11 Best Dual Coffee Makers – Quickest Way to Brew a Lot of Coffee

We’ve all been there. Getting up late for work, rushing around the house – toast in one hand, toothbrush in the other, a desperate need for coffee. The trusty Mocca master will only brew a whole pot, but that takes at least ten minutes. If this scene sounds familiar to you, you might want to look into a dual coffee maker.

Top 5 Best Dual Coffee Makers (Summary)

Image	Product	Details
	Keurig K-Duo	Takes little time to make your coffee Adjustable temperature Versatile	Check on Amazon
	Ninja	Comfortable to operate with Environmentally friendly Easy to maintain	Check on Amazon
	Keurig K-Duo Plus	Keeps the drink hot for a long time Convenient to install Well designed	Check on Amazon
	CucinaPro Double	Comfortable to clean after use Produces rich and aromatic coffee Heating level can be controlled individually	Check on Amazon
	Mueller Ultra	Features a built-in water reservoir Has multiple brew strengths Can be programmed to fit specific measure	Check on Amazon

For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.

11 Best Dual Coffee Makers on the Market

1. Keurig K-Duo

Designed to brew K-cup pods and ground coffee, Keurig K-Duo incorporates an adjustable temperature to optimize the coffee taste. This device will also allow you to brew tea from tea-pods without experiencing any form of leakage.

What makes it unique is its auto-brew setting that enables you to program the automatic brewing of a carafe 24 hours in advance. However, you can’t brew a cup and a carafe at the same time. The item comes with an instruction manual that simplifies the installation and usage.

Like all Keurig machines, this device allows you to brew various drinks in addition to coffee. This makes it the perfect coffee maker for small homes or workplaces.

Considering the ease of use, this item isn’t stressful to operate as it takes little time to heat, thus allowing you to prepare your drink within seconds. After usage, you’ll find it easy to clean and store under a cabinet, thanks to its compact size.

 

2. Cuisinart SS-20

Cuisinart SS-20 is, without a doubt, one of the best and most versatile dual coffee makers available on the market. This coffee machine is easy to maintain thanks to the stainless steel material used in building it.

As of the design, this unit’s setup is easy, convenient to operate, plus it’s designed for everyday use. The buttons located at the front are compactly designed to suit perfectly to the size of the operator’s fingers. Also, it offers the flexibility of controlling the temperature of your coffee.

The item comes with two separate reservoirs. The one for a single-serve cup allows you to brew and customize the coffee to your desired taste, while the automatic thermal coffee maker allows one to brew a full pot of coffee to serve the crowd. These two reservoirs operate differently as you aren’t using up all of the water from the single-serve reservoir when you brew a pot — which is a plus.

So, if you’re looking to enjoy the gourmet taste of coffee, don’t hesitate to lay your hand on this versatile coffee maker. This is because it comes with a Cuisinart coffee bar capsules for you to enjoy different flavors of coffee as well as having an exceptional single-serve experience.

 

3. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System

Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System is designed to allow you to start your day with a smooth cup of hot coffee or tea as well as iced beverages. This is possible thanks to its accelerated lower temperature responsible for delivering naturally classic brew.

What makes it unique is its pods-free feature that enables you to brew and customize your favorite blend of ground coffee or tea. Also, this device offers you the added advantage of brewing coffee that is less acidic, making it safe to use by coffee lovers with a delicate stomach.

As of the design, it is made of high-quality and durable material that enhances the appearance of your kitchen. This unit is safe to use as you can customize it to shut off after a particular length of time. You’ll find it easy to maintain as it’s stress-free to clean and store in a nice space.

The unit weighs 11.09 pounds with a dimension of 11.81 x 10.01 x 15 inches. If you’re looking to brew and customize your favorite blend of coffee, don’t hesitate to lay your hand on this device.

 

4. Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer

Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer is a versatile machine that is designed to cater to the different tastes of all coffee drinkers. It has special features that give you total control over the brew cycle.

It is a two-way machine that can brew coffee from fresh grounds or the use of coffee pods. It features a thermal carafe side for brewing grounds and a single-serve side that lets you make a delicious cup either from grounds or pods.

Each brewer has separate water reservoirs with water windows that clearly indicate the level of water on each side. The machine has a timer that can be easily adjusted, automatic pause and serve and automatic shutoff.

