Choosing an Espresso Coffee Maker

by Hansen

There are so many different models of espresso coffee maker on the market, from the simple single cup espresso makers to machines as sophisticated as the Elektra Espresso Machine.

It can appear really confusing to know which particular brand and model will suit your particular home or kitchen.

Let’s See a “Good” Espresso Maker!

Essentially, though, a really good espresso coffee maker for home use, and light office applications should be:

  • easy to use;
  • easy to clean;
  • easy to purchase; and
  • easy to maintain.

Crucially, though, any machine you buy should create enough pressure (or ‘bars’) to insure that the espresso or cappuccino delivers a top quality flavor.

The best espresso machines should minimally have those two basic features, and several more that we will discuss later on, because making espresso at home should be an enjoyable experience … not drudgery.

So, when it comes to selecting home an espresso coffee maker, there’s several things to consider:

  • How often will you be using your espresso coffee and cappuccino machine?
  • Will you keep it on your counter, or do you prefer a built in model?
  • How much of the espresso making task do you prefer to control yourself?

Continue reading “Choosing an Espresso Coffee Maker” →

Which French Press Should You Buy?

by Hansen

French press pots are a simple and classic way to make a cup of coffee. In spite of their simplicity, they are able to make great cups of coffee. However, there is a lot of differences among French press models. So if you are considering purchasing a French press and looking for French press reviews, here is what you need, along with a couple of specific recommendations.

Main components of a French press maker

A standard French press is designed with a couple of small components, but there are basically 3 main parts that you need to look at when choosing a French press pot, including the lid, plunger and carafe.

In general, this part helps hold the water and coffee, and it also has a small spout to pour out the brewed coffee. Carafes in French presses are often made of stainless steel, plastic, or tempered glass, and each of those materials has its own pros and cons:

  • Tempered glass looks beautiful and does not interfere with the process of brewing, but it can break easily.
  • Plastic does not break easily, but some people believe that it is not good for making a cup of coffee.
  • Stainless steel does not interfere with brewing too and does not break, but it is opaque so you could not see inside of the pot.

Continue reading “Which French Press Should You Buy?” →

Keurig K55 Review – Enjoy Single-Serve Brewing with the Keurig K55

by Hansen

Since its founding in 1992, Keurig as sold more than 60 million of its signature single-serve brewers, making it the leading coffee brewer brand in the United States. Today, there are multiple Keurig brewing systems available to suit virtually any lifestyle as well as more than 530 beverage varieties.

If you have been hesitant to join the single-serve coffee maker revolution, the following look at the Keurig K55 may just change your mind.

Keurig K55 Brewing Coffee – Source: Fourth Estate Coffee

Top Features of Keurig K55 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

The Keurig K55 is one of the company’s more basic coffee makers, but it still offers many of the features that make Keurig brewing systems so popular.

Keurig K55 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

• Design and Dimensions

The Keurig K55 measures 9.8 x 13.3 x 13 inches and weighs approximately 12 pounds. The K55 has the same sleek design as other Keurig coffee makers and comes in red and black. This Keurig model uses the original K-Cup pods but is not compatible with the newer Vue, K-Mug, or K-Carafe pods. Continue reading “Keurig K55 Review – Enjoy Single-Serve Brewing with the Keurig K55” →

Nespresso D290 Espresso Maker

by Hansen

The Nespresso D290 makes it easy to have an espresso or coffee … even tea or decaf … anytime you feel like it, one cup at a time.

Compared to the Nespresso CitiZ, the Concept is much more flexible with what you can brew with it. Specially designed one cup coffee machine will brew espressos, regular coffees and decafs, lattes and cappuccinos … perfectly every time.

Nespresso D290

What makes the Nespresso Concept D290 special?

The D290 is one of the most advanced of all the Nespresso machines. Some of the features that make the Nespresso espresso machine special are:

  • Programmable for different size drinks.
  • 2 different Steaming options for frothing your milk.
  • Hot water option for soups, teas and hot chocolates.
  • Auto eject of spent Nespsresso capsules.

This Nespresso espresso and coffee maker has one of the largest of all the refillable water reservoirs. The water tank reservoir holds up to 42 ounces, so you don’t have to think about adding water very often.

Continue reading “Nespresso D290 Espresso Maker” →

Exploring the Nespresso Machines

by Hansen

Are the Nespresso machines better than any other single cup coffee makers? Can a perfect espresso really come from a Nespresso espresso machine?

Introducing the Nestle coffee machine

Nespresso is the marriage of espresso machines (deLonghi coffee makers and Miele appliances) and the Nestle company (yes… the chocolate !)

