Tech Gear for Coffee Connoisseurs Smart Coffee Grinders and Automated Brewers

How-To Geek

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a coffee geek, there's a lot of emerging coffee tech to spend your money on. From portable brewers to smart scales that score your pour, you might be wondering if these features are worth it and where your money is best spent.

Smart Coffee Tech Is Everywhere

You can prefix just about any contraption with the word "smart" these days, and someone's already probably made it. From smart refrigerators to smart doorbells, the idea that connectivity makes everything better is a pervasive (and seemingly profitable) one. Of course, the same is true of coffee.

Some of the biggest advancements in coffee have been thanks to these next-generation gadgets, like the Decent DE1and successors like theDE1PRO. These multiple-thousand dollar machines allow the operator to define pressure, temperature, and flow rate while pulling a shot.

This is the definition of "smart" espresso, providing granular control and real-time data bout each shot that is poured. The machine has a tablet computer mounted on it that controls pretty much every function. You can even update the firmware, pair it with a smartphone, and connect smart scales over Bluetooth.

Portable espresso is another area that seems to have taken off over the last decade or so. Though machines like the WACACO Picopressoand the Uniterra Nomadare wholly manual (non-electric) devices that explore the novel idea of being able to make espresso anywhere.

WACACO Picopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with Protective Case, Pro-level Specialty Coffee Machine, Compatible Ultra-fine Grind, Manually Operated Travel Coffee Maker

WACACO Picopresso

Make espresso virtually anywhere as long as you've got access to some hot water. The Picopresso is WACACO's improved portable brewer that uses your own strength to build the pressure necessary to extract your coffee.

Smart scales like the entry-level Brewista Smart Scale IIand more expensive Acaia Pearl Model S have also risen in popularity. These connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and provide real-time feedback about your pour and brew time. They operate on the basis that an even pour is most desired when making pour-over coffee using a brewer to improve your technique.

You can use this data to make changes like grinding coarser for a shorter brew time or pouring slower for a more even extraction. Ultimately, how the coffee tastes (and how you like it) should influence the changes you make.

If you've got a bigger budget, coffee robots or automatic brewers take the guesswork out of making your daily cup. Brewers like the Breville Precisiongiveyou granular control over many variables that affect the outcome of filter coffee like bloom time, brew temperature, and flow rate. You can program it to make your coffee in the morning, but you'll need to grind the night before and leave the grounds in the brewer.

These machines are great for getting identical results every time, provided you use the same dose, beans, grind, and water.

Breville Precision Brewer Pid Temperature Control Thermal Coffee Maker w/ Pour Over Adapter Kit - BDC455BSS

Breville Precision

The Breville Precision is both an automatic coffee machine and a tinkerers dream. Let it take care of brewing for you or tweak a variety of variables, the choice is yours.

Standard Brewing Methods Yield Excellent Results

While smart scales and automatic brewers can help you get more consistent pour-over brews, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get good coffee out of a cone and a filter. Pourover brewers are ideal for anyone who wants more control over their coffee, offering a simple way of changing variables like grind size and dose to influence the outcome.

You can start small with a plastic Hario V60, regular kettle, and cheap digital kitchen scales. For better results, you can upgrade to a pouring kettle like the Hario Buono to regulate the flow rate and dedicated coffee scales for better accuracy. Ultimately, the plastic V60 is one of the best brewers of its kind (and it retains heat better than the more expensive glass, metal, and ceramic models).

Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper, Size 02, White

Hario V60

The Hario V60 is one of the most popular and successful pour-over coffee brewers. Just add a paper filter, ground coffee, and hot water.

For a simpler brewing method, give aFrench press a go. There's a good chance you have one in the cupboard already, and you can find them for sale everywhere (even second-hand in thrift shops). Nothing could be as simple as throwing coffee grounds in a pot, covering them with hot water, and pressing down a plunger a few minutes later.

Many of these brewers and techniques have seen a surge in popularity over the last few decades, but some have been around for generations. One of the most recent success stories is theAeroPress, an immersion brewer that even has its own world championship. It's portable, durable, flexible, and very cheap.

