Wedding Blog

Part 1 - Pots and Pans
Part 2 - Knives

There are TONS of different coffee makers out there. I’m always fascinated by the price ranges… using the same beans you can essentially make similar cups of coffees with a $20 model and a $200 model, right? Maybe. So here’s what to pay attention for when choosing your marital coffee machine.Capresso Coffee Team Thermal Coffee Maker with Burr Grinder $299 at Williams-Sonoma.com

The filter - There are basically 2 kinds… A basket shaped filter or a cone shaped filter. The difference between them are the amount of time that the coffee grounds touch the water. A basket filter provides longer contact time than a cone filter, which means that your grounds will have to be larger with a basket filter (or, you’ll be able to make a stronger pot of coffee with a basket filter). There are also gold tone filters available out there, which will give your coffee a richer taste (for a richer price).

The color of the machine - Not a big deal, right? Wrong. White coffee machines will stain and discolor and look “older” faster than a black, red, or silver model.

Shape of coffee pot - If the pot has a skinny neck and is hard to clean with soap and water, chances are you’ll clean it less, and your coffee will taste stale over time. Look for a coffee pot that is dishwasher safe.

Attached grinder - Fresh ground beans ALWAYS taste better! I prefer to have a seperate coffee grinder (That way if it breaks, my coffee pot is still okay, and vice versa), but if you’re looking to register for a maker with an attached brinder, look for a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder. They are more expensive but will give you a consistantly better grind. Blade grinders dont really grind beans, they slash the beans into smaller particles, giving you an inconsistant grind, ranging from fine powder to choppy large chunks.

Water temperature - This, in my opinion, is one of the most IMPORTANT factors for good coffee! For a perfect pot of coffee, the water temperature needs to be around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, the less expensive coffee makers don’t get this hot. Brand names that pride themselves on giving you great results will clearly advertise the temperature you can expect to reach while brewing with their pots.

Brand name - If you’re going to invest in an expensive pot, you might as well go for a well known brand name. That way, if it does break, it will be easier (and less expensive) for your repairman to find the right parts for your machine. Obscure brands will often not be worth fixing because the parts are hard to find.

Here are Consumer Reports top rated kitchen appliances, by category.

Coffee Makers (8-12 cup models)Black and Decker Smartbrew at Target.com

1. Black and Decker Smartbrew DCM2500 ($35)
2. Black and Decker Smartbrew DCM2000 ($25)
3. Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 ($100)
4. Hamilton Beach Brew Station 47454 ($80)
5. Mr. Coffee FTX25 ($50)