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The single cup coffee maker has many benefits. Maybe you’re the only coffee drinker in your house and you’re tired of pouring good coffee down the drain because you made too much. Maybe you love gourmet coffee, but don’t have the time or inclination to grind beans to fill a pot. Or maybe you want a convenient and easy way to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee at your desk.
If any of these are true, then a single-serve coffee maker may be perfect for you.
Most of these individual coffee makers have a built-in filter. Just pop in a sealed cup or pod of your favorite coffee, press a button, and in less than a minute, you’ll have a freshly steaming cup of coffee.
You can use your favorite mug with most of these, and some come with a thermal travel mug. There are compact machines that will even let you choose between coffee and tea.
If you opt for a smaller version of the coffee maker, be sure to drink your coffee within 20 minutes, or it could turn bitter.
The single cup coffee maker is perfect for your office at work or your desk at home. You can have everything you need for a fresh cup right in your desk drawer, with no need to interrupt for a quick dose of coffee. The best part is that they are mess free and clean up is a breeze. Any removable parts can be rinsed or thrown in the dishwasher.
Here are some favorites based on customer reviews.
o Melitta Single Cup – This sleek, modern-looking machine has earned the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. A metered tank allows you to brew up to five cups before having to refill, and it comes in three color options. Use your own mug and have a hot cup of coffee in less than 60 seconds, or a cup of tea in about 35 seconds.
o Keurig – One of the most popular brands of single-serve coffee makers today, the Keurig offers an adjustable brew size – up to 11.25 ounces. Programmable features and a removable water reservoir add to the ease of use, and its quiet brew and auto shutoff features add to its appeal. Starting at around $99, this is one of the more expensive single cup coffee makers around.
o Senseo – Another country favorite, the Senseo’s compact design allows you to use your favorite cup, and the removable parts can go right in the dishwasher. Brew four or eight ounce cups with an auto shutoff feature. Priced at around $70, this one-cup roaster is a great bargain.
o Black & Decker: The small Brew-n-Go brews fresh coffee directly into a handy travel mug. The automatic shutdown function will give you peace of mind. This small budget model is another customer favorite.
o Bialetti: This coffee machine allows you to prepare the perfect cup of espresso at home. Just put your water and coffee in the specially designed pot and heat it up on your stove. Starting at around $47, this little coffeemaker gives you the option of brewing two cups or four.
o Bunn: The quick brew option in My Café not only makes your coffee quickly, but also allows you to brew four to twelve ounce increments.
If you choose to use your single cup coffee maker to brew tea, there are two ways to enjoy a steaming cup. One is to put the tea bag in the filter, where the coffee bag would normally go. Fill it with water, press the start button, and let it sit. In just a few seconds, you’ll have a steaming cup of tea.
The other method is to run hot water through the machine and place the tea bag inside the cup. The hot water fills the mug, allowing the tea bag to steep as it normally would.
Either way, you’ll have a nice hot treat.
The only potential downside to the single cup coffee maker is the lack of variety in coffee options. If you prefer to experiment with various flavors and roasts, you may want more options with the one cup option. With these little coffee makers, you have to use the proper cup or pod designed for your machine.
On the other hand, many of the coffee pods available on the market are of the gourmet variety, allowing you to try some exotic blends and roasts without spending a fortune. The convenience of the packages makes them very easy to use. Just throw it away when you’re done, no loose or messy grounds to worry about.
The single cup coffee maker can also be a perfect addition to your kitchen for those times when you’re in a hurry, but really need that boost you get from a fresh cup of coffee. You only need to linger a minute and then you’ll be ready to fly out the door, coffee in hand.
The units are small enough to barely take up space, making them easy to store in a cabinet, desk, or cubicle. Add one to your “must have” list for your office, or put it on your birthday list. When you discover the convenience of the single cup coffee maker, you’ll be glad you did.