Coffee makers.
They have been around for decades gracing our countertops. But it might surprise you that not all drip machines are created equal.
The coffee makers sold at most big box stores may give you convenience and gallons of coffee. But compared to the Bonavita BV1900TS or the Technivorm Moccamaster there is no comparison.
You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t care about coffee though, right?
Great coffee demands great care in brewing.
But did you know that you need to brew your coffee at the right temperature?
This is why that pour over you had at your local coffee shop tasted so much better than your home coffee maker.
Most home drip coffee makers don’t brew at the right temperature! Crazy right?!
So after you have been paying $4 for every coffee drink, you want to try your hand at home to save money.
Now you are intimidated at all that is involved in brewing using the correct pour over method and would prefer to stick with a traditional drip machine.
Specialty Coffee Association of America Approved
The SCAA is a coffee trade association that sets quality standards for America’s specialty coffee trade. It also has a Certified Home Brewer program that endorses home coffee brewing machines that brew at the proper water temperature, brewing time, and brew within the SCAA Golden Cup recommendations.
The ideal water temperature is between 195 F and 205 F and the perfect brewing time is considered between 4 and 8 minutes. These aren’t the only guidelines, but if you are curious, you can visit their website for a full list of their rigorous testing requirements.
The SCAA currently endorses only 12 home coffee brewers which is why we have chosen two to compare for you today.
Of these two our favorite is the Bonavita because it’s so much more affordable and performs as good you one could expect from an automatic drip coffee maker.
Let’s Dig Deeper into Why the Bonavita BV1900TS is so Good
Bonavita BV1900TS makes several coffee makers, but the SCAA has currently endorsed only the BV1900TS. So if you want to buy a different model know that you risk quality and may not get the same results.
What are all the Features?
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Stainless Steel insulated carafe with stainless liner to preserve flavor and temperature
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Flat bottomed brew basket for even saturation and full flavor extraction. Easy to find filters for
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Showerhead with multiple holes to control the flow of saturation
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Powerful coil heater inside the reservoir that precisely heats the water between 195 F and 205 F for optimal brewing temperature and a noticeably higher quality cup of coffee
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Optional pre-infusion program that presoaks grounds before brewing to allow them to off-gas and prepare them for optimal brewing
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Showerhead, brew basket, and carafe lid are all dishwasher safe.
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Two Year warranty
This is not your run of the mill brewer. Because of this, you can’t be hasty and try some coffee before it’s done, you have to wait for it to brew completely. Otherwise, you’d be spending your morning mopping your floor and countertop with coffee, but it brews a full its full 8 cup capacity pot in about 7 minutes.
Not too shabby if I say so myself.
The carafe does keep your coffee warm for a few hours if you keep the lid on. But you are going to want to enjoy your coffee within the first 30 minutes of brewing.
Most of those floral and fruity notes will not be noticeable after 30 minutes.
You will love the affordability of this specialty coffee brewer that meets the same guidelines as all the rest.
It is also not a giant monster that will overtake your counter.
Now on to the next contender:
Is the Technivorm Moccamaster Better for the Price?
We are saving the best for last here. The Technivorm Moccamaster is an entirely handmade product made in the Netherlands with high quality in mind. It comes with a guarantee for 5 years, and I can tell you, I have had to replace my cheap coffee maker at least 2 times in 5 years. But they also expect it to last your lifetime. Technivorm wants this to be the last coffee maker you will ever buy.
What are all the Features?
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Durable Machined Aluminum body
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Conical Brew basket
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Showerhead with multiple holes that pulses causing turbulence within the brew basket and allows for a complete extraction. It also swivels in case you want to affect the water dispersion manually.
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A unique copper coil boiling element.
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Independently heated hot plate with the glass carafe models with a switch to control high and low temperature.
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Manual mid brew switch allows you to grab that quick cup of coffee while brewing.
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Choice of glass or stainless carafe depending on the model
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5 year limited guarantee
This is quite possibly the most deluxe and classy piece of equipment for brewing coffee available. It not only comes in the traditional stainless steel but many colors and finishes so you can choose how it accents your kitchen.
Brew time is slightly faster, between 4 and 6 minutes depending on how much coffee you are making. It makes up to 10 cups of coffee and features a manual switch to stop the drip to the carafe or to adjust the flow.
The entire brew basket is exposed and gives you the option to tinker with your coffee by stirring it, moving the shower head or just watch the magic happen.
The manual switch does allow you to momentarily pause the brewing and pour yourself a cup just make sure you switch it back. It also allows you to slow the drip flow down so you can get a stronger batch of coffee.
Which One is Best? You Decide
These are not your typical or average machines that make your cup of joe, so if you are turned off by the price tags, they might not be for you.
One thing is for sure; the fact that they meet the SCAA guidelines means you will get a superb tasting cup of coffee every time that is a delight to your senses.
These are both great machines for your home enjoyment of coffee, but you will find the Moccamaster to be of higher quality than the Bonavita due to its rigorous production guidelines.
Each of Technivorm’s machines are individually tested for quality and performance, so you know you are getting a proven machine.
The Moccamaster beats the Bonavita in the amount of adjustability you can achieve while brewing. You can’t play with your grounds once it starts brewing because it is directly under the cover.
It all depends on what you are looking for and what determines your choice.
Is it price, brewing options, the durability of the machine, or the quality of the cup of coffee?
If it’s price the Bonavita BV1900TS may win, but if it is the other three, you are definitely going to want to check out the Technivorm Moccamaster.
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