It’s not hyperbole to say that finding the perfect coffee maker is key to the…
Your old drip brewer or single-serve machine is on its last leg, and you aren’t sure what to buy next. How about trying a combo coffee maker? You get the best of two worlds this way, and they showcase some serious ingenuity on the part of the coffee brewing industry. They offer a lot of variety, from K-cup compatibility to 12-cup glass carafe.
Whatever your brewing needs are, a 2-way coffee maker is a great way to meet them. Let’s spend some time talking about which is the best dual coffee maker and what to look for when you’re buying one.
A dual coffee maker is a brewing machine that allows you to make both full carafes and single servings. If your household is one that has differing brewing needs, then this kind of coffee maker might make life a little easier.
It can also come in handy if, like my household, only one person is quick to rise each morning. That person can get the machine a-brewin’ without leaving a carafe of burnt or stale coffee for all the slow-risers.
Overall, a dual coffee brewer gives you flexibility and helps cut down on the cost of a kit to meet your needs.
Buying a combo coffee maker allows you flexibility in brewing, as I mentioned above. You can brew two different quantities or types of coffee at once. If you are an espresso-lover like myself, you should buy one that comes as a glass carafe and espresso-maker combo. Some of these machines even come with a hot water dispenser that lets you craft a warm cup of tea.
Buying a dual coffee maker can help you cut down on countertop usage. Who else here has had two different machines sitting on their countertop at the same time? Counters can easily get cluttered with coffee makers and all the necessary kit items.
Of course, a 2-way coffee maker can smooth out your morning routine. Whether you live with your family, a couple of roommates, or are on your own, having two brewing systems in one means you can get a stronger coffee extraction while your housemate goes for a lighter one.
Topping our list is the Cuisinart SS-20 Thermal Single-Serve Brewer. This single-serve brewer is the best duo coffee maker because of its versatility. It has K-Cup compatibility, a removable drip tray, and offers three serving size options. In other words, it functions just like any singular K-Cup machine would - simple, easy, and efficient for when you are on the go or just need to wake up.
Do you prefer pouring from the pot instead of brewing K-Cups? If so, the carafe side gives you a few options for how to brew. On its carafe side, you get a thermal carafe capable of creating 10 cups of coffee. This side is totally automatic with its slew of handy controls: brew-strength control, 24-hour brew start, a ready alert, and a self-cleaning function. Also, if 10 cups is too small, there is an option for a 12-cup glass carafe.
For the coffee on the carafe side, there is a golden-hued filter. The single-serve side has a charcoal-colored filter for the water. You can even hit the "brew pause" button if you need to get to your coffee before it is finished brewing. If you are running late to work and the brew is not complete, just hit that button to pause it and grab what is already available. Convenient, right?
This affordably-priced dual coffee brewer comes with a BPA-free guarantee and a three-year warranty should anything go wrong with it or an accident occur.
If you have a bigger spending budget, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System is a well-rounded coffee maker. Whether you want a carafe or a single cup, or prefer switching over from coffee to tea, the Ninja Hot and Cold can do it. If you want a froth-topped cappuccino, this machine can make it happen.
The Ninja Coffee Maker is made from ABS plastic and sports two different baskets - one for ground coffee and another for bagged or loose tea. This smart basket recognition system keeps the final taste intact since it automatically detects which drink you are about to brew.
Customization options are expansive, so you can play around with the settings until your heart is content. There are five brew styles and strengths: classic, rich, cold brew, over ice, or specialty. You can also select from six sizes, ranging from travel mug size to a full carafe. The fold-away platform makes it easy to switch between sizes. The display is intuitive to utilize, and there is even a smart scoop that you can store in the machine.
If you are looking for a cost-effective dual coffee maker, the Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew might be a smart choice. This two-way brewer combines a lot of truly helpful features into a relatively small, space-saving package.
Crafted with BPA-free plastic, the FlexBrew stands out with its numerous stainless steel accents. But if the stainless steel isn't your thing, there are options for straight black, silver, and white. The interface is designed for easy usage. There is even a digital clock so you know exactly what time it is.
You can decide whether you want to put fresh grounds in for a single cup or if you want an entire 12-cup glass carafe full of coffee. There is K-Cup compatibility here, so you can put some loose grounds into a reusable K-Cup pod. This helps keep unnecessary waste from cluttering our earth's landfills.
For being such a budget-friendly option, the FlexBrew offers a lot of programmability. You have the ability to program brewing up to 24 hours in advance, and there are brewing options for regular and bold strengths. Want to sneak a cup from the carafe before it is done filling? Just hit the pause button and serve. Also, if you are as forgetful as I am, you get some peace of mind from the two-hour automatic shutdown feature.
