Coffee pod brewers make one cup of coffee at a time. They have a coffee pod and a water reservoir. Coffee pods are like tea bags. They eliminate the need for coffee filters, and since the coffee grounds are contained in a small “pod” they don’t spill in our outside of the machine. The little pods are probably the handiest thing about single serving coffee brewers. They are usually round and look like tea bags, but they are designed for use in coffee pod brewers to make one cup of coffee at a time. Tea pods are also available.
With coffee pod brewers you can still choose from a variety of machines. Many manufacturers make them. They all work in the same way as they all have a water reservoir and use the pods to brew one cup of coffee at a time. Because they don’t have to be attached to anything but a power outlet, they can be moved around if necessary. They’re light, weighing no more than your normal cheap coffee maker from the department store.
However, it’s important to know that there are different sizes of coffee pods and they aren’t all interchangeable between different brands of pod brewers. Some of the most popular machines are made by Senseo, Melitta, Bunn My Café, Invernto and Black & Decker. These are not the only makers of coffee pod brewers, just some that come highly recommended. You can find a wide selection at websites like Amazon.com and WholeLatteLove.com (which offers free shipping) or at retail stores like Target.
Some of the machines which received the best reviews are
• Senseo SL7810/65
• Melitta MES2B One:One Single Serve Coffeemaker
• Cuisinart SS-1 Cup-O-Matic
• My Invento Coffee Pod Brewer
• Cuisinart Commercial 1-Cup Coffee Pod Coffeemaker
Among these, probably the most popular is the Senseo. Senseo was the first to start making pod brewers, back in 2004. Senseo started a trend that other companies were quick to follow. And this year you will not be able to find a Senseo coffee pod brewer due to a recall in April.
When shopping for a coffee pod brewer it’s good to know that the common pod diameters are 44mm, 55mm, and 62mm. 44mm size pods fit the Melitta brewers, although now Melitta makes brewers which have a universal pod holder which will accept large or small size coffee pods. Juan Valdez makes a brewer that accepts a 55mm size pod and 62mm pods will fit into brewers made by Senseo, Krups, Black & Decker and Mr. Coffee brewers. Just be sure that when you purchase the pods for your pod brewer that you get the correct size.
Pod brewers are also available that will make two cups of coffee at one time. The old style of coffee brewers can make up 8-10 cups at a time which is great if you have company or if you drink a lot of coffee. Although these are great machines, pod brewers are superior in a number of ways because they are less messy, easier to clean, they brew straight into a coffee cup so you don’t have to purchase a new machine if the carafe breaks and you can easily regulate how much coffee you drink.