It heats up water quickly and completes the entire brew cycle within three minutes. It can be easily disassembled for proper cleaning.

 

5. Keurig K-Duo Plus

Keurig K-Duo Plus allows you to brew and customize a carafe and a cup of your favorite drink using K-cup pods and ground coffee.

As of the construction, it has a sleek design that adds an elegant touch to the environment. You’ll find it convenient to set up and operate thanks to its simple, clear and easy to locate buttons. Also, it comes with an auto-brew timer setting that can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance so you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee whenever you want it.

What makes this item unique is the added convenience of pause and pour feature. This allows you to maintain the heat as well as save you the time of waiting for the complete brew process. In addition, it incorporates a 12-cup thermal carafe responsible for keeping the coffee warm for more than 12 hours.

Its tank capacity gives you the flexibility to fill it to the maximum as the brewer uses the needed water for brewing and leaves the rest in the reservoir. Also, the brewing process doesn’t emit any foul odor and it takes little time.

 

6. Cuisinart CHW-12P1

If what you’re looking for in a coffee maker is the flexibility that’ll allow you to brew coffee as well as other drinks with ease, then Cuisinart CHW-12P1 is the perfect device that’ll meet your expectations. It comes with a programmable auto-brew setting as well as a pause and pour feature so you can conveniently make coffee when you need it.

As a beginner, you’ll find it convenient to install and operate. This is possible thanks to the several functions it incorporates, including temperature control, brew pause and pour, 24-hour programmability as well as a hot water system. The hot water eliminates the bitter taste you get from a ground coffee when the temperature is low, thus giving you a tasty coffee drink.

The coffee maker also has an easy to use indicator light that notifies you when the water is hot so you can make your favorite instant tea, oatmeal, soup, etc. The indicator light lets you know when to refill the reservoir and you’ll find it reliable to use.

This coffee maker is reliable and safe to use as it comes with an adjustable auto-off setting from 1 – 4 hours. This will allow you to have peace of mind in situations where you forget to turn off the device after use. In addition, it’s versatile and you’ll find it easy to maintain.

 

7. Keurig K-Duo Essentials

The first thing that catches the attention on the Keurig K-Duo Essentials is the attractive design. Leaving that aside, it should be noted that this coffee machine uses K-cup pods and ground coffee to produce a hot cup of chocolate, tea or gourmet coffee when you need it.

This brewer can quickly brew a cup or an entire carafe of coffee in about 1 minute and 8 minutes, respectively. This coffee maker features 248 different beverages.

Considering the ease of use, this unit is comfortable and stress-free to operate as it doesn’t require any programming thanks to the absence of pesky clock to reset whenever there’s a power outage. In addition, there’s a big and easy to read sticker located on top of the device.

This item is well designed and constructed as it’s made of thick, durable and easy to clean plastic material. Also, you can easily take it apart for easy and thorough cleaning.

 

8. CucinaPro Double

Made for offices and households with multiple people, CucinaPro Double offers you the flexibility to make 12-cup of coffee. This item will brew rich and aromatic coffee thanks to the coffee scoops and two built-in permanent filters responsible for a steady flow of water through the ground coffee.

What makes this device stand out is its ability to brew up to 2 pots of coffee at once. Also, it incorporates a clearly marked and visible windows thanks to which you’ll be able to determine the amount of coffee left in the machine.

As of the ease of use, this coffee maker provides you with an option to individually control the heating elements. This enables you to simultaneously brew two pots of coffee at a time without the pots depending on each other. Also, you’ll find it easy to clean and maintain after use thanks to its spring-out coffee filter baskets.

If you’re looking to make large batches of coffee for a large number of people all at the same time or if you’re the type who dislikes cleaning, this reliable device will definitely make your life easier.

 

9. Sboly

Sboly Dual Coffee Maker is part of the high-end range of coffee machines incorporating numerous features to make life much easier. Among the options presented by this device is the ability to prepare a fresh and intense-flavored coffee with the push of a button.

This way, you’ll savor not only a cappuccino or a latte, but also an espresso within 3 minutes to jumpstart your day. The machine comes with a water adjustment function with which you’ll be able to control the amount of coffee you want to brew so as to save costs.

