For that morning wake up coffee, you have many choices for automatic drip coffee makers.
If you're looking for the absolute best brewed coffee result, the top of the line in a home coffee brewing system is the Technivorm Moccamaster. It comes down to temperature control. Hands down, the Technivorm gets you closer to the ideal 195 to 200 degrees brewing temperature than any other automatic drip coffee brewing product out there.
A close second is the Capresso MT500 automatic coffee maker. The Capresso uses a better quality heating element than the other standard coffee makers. It won't brew quite as close to the ideal temperature as the Technivorm, but it comes in better than the rest of the field. And it's a little easier on the budget than the Moccamaster.
The Krups FMF5-14 automatic coffee maker is our choice for those on a tighter budget. This machine makes a very respectable cup of coffee, has all the great programmable features, is easy to use, and the thermal carafe is one of the best designs we've found.
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Krups Stainless Steel 10 Cup Coffee Machine - FMF5-14
Price: $99.99
Of the many automatic coffee machines we have used over the years, Krups has always proven to be reliable and great value for the money.
There are a number of features that we particularly like with the FMF5-14. We much prefer the stainless steal thermal carafe over the standard glass carafe models. After brewing, we shut off the unit saving energy, and take the carafe upstairs to enjoy several cups of perfectly brewed coffee before heading off for work.
The thermal carafe is one of the better designs, easy to handle, and has a nice positive start/stop pouring mechanism that doesn't dribble or drip. The carafe is very thermal efficient and keeps the coffee hot for at least an hour, plenty of time to finish off the refills.
The anti-scale, anti-chlorine filter system definitely produces a superior brew, especially if your water is a challenge. The filter is easily replaceable and a rotary indicator on the top of the filter holder makes it easy to keep track of when it's time to change the filter.
This Krups unit is definitely a welcome replacement for the miserable Cuisinart unit we recently put out to pasture.
Here's a list of more great features:
- FMF5-14 Stainless Steel 10 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Machine
- 1100 Watts provides fast and efficient brewing.
- Programmable timer/auto on sets the start time each day.
- Auto-off after brew cycle complete.
- Empty water reservoir detection shuts unit off automatically if empty.
- High visibility blue illuminated LED control panel for ease of use.
- Audible signal when brewing is complete.
- 10-cup double walled vacuum sealed stainless steel thermal carafe maintains flavor and temperature longer .
- Pause and serve feature allows interruption anytime during the brew cycle to remove the carafe.
- Built-in water filtration system removes chlorine and lime scale.
- Descaling indicator measures brew time and calculates when descaling is necessary.
Krups Stainless Steel 10 Cup Coffee Machine - FMF5-14
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Capresso MT500 - 10 Cup Programmable Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
Price: $179.95
Our second highest rated pick for automatic coffee brewing, Capresso stands out above the rest.
High quality heating elements assure ideal brewing temperatures of over 200° F during brewing and approximately 180° F coffee temperature in the carafe directly after brewing. This is the only coffee maker in this price range that gets this close to brewing coffee at the optimum temperature (200° F) for proper infusion. This inures the best flavor and aroma.
The thermal carafe is a must. We won't use or recommend a glass carafe and heating element which only burns and spoils coffee left sitting on the warming element. Only use a thermal carafe.
Here's a list of more great features:
- Stainless steel thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for up to 4 hours. Much better than the cheaper keep-warm heating elements that burn and spoil the coffee.
- 1200 Watt stainless steel lined heating system for fast and efficient brewing.
- Can brew 10 cups of coffee in under 8 minutes for maximum flavor and aroma.
- Drip stop allows you to pour a cup while brewing.
- Charcoal water filter removes up to 83% of the chlorine commonly found in may water supplies.
- 24-hour programmable clock/timer.
- Permanent GoldTone filter included.
- Safety auto shut-off after brewing.
- Dimensions: 13.75" H x 9.75" W x 10" L
- FREE Shipping.
Capresso MT500 Coffee Maker - Stainless Steel with Black
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Technivorm Moccamaster KBT-741 coffee maker
Price: $299.00
Our absolute top pick for automatic drip coffee brewing, Technivorm beats them all. It comes down to superior temperature control that the others can't touch.
The Moccamaster is actually not something new. This simple and mechanically superior coffee maker has been designed and manufactured in the Netherlands since 1964.
With good reason it is only one of two coffee makers that are certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA).
The Moccamaster earned this distinctive certification from the SCAA because of its superior ability to brew at a consistent temperature between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit for the full brew cycle of 6 minutes.
It also maintains the optimum serving temperature between 155 and 175 degrees F. You want to brew at 195 to 205 degrees for the optimum infusion and extraction, but you want to drink a bit cooler at between 155 and 175 degrees to properly enjoy the subtle flavors and nuances of the best coffees.
The Moccamaster is not a fancy device with flashing LED displays. It's not a programmable coffee maker either. It's a simple and solid machine that brews the best coffee, hands down.
Not convinced, have a look at this great video from Cook's Illustrated.
Here's a list of great features:
- Solid stainless steel carafe, double wall construction. Comfortably holds up to 10 cups of coffee.
- Copper heating element with double safety guard.
- Quiet brewing cycle.
- Cone shaped filter ensures proper extraction.
- Dimensions: 15" high by 7" deep, 12" wide (with the carafe in place).
- The original Smitdesign by Technivorm is hand-assembled from the finest quality materials available in Amerongen in the Netherlands.
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Wattage: 1475 watts
- Dimensions: 13.75" H x 9.75" W x 10" L
- FREE Shipping (by ground)
Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker KBT-741 |
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Technivorm Moccamaster CDT coffee maker
Price: $299.00
This Technivorm Moccamaster model is identical to the Moccamaster KBT-741 above, except it comes with a round water reservoir instead of the rectangular. The carafe, copper heating element, high wattage capacity, and sleek hand-assembled design is identical to the KBT-741.
Technivorm Moccamaster CDT Coffee Maker |
