Choosing a Coffee Maker

There are many manufacturers and retailers of coffee makers on the market today. You can find a number of great machines, and the decision may seem a bit overwhelming if you let it get to you.

The best thing to do when shopping for a coffee machine is to list the top requirements you would have for that machine. If you are a true coffee connoisseur, then that list might start with water filters and machines that brew at a certain temperature. If you are more of a basic coffee drinker, you might be more interested that the machine will cut itself off when you leave for work. Following are some of the basic attributes that can be found in good coffee machines:

• Hot water reservoir (water is always hot and ready to brew, fast system)
• Quick brewing
• Pot warmer separately controlled
• Semi automatic or fully automatic
• Brewing timer (for "wake-up" coffee)
• High altitude brewer
• Combo machines (brew regular coffee and espresso, or tea and coffee, etc.)
• Water filtration systems
• Stop and Serve feature (for the impatient coffee drinker)
• Permanent filter
• Flavor select feature

Some of the better manufacturers will carry most of these attributes.