Aeropress Original Coffee Press 3 in 1 brew method combines French Press, Pourover, Espresso - Full bodied, smooth coffee without grit, bitterness - Small portable coffee maker for camping & travel

AeroPress Classic

The AeroPress is inexpensive and easy to use, and it produces a consistent, strong brew. You can try out a huge range of techniques and expand on it with aftermarket attachments.

Everyone has their preferred way of making coffee in an AeroPress, with countless recipes available online. You can swap paper filters for metal or cloth to get different results and add attachments like the Fellow Prismo for something that's meant to better imitate espresso. There are even add-ons like the Puck Puck, a cold brew attachment for making coffee the slow way.

Even good espresso can be more affordable with the right approach. Lever-action espresso machines like the Flare NEO offload the hard work of building pressure on you while providing better results than similarly-priced or cheap espresso machines with the right technique. They also take up much less room in your kitchen or office.

Spend Your Money on a Good Grinder

The grinder you choose will arguably make the biggest difference to the coffee you drink (though you'll naturally want to use good, fresh coffee too.) This is where you'll get the most bang for your buck in terms of return on investment, especially if you're using a manual pour-over or immersion brewer, something basic like a Hario V60, AeroPress, or French press.

If you're not already grinding your coffee fresh, you'll notice a huge difference when you start to do so. Coffee oxidizes as it is exposed to air. The more surface area coffee has, the faster it will degrade. By grinding in advance, you're speeding up the process that makes your coffee stale. Grinding fresh means better-tasting coffee and gives you control over the grind size for better brews.

A "good" grinder will grind coffee more evenly. Uneven grinding can produce a lot of fine particles, and these fine grounds extract much faster than coarser grounds.Fewer fines mean you have less chance of brewing over-extracted coffee.When people say coffee tastes too bitter or "burned" they are referring to coffee that has been over-extracted.

If you prefer immersion and pour-over techniques like the Aeropress and Hario V60, there are a world of cheaper grinders available to you. Hand grinders are cheaper than electric grinders since they don't have a motor, but they grind slower and require effort. Something like the Porlex Minior Timemore Chestnut C2will do the trick for around a third of the price of a good entry-level electric grinder.

Electric grinders are faster, louder, and only require you to flick a button (they also have to stay plugged in). We love theBaratza Encore,which is often cited as one of the world's best entry-level pour-over coffee grinders. You can even upgrade the burr set inside for even better results at a later date.

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Black)

Baratza Encore

If you're prepared to spend a bit of money on an entry-level pour-over or immersion brewing setup, spend it on the Baratza Encore.

For a good electric espresso grinder, you'll need to spend a lot more since grinding finely and evenly is a more difficult endeavor. You might be better off looking for second-hand kit if you're on a tight budget, rather than springing for a brand newFellow Odeor Niche Zero.

Level-Up Your Daily Cup

Let's say you've got a good cheap setup and you're grinding fresh, but you are unsatisfied with the coffee you're drinking.If you want to be a nerd about coffee, buying more equipment isn't necessarily the way to go.

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The first thing to do is source good quality (ideally specialty) coffee that's been roasted within the last 4 to 6 weeks.You probably want to use light to medium roasts if you're making pour-over or immersion brews. Stay away from the strong espresso stuff unless you crave very dark coffee.

Understanding which variables to change when brewing and how they affect coffee can help you get a cup that's better suited to your tastes.The finer you grind, the more extraction takes place. If you're finding your cups are too bitter for your taste, grind coarser. If you find your coffee tastes tangy or is too acidic, grind finer. Remember that changing coffee may require a change in technique.

Higher temperatures will also extract more coffee, but unless you have a kettle that allows you to set the temperature, you probably shouldn't worry about this. It's a lot easier to just change the grind and stick with boiling water every time.

If you're stuck, there are dozens of great recipes available for your brewer of choice. Check out the AeroPress cup winners' recipes. For the Hario V60, there are three popular methods that stand out: James Hoffman's ultimate recipe, the Tetsu Kasuya's 4-6 method, and the "Rao Spin" by Scott Rao. Mix them up, change the grind, and come up with your own.

