Best Coffee Machines and Appliances

The kitchen is the biggest powerhouse in any home. So, what kitchen appliance gets the day started in the home with flowing energy and efficiency and also adds an aroma that delights the senses? The coffee maker.

For many folks all over the country, a good cup of Morning Joe sets the tone for the day. What does that mean for the kitchen and more specifically for the home? A fantastic coffee appliance has the ability to put pep in your step, but also keep you energized and ready to take on any task. For homeowners building their dream home, having a cup of coffee signifies togetherness, relaxation, and starting each day with peace.

As you’re building the ultimate kitchen that will be calm and serene, it’ll also be a center buzzing with activity and connection. That’s where a great coffee machine steps in. Whether it’s a simple brew pot to get the day started, or an espresso machine that emboldens you to make the best latte art, enjoying coffee in the morning or afternoon is unbeatable. You’ve probably noticed there’s quite a few products and accessories on the market. We took a deep dive and researched it all for you, so you can size up the best appliances to create your own café-like experience. You’ll be brewing a fantastic cup of java in no time at all.

Ready to add a coffee machine or household appliance that will transform your kitchen into a cafe? Read on for our guide on all things that will make your kitchen feel like your favorite coffee shop.

Before You Begin Your Daily Grind

There’s a few items all homeowners should finalize before they turn the kitchen into a European cafe with fresh roasts and artisanal mugs.

First, all homeowners should familiarize themselves with the room’s layout, shape, size, and measurements. This way, you will know beforehand how much space you will have for your appliances, accessories, and furniture (like a counter space or cabinetry) and other items of choice.

Once you have the right specs in place, consider these questions to help round out the budget:

• How many appliances will you need?
• How often will this appliance and/or accessories be used?
• Do you plan to build a designated coffee bar, nook, or alcove?
• What styles and appliance finishes do you prefer?

Do you have all of these key points pinned in place? Now, you’re ready to find the best appliance for your kitchen cafe!

Coffee Machines and Appliances

Not sure how to master brew the best cup of coffee? Peruse these options.

Aero press. For espresso lovers who want their favorite sips in a snap, the Aero Press is a quick solution for espresso shots and Americanos. The Aero Press brews espresso much like a French Press by steeping fresh grounds with steaming hot water.

Cold brew coffee maker. Yes, you can have a cold brew at home, no matter the season. One perk is that no hot water is required. Cold brew coffee is brewed in a plastic or glass container overnight.

Drip coffee maker. Drip coffee makers are super popular and perhaps one of the most used appliances on the market. Odds are you’ve encountered this coffee maker before. This appliance features a glass pot for brewing coffee, a water reservoir, and brew tank for the filter and coffee grounds. How does it work? The ground coffee heats up when the water passes through the filter and cycles into the glass pitcher. The pot sits on a warmer, keeping the coffee fresh and hot.

Espresso maker. Espresso makers can come equipped with several different functionalities. These machines can be manual, automatic, semi-automatic, and super-automatic. Manual means the user controls all aspects of the coffee brewing process, and automatic machines do most of the heavy lifting for making espresso.

French press. A glass carafe combines ground coffee with boiling water. The grounds are stepped in four minutes or less. 

Percolator. Metal pitcher that uses a tube to pour water over coffee grounds repeatedly.

Pour over. Pour-over coffee is hot, trendy, and perfect for brewing on the spot. A carafe – glass or ceramic – holds fresh coffee that is brewed via a mesh filter in only a few minutes.

Single serve. A single serve coffee maker uses ground coffee in a plastic capsule – a pod – that is filtered through piping hot water and yields one serving of coffee. The filtration system is just like a standard coffee maker but on a smaller scale.

Siphon. Instead of boiling water, the water is turned into vapor and flows into a round glass bulb. The vapor is turned back into water as it passes through a second glass chamber, and viola: coffee!

Stovetop. Brew coffee directly  on the stove. In this heat-friendly pot, coffee grounds go in the top and water is on the bottom. The steam pressure causes water to travel up to the fine grounds and brew the coffee.

Turkish/Greek brewer. A small metal pot with a long handle brews fine grounds and water directly in one source. Milk, spices, and sweeteners can also be directly added during the process.

Vietnamese coffee maker. This is much like a pour over, but requires finer grounds.

Barista-Level Accessories

Besides coffee machines, these other appliances will take your morning brew to another level.

Coffee grinder. Many coffee lovers enjoy grinding beans at home. This simple machine has a tray on top to put fresh beans and when covered, grinds the beans based on a desired setting such as espresso (coarse) or something finer for other coffee makers.

Condiment organizer. Building a coffee station in the kitchen? A condiment organizer will keep spices, sweeteners, stirrers, and other drink accessories handy.

Milk frother. For owners of traditional coffee makers, pods, percolators, or other makers, a milk frother aerates milk into a smooth and rich thickened texture. 

Mug warmer. This handy accessory will keep a mug of coffee (or tea) warm long after it’s been brewed.