What to Look For In a New Coffee Maker

The winter is well and truly here and the holidays are just around the corner. While some of us will be lucky enough to enjoy a little much needed restive over the festive period, for many of us the holidays are not really a holiday at all. For those of us working in the gig economy in particular, we’ll be putting in a whole lot of hours over the holiday period to help counter the inevitable expense of the season. Even those of us who are away from work over the holidays will have busy streets packed with rabid Christmas shoppers to contend with. We can’t do this alone… We need a little support from our old friend Joe!

A cup of Joe can make even the most nightmarish situation bearable. As a nation we consume over 400 million cups of it every day, and we’re drinking more of it than ever. But in a time when we have to economize, who can afford to go to Starbucks every day to get their coffee fix? Why not treat yourself to a brand new coffee maker? Here’s what to look for to know you’re getting the most for your money…

A Green Machine That Doesn’t Use Pods

Coffee pods may seem like a cute, novel and convenient way to get your fresh coffee fix, but if you care about the environment, avoid machines that use coffee pods. While the pods are made of elements that can be recycled individually, they cannot be recycled as a whole after use. This makes them incredibly wasteful. I love the Keurig that my daughter gifted me with for Christmas several years ago, but there’s nothing like smelling that fresh coffee brewing in the morning to help wake you up!

Instead, opt for a bean to cup machine that grinds fresh beans for your delectation every morning. For extra freshness, keep your coffee beans in the freezer once opened.

Water Softener

There’s some debate among coffee aficionados as to whether soft or hard water makes coffee tastes better. One thing we can all agree on, however, is that hard water leaves tiny deposits of minerals in the complex internal workings of your coffee maker which can create problems (especially with espresso machines).

water softener amazon

Although it’s advisable to look for a machine with a built-in water softener, you can also talk to your plumber about installing a water softener in your home. This will reduce the need to descale your machine quite so often.

Milk Foamer

A milk foamer allows you to enjoy a frothy latte or cappuccino from the comfort of your own home at a fraction of the price of going to your favorite coffee outlet. Getting the foam just right takes a little time and practice, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll never feel the urge to waste a fortune at your local Starbucks ever again. Don’t do dairy? No problem! You can also foam soy, oat, and some almond milk, too!

The right coffee maker can get each and every day off to the best possible start. If you aren’t sure which is right for you (let’s face it, there are dozens of different types available!) check out OwlyChoice.com. If you’ll be putting in a lot of hard work over the holidays (whether you’re in work or not), treat yourself to a new coffee maker… or ask Santa, very politely!

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