A good cup of coffee is not as simple as it might seem. The beans themselves travel a long distance to make their way into your mug, first in their cherry-like form, to their dried, roasted, then carefully ground near-final product, an entire process that can take months. Any part of the journey can run into trouble, from climate to shipping issues to uneven roasting. And while you can’t control the earlier steps, it’s important to do the best you can with the parts you can manage.
Which is why you shouldn’t even consider getting a cheap coffee maker. Step up your java experience with the BPA-free Bonavita BV1500TS, a compact kitchen appliance that replaces the classic glass carafe with a stainless steel model, something a little more insulated. And they’ve reduced the unit down from a larger eight-cup to a five-cup capacity. This makes everything a little faster, but also means that you won’t have to worry about wasting coffee or throwing away part of a perfectly good pot. If you have a couple of cups of coffee, this is ideal for you. And the BV1500TS doesn’t take up much room on the counter either!
You’re still getting 1100 watts of power to heat your water, and there’s a specially designed showerhead that sprays grounds evenly, which helps achieve better extraction (and better flavor). We found the results consistent, though not as hot as most coffee makers, a few degrees cooler. Bonavita has a long history in manufacturing and producing coffee equipment, and have continued their traditional strengths with classic styling. While it won’t automatically grind your beans before brewing, and it isn’t a single-cup version, it’s easier to use and fairly fast.
Smaller batches are better, and for any apartment dweller or urbanite who needs to save on some space, this little guy cleans up nicely and can slide out of the way. Use great beans for best results, and expect strong coffee. The Bonavita BV1500TS is available now, online and in stores, for around $130.