There Is No Perfect Cup

For many, coffee should be fast and made by someone else. For others, it's something to get nerdy about. Wherever you stand, don't fall into the trap of thinking paying more for coffee gadgets will necessarily yield immediately great coffee.

Be aware of gear acquisition syndrome if you fall down the rabbit hole. Coffee equipment is like camera gear in that, as soon as you're taken by the hobby, you'll be accumulating things you don't necessarily need but desperately want. There's nothing wrong with playing around with expensive coffee gadgets, as long as you know where your money is best spent to get the best results.

The 8 Best Automatic Pour Over Coffee Makers (Complete Guide)

Last Updated on January 4, 2022 by John Moretti

Do you have a yearning for the kind of coffee your favorite coffee shops barista makes? To reach the ultimate goal in each cup, numerous baristas and coffee connoisseurs employ the pour-over method.

Before your cup is complete, you must first get the water to the correct temperature, carefully and evenly sprinkle the liquid over the coffee grounds, and then wait for the proper brew time.

Fortunately, improved technology has given us automatic pour-over coffee makers that use the same approach as manual pour-over coffee machines but with a lot less effort.

They boil the water before combining it with the coffee grounds, resulting in more saturation and flavor extraction from the grounds.

Although we must grind the coffee beans ourselves, the coffee maker will handle the rest, and I have been through a few of them to make an informed decision on which is best.

Short on time?

#1 Choice For Best Automatic Pour Over Coffee Makers: Breville Precision Coffee Maker

Whether youre alone or have company, the coffee you get from Breville will set the tone for whatever comes next. I love how it brews both a big pot and a single mug, and there are many settings.

If you want to brew according to SCAA criteria, it also offers many modifiable settings and a preset gold cup feature. It might not be for everyone, since you have to learn the programs but it is worth every penny!

Here is other Top Choice Automatic Pour Over Coffee Machines.

KitchenAid KCM0801OB Pour-Over Coffee Brewer, Onyx Black

KitchenAid may be the perfect device whether youre a starter or a barista. Not everyone wants too much tech to deal with and still gets a great cup of Joe. It adheres to the Specialty Coffee Association of Americas Gold Cup regulations (SCAA). It mimics the traditional pour-over procedure, resulting in a consistent infused taste with no need for manual labor.

It walks you through the entire brew, from boiling the water to trickling it on the beans and steeping it. Boils water to the ideal temperature gradient of 198F -204F at the brewers top, reducing heat loss throughout the extraction process.

It comes with a starter supply of four paper filters, an eight-cup glass carafe, and a coffee grinder. It was one of just two systems on the shortlist that regularly made a flawless coffee bloom and didnt smash it.

Forget about its simplicity and appearance, especially when youre searching for an excellent coffee maker, not a conversation piece.

What I like:

• Produces a beautiful coffee bloom
• The pour-over process is flawless
• Its pretty simple to use and needs no programming.

What I dont like:

• Not fashionable
• There is no way to program or customize it.

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker

The Breville coffee maker lets you brew top-notch specialty coffee at home automatically. For the techies in my home, It offers six different brewing modes to ensure that you get the perfect cup of coffee every time.

This coffee maker boasts an accurate temperature control (PID), three variable flow speeds to improve contact time, and a Thermo Coil Heating System that delivers more clean water than traditional brewing machines that use aluminum.

The Breville Precision Brewer Glass modifies the temperature and brewing time automatically in Gold Cup programmed setting to satisfy the SCAs guidelines (197 to 204 degrees)

When tiny cup volumes have been brewed without the glass carafe in position automatically, Brevilles unique Steep & Release function keeps the water in touch with the coffee.

Allows you to tailor features including bloom time, steep temperature, and rate of flow to your specific coffee tastes; make an excellent coffee that is fragrant, fruity, rich, and so on to meet your preferences.

With the Flat Bottom and Cone Filter baskets, you can make any amount of coffee precisely the way you like it. The design is specific to fit your favorite pour-over drippers, such as the Hario V6 or Kalita Wave.

Glass carafe, coffee spoon, cone filter basket insert, mesh basket filter, Flat bottom basket, 10-pack filter paper, and water hardness test strip come in the package.