Looking for a compact coffee maker with a K Cup option included? The Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker offers a space-saving design that will keep your countertop looking neat and clean. This is one of the most slender dual coffee makers out there, so it really is the perfect fit in any size kitchen.
The K-Duo Plus allows you to brew a K-Cup and in a 12-cup glass carafe. The heating plate beneath the carafe will keep the coffee warm long after brewing. You can choose between multiple brew sizes: 6, 8, 10, or 12-cup carafe or in a 6, 8, 10, or 12-ounce cup for the K-Cup part. Although you have to buy this separately, the K-Duo Plus is compatible with a reusable Keurig gold-tone mesh filter accessory that makes a grounds-free carafe.
There is a programmable auto brew feature for the carafe, and the 60-oz water reservoir can be removed and put in a variety of positions. You can pause the carafe's drip mid-brew for 20 seconds in order to pour and serve. After the 20-second mark, the drip will resume and continue until it is finished.
This machine comes with a 12-cup glass carafe fit for serving a large household of coffee drinkers. The carafe sits atop a programmable hot plate that can keep your coffee hot for hours.
Let's not forget to mention that, with the Keurig, you can choose from hundreds of different K-Cup pods and grounds. Don't want coffee? Then go ahead and brew yourself some tea, cocoa, or even some hot cider.
If you are looking for a drip and espresso combo coffee maker, the DeLonghi BCO430 serves up the best of both worlds. The one thing you need to bear in mind before you decide to buy is that any combo machine with an espresso maker is going to be a little pricier than those without one. But, if you need espresso to get yourself going, it can be well worth the investment.
The DeLonghi BCO430 comes with a front-loading drip coffee maker and has a removable 40-oz water filter for easy filling. If you want to set your brew time in advance, just use the 24-hour programmable timer.
On the espresso side, you get a machine that makes authentic 15-bar espresso, latte, and cappuccino. There is a manual frother that lets you mix milk and steam together to create a creamy froth over an evenly textured drink. It is just like having a coffee shop right in your own home.
This coffee brewer is designed to extract the maximum aroma and flavor. It is aided by an advanced active carbon filter that keeps out impurities and keeps water fresh for quite some time. The design is complete with a 10-cup glass carafe for the brew. Brewing your coffee takes only a few minutes, as does serving up a tasty drink from the espresso side. Using the timer is helpful when you are trying to work around multiple schedules in the morning and need to get your drinks done promptly.
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker is a machine that allows you to brew either a single cup or an entire 12-cup carafe. While it is not compatible with K-Cup pods, you can choose your favorite coffee to brew in this drip brewer.
The single-cup brewing setup is extremely easy to use. If you are not interested in a high-tech dual coffee maker, then this straightforward interface should make you feel right at home. Just brew a single cup using loose ground coffee, scooping it up with the included mesh scoop. That's right, all you have to do is scoop, place, and brew.
Again, for us more forgetful folk, the automatic shut-off feature (which kicks in after two hours) gives some peace of mind. You can program the machine to brew your coffee before you even wake up in the morning with the 24-hour advanced programmable timer. Program for the time you want the machine to start brewing, fill it up with water and add your coffee grounds. The machine will kick on at your selected time and start brewing.
Select-A-Brew is a function that allows you to set your own brew strength. Want your coffee regular? Or do you prefer bold? Regular work well for standard medium-grind coffee while Bold is effective for decaf, premium roast, or a dark blend that gives off a richer flavor.
To top it all off, you can refill your cups and mugs of various sizes with the multi-level cup rest stacks. Mugs are not included, of course.
The Cuisinart CHW-12P1 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker is one of the dual coffee makers that has hot water on demand included in its design. Its 12-cup carafe has a drip-free spout for clean and safe pouring, which is something you should expect from such a reputable brand. This coffee brewer and its hot water system deliver coffee that tastes fresh and delicious.
The CHW-12P1 comes with a lengthy list of features equipped. Brew pause is included on this list for a quick grab and sip. Of course, there is a 24-hour advanced programmable timer that will kick on and brew right when you need it to. There is a temperature control feature for the carafe. The heater plate comes with multiple settings so that you can keep your coffee in the carafe at your preferred temperature.
And, quite naturally, the hot water system means you can easily make drinks like tea and hot cocoa in just a few minutes. You can even use it for heating up water to add to your favorite soup. If you are running low on water for the hot water system, an indicator will sound, letting you know that it is time for a refill.
