The Best Cheap Coffee Maker (That Isn't a Waste of Money)

"I also looked at the water distribution mechanism that Bilosi mentioned, preferring ones that used a wider showerhead configuration that could get water all the way across the coffee bed. I took the temperature of the water as it came out of the brewer, because another well-known shortcoming of cheap coffee makers is that they don't get the water hot enough to properly extract flavor."

"Finally, I looked at the coffee bed after brewing. Bilosi says one surefire indicator of uneven extraction is deep channeling in the coffee bed that looks like someone burrowed a few narrow holes all the way down. I looked for coffee that was wet all the way across, as well as fairly flat. The Calphalon ran an admirable second to the Braun in terms of flavor and I don't think anyone in the market for this kind of coffee maker"

Water distribution that uses a wider showerhead to wet the entire coffee bed produces more even extraction and reduces channeling. Brew temperature is critical; machines that deliver water around the low 180°F range extract more flavor than those in the low 170°Fs. Visual inspection of the finished coffee bed for flatness and even wetting identifies uneven extraction and deep channeling. A midrange Calphalon machine delivered flavor close to the top performer and may be a better value when discounted. An XL Mr. Coffee model produced smooth but slightly watery coffee with lower temperatures.

Read at Bon Appetit