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For people that LOVE coffee, there is nothing better than a cup made from fresh ground beans. Freshly ground coffee beans bring a whole new experience to drinking coffee. But, grinding your own beans can be a pain, if you have a coffee maker and a grinder.
The grind-and-brew coffee maker is the solution to fresh ground coffee without a ton of work or a counter covered in appliances.
In this article, we’ll give you some helpful information about these coffee makers and offer five grind and brew coffee makers that you might consider.
At a Glance: Our Top 5 Grind and Brew Coffee Makers
How to Choose a Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
Grind and brew coffee makers are becoming incredibly popular among coffee lovers. They are convenient and improve your coffee experience. Shopping for a grind and brew coffee maker is not nearly as easy. There are so many options out there. They range from super affordable to very pricey.
If it’s not the price that makes the decision tough, it’s the features. Some grind and brew machines are simple, some are full of bells and whistles. To help make the decision easier, we’ve put together a list of some product features you could consider when shopping.
Factors to Consider When Shopping For a Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
Type of Grinder
Grinders for coffee come in two options. They’re either a burr grinder or a blade grinder. This seems like an easy choice, but if you don’t know the difference, it can make buying a grind and brew coffee maker complicated.
Burr grinders use metal plates with “teeth” to grind coffee beans. Burr grinders are usually long-lasting and provide a more consistent grind. Burr grinders are also easier to adjust for a range of ground sizes.
They are more expensive and they do require a bit of additional maintenance. However, if you are looking for the best quality coffee, the burr grinder is the best choice.
Blade grinders are just as they suggest. They use a blade to chop your coffee beans. Blade grinders tend to be very easy to use, and relatively maintenance-free.
The challenge with blade grinders is that they don’t provide a consistent grind. This can impact the flavor and enjoyment of your morning cup of joe.
Features
We do love appliances with plenty of convenient features. However, not everyone does, so we’ve narrowed down some of the grind and brew coffee maker features that most people will use and enjoy.
Keep in mind that most of these features are about convenience. Higher-priced grind and brew machines may have more features for altering the brewing process.
- Grinder settings – when you are shopping for a grind and brew machine, you’ll want to consider the versatility of the grinder. Different beans taste better depending on the coarseness of the grind. Being able to adjust the grind coarseness improves the quality and flavor of your brew.
- Brew settings – Look for a machine that at least gives you the option to make a stronger cup of coffee. Some grind and brew machines will give you the option to adjust the water temperature. This is a cool feature for bringing out more subtle flavors in your coffee. Of course, the more advanced the brew settings, the larger the price tag.
- Auto-off – To be fair, most coffee makers come with this feature, but you may find a few here and there that are missing this option. We like this feature especially if you don’t finish a pot of coffee. You won’t have to worry about it scorching to the bottom of the pot.
- Programmable start timer – This is one of the features that we think is essential in any coffee maker. Having the ability to brew coffee so it’s ready when you get up, when you get home, or whenever you love coffee is an amazing feature. Most programmable start timers will allow you to set the timer up to 24 hours before you want coffee. Some higher-end grind and brew machines have Wi-Fi and app connectivity that allows you to specify days of the week, set day-specific timers, and start your coffee maker from just about anywhere.
Capacity
When it comes to capacity, there are two parts of your coffee maker you need to consider. The first is the reservoir capacity. Some units have enough capacity for you to brew a couple of days of coffee before refilling. Some only hold enough to make a specific volume of coffee.
Machines that have a limited reservoir usually match the water reservoir volume with the carafe volume. Carafe volumes range from 2 cups all the way to 16 or 18 cups. The size you select depends on how much coffee you drink during the day, if you entertain a lot, or if you’d rather go for quality over quantity.
Performance and Ease of Use
Grind to brew coffee makers are as wide-ranging as you can imagine. From machines that will make your coffee house favorites like lattes and espresso to your run-of-the-mill, everyday coffee maker there are tons of options.
When you are selecting the grind to brew machine that is best for you, consider the overall performance and ease of use. You might love an espresso, but if the machine is too difficult to use, it’s probably not a good investment.
On that same thought, a machine that is inexpensive but doesn’t work well is also not a great investment. A poorly performing coffee machine results in a poor cup of coffee, and no one wants to start their day with a bad cup of java.
Cleaning
Cleaning a grind to brew machine does come with some additional work. However, if you understand that before you shop, you can find a machine that is less time intensive to maintain.
Some maintenance convenience features that you might want to consider include a water filter to reduce a build-up of mineral deposits, easy to remove bean hopper, a removable filter basket, and easy access to the burrs in the grinder.
