Buying a Single Cup Coffee Maker

That morning cup of coffee may be exactly what you need to get going in the morning. Or it may be just what you need to relax at the end of the day. But when you just want a single cup what do you do when faced with making a whole pot?
 

Fortunately, there are multiple options for a single-serve coffee maker. You can brew one cup at time without worrying about wasting the rest of the pot. And, there’s no pot to clean up afterward. The best part is that your coffee will always be hot and fresh.
 

Having a single serve coffee brewer in your home can bring you the gourmet coffee shop experience without having to pay the gourmet prices.
 

The first single-serve coffee systems came out in the late 1990s. They’ve grown in popularity year after year. 

So, is one right for you?
 

When you purchase a single-serve coffee brewer, you need to remember that you may be limiting your choice of coffee. The major brands of single-serve coffee makers still require that you use coffee specifically packaged for their machines. If you like a variety in your coffee selection, you’ll need to keep that in mind. You may have the option of buying in bulk, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to a variety of selections.
 

So, do some research and decide on the best single-serve coffee brewer for your needs. Here are the basic types.
 

One-Cup Drip Coffee Makers.
 

If you want to purchase a one-cup drip coffee maker, keep these things in mind. You’ll want to find out what type of filter comes with the system. Does it require disposable paper filters, or does it come with a permanent filter? Check the coffee maker out to see if it is compatible with your favorite at-home coffee cup or your favorite travel mug. Some versions allow for an adjustment. Some even come with their own thermal travel mug. Consider how fast you can make another cup of coffee. And for the sake of convenience find out if there’s a timer option.
 

Coffee Pod Systems
 

Coffee pod systems, sometimes called coffee pads, have an all-in-one coffee and filter arrangement. Most often this looks like a large, round tea bag. The better coffee pod systems will have a basket to fit the coffee pods which come in single serving, double serving and espresso pods. There are also products in the market that will allow you to create the properly sized pod using any brand of coffee. But in reality, what you gain in the convenience of a single cup brewer might be lost in the time it takes to make these pods.
 

Single-Serve Coffee Brewing Systems
 

There are several brand name types of single-serve coffee systems. They have a patented, proprietary mini-brewer sized to fit only their machines. The mechanism for brewing your coffee is similar. You put in the pre-packed, pre-measured cup or disc into the coffee maker, push a button and wait for your coffee. The filter is included in the cup or disc. The machine works by forcing water through the disposable brewer directly into your cup. When finished, you remove the cup or disc and toss it out.
 

As a general rule, while you’ll be saving money that you might spend at a coffee shop each morning, the single serve capsules, cups or discs do tend to be more expensive. It’s roughly going to cost you $.30 to $.50 per cup. But, again, you have to balance that with tossing out the last ten cups of a twelve cup pot.
 

Make sure you get a single-serve brewer with a water reservoir that’s easy to fill. And be sure to keep up with the regular cleaning and maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer.