If you’ve browsed around our website long enough, you’ll see that we recommend and review a lot of espresso machines, we also talk about coffee makers every now and then, however, you’ll never see us recommending an espresso/coffee combination machine, that is a machine that combines both an espresso maker and coffee maker in one unit. Why is that? Read on to find out…

Why We Don’t Like Espresso/Coffee Combos:

Espresso/Coffee maker combos are sold as a way to save to save some money and counter space by combining two machines in one. However, if you think about it, espresso is prepared differently than how coffee is prepared, and the majority of those machines lack the power to operate in a way that can brew both drinks properly and give you full results. Let’s look at the KRUPS coffee/espresso maker pictured above as an example:

• On the right, you have the coffee maker. A 10-cup capacity with 24hr programmability and everything a coffee maker should have.
• On the left is the Espresso maker with the steam nozzle (for milk frothing). Now typically, for a machine to make excellent espresso, it needs to have a 15-bar PUMP,   which forces water through the coffee beans to brew espresso. However, what this machine has is a 4-bar STEAM system to make the espresso. So what it does is, it boils water and then uses the steam to brew the coffee ground:
  • This is simply not how Espresso is made.
  • It takes TOO long to switch between coffee making, espresso making and milk frothing.

Soon enough, the machine will start leaking or stop working and you’ll hate that you’ve just lost a few hundred dollars.

Click here to read the full specs. and reviews of this machine.

What To Do If You Want To Make Both Espresso and Coffee?

You have a few options here:

The obvious one would be to get a espresso machine in addition to your coffee maker. But if this could be too expensive for you, there are other options:

A machine like Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s KALDI features a Pump that works on Dual bars: it uses 15 bar pressure to extract espresso and 3 to 4 bar pressure to make coffee. It’s a single-serve machine, which means it uses coffee pods to brew coffee or espresso. It also brews tea and hot chocolate.

Click here to read our review on the KALDI brewing system.

Nespresso VertuoLine is another option for a single serve machine that does both coffee and espresso. VertuoLine does not use a pump to brew either espresso or coffee, in fact, Nespresso being the innovative company it is, has created a whole new technology for their new machine.

Click here to read our review on the VertuoLine and see how it works.

What Is an On-Demand Coffee Maker?

An on-demand, or on-request coffee maker is just like your regular drip coffee maker, only upped with cool features that ensure you’ll get your coffee the way you want, and it stays fresh until the last drop. Most regular coffee makers brew and fill up to 12-cup capacity carafe, either glass or thermal, and keeps the coffee in the carafe for as long as it lasts. The result of this is a great cup of coffee, not so bad second cup of coffee, and a bitter and stale last cup of coffee, which is only a natural result of a coffee brew that’s been sitting for longer than a hour. That’s where an on-demand coffee maker saves the day! Instead of brewing and keeping the coffee in a carafe, an on-demand coffee maker will keep the coffee in a compartment inside it that is heat-regulated with will keep the coffee fresh tasting until the last drop. Depending on the machine, the coffee will be dispensed either by cup size or by pushing a lever so you can fill your own cup as you like.

On-demand coffee makers make an excellent unit for homes and offices.  They’re great for the use of many people as well as one person.

So, now you know the difference, let’s jump to the top 3 on-demand coffee makers available today…

Our Recommendations for On-Demand Coffee Makers:

Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker:

With full programmability options, the Cuisinart on-demand coffee maker holds up to 12 of 5 oz coffee cups and dispenses them on demand using the simple pull down lever. Its double-wall coffee reservoir will surely keep your coffee hot enough inside the machine and ready to drink at any time. And on the front panel, you’ll find the coffee gauge that will show you the level or how much coffee is left inside the machine.

Click here to learn more about the Cuisinart DCC3000 On demand coffee maker, read the customer reviews and buy it.

Hamilton Beach (47950) Coffee Maker with 12 Cup Capacity & Internal Storage Coffee Pot:

The Hamilton Beach BrewStation works like any traditional 12-cup coffee maker. You place your filter, add your coffee and let the machine do its job. The coffee is kept hot in the internal tank, which replaces the traditional coffee pot. And every time you are ready for a refill, just press on the dispensing bar. The water reservoir is removable for easy refilling, and it has an external window that allows you to monitor the water level. The machine is also fully programmable.

