Stainless steel should be at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to the perfect material for brewing coffee. It’s extremely durable, sturdy, and doesn’t react to things like other materials do. It’s safe and hygienic and also looks great to boot.
I’ve been doing some digging and have decided that everyone needs a good selection of coffee makers that use this material in their design. I’ve pulled together a list of some of the best stainless steel options out there so you can choose one at ease.
Drip machines tend to steal the show for home coffee brewing so my first five options are five great drip coffee makers to browse through.
Next up I’ve included a handy buyers guide and some more information on stainless steel and why it is such a good material.
Finally, I’ve included five more fantastic coffee brewers that aren’t drip machines for those who prefer other brew methods.
Have a look through and if you like the sound of any of these models click the ‘Price and Reviews’ button to check current prices.
Now let’s get right into it and start with our top choice, the Breville Precision Brewer.
Top 5 Best Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
- Top Choice – Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer
- Runner Up – Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker
- Best Programmable Coffee Maker – Cuisinart DCC-3400P1 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Stainless Steel Thermal Carafe
- Best Drip Machine – Technivorm Moccamaster 79312 KBGT Coffee Brewer
- Best Budget Option – Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker
1. Top Choice – Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker Brushed Stainless Steel
Brand: Breville
Brew Method: Drip Coffee Maker
Capacity: 12 Cup / 60 Ounces
Best Feature: Brews at the perfect temperature for the best flavor
First, and foremost, the high-grade technology built into the Breville Precision Brewer is next level. It uses a super-accurate PID controller to ensure your coffee is brewed at the absolute perfect temperature. It will consistently brew your coffee perfectly every time.
With the Breville Precision Brewer, once you’ve brewed your coffee, this machine will keep your coffee at the perfect temperature for up to two hours. This feature alone made it day and night between this and my first coffee machine. Not to mention that you can even adjust how warm you want it to keep your java.
Exactly how Precision Brewer brews is seriously customizable. With a number of different modes to choose from, my personal favorite is the Gold Cup mode. In Gold Cup mode, it will brew you a cup of joe exactly to the standards of the Specialty Coffee Association.
Whilst coffee is a balance between art and science, the Breville Precision Brewer absolutely nails it. It consistently makes a fantastic cup of coffee that you’ll struggle to match, and that’s why it’s secured the top place.
2. Runner Up – Bonavita BV1900TS 5-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker
Brand: Bonavita
Brew Method: Drip Machine
Capacity: 5 Cup/28 Ounces
Best Feature: Pre-Infusion Mode
Next up for stainless steel drip machines, we have Bonavita with their 5 cup coffee maker. Yup, that’s a good deal smaller than the Breville above so only get this one if you’re making coffee for 1 or 2 people.
If you hate washing up then this machine is ideal. The carafe lid, filter basket, and showerhead are all dishwasher safe so easy to keep clean. The non-stick warming plate has a 40-minute automatic shutoff so good for absent-minded folk (like me!).
It has a nicely designed showerhead and flat bottom paper filter basket to give and even coffee brewing process. It even has a built-in pre-infusion mode that allows for coffee ‘blooming’.
This is a really simple to use and very functional device that makes great coffee at just the press of a button.
3. Best Programmable Coffee Maker – Cuisinart DCC-3400P1 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Stainless Steel Thermal Carafe
Brand: Cuisinart
Brew Method: Drip Machine
Capacity: 12 Cup/60 Ounces
Best Feature: Brew Pause Function
This fully automatic drip coffee maker by Cuisinart makes fresh coffee without any fuss. The 12 cup, double-wall insulated stainless steel carafe means you can enjoy your hot coffee anywhere without it cooling down.
This coffee maker has a lot of very useful features that make it stand out. Staring with 24-hour programmability, you can set the brew time so you wake up to delicious coffee in the morning. You can set the brew sizes to make the exact amount of coffee you need and the self-clean function does all the hard work for you. I love the brew-pause function that allows you to grab a sneaky cup of coffee before the brewing time is up.
For an even fresher cup of joe, this machine has a built-in charcoal water filter to remove any nasty tasting impurities. The gold-tone coffee filter is a nice touch that ensures all the delicious coffee tastes make it into your cup and is reusable so eco friendly.
