, too! 12-cup black thermal carafe with plastic handles. $80.
CUISINART Model#DCC-1200B
Another 12-cup model, this has charcoal water filters (replaceable) plus gold tone filter, digital clock, programmable brewing time, and the pot not only has a temperature gauge for the carafe, the machine is self-cleaning although, truth to tell, a white vinegar and water rinse-through works just as well, maybe better. Brew one cup, brew 12. Glass carafe with plastic handles and lots of doodads on the casing to flip. $80 to $100.
BRAUN IMPRESSIONS THERMAL COFFEEMAKER Model# KF600
This doesn't just have a water filter, it's a Brita®. Stainless steel, 10-cup carafe is sleek and thermal (vacuum insulation) to keep coffee hot without bitterness. Other features are automatic shutoff, cord storage, gold filter in stainless steel chamber, flavor seal brew-through lid. $130.
FEATURED RECIPE: Low Fat Brownies
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