We also think that it is a great idea to find a machine that has some ability for washing parts in the dishwasher. This saves you tons of time and adds to the ease of use.
Finally, if the machine “requires” a special cleaning tablet or cleanser, you may want to do more research. Is it really required or is it just a way for the manufacturer to make more money? If it is a required addition, read the warranty for your machine carefully, failure to use these products may void the warranty.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Grind and Brew Coffee Makers
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
---|---|---|---|
Gevi 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews | |
Capresso 465 CoffeeTeam TS Coffee Maker |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews | |
Cuisinart DGB-850 Burr Grind & Brew Coffee Maker |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews | |
Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews | |
Black+Decker Mill and Brew Coffee Maker |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
The 5 Best Grind and Brew Coffee Makers
1. Gevi Grind and Brew Automatic Coffee Machine
The Gevi Grind and Brew automatic coffee machine is an attractive, compact option for the small kitchen. The built-in burr grinder is programmable with grind settings that range from extra-fine to coarse.
The large bean hopper holds enough whole beans for a couple of days of coffee making. The 10-cup carafe makes plenty of coffee for your morning routine or for entertaining.
The Gevi is fully programmable and includes an auto-off feature, a programmable start timer, brew strength, and the option to turn off the grinder. The warming plate keeps your coffee warm for up to two hours before the auto-off feature shuts down the plate.
For making a standard cup of coffee the Gevi grind and brew is a great, easy-to-use option that gives a delicious cup of coffee every time.
Pros
- A great value for the price.
- Programming options include brew strength and grind coarseness. This machine lets you make your perfect cup of coffee.
- Delayed start timer allows you to set your coffee maker to start before you wake, with minimal effort.
Cons
- The Gevi needs to be filled with water before each use. Even though the reservoir is large, it will take all the water to brew a 10 cup pot.
- The only way you get less than 10 cups is to reduce the amount of water you use. Not ideal for single cups of coffee.
2. Capresso CoffeeTeam 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder and Thermal Carafe
If you are ok with spending a bit more cash to have a great cup of coffee in the morning, consider the Capresso Coffee Team digital grind to brew coffee maker. We found this coffee maker to be one of the best at brewing a consistently flavored cup of coffee that is piping hot.
The conical burr grinder works great and has five coarseness settings. If you don’t want to grind beans for your coffee, the Capresso easily switches from grind to no grind at just the touch of a button.
We really liked the insulated carafe for this coffee maker. It is a nice trade-off to the warming plate. The insulated carafe also means there’s no auto-off feature to worry about.
The best part of the insulated carafe is that it goes from the coffee maker to the table. It even looks nice sitting on your breakfast table!
Pros
- Burr grinder is good. It operates slower than some which allow for less heat and more coffee aroma.
- The programmable timer is easy to set, and the LED display is easy to read.
- The grinder channel of this coffee maker is easy to access and clean.
- Bean hopper holds up to 6 ounces of whole beans.
Cons
- The bean hopper and water tank aren’t removable, so they are hard to clean.
- Though there are five grind size options, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference.
- You’ll find brewing a smaller pot of coffee is challenging.
3. Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew 10-Cup Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe
The Cuisinart grind and brew, 10-cup coffee maker with thermal carafe is a delightful choice if you want a good product that comes with a well-known name behind it. This grind and brew coffee maker are sleek and compact making it perfect for just about any kitchen.
The burr grinder features Cuisinart’s direct flow function, which drops ground beans directly into the filter basket. When grinding is complete the AutoRinse function pushes all the remaining grinds into the basket for easy cleaning.
The push button controls on this coffee maker make programming the auto-start timer, brew strength, and grind coarseness easy. The stainless-steel thermal carafe keeps your coffee warm for hours, without the use of a warming plate.
The carafe is stylish and simple making it a nice addition to your table in the morning or when entertaining.
Pros
- One of the biggest selling points about the Cuisinart line of coffee machines is that they are so easy to clean. Many parts disassemble and are dishwasher safe.
- Stainless steel carafe and housing are attractive and look great on your counter.
- Built-in charcoal water filter eliminates taste from tap water and reduces the build-up of minerals.
- The burr grinder in this coffee maker is one of the best. There is a definite difference between the grind levels.
Cons
- Despite the simplicity of the controls, this machine takes some time to figure out. You’ll want to keep the owner’s manual handy for a while.
- Accessing the water reservoir isn’t convenient, especially if the maker is set under your cabinets.