This coffee maker has all the programs and settings to ensure you get the best coffee every time, is really easy to use and a nice price to help seal the deal.
4. Best Drip Machine – Technivorm Moccamaster 79312 KBGT Coffee Brewer
Brand: Technivorm
Brew Method: Drip Machine
Capacity: 40 Ounces
Best Feature: Copper Heating Element
The best coffee maker overall for the drip machine category has to be the Moccamaster. recognized by the specialty coffee association as a certified home brewer this device takes coffee making to another level.
With a copper heating element and pump free brewing this machine quietly and efficiently heats the water to the perfect temperature before passing it through the showerhead to evenly coat the pre-ground coffee.
This machine will never burn or waste any coffee as the brew-pause feature stops any drips if the carafe is removed. It’s simple to use as you just press a button and in 4-6 minutes, you get a full carafe of quality coffee.
As if this wasn’t enough, you’re backed by a 5-year warranty when you purchase the Moccamaster so this gives you peace of mind.
5. Best Budget Option – Mr. Coffee 10 Cup Coffee Maker
Brand: Mr. Coffee
Brew Method: Drip Machine
Capacity: 10 Cup/50 Ounces
Best Feature: Water Filtration System
For consistently great tasting cups of coffee without breaking the bank, this Mr. Coffee drip machine is perfect. It has all the handy features like delay brew to allow you to set it up the night before, a freshness timer so you know when the coffee is at its best and a water filtration system to ensure a clean cup of joe.
The thermal carafe keeps your full pot of coffee hot and fresh and this model comes with a reusable filter so minimal waste.
The grab-a-cup auto-pause is great for the impatient coffee lover and if you like a strong cup of coffee then you’ll love that you can increase the brew strength using the settings on the machine.
This is a really well designed, user-friendly drip machine that has well earned its space in the best, stainless steel drip coffee maker category.
Why Choose Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an ideal choice for coffee brewing for a few key reasons.
Hygiene
Stainless steel naturally resists dirt. It has an extremely smooth surface so bacteria and grime can’t hide away in any cracks and crevices. All you need to do is wash it with soap and water and this removes any infectious material. Stainless steel is a very hygienic material for this reason so perfect for use in the kitchen.
No Odor
For the same reasons that stainless steel doesn’t hold dirt, this also means that odors are not absorbed. After many, many uses the coffee won’t cause that nasty stale smell that plastic can have and it won’t stain like some glass models can.
Durable
It’s an extremely tough and long-lasting material. Stainless steel won’t crack or break if dropped or exposed to wide temperature fluctuations. This makes it a very good option for coffee brewing.
Rust Proof
Unlike some other metals, stainless steel resists rusting. This means it won’t degrade or stain when exposed to water or if left for a long time. This helps improve the durability of the machine or coffee pot and keeps it looking brand new even after years of use.
Attractive
Your coffee making equipment can be a real statement piece in your home and as it sits out on the countertop so it has to look the part. Stainless steel is sleek and shines beautifully when polished. It’s the perfect material to add a touch of class to your kitchen as it just looks really nice. If cleanliness and durability weren’t enough to sell you then this may be the perfect reason to consider this metal.
Coffee Maker Buyer’s Guide
Brew Method
When choosing a coffee maker for your home the first thing to consider is the brew method. Whilst this review has focussed more on drip machines (due to how practical and easy they are) there are lots of other coffee brewing methods available. Following this buyer’s guide I’ve reviewed a selection of coffee brewers that all use different methods so if a drip machine isn’t for you then there’s bound to be a perfect fit just waiting for you.
It’s worth considering what kind of coffee you like best as well as how much input is required. For example, an espresso machine requires a lot of skill and practice to use and make a very rich, dark, concentrated cup of coffee. Compare this to a pod machine which only needs you to insert the pod and press a button. There’s a huge spectrum of devices available so you’re bound to find the ideal one out there.
Capacity
The serving sizes available for the coffee maker is important as this dictates the size of a cup of coffee you can brew. Another point to consider alongside the serving size is the water tank. A large serving size but small water tank means you’ll be forever topping the thing up. The water tank size can usually be found in the user manual or the product description section on Amazon.
