Discover the Top 5 Plumbed Coffee Makers for the Ultimate Brewing Experience

Brewing coffee can be a tiresome task, especially when it comes to filling the reservoir with water. Although it seems like an easy job, it can be a hassle to do very early in the morning.

Fortunately, one efficient way to eradicate the annoyance and frustration associated with filling your coffee maker with water is by investing in a plumbed coffee maker. These incredible appliances are connected to your plumbing system and can easily deliver water in the precise amount necessary for making coffee.

While most people know that plumbed coffee makers are primarily intended for commercial or office use, they can also be a great buy for coffee-loving families or individuals.

In this write-up, we'll offer you some shopping advice for selecting the perfect plumbed coffee maker and present you with five excellent products you may want to consider.

Tips for Picking the Best Plumbed Coffee Maker

The plumbed coffee maker market is relatively small, making it easy or challenging to find a suitable model. Therefore, before delving into our buying guide, it is vital to explain what a plumbed coffee maker is. Typically used in commercial or business settings, these type of machines are linked directly to the water source in a break room or kitchen to enable automatic and accurate filling of water for brewing coffee.

While many of the plumbed coffee makers available on the market are primarily designed for commercial use, it is worth noting that they are an excellent option for your home coffee bar as well. Below, we present various product features you need to consider for your perfect plumbed coffee maker.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Plumbed Coffee Maker

Connection Type

When shopping for a plumbed coffee maker, you'll notice that there are two main connection types: Water Line Connection and Water Line Connection with Filter.

Water Line Connection

The first option is a fundamental water line connection. For this type of coffee maker, you will need a dedicated water line connection, which is best for spaces with good quality tap water or where the house or building has a larger filtration or water purifying system.

Built-in Water Filtration System

The second option is the water line connection with a water filtration system. Although these might be slightly more challenging to install, they offer much better water quality for delicious coffee. However, they require frequent maintenance, such as replacing the filters from time to time.

Both connection types may require the assistance of a plumber. While you can use a tee from an existing water line, hiring a professional is ideal if you don't know the process without making a big mess.

Type of Coffee Maker

Now that you have determined the connection type you need, you'll need to select the suitable type of coffee maker. There are three options available: drip, espresso, and single-serve.

1. Drip Coffee Makers

Plumbed coffee makers are a popular choice for caffeine enthusiasts, especially those with high-output needs. These coffee machines can also be found in commercial settings due to their utility.

If you're looking for plumbed coffee makers for home use, keep in mind that these machines are typically larger than other drip machines. So, it's best to make sure you have adequate space for them.

Single-serve plumbed coffee makers, which function similarly to Keurigs but on a larger scale, allow you to produce one cup of coffee at a time. The convenience of these coffee machines is that you will never have to worry about filling up the water reservoir.

These machines are particularly useful for households with multiple coffee lovers, each with their unique preferences. Plumbed espresso machines offer an alternative way to enjoy espresso without worrying about maintaining a separate water reservoir. These machines typically rely on a pump to create pressure and brew the rich, full-bodied taste of espresso.

Capacity is an essential consideration for choosing a plumbed coffee maker. Single-serve coffee makers will suffice for fulfilling your morning caffeine needs, but for individuals who brew multiple cups of coffee, larger-capacity machines are more ideal. In general, plumbed coffee makers can produce up to 12-14 cups of coffee.

The coffee filter is another consideration that you should keep in mind while choosing a plumbed coffee maker. Most plumbed coffee makers support both paper and reusable mesh filters. While paper filters need to be changed for every brewing cycle, reusable mesh filters can last months or even years.

Brew time is the duration that the coffee grounds are in contact with hot water. The brewing time imparts a robust flavor to the final product. Espresso machines, in contrast, have a relatively short brewing time but are capable of producing highly concentrated, strong-flavored coffee.

To install a plumbed coffee maker, you will need to purchase a plumbing kit. Kits typically come with hose, adapters, and either a compression or quick connect fitting. You can follow an easy guide for setting up the plumbing kit that comes with the coffee maker.

The Keurig K-3500 Commercial Capsule Coffee Maker is a superb option for offices or households with many coffee lovers. The machine produces excellent quality coffee with a wide range of flavors.

The Keurig K-3500 offers effortless single-serving brewing with the added convenience of a direct water line connection. It accepts standard coffee pods, so you won't have to buy a special type. Programming the digital display is a breeze, and you can customize your drink with adjustable sizes and brewing strength. Compatible pods for tea or hot chocolate are also available. To install the machine, you will need to purchase a plumbing kit separately. One of the pros of the Keurig K-3500 is its ability to serve up to 12 ounces. However, it can be challenging to wake up the machine from sleep mode, and water can take a few minutes to heat up.

The Bunn My Cafe MCO is a commercial-grade, plumbed coffee maker that uses single-serve coffee pods. It has a wide range of cup sizes, from 4 to 16 ounces, and a convenient touchscreen control panel for selecting cup volume, brewing strength, and more. The machine comes with most of the necessary installation items, but you will need to purchase a separate water line connection kit and water filtration system. While the Bunn My Cafe MCO is easy to use, some off-brand coffee pods might not fit well, and it has a high price tag.

For home use, the Brew Express BEC-110 Countertop Automatic Filling Coffee System is a great plumbed coffee maker. It has a compact and stylish stainless steel design that fits on any countertop and includes an insulated carafe for up to 10 cups. The machine can brew a single cup or a whole pot, with the option to switch between a standard coffee filter and a single-cup brewing basket. Additionally, the machine can be used as a normal drip coffee maker with a fillable reservoir if needed.

The machine only accommodates commercial-size filters or pre-filled packets, limiting customization options for coffee.

The airpot can be difficult to clean and requires careful attention to avoid clogs.

Direct water line connection and plumbing kit are required for installation.

Conclusion:

In summary, each of these coffee makers offers unique features perfect for different situations. The Brew Express coffee maker is ideal for RVs or campers with its locking carafe and sleek design. The La Pavoni Bar-Star commercial espresso machine is an investment for restaurants and coffee houses with its automatic and programmable controls, electronic water level control, and striking red housing. The Waring WCM70PAP Cafe Deco Airpot coffee brewer is perfect for high-volume brewing needs in places like offices, churches, or recreation centers with its ability to brew up to 4 gallons per hour and provide instant hot water. Regardless of your coffee needs, there is a machine out there for everyone.

Finding this coffee maker can prove to be quite a feat as it is exceedingly popular and hence, often sold out.

One must have a ready supply of bulk grounds or commercial-size packets of coffee to use with this machine.

While the brew quality may not be on par with that of other coffee makers, it still holds its own.

The Last Word

Previously, plumbed coffee makers were primarily intended for commercial or office use. However, nowadays, more and more individuals are looking to bring the convenience of plumbed coffee makers into their homes.

Currently, a wide variety of options exist to cater to every need, ranging from simple single-serve devices for home and office use to traditional commercial machines.

Our personal favorite, the Keurig K-3500, is a versatile option that allows for customized coffee brewing at the mere touch of a button. It functions by brewing one cup at a time and is compatible with an extensive array of coffee pods, making it the ideal choice for both home and commercial use. We recommend it for its versatility and ease of use.

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