- The spout for the carafe is wrong. It doesn’t pour well, and you’ll end up spilling if you’re not careful.
4. Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
When it comes to fully automated coffee brewing, the Breville Grind Control coffee maker is in a class of its own. This outstanding coffee maker allows for fully programmable coffee brewing from start to finish.
The conical burr grinder provides an amazingly consistent grind size. Adjusting the grind coarseness is easy and straightforward.
Once you’ve set your grind, the Breville allows you to adjust aroma and brew strength with ease. The “steep and release” feature also gives you the opportunity to adjust water temperature depending on the grind and coffee type.
And, yes, it has a programmable start timer, so your coffee is ready when you want it. The bright LCD screen is easy to read, and clearly shows all the information you need to know.
One of our favorite features of this coffee maker is the ability to brew multiple cups into the carafe, or brew a single cup directly into your coffee mug. Brew time is fast, and you’ll be surprised at how hot your coffee is. The insulated, stainless steel carafe holds up to 12 cups of coffee, making it perfect for entertaining.
The sleek design of the Breville Grind Control coffee maker looks great on any countertop, and the attractive carafe goes easily from the kitchen to the dinner or breakfast table.
Pros
- Three brewing options (pot, tall cup or short cup) at the push of a button.
- Breville has one of the best burr grinders on the market. It works great and is easy to maintain. Ceramic burrs are much more durable than stainless steel burrs.
- Easily adjust brew strength, grind coarseness, and brew quantity.
- Thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for up to 3 hours.
- Great styling. This coffee maker looks great on any kitchen counter or coffee bar.
Cons
- The grinder needs to be calibrated before use. Make sure to follow the directions in the owner’s manual carefully for the best calibration results.
- While we’re impressed with the durability of the ceramic burr grinders, there are some durability issues that we aren’t excited about. The requirement for filtered water is a bummer and while the burrs are super durable, the grinder motor doesn’t do well with really oily coffee beans.
- For best results with this coffee maker, you really need to clean it well on a daily basis and perform the recommended weekly maintenance. For the person looking for a convenient way to make a good cup of coffee, this is a deal breaker.
5. Black+Decker Mill and Brew Coffeemaker
Black+Decker has always been known for quality coffee makers and kitchen appliances. The Mill and Brew coffeemaker is a good, affordable option if you want a nice grind and brew coffee maker on a budget.
This 12-cup coffee maker is simple to operate and has an easy-to-read LCD display. The large water reservoir gives you plenty of space for a full 12 cups worth of coffee.
Besides the programmable start timer, the Black+Decker gives you the option to brew to your tastes, whether you like regular, bold, or strong coffee. The built-in grinder performs well considering the price point of this grind and brew coffee maker.
We like that grounds go into a reusable filter so there’s no paper waste or potential for weird flavors from a paper coffee filter.
This coffee maker also allows you to use pre-ground coffee by simply turning off the grinder function. The clear glass carafe is dishwasher safe and allows you to see exactly how much coffee you have left.
Pros
- This machine has a blade grinder which is simple and low maintenance. The blade grinder also keeps the Black+Decker affordable compared to burr grinders.
- Brew using pre-ground beans or grind before you brew. This machine offers a great deal of versatility in grind options.
- This is one of the easiest-to-clean coffee makers. Most parts are easy to remove, the blade grinder can be wiped out with a damp cloth and most parts are dishwasher safe.
- It’s not a fancy coffee maker, but Black+Decker is known for its reliability. This coffee maker is pretty basic for a grind and brew option, but you can expect to get many years of use from it.
Cons
- You don’t get the same level of consistency with grind size from the blade grinder as you do from burr grinders.
- This coffee maker is a lot of plastic. However, this lends to the affordable price tag.
Grind and Brew Coffee Makers – Final Thoughts
Investing in a grind and brew coffee maker is the ideal way to enjoy a great cup of coffee every morning, without a ton of work.
Today’s grind and brew coffee makers are as diverse as the tastes of coffee lovers. When it comes to the ideal combination of value, performance, and ease of use, our choice for grind and brew coffee makers is the Gevi Grind and Brew Coffee Machine.
It isn’t the fanciest coffee maker on the market, but it has all the features that we think matter most. It’s easy to use and easy to clean. It offers a range of brewing options including a programmable start timer and auto-off function. The burr grinder works well even though it isn’t as effective as other options.
All in all, if you are looking for an affordable grind and brew coffee maker the Gevi is a great choice. However, if you’re in the market for something different, we hope that our five favorite grind and brew coffee makers inspire you to find the perfect coffee maker for your perfect morning cup of joe!