TL;DR: Moccamaster is known for its copper heating element, pulse brewing, and handmade quality. When buying the highly regarded Moccamaster, consider brewing capacity, coffee taste, and the level of involvement you desire when brewing coffee. Also, choose between glass and thermal carafes based on your coffee temperature needs. Expect to spend between $200 and $400 for a reliable, high-performing coffee brewer.

As a coffee-tasting professional and owner of the Technivorm Moccamaster for two decades, I can speak to its quality brewing and simplicity. I love connecting coffee drinkers to a better coffee experience. While this brewer will make an excellent cup of coffee “out of the box,” it also lets those who want more control and interaction with the brewing process get their hands dirty and hopefully enhance the coffee flavor. It is essentially an automated pour-over coffee maker.

What Is Moccamaster?

Moccamaster is a Dutch brand known for its high-quality, handcrafted coffee brewers. Founded by Gerard C. Smit in 1964, Technivorm-Moccamaster revolutionized the industry with durable, energy-efficient, and stylish machines. Their products are revered for precise temperature control, ensuring optimal extraction and flavor. Choose a Moccamaster for its reliability, performance, and aesthetics, resulting in consistently well-brewed coffee.

What to Consider When Buying a Moccamaster Machine

What Is Your Preferred Brewing Capacity?

Consider your coffee consumption and whether you brew for yourself or multiple people. Moccamaster offers various sizes to accommodate different needs, from single-serve options to machines that brew up to 10 cups of coffee per pot. Choose the right size to ensure you have the ideal amount of coffee when needed whether it is a full or half carafe.

How Much Counter Space Can You Spare?

Moccamaster brewers come in different shapes and footprints. Assess your kitchen counter space and decide on a model that fits seamlessly without cluttering your area. Smaller machines work well in tight spaces, while larger models may require more room. They range from 11.75in to 17.75in tall. Also, consider if you need room for a coffee grinder for grinding fresh coffee beans.

How Important Is Programmability to You?

Some Moccamaster models offer programmable features like auto-start and brew strength settings. If you prefer a customized brewing experience or a coffee maker that starts brewing before you wake up, opt for a model with these features. Otherwise, simpler models focus on the core brewing process.

What Is Your Design Preference?

Moccamaster coffee machines come in various colors and finishes, from classic to contemporary. Consider the aesthetics of your kitchen and choose a machine that complements your personal style and décor.

How Much Should a Moccamaster Coffee Machine Cost?

Moccamaster brewers typically range from $200 to $400. At the lower end, expect essential features and a solid brewing performance. As the price increases, you'll find models with enhanced programmability, larger capacities, and more design options. Decide your budget and prioritize features that matter most, or reach out to a Curated Coffee and Espresso Expert for advice.

What Are the Different Types of Moccamaster Coffee Brewers?

Glass Carafe Brewers

I've found these to be ideal for those who enjoy watching the brewing process and don't mind using a hot plate to keep the coffee warm. The glass carafe allows you to see the coffee as it brews, and it is nice to have that visual feedback. They're ideal if you consume your coffee relatively quickly and prefer the traditional look of a glass carafe.

Benefits:

• Traditional aesthetic appeal
• Visible brewing process and coffee level
• Often more affordable than thermal carafe models

Keep in mind:

• Coffee cools quickly without the hot plate
• Hot plate may alter coffee flavor over time
• Fragile carafe susceptible to breakage

The two glass carafe brewers that Moccamaster offers are the Moccamaster KB and the Moccamaster KBGV select.

• Moccamaster KB
  • The KB has all the features that make a Moccamaster desirable: a consistent brewing temperature, a precision-engineered brewing process, and a 5-year warranty. It also allows you to manually stop the brewing if you want to grab a cup in the middle of the cycle, and you can even slow down the brew time to add some extra strength to your java.
• Moccamaster KBGV Select
  • The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select takes all the features of the KB and adds the ability to choose a full or half brew at the flip of a switch. It also features an auto-stop function when you remove the carafe from the hot plate, just in case there are some extra drips left in the brew chamber.

Thermal Carafe Brewers

These machines come with a double-walled stainless steel carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours without a hot plate. In my experience, the thermal carafe maintains the coffee's flavor longer than a glass carafe. If you like sipping coffee throughout the morning or need to keep it hot for extended periods, this is the way to go.

Benefits:

• Excellent heat retention without a hot plate
• Maintains coffee flavor for hours
• Durable, stainless steel carafe
• The carafe is glass lined, ensuring a clean flavor

Keep in mind:

• Can't see coffee level or brewing process
• Heavier and bulkier than glass carafes
• Thermal Carafes are harder to clean because of their shape.

Moccamaster makes three thermal steel carafe models for home use: The Technivorm Moccamaster KBT, the KBGT, and the KBTS.

Moccamaster KBT: Like the KB this model allows you to adjust or stop the brew cycle manually. The consistent temperature and carefully designed brewing cycle remain the same.