On my list, it is by far the most consistent, high-quality pour-over coffee maker. If I were building this list for myself, I would include the following items. It would indeed be at the top of the list.

With all the programming involved that potentially could throw off some not-so-tech-savvy coffee lovers, I ranked it second.

To get the most out of the system, you should sit down and read the documentation and program it. I enjoy reading product specifications and learning how to operate a new coffee machine.

But I also understand that not everyone agrees with me and that they want to unbox it, plug it in, pour some coffee, and press a button.

Pros:

• Its possible to create 12 cups of coffee with this machine.
• Customizable Presets and Automatic Presets (great for techies)
• Although it has preset modes, you can utilize the drip adaptor to brew pour-over with your preferred pour-over device.

Cons:

• Quite costly.
• Technologically advanced

OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker

Whether youre preparing two cups or a big pot, Precision Brewing regulates temperature and improves brew processes for rich, delicious coffee.

The OXO is customizable and simple to operate; you can choose cups, control the time, and set up the automated wake-up schedule, all with one dial. Temperature-controlled processing maintains the water temperature between 197.6 and 204.8 degrees Fahrenheit, optimal for drip coffee.

For enhanced flavor extraction, the rainmaker shower head produces stable water over coffee grinds. The internal blending tube guarantees that your last mouthful is just as tasty as the first. The pause to pour option allows you to grab a cup of coffee before it finishes brewing.

The double-walled stainless steel thermal carafe holds coffee steaming hot, and the freshness timer lets you know when its time to drink it. The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) has certified it for gold-standard home brewing.

Just use a microprocessor-controlled drip system; the sophisticated drip coffee machine mimics the method of a barista. We should keep the water temperature between 197.6 and 204.8 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal brewing.

Its rainmaker showerhead ensures that the coffee is consistently extracted for optimum brewing every time. It also features a programmed timer, so when you wake up in the morning, your coffee is ready.

What I like:

• The SCA has approved this product to reproduce barista-quality coffee.
• Temperature management that is consistent
• The double-walled insulated carafe keeps coffee hot long after you remove it from the hot plate.

What I dont like:

• When you pull the carafe out, the filter basket may leak slightly.

Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT Coffee Brewer

Experts in coffee brewing recommend this coffee maker as the best. Its simple to use, with only one button to press and a brewing time of 4-6 minutes for 40 oz. of drink. You can tailor your coffee with the manually regulate brew basket.

A stainless steel warming carafe is included with this coffee machine to hold coffee hot for longer. It comes with a five-year warranty. The Moccamaster evokes a sense of nostalgia while incorporating current methods and materials to deliver a high-end specialized coffee shop brew at home.

It is built of solid materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and copper and is one of the quickest machines I have tried. Its also available in 27 various hues, making it practically difficult not to find one that matches your interior style preferences.

What I like:

• Auto-shutoff feature
• Internal copper pieces
• Consistently excellent

What I dont like:

Cuisinart CPO-850 Coffee Brewer, 8 Cup, Stainless Steel

I love that this machine is SCAA Certified, which means it meets the Specialty Coffee Association of Americas stringent technical standards for excellent homebrewers. I also like that I can control the flavor strength and temperature.

It comes in steel and black finishes to complement any kitchen style, and it holds enough water to create 8 cups of coffee for even huge groups.

It also features a mild, medium, and brew-strength solid selection; the filter is laser-cut stainless steel, letting it maintain its temperature throughout the brewing process.

What I like:

• The laser-etched filter is one of the advantages
• Strength of the brew
• Carafe with a heating element

What I dont like:

• It features some plastic internal and external pieces

Brim 8 Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker

I enjoy how it consistently produces rich, full-bodied coffee. A healthy Eco reusable filter, silicone sleeve, measuring scoop, and glass carafe come in the kit.

This coffee maker features a pour-over sprinkler for even coffee bed soaking and turbulence, delivering a smooth and great flavor.

For optimal extraction, keep the brew temperature consistent between 197.6F and 204.8F. Ideally, The taste is unaffected by controlling the temperature at 176F. It has a 30-minute automatic shut-off feature.