Click here to learn more about Hamilton Beach BrewStation, read the customer reviews and buy it.

KRUPS KM9008 vs. Cuisinart DCC-3000, What is the difference?

• Cuisinart dispenses on cup at a time by pushing the level manually. With the KRUPS, you can either dispense manually or automatically  by choosing a cup size.
• The KRUPS features a 3-position drip tray that can be adjusted to fit different cup sizes, from small to large.
• With the KRUPS, you can also choose your choice of extraction strength (Aroma selection) which can be done using an easy to read display.
• The KRUPS features a count-down timer to let you know the last time since brewing completed.

In the mood for a nice FRESH cup of brewed coffee at home or the office? Sure, you can load your old coffee maker with your favorite coffee ground have it brew you a pot of not so bad coffee, but that DOES NOT COMPARE to how fresh and delicious a cup of coffee from freshly ground beans taste.

These coffee makers all have built-in conical burr grinders that grind and directly brew the coffee, ensuring high aroma and quite strong and tasty cup of coffee. Whether you want to make a pot of 12 cups, just one cup or a travel mug, you can program these machines to make you your coffee whenever you want and however you want it.

Breville BDC550XL The YouBrew Glass Drip Coffee Maker with Built-in Grinder:

• Brews coffee for 9 different cup sizes, including: 3 travel mug sizes and up to a 12 cup carafe.
• Adjustable flavor and strength settings: choose from 7 strength and 5 flavor settings.
• Automatic coffee doser calculates exactly how much coffee is needed to brew your required coffee and grinds it.
• 0.5 lb bean hopper perfectly sealed to ensure coffee freshness.
• Warming plate for the carafe. Auto shuts after 2 hours.
• LCD display for easy controls.

NOTE: A upgraded model of the YouBrew has been released. It’s called the Breville YouBrew Grind Control which you can read about here.

Click here to read the customer reviews of the Breville YouBrew.

Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker:

• Insulated double-wall stainless steel carafe keeps coffee hot of hours. Holds up to 12 cups of coffee.
• Built-in grinder with 8 ounce bean hopper.
• Adjustable strength and flavor.
• 24hr programmability with auto shut-off, brew-pause and grind-off features.

Click here to read the customer reviews of the Cuisinart Grind & Brew.

 Capresso 464.05 CoffeeTeam GS 10-Cup Digital Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder:

• 10-cup coffee maker with built-in conical burr grinder. Fully programmable.
• 5 grind settings and 5 brew amounts.
• 6 ounce bean hopper.
• Ability to brew with or without grinder.
• 2-hour auto shut-off.

Click here to read the customer reviews of the Capresso 464.05 CoffeeTeam.

KRUPS KM700552 10-Cup Grind and Brew Coffee Maker with Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder:

• 10-cup fully programmable coffee maker with built-in grinder.
• Choose from 5 grind settings and 3 coffee strength.
• Ability to pause brewing.
• 2 to 4 cup function for  making smaller amounts of coffee.
• Auto shut-off.

Click here to read the customer reviews of the KRUPS Grind & Brew Coffee maker.

Grind & Brew Coffee Maker Comparisons:

Breville BDC550XL vs. KRUPS KM700552 Grind & Brew Comparison:

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• The Breville YouBrew has larger capacity of 12 cups vs. 10 cups for the KRUPS.
• The Breville features a thermal carafe, but is also available with a glass carafe like KRUPS’
• Grind options on the Breville is 7 vs. 5 on the KRUPS.
• With the YouBrew, you have the option to brew a single cup. The minimum amount on the KRUPS Grind and Brew is 2 cups.
• Both machines allow you to adjust coffee strength.

Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind and Brew vs. Breville BDC550XL YouBrew :

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• Both coffee makers have a 12-cup capacity.
• Only the Breville has the feature to brew a single cup.
• The Breville allows you to control your grind from fine to coarse, the Grind settings on the Cuisinart refer to the brew amount only.

Capresso 464.05 CoffeeTeam GS vs. Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind and Brew:

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• Cuisinart is a 12-cup coffee maker vs. 10 cups for the Capresso.
• The Capresso features 5 grind settings (fine to coarse) and 5 brew amounts 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 cups and 3 flavor settings: mild, regular or strong.
• The Cuisinart brews 6 cup sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. It has 3 flavor settings, but it does not have grind options.