Large coffee makers are great if you have company frequently. However, you don’t always need large quantities of coffee throughout the day and let’s face it; no-one wants to drink stale coffee. Four cup coffee brewers are great for all the times when you only need small quantities of coffee, or if the family is small. Another advantage of the four cup coffee makers is that they don’t take much counter space. The smaller four cup coffee makers are also more efficient when it comes to making coffee, compared to making the same quantity of coffee in a larger brewer.
There are a lot of options when it comes to selecting a four cup coffee machine. Some machines offer only drip brewing while others also have options for preparing gourmet coffee. Some coffee makers do all the work and deliver a perfectly brewed cup of coffee without any significant input from you, while others allow you to have more control over the way your coffee is to be brewed. Some machines are equipped to self-clean so you have to do very little work and others require more manual cleaning. Regardless of the type of four cup coffee brewer you are looking for, there is sure to be one that suits your needs to impeccably.
Mr Coffee ECM 160:
This is a stylish looking machine with ample amounts of stainless steel on the exterior and daps of plastic in between. It comes with a glass carafe. Inside you will find an aluminium boiler, and with this price expecting copper is a bit unfair. There is no pump for creating pressure; instead steam is used to make the espressos. Once given the price range, that is to be expected. Some of its other features include a drip catcher that can be easily detached for cleaning and cord storage, in case you want to wrap things up and put the machine away. A frothing widget protrudes out of the side of the machine and can steam milk or create thick foam for specialty beverages. Unfortunately, the pitcher is not included with the machine; you need to that purchase separately.
The ECM 160 makes plausible espressos with the final taste similar to something you would get with a moka pot. Just to make things clear, moka pots make delicious coffee, as does the ECM 160! But being a small unit, it is unable to create the pressure necessary for an authentic espresso, and those with a palate for authentic espressos will be able to tell the difference. Hence, if you can’t settle for anything less than the real thing, then you better look elsewhere. If you are more likely to use the espresso to make specialty drinks like cappuccino or latte then the ECM 160 will serve you well. This is because once the milk, sugar and other flavourings are added to the espresso, you can’t taste the small difference that exists between an authentic espresso and one make with ECM 160.
Capresso 303.01 Espresso & Cappuccino Maker:
The Capresso 303.01 is a four cup capacity coffee and cappuccino maker. It also uses steam to create pressure for the espresso. The machine is built with safety in mind. The boiler cap is equipped with a safety valve. There is also a filter holder in addition to a thumb guard to provide more safety against accidental burns. The drip tray catches any splashes to minimize spills and can easily be remove for cleaning. The in-built frothing arm swivels so you can turn it in any convenient direction while steaming/frothing milk. The glass carafe is dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to spend much time cleaning the machine. One of its best features is the option to adjust coffee strength. Not many machines in this price range have the option to customize coffee.
The Capresso 303.01 is a handy machine, capable of making a variety of drinks without much effort. It is an affordable machine that equires nominal maintenance and is easy to use.
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker:
The Cuisinart DCC-450BK is aesthetically pleasing and built to last with its stainless steel body and carafe. It is an easy to use machine that can sit on the kitchen counter without taking too much space. It brews up to four cups of coffee at once and there is a thermal carafe to keep them nice and hot for when you are ready. Using the machine is really easy. Simply add the required amount of water into the reservoir, close it and press a single button for brewing to begin. The thirty minute auto shut feature is great, especially if you are the forgetful type like me! Another great addition is the brew-pause button, which allows you to put the machine on hold while you grab a cup before the brewing process is completely finished.
Clean-up is a breeze with this little machine. The filter basket glides out with ease and it is equipped with its own handle. The lid on the carafe also comes off with ease of rinsing.
Mr. Coffee DRX 5 NP
Made by one of the most respected coffee makers in the U.S, Mr. Coffee has earned a reputation for manufacturing good quality appliances at affordable prices. We expect no less from the DRX 5 NP, and it delivers. The on/off indicator light gives a clear indication of when the machine is on and thus hot so caution should be exercised. The filter basket slides out with ease which makes it convenient to fill and clean. The coffee maker has a dual water window which makes it easy to judge the quantity of water in the reservoir. This is useful for preventing overflows when refilling as well as monitoring when the machine needs to be refilled. The delay-brew feature allows you to program up to twenty four hours in advance, so the coffee is ready as soon as you slip out of bed. There is even an pause-brew feature that lets you sneak a cup before brewing is finished. Finally with the auto shut off feature, you never have to worry about forgetting to turn the machine off. It even stores sufficient water for four cups.
Conclusion
The four cup capacity coffee makers allow you to brew fresh coffee when you need it, thereby ensuring that the freshest taste, and aroma reach your cup. There is a large variety of machines to select from. Some are only capable of making basic drip coffee while others can brew espresso and even create specialty beverages.