What makes this device unique is its self-cleaning function, so you don’t need to worry about cleaning it after use. Also, you’ll find it easy to maintain as it has a durable and compact design with a smaller size compared to its peers. This makes it easy to store in smaller spaces, such as office tables, countertops, etc.

Although this coffee machine has a smaller size, unlike its peers, this doesn’t stop it from allowing you to prepare up to two cups of coffee simultaneously. In addition, its auto-shutoff function makes it disconnects itself from the electrical network when not in use, making it safe and reliable to use.

 

10. Mueller Ultra

Mueller Ultra Dual Coffee Maker is designed to extract all nuances of flavor from every coffee bean. It is packed with special features and unique brewing methods that will help you get the best possible taste from your coffee.

The product can be easily programmed to fit your exact brewing preferences. It features multiple brew strengths that range from mild to strong. The pause and serve function allow you to pour a cup at any point during the brewing process.

The carafe is specially designed to eliminate drips and safely contain every drop of your brewed coffee. The machine has a built-in water reservoir that is safe and easy to fill up with water.

It comes with a high-quality, permanent filter that works throughout the shelf life of the coffee maker, thereby helping you to save money by eliminating the cost of replacing the filter.

 

11. Braun

Designed with the long and narrow carafe, Braun Dual Coffee Maker unables the appearance of moisture, thus keeping your coffee always fresh and without bitter taste.

To operate optimally, this item has an exact brew system. This means that it will calculate the water flow temperature precisely.

Also, this feature controls the speed of water flow. In less than 8 minutes, this brewer will make you a fresh coffee thanks to its fast brew technology.

There are three sensors that take care of the monitor temperature, keeping it perfect during the whole brewing process.

 

What Is a Dual Coffee Maker

A dual coffee maker is a coffee brewing appliance that utilizes two different brewers within one machine. The two brewers contained in the appliance vary from machine to machine but usually come in the form of a batch brewer, which will brew a larger amount of coffee into a carafe, and a single-cup brewer. The batch brewer section is best for making a whole pot of coffee, while the single section is best for a fast single cup, perfect for a quick grab-and-go coffee.

Benefits of Using a Dual Coffee Maker

Two Ways of Brewing

The biggest benefit is that you essentially get two machines and two ways of brewing, in one single appliance. This can be an even bigger benefit when we consider that, depending on the machine, K-cups, pods, capsules and freshly ground coffee can all be used by the one appliance. 

Start Timer Function

Most of these machines also have some sort of start timer function, meaning you can wake up to a fresh pot or cup of coffee, ready-made in the morning– almost as easy as drinking instant coffee.

How Does a Dual Coffee Maker Work

Dual coffee makers are very simple to use and are designed with speed and ease of use in mind. There are generally two types of brew methods utilized by dual coffee makers; drip or filter, and Pods and K-cups. Though it is rare, some products have an espresso function, too.

Water is added to either an individual or a central reservoir where it is used by one or both brewing systems. In the case of drip coffee, medium ground coffee is then placed into the basket along with a paper filter, or in the case of K-cups and pods, a capsule of coffee is inserted.

Then it’s as simple as engaging the button, which begins the flow of water through the coffee, resulting in a sweet, delicious coffee in the cup! If you like it even sweeter, try a coffee syrup. Coffee syrups add a wonderful taste to your brew.

Types of Coffee Machines

Drip Coffee Makers

Drip coffee makers brew classic filter style drip coffee. Drip coffee is an infusion method where hot water is poured over a bed of medium-fine ground coffee. As the hot water passes through the coffee bed, it extracts around 19% of the coffee’s total mass.

This is similar to a V60, possibly the best pour-over coffee maker ever to have existed, except a machine is doing the pouring for you. Drip coffee makers ideally produce a clean, sweet cup of coffee, which is a nice balance between strength and flavor.

Espresso Machine

Espresso coffee makers produce a strong, comparatively thick coffee, often known as a shot of espresso. This shot can be consumed as is or can be diluted with water or milk to create a cup of coffee around the same strength as a filter or drip coffee.

Espresso machines use pressurized hot water to extract around 23% of a coffee’s whole mass. The water of around 90 degrees Celsius (194 degrees Fahrenheit) is forced through a puck of finely ground coffee, usually with 9 bars of pressure.