This system is fully automatic with the 24-hour programmable timer, automatic shut-off, a self-cleaning function, and a 1-4 cup setting. Putting the system on the 1-4 cup setting will deliver a stronger, richer taste and aroma from your coffee.
The blue backlit LCD screen has a digital clock and is programmable. The display lights up brightly so that you can see everything from a few feet away.
Most of the dual coffee makers listed above are not SCAA approved home brewers, but they are affordable alternatives that get the job done. Choosing the right coffee maker can be hard since there are so many different types available. What I recommend is looking for a dual coffee maker that meets your two top needs (for example, mine being a drip brewer and an espresso machine).
The term “dual coffee machine” can apply to literally any type of combo coffee maker that serves two different functions. Some coffee makers have large pots while also offering single servings. Others combine a carafe with an espresso machine or hot water dispenser.
What you get should depend on what you plan on using the most and will ultimately make your morning routine the easiest. If you prefer a cup straight from the pot but your spouse wants a frothy cappuccino, a carafe and espresso combination might work best for you.
So, here’s the real dilemma: grounds or K-Cups? As you can see from the machines listed above, some use grounds for both brewing methods while others rely on them for just one. Sometimes, a 2-way coffee maker will include a drip brewer for grounds and a side with K-Cup capacity.
The single-use plastic K-Cup pods aren’t too great for the environment, but you can buy reusable pods into which you scoop your favorite grounds. It makes for a more sustainable method for us K-Cup lovers. But bear in mind that quality should trump convenience when it comes to coffee. Just because it is fast and easy doesn’t mean it will taste fantastic.
We all have our unique ways of taking our coffee. That makes customization a top priority for many folks. Being able to set your coffee strength or have the machine make a frothy drink can be deeply satisfying. If you need more customization, look for settings like 1-4 cups or Select-A-Brew. And certainly, consider a combo 2-way coffee maker with an espresso machine if you love lattes or cappuccinos.
Glass carafes are pretty much par for the course, but I prefer a good thermal carafe. Why? Their stainless steel designs are exponentially more durable than glass. Also, they keep coffee warm longer without sucking up a bunch of electricity. However, the glass carafe is the more economical choice if a pot of coffee hardly lasts 15 minutes in your home.
How much counter space can you really forego? If you are like me, counter space in the kitchen is at a premium. The counter can easily get cluttered with a bunch of kitchen machinery and accessories. Some combo coffee makers are compact while others are more robust. If you are working with limited space, look for something with less width to it. With longer cabinets, you might also need to ensure that your machine is on the shorter side.
Yes, Keurig makes a combo coffee maker. It is called the K-Duo coffee maker. You can brew a single cup using a K-Cup pod or make yourself a carafe from your favorite grounds.
Most dual coffee makers have a self-cleaning function, but you should also perform regular manual cleanings. You will need to descale your Keurig K-Duo or clean out a filter by running hot water into your carafe. Always scrub the body with soap and lukewarm water.
A Hamilton Beach FlexBrew lets you brew using a single-serve pod or with grounds into a carafe. FlexBrew is trademarked by Hamilton Beach, but it is a lot like the Keurig K-Duo in the functions that it performs.
Yes, there are some dual coffee makers that come with built-in grinders. These allow you to purchase whole beans instead of grounds and grind them before the machine starts to brew. Many coffee machine manufacturers have them as options.
Thermal carafes hold temperature better, longer and are more durable due to their stainless steel. They work well for small families or individuals. Glass carafes are more economical for larger families.
While each dual coffee maker listed here certainly has its merits, by and far the best duo coffee maker is the Cuisinart SS-20 Thermal Single-Serve Brewer. This versatile machine allows you to select from three different serving sizes, is easy to use, and has K-Cup compatibility. Plus, on the carafe side, you get a stainless steel carafe instead of a glass carafe. This machine can do everything from self-clean to send out an alert when your coffee is all done being brewed. You can even set it up to 24 hours in advance so that the machine will start brewing your coffee right when you need it most. Handy, right?
With all of the functions included on the Cuisinart SS-20 Thermal Single-Serve Brewer, you can get your coffee to your exact liking. Strong, bold flavoring or regular – either way, this machine can make it taste just right.
All in all, you cannot really go wrong with a combo coffee maker. They let you do several things at once, which is helpful when you have a hectic lifestyle. Avoid more silly squabbles with your spouse or housemate over the last cup of coffee and select the 2 way coffee maker that best suits your home’s unique needs.
