Your Drip Coffee Maker Gets an Upgrade

Some would say it’s about time. That old drip coffee maker could use some new tweaks, not to mention a facelift. In fact, the design of an automatic drip coffee machine hasn’t changed much in a decade. A glass carafe, digital timer for automatic turn on, and lots of plastic has traditionally been the recipe for an inexpensive yet functional coffee machine.

But 2006 is shaping up to be the year of the drip coffee machine. This year, Closter, NJ-based Capresso Inc. has introduced a new drip coffee machine designed to turn the usual suspects on their heads.

The Capresso Coffee Team Therm distinguishes itself by being the first coffee maker that includes a conical burr grinder which grinds beans directly into a reusable Gold Tone filter. Conical burr grinders are more consistent and use less heat than blade grinders, but—until now—no other thermal coffee maker has integrated this superior grinding technology.

Capresso appears to be phasing out the traditional glass coffee carafe in lieu of a maximal-heat retention thermal carafe. The carafe of the Coffee Team Therm can hold hot fresh brewed coffee for several hours before any serious heat loss.

In addition, the body of the Coffee Team Therm incorporates a brushed chrome exterior, which suits modern kitchens better than traditional black or white units.

Finally, the Coffee Team Therm uses a water filter which, Capresso claims, reduces over eighty percent of all water impurities. The water filter needs to be replaced roughly every four to six weeks, depending on frequency of use.

And, of course, traditional features like auto on and brew, auto off, and pause and serve are all standard.

But this new breed of drip coffee maker comes with a new pricetag. The new Coffee Team Therm retails for $299.00, and is available at specialty coffee shops like JL Hufford Coffee and Tea, http://www.jlhufford.com.