Pod or K Cup Machine

Pods and K-cups are a relatively recent invention when compared to the other brewing machines listed. Finely ground coffee is placed into a plastic cup with a filter, which is then nitrogen flushed and sealed with an aluminum lid. This helps retain the freshness of the ground coffee.

When the capsule is inserted into the machine, the lid is pierced by a shower nozzle, forcing pressurized hot water through the coffee, which then flows from the bottom hole of the pod. The mechanics of the way Pod and K-cup machines brew is similar to a traditional espresso machine.

K-cup and pod machines can brew with results varying from espresso, all the way through to filter coffee, hot chocolate and tea. K-cup or pod machines are a middle point between drip coffee makers and espresso machines in the way that they can produce a shot of espresso or a full cup of filter coffee.  

How to Choose the Best Dual Coffee Maker

There is certainly no lack of choices when it comes to dual coffee makers. There are literally hundreds, most often with widely different feature sets and build qualities. 

Type of Coffee You Want to Make

There are dozens of different drinks that most of these machines can produce. Deciding what it is you want to drink will be the first step in choosing the perfect machine for you.

If flat whites, cappuccinos and other milk coffees isn’t your thing, drip coffee and K-cup dual coffee maker is a good bet. If, however, you love a latte first thing in the morning, but sometimes don’t have the time and don’t mind a quick filter coffee to grab-and-go, then espresso and K-cup coffee maker could be right up your alley.

Let’s not forget that a few items can also make a cold brew! Set yourself up with one of these and some of the world’s best coffee for a cold brew and you’re in for a good time!

Serving Size

Brewing for yourself and a loved one, or an entire army? Some days coffee for one, other days– coffee for four? There will be a machine to take care of everyone.

Some of the best devices around have one section that is dedicated to brewing an entire carafe, while the other side is for single cups. The single-cup side works just like the famed Keurig K55.  While the Keurig k55 still makes a great coffee, it isn’t a dual coffee maker. 

Design

Touch screens, dials, buttons, sleek and black, space-age or retro. The way a machine is designed is a very important aspect, and all designs are certainly not equal.

Does the carafe size make sense for the amount of coffee going into it? Is the carafe thermal insulated so it will stay warm for as long as you need it to? Does ground coffee spill over while brewing a batch of drip coffee?

Is there a drip tray underneath where the cup goes in case of an overflowing cup? Smart design is a very important factor as to how usable a machine will be.

Programmable and Display Settings

What is better than waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning? Hint: the answer is… nothing. One of the best reasons for purchasing a dual coffee maker is that they usually have a wealth of programmable features, namely, a delayed start timer.

Making your coffee in a pour-over kettle is amazing, but dual coffee makers certainly win where convenience is concerned. Other programmable settings may include brew strength adjustment, brew size, carafe temperature, and auto cleaning options.

Size of Coffee Machine

The size of the machine you choose depends largely on the available kitchen or office space you have. Having said that, most of the best dual makers are modestly sized and are made to fit in most domestic kitchen spaces.

Durability

When we look at the durability of a coffee machine, we must look at the areas of high use, and the materials those areas are made of. Things like buttons, hinges, water reservoir attachments and carafe handles are all areas that might wear out quickly. Having these places made of suitable materials will certainly help with the longevity of the appliance.

Filters

Each machine has a different way of keeping the ground coffee out of your cup. While some drip coffee makers use a reusable metal mesh filter, most use a single-use paper filter, which is placed in the brew basket. K-cups and pods come with a filter within each capsule, and some K-cups and pods can be filled with your own ground coffee and reused. Espresso machines use a portafilter.

The method of filtering will have an effect on brewed coffee. A paper filter, for example, will not only stop the grinds from getting into the cup but will also stop most of the oils from getting through, too. Metal filters allow through all of the oils, stopping only the ground coffee.

Water Reservoir

The main thing to look for in a water reservoir is that it is fully removable from the appliance itself. This will not only allow for easy cleaning but also make it easier to refill.

Thermal vs Glass Carafe

Thermal carafes are certainly nice. They retain heat really well and are much harder to damage, which is a certain plus. On the other hand, glass carafes look great and are usually easier to clean due to their more open mouth design. 

