The ritual of brewing that first carafe of coffee in the morning and its mesmerizing aroma filling the room has become so ingrained in the minds of people, that for many it is impossible to start the day without it. The slow sipping rite of consuming that initial cup not only serves as an eye opener but has a calming effect that prepares us for the day ahead.
While coffee makers are a dime a dozen, acquiring one that is really good from the vast variety available can be something of a chore. To make the selection easier, it is best to first shortlist the features that will fulfill personal requirements. Size is the first vital requirement that has to be decided upon.
A five cup coffee maker is perfectly suited for a small family or even a single person. Manufacturers of coffee brewers consider one cup to be five fluid ounces. So a five cup machine will deliver twenty five ounces in the carafe. For coffee lovers who count the larger 8 or 10 ounce mugs as one, then the number of cups drops to only about 3 (depending on mug size). Now if you are looking to fill a travel mug for the road, then the number drops even further since most travel mugs hold 12 to 16 ounces of coffee. Other important considerations one should keep in mind when looking for coffee maker include how reputable the manufacturer is, the quality of the coffee produced, durability of the machine, and ease of use and cleaning.
While the market is flooded with five cup coffee makers, some of the best ones available are reviewed below:
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto:
The Zojirushi is well designed with a rather stylish exterior, so the machine will look good sitting in any kitchen. But it is not just about the looks, the real question is how good it is when it comes to performance. The EC-DAC50 is equipped with a water filter which ensures that your coffee is prepared with the best quality water. Quality of water has a major impact on taste and having a filter means you are that much closer to a great tasting drink. It also has a removable water reservoir, something that is not common in devices of this size. It comes out easily so you can carry it to the sink for refilling it without any hassle.
The machine is easy to use, due to its single switch. All that has to be done is to add the coffee grounds to the cone shaped filter; fill the water reservoir and turn the switch on. It takes only three to five minutes to get the coffee ready, depending on the number of cups you need to prepare. This speed makes the Zojirushi EC-DAC50 one of the fastest coffee making machines in the market. The bottom line is that the Zutto provides good value for the money.
Black & Decker DCM600B 5-Cup Coffee Maker:
Judging from its compact design, one would be hard pressed to believe that it can even heat the water much less brew coffee. However, this very economically priced coffee maker will surprise even the biggest skeptic. Making a cup or five cups of coffee in the DCM600B is as simple and convenient as it gets. Simply add the coffee grounds to the removable filter and shut the lid. Next, fill up the water reservoir and push the button. Within 3-4 minutes, your carafe full of delicious tasting coffee is ready.
The one drawback of this machine is that it only brews coffee of medium strength, due to the plastic body. However, if you enjoy very strong coffee, you can compensate by increasing the quantity of grounds used per cup. The Black & Decker DCM600B minimalist design, fast delivery and nominal price makes it a major draw for many people. What it lacks in bells and whistles, it more than makes up for in the quality of coffee it makes. It is ideally suited for dorm rooms, small apartments or the patio and provides value for the money.
DeLonghi Kmix Drip Coffee Maker:
The DeLonghi Kmix coffee makers is available in five and ten cup models. The five cup DeLonghi Kmix has many useful features. It uses a permanent filter made out of nylon, which eliminates the need to repeatedly replace the paper filters. It is available in 8 interesting colors, there is sure to be one that matches your décor. The DeLonghi manufacturer has a reputation for using the best quality materials coupled with outstanding craftsmanship. The interior of the machine is made of die cast aluminum ensuring years of reliable use.
Some of the exclusive features of the DeLonghi Kmix include the Opti-Temp and Thermo-Gen. The Opti-Temp certifies that ideal brewing temperature is retained throughout the brewing process, while the Thermo-Gen feature guarantees heating water to a temperature that is perfect for coffee brewing. The carafe of the Kmix has a unique sure grip carafe. This means there is no danger of it slipping out of your hand. Lastly, the integrated cup warmer preheats the cup so there is no chance of ending up with a cold cup of coffee. All the additional features make this five cup coffee maker a great buy.
The Mr Coffee JWX9:
This five cup coffee maker is available in two models, one with glass carafe and other with stainless steel. Obviously the one with stainless steel carafe is a bit more costly. The outstanding feature of this coffee maker is that it is programmable, so you have the option of pre-setting the time when you want your coffee ready. The filter basket slides out easily so coffee grounds or the paper filter can be placed in the basket without any trouble. The brew pause function allows you pause the brew cycle before reaching completion, in case you are the impatient kind and want your coffee immediately. The water reservoir window lets you see when it is time to refill and the cord storage tucks the extra cord out of sight. The Mr. Coffee JWX9 is great for people who like to have their coffee when they wake up. The programmable function give this coffee maker an edge over the competition.
Bonavita BV 1500TS 5-Cup Carafe Coffee Brewer:
The Bonavita BV 1500TS has a sleek metallic body coupled with a compact design. The functional design and few moving parts are the strong points of this machine. The main switch turns the unit on/off and holding it down for three seconds initiates the pre-infusion function. This distinctive mode allows water to soak the grounds in the brewing basket before brewing begins. This improves the flavor of the coffee produced.
Another outstanding characteristic of Bonavita coffee brewers is their ability to maintain the ideal temperature of 195-205° Fahrenheit. The shower too has a special design in that it distributes the evenly over the grounds. Clean-up is a breeze as components are dishwasher safe. While a bit on the costly side, the Bonavita delivers a good cup of coffee.
Conclusion:
The five cup coffee maker is ideally suited to meet the needs of a small family or even single people. There is a large variety to select from, each offering varying features. By prioritizing the features that suit your lifestyle the most, it becomes easy to select the one coffee maker that will best fulfill your needs.
