You love your coffee. You have your own personal blend. You love your brewer, and have it set on a timer when you don't forget. But the mornings when you do forget are always hectic, and more often than not, you're in a rush just to get out the door with enough time to swing by the nearest 7-Eleven to grab a cup of coffee on the way to work.
Not quite the cup of coffee you prefer, but better than nothing.
Tired of settling?
Then it might be time for a travel coffee maker. More popular than ever before, especially with the hectic world we live in today, travel coffee makers are easy to take with you wherever you go. Set one up at the office. Carry one in the car. Keep one at home for quick brewing. Pack one for your next trip. However you choose to use your travel coffee maker, you're suddenly back in control again.
Prices can vary dramatically, depending on the manufacturer and the features you select. On the low end, you can purchase a maker for as little as twenty dollars. On the high end, you might pay as much as a few hundred dollars. In either case, travel coffee makers all generally function in the same manner. Place the coffee in the filtered basket, add water to the reservoir, turn it on, and you're all set.
With that in mind, here are some features to consider when looking for a travel coffee maker:
1. Assembly .... is it easy to take apart to clean and then put back together again? You'd be surprised at how difficult some travel coffee makers can be to reassemble.
2. Dual Voltage System ... if you do any traveling abroad, especially in Europe, you'll likely need a dual voltage system in order to accommodate both American and European outlets. Check with the manufacturer to make sure one is available.
3. Car Cup Holder ... will the coffee mug that comes with the unit fit a standard car cup holder. If it won't, you're likely to find yourself greatly inconvenienced.
4. Auto Shut Off ... will the travel coffee maker automatically shut off after brewing? Always a good idea for safety's sake.
5. Filters ... does the unit come with a permanent filter, or use a standard paper cone filter? Which would you prefer for your particular circumstances? Keep in mind that a permanent filter allows you that much less you have to pack when traveling.
6. Flexibility ... does it have the ability to also make hot water for tea, hot chocolate, or instant foods? Very handy on those extended trips or long days at the office when you can't get away for lunch.
7. Capacity ... does it brew a single cup or more? Do you need more than a single cup maker? And finally ... what is the cup capacity? 10 ounces? More? Less?
8. Construction ... is the mug made of plastic or stainless steel? Does it have rubber grips to make sure you don't end up dropping it in your lap during the drive to work?
9. Brewing Time ... how long does it take to brew a single cup of coffee? Some models can brew a cup in as little as 60 seconds.
10. Taste ... and most important of all, does the coffee maker influence the taste of the coffee? A cheap model can sometimes produce a cup of coffee that tastes like the plastic container. The goal, as much as possible, is to combine convenience, cost, and quality when you can.
Finally, make sure you read the manufacturer's descriptions carefully and choose the coffee maker that's right for your needs. If you're a coffee lover, you're going to thoroughly enjoy being able to take your travel coffee maker with you on trips, or to the office, or even keep it at home for a quick brew just before you're on your way out the door.
The mugs sold with the coffee maker are usually insulated with manufacturers understanding the purpose of the machines is to brew coffee for . Since mugs are taller than most coffee cups, the machines are built to accommodate them.
Prices vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, the style and design with prices ranging from just under twenty dollars up to a few hundred dollars. All coffee makers, however, work basically the same. A cup's worth of water is placed in the reservoir, coffee is placed in the basket, it is turned on and coffee is brewed into the mug.
Some of the less expensive coffee maker models require the use of a paper filter and coffee grounds, while others costing a little more may have a permanent metal filter or allow the use of coffee pods, small filters sealing in a measured amount of coffee, allowing for consistent brewing.
Other Uses For Coffee Makers
Since a coffee maker is designed to brew a specific amount of water at a time, used without the coffee grounds can produce clear, hot water for use in tea, hot chocolate or other drinks requiring hot water. It can also be used for those quick meals that only require the addition of hot water, without the need for heating on the stove or in a microwave.
There are a few coffee makers on the market, which can be used while ing, but the dangers of plugging one into a power spot in your vehicle and making hot coffee while driving may outweigh the benefits. However, since the coffee maker is small it can be taken on the road and used in motel or hotel rooms to satisfy your craving while on a business trip or on vacation.
Some folks have been advised, for health reasons, to limit their caffeine intake and not appreciating the taste of decaffeinated coffee use a coffee maker to make the single cup to reduce temptation of drinking an entire pot of 10 or 12 cups. Although they can make as many single cups as they wish, it often forces tem to cut down.
Both David Silva & Mazzy Love are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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