Ease of Cleaning

A machine that has most of its parts fully removable really helps with cleaning. These parts can usually be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher and washed with a cold cycle. Some machines also have a dedicated cleaning cycle and an indicator of when it’s time to clean.

Safety Functions

Many drip coffee brewers have a small heat plate, which the carafe sits atop to stay warm. If this heat plate stays on, with enough time, it might present a nasty fire hazard. Check to make sure the machine you’re looking at has this auto-off function. It is definitely a good thing to have.

Warranty

A company that stands by its product, and backs it up with a solid warranty, is worth its weight in gold.  Warranties for products like coffee makers will usually run anywhere from one to five years. Also, be sure to check and make sure that the warranty of the product you buy is valid in your country.

Price

A dual coffee maker can run somewhere between $100 and $500. Sometimes more and often less.

How to Use a Dual Coffee Maker

Let’s break the how-to guide into three sections to cover the three most common brew methods: Drip coffee, K-cups or pods and espresso. 

Drip Coffee

First up, drip coffee. If your coffee maker has a drip coffee function, these are more or less the cleaning instructions to follow. Your machine may differ slightly.  

Things you’ll need:

• Drip coffee maker
• Paper filter (unless the machine you choose has a metal filter)
• 65-70g of medium ground coffee per liter of coffee you want to brew (the more you use, the stronger your brew will be)  
• Quality clean water 

Step 1 – Add water to the reservoir

Top up the water reservoir with clean, freshwater. 

Step 2 – Turn on the machine

Turn on the machine and allow it to heat up. How long this takes will depend on the machine, but most are ready to go within 10 minutes or less. 

Step 3 – Grind the coffee

As with all brew methods, it is best to grind the coffee fresh. For drip coffee, we’re looking for a medium grind around the texture of sea salt. If you don’t have a grinder, or you prefer to use pre-ground coffee, skip to the next step.  

Step 4 – Add a filter

Place a paper filter into the basket of the coffee maker. Transfer the ground coffee to the filter, then insert the basket back into the machine. Ensure the carafe is in place.

Step 5 – Brew

This step will depend entirely on the way your chosen machine works. Usually, you’ll choose the amount of coffee you want to brew; then, a button is engaged, which will begin the brew cycle.

Step 6 – Remove the used coffee and filter

Once the brew has finished, remove the used filter and coffee and discard it. Give the basket a rinse with some water as to not allow a build-up of old coffee in the basket. 

K-cups or Pods

Next, we’ll cover coffee pods and K-cups. Again, like with the drip coffee, your appliances individual instructions may differ ever so slightly from these.  

Things you’ll need:

• K-cup or pod coffee maker
• K-cup or pod of your favorite coffee
• Quality clean water 

Step 1 – Add water to the reservoir

Top up the water reservoir with clean water. There will usually be an indicator line of how much water to use.

Step 2 – Turn on the appliance

Turn on the machine and wait for it to heat up. This will usually be done within a minute or two. 

Step 3 – Place a K-cup or pod into the machine

Find the place in the machine where the K-cups or pods will go. Open it up, place an unpierced, intact K-cup or pod, and close the machine again.

Step 3 – Brew

Engage the brew button.

Step 4 – Remove the used K-cup or pod

Once the brew has finished, remove the used K-cup or pod and discard.

Espresso

Last but not least, we have espresso. The workflow for making espresso is essentially the same, from brewing at home to coffee shops worldwide.

Things you’ll need:

• Espresso machine 
• Burr coffee grinder (if you are using pre-ground coffee, skip the grinder)
• Coffee tamper
• A small set of scales (optional. If you are not using scales, use a measuring cup, so you know when you’ve reached your 40ml target)
• Timer
• Shot glass or cup  
• 20g of good coffee 
• Quality clean water 

Step 1 – Add water to the reservoir

Top up the water reservoir with clean water.

Step 2 – Turn on the appliance

Turn on the machine and wait for it to heat up. This will take around 10 minutes. How long it takes to heat up all depends on the size of the boiler in the machine.