Ease Of Use
How easy the coffee maker is to use is worth considering, especially if you are new to the coffee making world. If you’re keen to keep things simple then a drip machine or single serve coffee maker keeps hard work to a minimum.
If you like customizing or adding a bit of personalization to your brew then a french press, pour-over, or cold brew coffee maker may give you a bit more to play around with.
If you want the real deal, barista skill level coffee experience then you need an espresso machine. These machines are tricky to get the coffee just right, but well worth the effort once you get there.
Paper Filter vs Mesh
Coffee makers typically fall into two categories. Those that use paper filters and those that use metal or mesh filters. Paper filters absorb some of the coffee oils and flavors giving a lighter cup that some people prefer.
Metal filters allow these oils to infuse giving a bolder brew with a deeper flavor that some coffee lovers can’t go without.
It’s up to you which filter type you decide on and if you’re unsure then the good news is that you can sometimes buy drip machines with a mesh filter basket option so you can try it with this or add paper filters if you find you prefer this method.
F.A.Q.s
Are stainless steel coffee makers safe?
Stainless steel is free from BPA and all other harmful chemicals sometimes found in plastics. It’s very hygienic and resists rust. Make sure the coffee pot is lined with stainless steel not aluminum. As aluminum will react with the acids in coffee and ruin it.
What is the life expectancy of a coffee maker?
A well looked after coffee machine should last between 5-10 years. To extend the lifespan of your coffee maker make sure you keep it clean and well maintained and use filtered water or descale it regularly.
What is the best-tasting coffee?
The best tasting coffee is a really subjective experience. To get the best out of your coffee beans make sure they are fresh (ideally freshly roasted) and grind them at home using a burr grinder. Make sure you use the correct grind setting for your brew method and make sure you use the correct amount of coffee for your chosen method. Use filtered water that’s between 195-205F and don’t let the coffee stew too long in the water.
Which coffee makers are SCA certified?
Both the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT and the Bonavita Coffee Maker BV1900TS are SCA certified for home brewing.
More Stainless Steel Coffee Makers Reviewed
6. Best Pod Machine – Keurig Supreme Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker
Brand: Keurig
Brew Method: Pod Machine
Capacity: 4-12 Ounce Serving Size
Best Feature: It’s highly customizable
If you like your coffee to happen quickly and without any hard work from you then the Keurig is ideal. The user-friendly LCD display is the perfect interface to help you out on those sleepy mornings. Simply insert your K-cup pods and choose your required settings and you’re good to go.
What allows this machine to come above a lot of pod machines is that fact it is so customizable. You can set the brew strength, choose between a variety of brew sizes, choose hot or iced brew, brew many cups with back-to-back brewing and you can even program in your favorite settings for up to 3 users.
The removable water tank makes cleaning and re-filling very easy and the drip tray comes away so you can brew straight into a travel mug up to 7 inches tall.
For those eco-aware folk, you don’t need to worry about the waste with this machine as it comes with a free reusable coffee pod filter so you can use your own coffee beans, simply composting them when the coffee is finished and so cut down considerably on waste.
7. Best Single Serve – Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
Brand: Hamilton Beach
Brew Method: Scoop Single-Serve
Capacity: 8 or 14 Ounce Serving Size
Best Feature: Simple, Fast Brewing
If you love using freshly ground coffee beans but it’s only a single cup you require then this is the perfect set-up for you. The Scoop single serve coffee maker by Hamilton Beach looks similar to a pod machine and is just as simple to use.
All you need to do is use the mesh scoop provided and fill this with pre-ground coffee or with freshly ground beans from your coffee grinder. Make sure you don’t overfill the scoop. Place the scoop into the slot in the machine and choose regular or bold depending on how dark you like your brew.
You can choose the size of the serving and there are markers on the scoop so you can get the perfect amount of coffee. Another feature I really like is the cup stand that can bring smaller mugs closer to the coffee outlet to avoid splashes whilst it’s pouring.
It’s an attractive and durable stainless steel design and can accommodate your travel mug for easy, quick coffee on the go.
