Not Your Mother's Coffee Makers: New Ideas and Styles

If the words space saving, thermoflask and programmable sound like something of the space shuttle, you likely haven't been looking at the variety of coffee devices now on the market. Gone are the days when the coffee maker was a large, rather bulky piece of kitchen equipment taking up most of the counter area by the sink. Modern styles are designed to be sleek, trendy and highly practical, even including other kitchen appliances into their overall design.

Programmable coffee machines aren't completely new to the market but the varieties of features offered really have come a long way. Modern options offer a digital readout for timer features as well as twenty four hour clocks that are large and easy to read anywhere in the kitchen. These small kitchen appliances are also energy saving, ensuring that you can maintain a green kitchen while still staying right in style.

Stainless steel coffee makers are also a great addition to any modern kitchen. Since stainless steel or brushed steel appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers have all made their way onto the scene it isn't surprising that coffee machines would follow. Stainless steel blends in with any type of décor and is very easy to clean and maintain. They can be easily wiped with a warm, soapy cloth followed by a clean cloth, leaving a polished but not highly reflective surface.

If you aren't into stainless, a variety of companies offer everything from orange to lime green, deep red to midnight blue and of course traditional black and white models. Carafes are designed to match with the coffee appliance and can have matching colored handles, tops and even rings around the burner plate. Carafes themselves can be thermos types or can also be the clear glass most traditionally used. The thermoflask models offer the benefit of not having a burner, so the coffee doesn't continue to cook while in the carafe. People that don't like the somewhat bitter taste coffee gets in a traditional machine should really sample some of the coffee from these machines. Of course the thermoflask is easy to transport, perfect for serving on the patio or at the table enjoying the morning paper.

Space saving appliances offer the perfect option for smaller kitchens. These models can mount up under the kitchen cupboards, leaving you all your counter space. A water reservoir window and even an extra plug-in can all be extra features on these smaller sized units. The bracket for mounting the coffee machine is sold with the carafe and all other necessary equipment. These are perfect for apartments or smaller kitchens with heavy coffee drinkers or for people that don't drink a lot of coffee. Surprisingly the carafes can hold up to 12 cups of coffee, great for any type of entertaining or enjoying.  There are also options that have additional kitchen appliances all in one such as a griddle pan and toaster oven, all which have separate controls for easy use of just what you need. 

Some of the new models of coffee makers also combine features of a cappuccino and espresso maker. These very handy dual use models can be of the single coffee pod variety, which makes one perfect cup of coffee at a time, or they can be the carafe variety with the cappuccino and espresso machine included. Available in several different sizes, styles and price ranges these all in one types are a great gift idea for anyone, including yourself.