The Best Small Coffee Maker
You can enjoy delicious coffee without the need for a big machine by using the most compact coffee maker. These small machines are available in a variety of sizes and styles.
A coffee urn is great for cafes and restaurants but not for those who are looking to make an espresso for themselves. A single-serve brewer is quick easy and ideal for one person.
1. Nespresso VertuoPlus
If you're living in a tiny space and are ready to invest in a machine that will deliver an authentic cafe experience it's the right one for you. It is simple to use, reliable and makes amazing coffee every time. There are some flaws, but those are small enough to learn to live with them.
The main feature is VertuoPlus's Centrifusion brewing system. The machine uses the barcodes on each Nespresso capsule to determine what type of beverage is being brewed, and then adjusts the extraction speed and temperature. This ensures consistency across different coffee types and cups, from lungo to espresso.
It also comes with a capsule that can be reused, which is nice to reduce waste and making it easier to keep track of your inventory. Additionally, when the container is empty, it's automatically removed and put in an additional container for disposal.
This small appliance is built to last. It has a sturdy plastic body and stainless steel accents. Its compact design allows it to be easily placed on the counter and features a low profile, so you still make room for your cup. It's 12.8 inches tall and 12.7 inches deep If you're tight on countertop space, consider smaller options like the Essenza Mini instead.
The only drawback to this is that you're taking on the Nespresso pod-system, which does not encourage recycling and is more expensive than generic pods. If you're willing to be a Nespresso customer, then this is your best option. It can be paired with a Nespresso Aeroccino frother, which creates creamy lattes and cappuccinos.
2. Coffee Gator
The Coffee Gator pour over French press is a manual brewer that's designed to give you complete control of the way your coffee is brewed. Its carafe is made from BPA-free, heat-resistant glass. Additionally, it is equipped with stainless steel filter that encourages reusability. This will save you money on paper filters and also reduce the carbon footprint.
The filter is reusable, which helps preserve your coffee's natural oils and flavors for a fuller taste. This coffee maker is a budget alternative that is ideal for novices or those who prefer a less expensive machine. However, it's not ideal for anyone who wants to make more than two cups at one time.
This coffee maker has a double-walled design that keeps your coffee hotter for longer than single-wall models. It also has a cool-touch handle that makes it easy to grasp and prevents your hands from burning. The design is insulated, making it a good choice for camping trips as well as other adventures where you'll need to keep your coffee hot.
The model produced a cup that was clean and had minimal contamination when we examined it. It was comparable to other metal insulated French presses, including the Secura and Poliviar. However, it was still not as clean as the top French presses for camping that use ceramic filters.
This coffee maker also has an measuring spoon and a silicone funnel built in to make it easy to add your grounds of coffee. This can save you some time in the morning rush. The manufacturer also offers one-year returns and replacements in case you're not satisfied with the purchase.
3. OXO Good Grips
OXO Good Grips offers a collection of premium kitchen tools and cook's tools that are designed ergonomically with comfort in mind. Their grips are supple and durable, and will not slide when in use. Their handles are shaped to be oval rather than round, which makes to fit in the palm of your hand and stay secure when held under pressure.
They are dishwasher safe and BPA-free. They are also easy to stack. The lids are also easy to open and shut even if your hands are damp. Some of their containers are airtight, which is ideal for storing dry snacks (such as chips and pretzels) or pantry staples such as pasta, sugar, flour, oatmeal, and beans.
Sam Farber, the nephew of Simon Farber, who founded the Farberware company in 1900, introduced OXO Good Grips in 1990. The first product he launched was a peeler that had large oval handles that anyone could grasp and control no matter their size or strength.
Later, he released a nonstick cookware set made of dishwasher-safe and hard-anodized aluminum to ensure superior heat conduction. Its PFOA free, 3-layer coating is durable and easy to clean. The pans have a flat bottom, which makes them perfect for cooking on the stovetop or in the oven.
Other OXO products include a soft-handled can opener with large, comfortable handles that are nonslip even in wet conditions and have an oversized knob that eases the strain on your fingers. OXO's Universal Design philosophy makes them suitable for people with arthritis and other conditions that affect their grip strength.
You can purchase OXO Good Grips tools on their own or in sets to suit your specific needs. The six-piece Prep & Serve Set, for instance, is easily transferred from stove to table and comes with spatulas, slotted spoons, and spoons that every home cook requires. Add specialty tools such as an asparagus peeler or corn peeler to make an additional set of tools.
4. Essenza Mini
It's the tiniest and most compact Nespresso machine, a pod-based system that can make Espresso and Lungo recipes with the touch of one button. It's not as full-featured as some of the more expensive models, but its simplicity makes it an excellent option for a lot of households.
The Essenza Mini comes in a matte gray, white or black finish to go with the majority of kitchen designs. It's also very light at just 5 pounds, meaning it's easy to move. It's among the fastest machines to heat up and begin working. The time between pressing the on button and a cup being ready to serve is approximately 28 seconds.
Unlike some other models, the Essenza Mini only has two buttons that can be programmed for Espresso and Lungo It's also very user-friendly. It's also the only one of our top picks to feature an energy saving mode that automatically shuts off after 9 minutes of inactivity and it comes with a reversible, 20.3-ounce water tank.
coffeee is different from other Nespresso machines in that it produces a thicker and more robust crema and has a layer of microbubbles, in contrast to the Vertuo's thin, bubbles that are aerated. (The latter is often mistaken for foam). The only downside is that there's no drip tray, so you'll have to place your mug directly on the countertop. This can be an issue for tall mugs.
The only other thing to be aware of is that the Mini does not come with a refillable capsule container or an app, so you'll need to stock up on pre-programmed Nespresso capsules or purchase a separate milk frother. Both of these options are easily available and fairly inexpensive online.
5. OXO Good Grip Mini
The OXO Good Grips Mini is a collection of small kitchen tools that are ideal for stockings, gifts or travel. The set includes a small measuring cup that is angled to revolutionize liquid measuring by eliminating spills, as well as four smaller-sized beakers that have colorful and easy to read measurement markings. They all fit together to make a compact storage space and are dishwasher safe.
The unique angle of the Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup makes it easier to read measurements without having to tilt and strain like traditional cups, eliminating spills. The Tritan plastic is BPA free and features standard and metric measurement markings including a 1/4 cup and 6ml.
This is a wonderful present to give to recent graduates, mixologists, and bakers. It will fit in your kitchen as well as theirs. The non-slip handle, balancing loop and sturdy double rod made of stainless steel make it a kitchen workhorse.
The compact OXO Good Grip Mini Grate & Slice Set comes with a medium and coarse grater surfaces for prepping salads, crudite platters or homemade potato chips. The set is perfect for kitchen drawers as well as counter tops for cafes as it has a non-slip base with lid that locks. The transparent SAN bin allows you to view the contents, and the lid, in white will complement any bakery or kitchen decor.