8. Best Espresso Machine – Breville BES810BSS Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine
Brand: Breville
Brew Method: Espresso Machine
Capacity: Double Or Single Shot
Best Feature: Steam Wand
For the specialty coffee drinkers among us, you really can’t get much better than an espresso machine, especially one with a milk frother wand. The minimal look of this model by Breville is pretty eye-catching and the coffee it makes will have you brewing barista quality coffee in no time at all.
This machine has plenty of pressure to deliver a perfect espresso and added touches like the razor dose trimmer helps you get a level amount of coffee in the portafilter. The auto-purge cools down the system after milk steaming so you don’t risk burning the next cup of coffee. The machine alerts you when it needs cleaning and maintenance which is really useful.
Once you get the hang of it, the milk frother is the perfect way to achieve microfoam to make delicious, creamy lattes, cappuccino, and more. It’s a compact size and an all-round great buy if you love making espresso.
9. Best French Press- Mueller French Press Double Insulated 310 Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
Brand: Mueller
Brew Method: French Press
Capacity: 34 Ounce
Best Feature: Insulated Wall
Nothing beats a well made french press and if you’re looking for a simple yet attractive design then look no further than this Mueller model. The sleek, stainless steel pot gives a clean and delicious coffee brewing experience and the insulated wall means your coffee will still be piping hot when you are ready to drink it.
The plunger incorporates 3 layers of stainless steel mesh to ensure the coffee is well filtered. This french press is very sturdy and functional and you get a free stainless steel coffee canister so you can take some beans with you if you travel with it.
The trick to getting perfect coffee with this french press is to use a very coarsely ground coffee to start. Pour water that’s been left for a minute or so after the kettle boils (195-205F ideally) and gently stir. Then leave the grounds to settle for 4 minutes before you depress the plunger. This will leave you with a thick, smooth brew that’s rich in all those delicious coffee flavors.
10. Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker – Cafe du Chateau Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Brand: Cafe Du Chateau
Brew Method: Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Capacity: 34 Ounces
Best Feature: Airtight Silicone Seal
Last up, we can’t ignore those iced coffee fans. If you love cold brew then look no further. This coffee maker by Cafe du Chateau uses borosilicate glass which doesn’t react to temperature changes and won’t absorb any stains or odors, keeping each batch of coffee pure and fresh.
The housing and filter are stainless steel and they are fitted with a double layer, BPA free silicone seal that is airtight to keep your cold brew fresh for as long as you need it to. Another great design feature is that the filter is not a mesh one but is laser cut which makes for a superfine filtration so no grounds end up in your cup of coffee.
The coffee maker comes with a handy instruction manual so you will always get the best out of every batch and the lifetime replacement policy means you’re covered if anything goes wrong with it.
11. BUNN GRW Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
Brand: Bunn
Brew Method: Drip Coffee Maker
Capacity: 10 Cup/50 Ounces
Best Feature: Drip-Free Glass Carafe
Bunn is a very popular brand for commercial coffee makers, and when it comes to at-home coffee brewers, they apply their premium standards to ensure a high-quality design. The water reservoir is lined with stainless steel so no harmful materials will end up in your cup.
It heats the water temperature to an optimal 200F and the custom spray head showers the coffee grounds with an even covering of hot water to ensure perfectly brewed coffee. The filter basket slides into place without any fuss and the ceramic coated heating plate keeps your pot of coffee warm for as long as you like.
The on switch for the hot plate has an indicator light so you can quickly see if it’s on or not. This machine doesn’t have an auto-shutoff so has the potential of being left on accidentally. Some people prefer the manual shutoff as you don’t need to remember to turn the coffee machine back on periodically if you like to keep a pot warm all day.
The glass carafe ensures a clean cup of coffee and the best feature here is the Pour-O-Matic drip-free spout that directs the coffee into your mug, not over the countertop!
Take Home
Stainless steel is a lovely look in a coffee machine and this material comes with a lot more benefits than looks alone. It’s hygienic and durable and makes a lovely clean cup of coffee. There’s a lot of variety in coffee makers that use this material and I hope this review article has helped you to learn a bit more about this useful metal as well as helping you find a coffee maker that’s perfect for you.
All the best in your coffee making journey and happy caffeinating!
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