If you’re currently in the market for a new small coffee maker, then you know that the options are plentiful. Not only are there a variety of traditional automatic drip coffee machines available, but there is also a whole new class of machines that aim to increase the level of user friendliness.
Of these new machines, one of the most popular is referred to as the bean to cup coffee machine. In case you don’t already know, bean to cup coffee machines are meant to simplify the brewing process by taking a critical step out of the equation – the grinding step.
These machines will grind and brew your coffee in a single step, meaning that you can enjoy your coffee without a lot faster and with a lot less hassle.
When considering a bean to cup machine, there are some important things to consider. Like all coffee makers, these machines have their pros and cons, some of which are listed below –
Pros
• Simplifies the Brewing Process – any time you can take a step out of the brewing process you make things easer on yourself.
• Highly Convenient – with a bean to cup machine you can load your whole coffee beans the night before and simply set the timer to go off when you want your coffee to be brewed. This allows you to wake up to fresh brewed coffee.
• Lots of Options – there are many machines to choose from, allowing you to pick the one the best satisfies your individual needs.
Cons
• Sacrifices Quality – most of these machines come equipped with a blade grinder, which will produce an inferior grind. If given a choice, you always want to choose a blade grinder.
• Expensive – you will definitely pay more for one of these machines than you will for a traditional drip brewer, though you will also get the added convenience. You should expect to pay between $150 and $200.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether or not the convenience factor offered by bean to cup coffee machines is worth the extra cost. You must also consider the quality you will be giving up. For me, the automatic drip brewer simply makes sense, particularly when paired with a quality burr grinder.