Pulse brewing is what the showerhead uses to water the coffee bed and achieves the optimal bloom, featuring coffee bed saturation and turbulence, producing a smooth and excellent flavor. No need for paper filters with a permanent filter!

I like that it maintains a consistent temperature of up to 204 degrees and distributes water uniformly using pulse brewing. It has an automated 30-minute shut-off and a brass finish, which is now quite trendy.

What I like:

• Consistent pulse distribution ensures uniform water delivery.
• An internal heating system that is well-designed

What I dont like:

• Cleaning the carafe is difficult.

Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch

I enjoy the one-touch brew system with automatic shut-off. It comes complete with dishwasher-safe components, including the showerhead, carafe lid, and filter basket.

Bonavita is robust and accurate, and its 1500-watt heater preserves an optimal temperature for steeping between 195 and 205 degrees.

The elective pre-infusion method soaks freshly roasted ground coffee to enable gas removal ahead of the brewing process.

The bigger showerhead and flat-bottomed filter basket allow for even higher immersion and even extraction. There are no additions, attachments, programs to set up with this pour-over maker.

This variant has a smaller footprint and is shorter than the others to fit neatly underneath a cabinet or kitchen corner. Despite its simple appearance, it produces rich, flavorful coffee.

What I like:

• Small and compact
• Simple to use
• Affordable
• Pre steeping works well almost to create a coffee bloom

What I dont like:

• Not programmable
• No features

Behmor Brazen Coffee Maker

Set the brewing temperature between 190 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit. If you open the cover during the brewing cycle, note-scalding may occur. Keep an eye on the steam.

The height of the product is 15.25 inches. Programmable brew start time: start your day with a cup of coffee thanks to a timed brew option. Due to the oversized showerhead and pulsing of the water flow, the coffee grinds saturate thoroughly.

SCAA certified for brewing quality based on industry requirements for specialty coffee (Specialty Coffee Association of America)

You may select the brewing temperature of the coffee, which ranges from 180 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit, in addition to the presoak and brew times.

The Mode Button on this version regulates the numerous timings and temperature levels displayed on the built-in screen.

You may also configure an auto-start feature, which allows you to set and leave the programmable pour-over coffee machine and awake to a perfect brew every time.

What I like:

• Extra-large showerhead to effectively extract your grinds
• Temperature management that is consistent

What I dont like:

• Rather than a thermal carafe, a hot plate, they use a hot plate
• It doesnt have a quality feel

What is the Difference Between Manual and Automatic Pour-Over Methods?

Manual pour-over procedures require the use of your hands. Rather than the machine, you are in charge of the temperature and soaking speed.

The most challenging component is undoubtedly getting the liquid to the appropriate temperature. Allow it to cool before pouring if its too hot. Once the water is at the proper temperature, cautiously and evenly pour it over the coffee grinds.

To get the perfect cup of coffee, its either a lot of guessing, too many tools to handle, or pure luck.

I like not having to think about or measure anything with the automatic option. All I have to do is click a button, and the device will handle the rest. We have the brilliance of this time-consuming approach without the hassle.

What to Look for when buying a Pour Over

Not all automated pour-over coffee makers are created equal. There are various styles, materials, functions, and sizes to choose from, making it simple to pick the suitable machine for your needs.

Before you buy an automated pour-over coffee machine, think about the following questions.

What is the Capacity of the Facility?

The size of your household will determine your coffee makers capacity. Smaller homes will benefit from a 4-8 cup machine, while more prominent families may require a 12-cup or more excellent capacity machine.

What is the Machine Size?

These pour-over coffee makers might take up more room than a standard drip machine due to their dual-tank construction. Youll want to be sure the coffee maker will fit on the counter space you have available.

Is it Possible to Adjust the Temperature?

As previously said, the proper water temperature can make the difference between an excellent cup of coffee and a fantastic cup of coffee.

Some coffee machines have a temperature control built in that keeps your water at the proper temperature throughout the brewing process. I highly recommend it.

What is the Material of the Carafe?

Carafes comprise a variety of materials. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but it comes down to personal preference.