Step 3 – Grind the coffee

Espresso brewing relies heavily on grind size to determine how fast the shot will run, and therefore how well extracted the coffee is. We’re looking for a fine grind, similar to fine beach sand. If your coffee runs through too fast (which we’ll talk about more in a moment), it means your coffee wasn’t ground fine enough. 

Step 4 – Distribute and tamp

Transfer the ground coffee into the portafilter. Give the portafilter a shake in order to flatten out the bed before tamping. Really try to make the coffee bed as flat and level as possible. This will increase the chance that you’ll get an even extraction.  

Once you are happy with the distribution of the coffee, use the tamper to press down on the coffee, compressing it into a tight puck. Tamp the coffee in a piston-type motion: One press straight down — no side movement, no twisting or spinning– just up and down.

You shouldn’t be tamping so hard that it hurts your wrist. Just pressing down firmly is sufficient. If your shot is running too fast, It’s best to change your grind rather than tamping harder, which can be tempting.

Step 4 – Brew

Insert the portafilter into the group head. Place your scales, if you’re using them, on your drip tray, then place the cup or glass you’ll be brewing into on top.

For this recipe, we’ll use a 1:2 ratio, which is pretty standard for modern espresso. This will mean we are using 20g of dry, ground coffee, to extract a 40g shot of espresso.

If you are not using scales, use a measuring cup, so you know when you’ve reached your 40ml target. Have your timer ready to go. Engage the shot and begin the timer. Stop the shot from running when you have reached your 40g on the scales or 40ml in the measuring cup.

Your shot should take between 25 and 35 seconds. Let your taste buds decide. Taste the shot. If it is far too bitter and harsh, try grinding a little courser. If your shot is very weak and sour, lacking sweetness, try grinding a little finer.

Step 5 – Empty the portafilter

Remove the portafilter from the machine, knock out the used coffee and discard. Give the portafilter a wipeout and a rinse. Run a little water through the group head and place the portafilter back into the group head of the machine to keep it warm.

 

How to Clean a Dual Coffee Maker

Due to the minerals present in water, limescale will eventually build up and need to be cleaned. Luckily though, cleaning a coffee maker is easy and no bigger of a task than brewing a few cups of coffee. Again, we’ll break these steps down for each brew function. 

To clean all your brewing equipment, it is recommended to use a liquid descaler. There are many different brands on the market. It is best to use what the manufacturer or your machine recommends. Liquid descalers remove calcium and mineral build-up in brewing equipment. 

How to Clean a Drip Coffee Maker

It is best to descale your drip coffee maker every 100 brew cycles. For the average household, brewing one pot every morning, that’s about once every three months. Each machine will have its own descaling and cleaning instructions, but it will almost certainly go something like this. 

Things you’ll need:

• Clean water
• Liquid descaler 

Step 1 – Add water and descaler to the reservoir

Top up the water reservoir with clean water. Use the specified amount of cleaner recommended by the manufacturer or your coffee maker.

Step 2 – Run a brew cycle

Run a brew cycle as per normal, but of course without coffee or a filter paper.

Step 3 – Drain and rinse

Discard the cleaning solution in the carafe and drain any remaining water from the reservoir. Rinse the carafe and refill the reservoir with fresh water.

Step 4 – Rinse cycles

Run three more rinse cycles through the machine in order to flush any residue of the product.

How to Clean K-Cup or Pod Coffee Maker

Anywhere that water touches, limescale and calcium will eventually build up. These are non-toxic, but can certainly mess with brewing equipment of all kinds.

Cleaning is best done on K-cup and pod coffee makers every 3-6 months, depending on how often you use your coffee maker. Cleaning K-cup and pod coffee makers is extremely simple.

Things you’ll need:

• Clean water
• Liquid descaler 
• A mug

Step 1 – Add water and cleaner to the reservoir

First, we’ll add the descaler and water to the reservoir. Use the amount of cleanser specified by the machine manufacturer. 

Step 2 – Run brew cycles

Without adding a K-cup or pod, run as many brew cycles as you need to until the reservoir is empty. Empty the mug after each brew cycle to ensure there is no overflow.   

Step 3 – Rinse

Once the reservoir is empty, give it a good rinse and refill it with clean water. Run through at least 13 brew cycles of clean water in order to remove any traces of leftover product in the machine.

