For almost a thousand years, a coffee maker was simply a pot of boiling water. Coffee grounds were dropped in and left to brew to the desired strength. When brewing was done, the grounds were either filtered as the coffee was poured or left to settle to the bottom of the drinking cup. Coffee makers have evolved considerably since then. This guide can help you sort through your choices.

Capacity
One of the first decisions to make is the coffee machine’s capacity. If you are only an occasional coffee drinker, a one or two cup model may be all you need. But if coffee flows through your veins instead of blood in the morning, a large 10 to 12-cup capacity maker may be the better choice.

Whatever type of coffee drinker you are, you should know the companies who make these machines consider a cup as only four or five ounces. So ignore the cup rating and see how many ounces it actually holds.

Features
Once you’ve settled on the capacity you want, you need to consider what features work best for you. For instance, maybe you like the idea of waking up to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee. If so, consider a programmable coffee maker which lets you set the time when the machine turns on and off.

If you want your brewed coffee to keep hot during the day, you’ll probably want a thermal coffee maker. These machines come with a double-walled insulated carafe to keep the coffee hot for hours. And if you like to keep your cup toasty too, check for models with a cup-warmer plate.

Another option to look for is a removable water tank which makes it easier to fill and clean. The tank should also be clearly marked so you’re sure of how much water you’re putting in.

The filter for the coffee is either built in or a disposable paper type. Look for models which allow easy access to the filter for cleaning or replacement.

The quality of a cup of coffee is only as good as the grounds and water used to make it. Some coffee machines come with a built-in water filter to keep it as pure as possible.

The most flavorful coffee is made with freshly ground beans. And if you don’t have a separate coffee grinder, some coffee makers include a grinder. Coffee-grinder models usually let you adjust the proportion of grounds to water so you get just the strength you want.

Coffee Maker Types
Over the years the search for the perfect cup of coffee has lead to numerous brewing designs. One of the oldest coffee brewers is the percolator, which was invented in 1865. The first percolators heated the water with an open flame, but as electricity became widely available, an electric heating element replaced the flame. The simplicity of electric coffee percolators made them the favorite brewing choice for decades.

Percolators continuously recycle boiling water into a chamber above the ground coffee and then gravity takes over as the water passes down through the grounds. Both electric and stove-top percolators are still in use today, but they have largely been replaced by the drip-brew type.

Automatic drip coffee makers with their convenience and general consistency of results make them the most popular way to brew coffee. In a drip machine, heated water streams from above the coffee grounds. The resulting brew passes though a paper or fine wire filter to a pot underneath. The pot sits on a hot plate to keep the coffee warm.

In contrast to the automation of drip machines, the French press resorts to a simple manual method. Ground coffee is combined with hot water in a cylinder for a few minutes. Then a strainer-type plunger is pressed down into the cylinder. This successfully keeps the grounds at the bottom with the coffee on top, ready to pour out.

One of the more recent methods of brewing uses what are called pods. These are premeasured packets of ground coffee. Pod coffee machines force pressurized hot water though the pod to make the coffee. Pod style makers are geared for people who want a quick single cup.

Unlike the simplicity of pod machines, espresso makers can make your coffee brewing a daily ritual. With their coffee tampers, steam wands, and milk-frothing dispensers, they can turn ordinary brewing into a creative outlet.

Espresso machines use finely-ground beans and hot water under pressure to make a strong flavorful brew. Because of its intensity, milk or flavored syrups are often added.

Despite the changes and advances in coffee makers, one thing has remained constant. The quality of what you drink depends mainly on what goes into the machine. The better the water and grounds, the better the coffee. So with fresh grounds, pure water, and the coffee maker which suits your style, you can make a great cup of coffee.

There are currently 30 refurbished coffee makers available on RefurbX.com.