Glass is excellent at storing heat, but it is fragile and can be extremely hot to the touch if dropped.

Plastic does not break on contact and is easier to clean, although it is less durable in general. Steel is the most durable, but it is also the most difficult to clean. Choose the style that best suits you and your kitchen.

Can You Customize it?

You may set a brewing time on programmable coffee machines so that when you wake up in the morning, your coffee is ready to go.

It frees up time for other activities and allows you to smell the coffee first thing in the morning.

Is it Simple to Clean?

When it comes to cleaning, automatic pour-over coffee machines can be more demanding.

There are more components to drip machines that need to service regularly. If you despise cleaning, a device that is simple to clean is essential.

How Long Will It Last?

If youve ever gotten up to discover your coffeemaker broken, you know how awful your day is likely to be.

You desire your coffee machine to last all of your foggy days and dont let you down. Look for a device with a good level of durability.

Is it a Good Match for Your Style?

With so many shapes, materials, colors, and finishes to choose from, youre sure to discover a coffee pot that complements your kitchen flawlessly. Theres no excuse to have an eyesore on your kitchen counters.

Does it have the same flavor as regular coffee?

The most important factor is taste. Coffee-brewing precision is the science for automatic pour-over coffee machines.

Some machines will prepare a regular cup of coffee, while others may offer a variety of brews.

Benefits of Automatic Pour Over Coffee Makers

Quicker

All you have to do with an automatic pour-over coffee maker is grind your coffee and press a button, and presto!

Easier

With an automatic machine, its challenging to make a mistake. While you wait for your coffee, you wont have to exert any additional mental effort.

No Over-extraction

With automatic pour-over machines, that issue doesnt exist. It uniformly saturates the coffee beans for the appropriate time frame, extracting just the proper amount of taste without overdoing it.

Heating

The most significant feature of this coffee machine is its capability to heat water to the ideal temperature and maintain it throughout the brewing process.

It also warms the water before mixing it with the coffee grinds, giving it a pure, well-rounded flavor that a drip pot cant match.

The Water is Uniformly Distributed

The water dispensers shower-head design guarantees that the water has uniform distribution among the coffee grinds.

Pre-boil Mode

Before complete immersion, the pre brew mode delicately soaks the coffee beans. It helps the coffee grinds to absorb moisture and uniformly disperse the water when its time to brew, ensuring level dispersion.

Making Aficionado-Quality Coffee Tips

The automated pour-over coffee machine can come close to replicating your preferred coffee shop blend, so here are some techniques to make it even better.

UseHigh-Quality Beans?

Coffee beans with subtle flavors often get drowned in standard drip machines, but the pour-over technique works perfectly.

Personal taste in flavors and smells is essential, but we must never compromise the value.

Discover more about pairing coffee beans to the best coffee makers in this tutorial.

Ideal Grind

Grinding your beans wrong is another typical blunder when preparing them.

You want an equal grind so that the taste is extracted evenly throughout the brewing process.

Purchase a high-quality grinder and ensure that you get proper bean ground sizes. Medium to medium-fine grit size is ideal for pour-over pots.

Calculate the proper bean-to-water ratio.Its crucial to achieve the correct bean-to-water ratio when it comes to flavor extraction. For each 1 gram of coffee, the standard ratio is 1:17, or 17 grams of water. The most straightforward approach to do so is to look through your machines user guide for any additional instructions or suggestions.

The temperature of the water is crucial, as previously noted. The ideal water temperature is around 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maintenance

Automatic pour-over coffee machines require more upkeep than ordinary drip coffee makers.

It is essential to keep your coffee machine clean for it to function correctly. Dirty machines can alter the flavor of your coffee and make them more prone to breakage or damage. A cleaning kit for coffee machines is affordable.

Bottom Line

The automated pour-over coffee maker may be just what you need if you would like to save time in the morning but still have that ideal cup of coffee.

Youll never compromise for a conventional drip coffee again with all the accuracy of hand-made pour-over brew at the touch of a button.

The simplicity and excellent quality of the cup make these appliances highly recommended. Both newbies and coffee connoisseurs will appreciate the automated pour-over coffee machine.