How to Clean an Espresso Coffee Maker

There are three main areas that need attention when cleaning an espresso maker. The group head, the steam wand and the boiler.

Things you’ll need:

• Clean water
• Liquid descaler 
• A vessel to catch the cleaning liquid

Step 1 – Add water and cleaner to the reservoir

Add the cleaning solution to the reservoir and top up with fresh water. 

Step 2 – Pull the cleaning solution into the boiler

Next, we need to get our cleaning solution from the reservoir into the boiler. To do this, we’ll turn on our steam wand or water dispenser and run around a cup of water out.

Step 3 – Let the cleaner work

Now we have the cleaner in the boiler, turn your machine off. This will allow the cleaner to get to work, descaling and removing all the mineral build-up.

Step 4 – Drain

Turn the machine back on and run the cleaning solution out of the steam wand, the water dispenser and the group head evenly. About a third each. Do this unit the reservoir is empty.

Step 5 – Rinse

Once the cleaning cycle is finished, refill the water reservoir and run the freshwater through the machine in the same way we did in the previous step. This is to remove any cleaning product residue.

 

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

When it comes to coffee making appliances, the more you spend translates closer to how long the machine will last, rather than how good the coffee produced will be. This is truer with drip coffee makers and K-cup/ pod coffee makers. For espresso machines, the cost is certainly an indicator of the quality of espresso a machine is capable of producing.

Do’s and Don’ts With a Dual Coffee Maker

• Do clean your device regularly. 
• Do be sure to try different coffees. There are so many options out there– even specialty coffee versions of K-cups. Try them all!
• Don’t clean your machine with vinegar though many people recommend it, vinegar even when diluted has a very strong taste which is hard to remove from the insides of a machine. 
• Don’t be too wasteful. If you choose the K-cup route, try and go with ones with biodegradable cups, rather than straight-up plastic.

FAQ About Dual Coffee Makers

How long does a dual coffee maker take to brew coffee?

Depending on your coffee maker:

• A pot of drip coffee usually takes around 10 minutes to brew.
• A K-cup or pod takes around 2 minutes or less to brew. 
• A shot of espresso should brew within 35 seconds (not including preparation time). 

Does Keurig make a dual coffee maker?

Yes! Keurig offers two different options. The K-duo coffee maker, and the K-duo plus. Both machines offer the use of K-cups and fresh coffee. The K-duo offers two different sections within a single appliance– a drip coffee maker with a carafe, and a single cup coffee maker. 

The K-duo is a single brewer with multiple functions and brew sizes. It comes with a carafe, so you can brew anywhere from a single cup, all the way through to a full carafe. If you are tossing up between the Keurig k475 vs k575 machines for coffee, with the extra functionality of the K-duo, one of these might fit the bill nicely.  

Are there dual coffee makers with grinders?

While there are no true dual coffee makers with grinders, there are multi-function coffee makers with grinders. The Breville grind control drip coffee maker is a nice grinder/brewer option. 

Does a dual coffee maker have problems making a single-serve and carafe portion at the same time?

Most of these products can only brew using one function at a time. Attempting to brew both at the same time will not damage the machine; it will simply not function in that way.

Can dual coffee makers use K-carafe pods?

Any coffee maker with a full carafe section that can use K-cups can use K-carafe pods. K-carafe pods are simply a larger version of the K-cups. 

Can I wash a dual coffee maker in my dishwasher?

Most removable plastic parts, mainly the basket and the water reservoir, can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher. It is best to check with the manufacturer and use only a cold setting on the dishwasher.

What do I do if only one side of my dual coffee maker doesn’t work?

First, try troubleshooting. Check the manufacturer’s website for common issues and fixes. For example, sometimes with pod coffee makers, the spray nozzle that pierces the top of the pod becomes blocked. This can be resolved by simply poking a paperclip into the nozzle.

If the issue can’t be fixed, get into contact with the manufacturer and hopefully, you can place a claim with your warranty. On the plus side, if one side stops working, you still have the other.

Conclusion

Dual coffee makers can be an elegant solution to a problem many of us have. The ability to brew various amounts of coffee using various brew methods — and to have all of this in one single appliance? It’s simply a thing of beauty. 

Photo from: chesky_w / depositphotos.com.