More than 20 years ago Nespresso developed and patented an exclusive system for mastering the preparation process of the espresso drink.

And more recently, have partnered with carefully selected, renowned household appliance manufacturers.

Now, together with the technical know-how of both DeLonghi and Miele the Nestle coffee machine / Nesspresso machines are the state of the art for any home coffee enthusiast.

Having used both Nespresso coffee machine and most of the Keurig line of single cup coffee makers, I am convinced that the coffee brewed in the Nespresso brand of single cup coffee maker produces a single cup of coffee or espresso that is as close as you can get to puling your own espresso shot or frequenting the local coffee house.

Read what others are syaing about the Nestle coffee machine single cup coffee and espresso makers with this link to Nespresso Machines Review and Ratings here.

Nespresso Citiz in Red

Why would you give up quality for convenience?

Continue reading “Exploring the Nespresso Machines” →

The Best Coffee Makers … Find out what’s hot, and what’s well… not

by Hansen

Updated information you really need to know about the best coffee makers before you purchase a new coffee machine. Newest coffee maker ratings by price, brand and style of coffee makers.

Coffee Maker Ratings by Price and Style …

Use the handy links below to find the better coffee machine by price, type of coffee maker, or by brand.

Before you choose your new coffee maker, grind & brew type of coffee machine

… Single cup coffee maker or perhaps an espresso machine, you will want to consider just a few things.

Cuisinart DCC 1200 the Best Coffee Maker, best automatic drip coffee maker

How do home coffee makers qualify to be touted as one of the top rated drip coffee makers?

Coffee maker users give the final “thumbs up” in our opinion!

We surveyed real coffee drinkers and found out what you really need to know before you invest in your next coffee maker.

Because some of us like our coffee stronger than others, or maybe we don’t like to scorch our tongue on coffee that’s too hot, coffeemaker manufacturers make lots of different models for us to chose from.

You may be looking for the best drip coffee maker, or perhaps the top rated single cup coffee maker (what is a single cup coffee maker … and why do you want one?)

The price will certainly have some bearing on your choice, how often the coffee brewer will be used, how strong you like your coffee … and of course, how convenient the coffee machine is to use and store! (We keep ours out all the time!). Continue reading “The Best Coffee Makers … Find out what’s hot, and what’s well… not” →

The Best Rated Grind and Brew Coffee Maker

by Hansen

Without a doubt, the Capresso Coffee Team is the best rated grind and brew, coffee maker with grinder. Capresso was the first to add a true conical burr grinder to an automatic coffee maker, so that your freshly brewed coffee tastes as good as possible.

Capresso CoffeeTeam GS 10-Cup Coffee Maker with Conical Burr Grinder

Whether you need to save counter space or just want to have the best tasting coffee possible with a grind and brew coffee maker, this one from Capresso is as perfect as a coffee maker with grinder can get.

Best rated grind and brew coffee maker

Continue reading “The Best Rated Grind and Brew Coffee Maker” →

Seattle Weekly – Best of Seattle Critics’ Picks

by Hansen

Got one of those pesky, over-your- shoulder-peeking bosses? Couple that with a penchant for logging onto eBay and bidding on pretty shoes or rare records, and you’re in quite a pickle. But fear not, the Online Coffee Company (1720 E. Olive Way, 328-3731; 1111 First, 381-1911; www.onlinecoffeeco.com) extends its warm, latte-bearing arms to you. A coffee or tea gets you 20 free minutes of Internet play, plenty of time to jump in just before cutthroat Kathy from Akron outbids you. And with two convenient locations, one downtown and one on Capitol Hill, chances are you’ll be able to sneak away in just under the time it’ll take your boss to notice that you’re gone. The Online Coffee Co. does perfectly what plenty of other places have merely tried to do: They make excellent Caffé Vita coffee, and they serve it up with style, smiles, and plenty of well-maintained PCs.

NWSource – Review

by Hansen

If the Web is a wasteland, Online Coffee Co. seeks to tame and civilize it. The most urbane of Seattle’s Internet cafes has its terminals artfully arranged on handsome wooden desks; quiet classical music plays over the sound system. These comforts, paired with the Online Coffee Co.’s terrific coffee drinks, limited selection of beer and wine and earth-tone décor, will make you feel as if you’ve hijacked someone’s personal study. The free half-hour of Web access with drink purchase doesn’t hurt, either.

Online Coffee Company has two locations, each offering near-optimal comfort and convenience, though the Company’s more heavily trafficked downtown location seems a little quieter than its Capitol Hill location. No matter which you choose to visit, you’re assured of checking your e-mail or enjoying your double-shot latte in a warm and truly hospitable atmosphere.

By Geoff Carter
NWsource