Single Serve Coffee Brewer
Single-serve coffee makers are an excellent choice for those who want to experience the convenience of pods or recreate the flavor of drip coffee at home. These machines are simple to operate and fast.
They are available in a variety of designs, from basic to advanced (like attachments for making latte in the latest models). There are options geared toward Keurig K-Cups or Nespresso capsules as well as those that use ground coffee beans.
How do they work?
A single-serve coffee brewer makes use of capsules, K Cups or pods that are pre-packaged with ground coffee and tea. The user chooses a cup, presses a button, and the machine fills it up with hot coffee or iced hot chocolate or espresso-based drinks. Certain models feature an automatic shut-off or a sleep mode to save energy costs.
Some of the brewers we reviewed allow you to make your coffee or tea, however the majority do not. Certain models have adjustable temperatures and brew strengths and others have pre-set strengths. Select a model that has a large reservoir of water that suits your requirements. Consider a unit that has a larger tank to reduce the frequency of refilling.
Certain single-serve machines provide a range of brewing options. They include single espresso shots as well as a 16-ounce brew, which is perfect for a travel-sized cup. Your choice of coffee or tea may also influence your decision to buy, since some brewers will only accept a single brand of capsules or K Cups.
The convenience of a single-serve coffee maker may save time and money when compared to making a pot of drip coffee, but it's worth considering the impact that buying and disposing of a lot of K-Cups or pods have on the environment. These plastic containers are recycled in landfills and cause negative effects on the environment.
Some models can brew both ground and pod coffee. If you like a traditional drip-style coffee, select a model where you can select the size of your grind. You can also add water by hand.
If you have a habit of drinking multiple cups of coffee with friends and family, you may prefer a single-serve machine that can hold more than one cup at one time. The top models come with a removable drip tray which can hold up to three cups. The ones that don't have removable tray holders can hold four to five cups. Make sure the model you're looking at has different brew size options, such as an 8-to-12-ounce option or a 10 - to 14-ounce cup.
What kinds of coffees can you make?
A single-serve machine can prepare a wide range of different types of java. They are usually used with coffee pods like those made by Keurig (K-Cups) and Nespresso (capsules). But some models can also make drip-style coffee with ground beans. And a few of them can even make lattes and espresso. They're not going to be able to win beauty contests against pour-overs or Moka pot but they can make pretty good coffee for one person in the convenience of a few minutes.
If you're worried about the amount of plastic used in creating these coffee pods, certain manufacturers offer reusable versions and recyclable capsules. Certain manufacturers offer "eco environmentally friendly" cups made of plastic. A majority of the coffee makers that we have reviewed feature the "mybrew" setting, which lets you customize the settings for brewing. These settings can range from to as simple as selecting the size of a cup, to as complicated as choosing the type of beverage you prefer or altering the brewing temperatures.
It is also important to consider whether you require a machine for single-serve coffee or should you also consider an espresso maker that has a carafe for making larger quantities. We've included a number of these models in our roundup, including our favorite Ninja Specialty Coffee Travel-Friendly Coffee: Portable Maker Reusable Filter Cup, which can make up to four ounces of coffee per you and anyone else you may be making coffee for.
Other single-serve machines let you choose between different brewing styles and sizes, like the Bruvi Precision Brewer, which has options for low acid, Americano, iced coffee, and cold brew. The touch-screen display also offers additional options for customization including the option to add sugar and milk directly to your beverage.
Other single-serve Bosch TAS1002 Tassimo Happy Coffee Maker in Black machines are geared toward a specific type of coffee, such as the Breville Barista Express and the Nespresso Essenza Mini. Both machines can make lungo and espresso with a single touch fashion. Both machines are small enough to sit on your kitchen counter.
Can they be recycled?
While they can provide an easy and quick method to make coffee single serve coffee makers create a huge amount of waste. After use, the small aluminum and plastic pods get thrown away leaving behind a large amount of trash that can be disposed of. This is among the fastest growing waste streams in the world and it's crucial to do your part to help reduce it. Many retailers and manufacturers provide sustainable disposal options for old and used coffee makers. These programs can keep these waste streams from being disposed of in landfills, and can prevent them from polluting the environment. It's important to find out whether you can recycle your favorite single-serve coffee maker.
Metals like copper and aluminum are highly recyclable, as is glass and other components in your coffee maker. Metals like these can be melted down and reformed into new products, which saves energy and resources by eliminating the need to mine and processing raw materials. Additionally, many of the electronic components used in coffee makers can be reused and recycled, further reducing the environmental impact.
In addition to these metals, most coffee makers are made of other recyclable plastics and materials. For example the "cup" of many K-Cups and other coffee pods is made of a plastic type called No. Polypropylene 5 is a material that can be recycled. In fact, Mother Jones estimates that all the K-Cups made in 2013 could wrap around Earth's equator 10.5 times, which is why it's crucial to recycle your old and not-needed pods.
If you want to recycle your coffee maker, it's recommended to contact the maker to receive specific instructions. Some companies, like Keurig and Nespresso have comprehensive recycling programs that offer drop-off by mail and local pickup options. You can also look on the internet for a nearby recycling center, which may have dedicated recycling centers for e-waste which handle items like coffee makers and small appliances. You can also recycle your coffee maker by donating it to charity or making it reusable. This will stop the machine from going to landfills and away from less-than-friendly charities.
How do they look?
Single-serve brewers can be a great alternative if you like the fresh taste of freshly made coffee but don't have the time or energy to cook an entire pot. These machines can produce a cup of coffee or any other drink at the push of a button, meaning there's less chance that you will make too much and have to throw it away later. They're also typically more efficient than larger drip brewers.
There are a variety of single-serve brewers available, including several recyclable options that are readily available at most supermarkets. Some of these are specifically designed to use pre-packaged coffee pods, which can be purchased in a variety of flavors, while others are more versatile and allow you to make use of your own ground beans tea bags, tea bags, or loose-leaf coffee.
Single-serve brewing systems are more expensive than regular drip coffee makers, but they're worth the investment if convenience is important to you. The top models we've tested offer great flavor, are easy to use, and provide plenty of customization options for the type of beverage you want.
The compact and affordable CSB100S can be used with single-packs of coffee ground coffee, tea and bags. It features a large water tank, and it is easy to use by pressing a single button and an automatic shutoff. It doesn't have any features to remotely control the brewing process, and some users have reported issues with its operation over time.
The Instant Pod Plus is another compact model, but a bit more expensive than the BLACK+DECKER. It's manufactured by the same company that makes the Instant Pot. This brewer is compatible with K-Cups as well as Original Nespresso pods and the brand's compostable pods (though you should note that these require an industrial composting facility instead of your backyard pile). It has a removable drip tray that can be modified to be used as a travel mug but no lid for the hot water button is provided.
If you prefer a traditional method that uses your own ground coffee for brewing, the Aeropress is a highly regarded single-serve brewer. It takes about two minutes to brew 8 ounces of coffee and does not require hot water or electricity. You can use regular coffee grounds but you will have to grind them very finely so that they absorb liquid quickly.