Moccamaster KBGT: This is the thermal carafe equivalent of the KBGV Select. It offers a straightforward brewing process that is programmed to a T. With the pulse brewing process standard to all Moccamaster machines and the excellent build quality, this coffee maker is a joy to have in the home.

Moccamaster KBTS: The KBTS is the little brother to the KB. It is similarly designed for smaller batches of brew - up to 32 oz., while the KBs will create a 40 oz. batch.

Single-Cup Brewer

Moccamaster Cup-One: This brewer is sleek and small. It makes one 10oz cup of coffee at a time but still has the precision and quality of all the other Moccamaster models. It is only 11.75 inches tall and it allows you to brew directly into your favorite mug. As someone who values a fresh cup of coffee every time, I appreciate these brewers. They're perfect for individual use or households with different coffee preferences. If you have been using pods to make coffee, and want to step up your game this is a wonderful choice. However, they may not be the best fit for large households or if you regularly entertain guests.

• Keep in Mind
  • Not suitable for large households or gatherings
  • Slower to brew multiple cups of coffee
  • May produce more waste with individual filters

• Benefits
  • Consistently fresh coffee brewed one cup at a time
  • Customizable to individual preferences
  • Compact design ideal for small spaces

Café / Office Brewers

Designed for high-volume brewing, Moccamaster’s office machine is built to withstand the demands of busy environments. With larger brewing capacities and more durable construction, they're ideal for cafés, offices, or large gatherings. If you need to serve coffee to multiple people simultaneously or have a high-traffic area, I would recommend one of these robust machines.

• Benefits
  • Built for high-volume, continuous brewing
  • Durable construction for heavy use
  • Large capacities for serving multiple people

• Keep in mind
  • More expensive than home-use models
  • Takes up significant counterspace
  • May be overkill for average home users
  • Performs best when used to make a full carafe

Moccamaster CDT Grand: This brewer makes about 60oz, or 15 cups of coffee. It changes the brew style compared to the other models by using a flat bottom dripper instead of the cone shape featured on the rest of the Moccamster line. If you have a B&B or a medium-sized office this would be an appropriate option.

Features to Look Out for When Buying Moccamaster Coffee Brewers

Copper Heating Element

Moccamaster machines use a unique copper heating element for fast and precise temperature control. It ensures the water reaches the optimal brewing temperature of 196-205°F (92-96°C) to extract the best flavors from your coffee.

Pulse Brewing

The pulse brewing feature enables even water distribution over the coffee grounds, ensuring proper saturation and extraction. Moccamaster brewers achieve this by periodically releasing water, allowing for a balanced and flavorful brew.

Nine-Hole Spray Arm

Moccamaster machines utilize a nine-hole spray arm that evenly disperses hot water over the coffee grounds. This design ensures uniform extraction, resulting in a more consistent and better-tasting coffee.

Handmade and Tested

Each Moccamaster coffee machine is handmade in the Netherlands and individually tested for quality assurance. This attention to detail sets them apart from mass-produced models and contributes to their reputation for durability and longevity.

Energy Efficient

Moccamaster brewers are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Many models have automatic shut-off features, and their copper heating elements consume less energy than traditional materials while maintaining accurate temperatures.

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Certification

Many Moccamaster models are certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards for brewing quality coffee. This certification is a testament to Moccamaster's dedication to creating machines that consistently produce excellent coffee.

Modular Design

Moccamaster machines have a modular design. That is to say, the filter basket, water tank, shower head, and carafe are completely detachable, which makes them easy to clean and maintain. This user-friendly construction also simplifies the process of replacing parts, ensuring your brewer lasts for years to come.

Wide Range of Models and Styles

With a diverse lineup of machines, Moccamaster offers options to suit different preferences, lifestyles, and budgets. From single-cup brewers to café/office models and various carafe types and colors, you can find a machine that matches your needs and aesthetic.

How to Select the Best Moccamaster for You

Choosing the right Moccamaster is a simple proposition once you understand the distinctions between the styles. Below I have described a couple of potential Curated customers looking to purchase a new coffee maker. Based on their needs and other factors, I have listed which one I would choose for each.

Paige

Juggling a job and going to school doesn’t leave Paige with a lot of free time, but she does manage one cup in the morning before starting her day. She needs something low maintenance and easy to operate. Additionally, she is mindful of the environment and wants to support small farmers by purchasing organic, fair trade coffee beans.

Features Paige should look for:

• Sustainable that doesn’t create unnecessary waste
• Ability to choose her own coffee beans and filters
• Easy to use

Moccamaster examples: Moccamaster Cup-One, KBGV Select

Johan

Outgoing and personable, Johan loves entertaining and hosts a party at his home at least once a month. He rarely knows exactly how many guests to plan for, but he feels that the more, the merrier! He wants a modern-looking coffee machine that can be interrupted mid-brew without hassle and a carafe that will keep the coffee hot for newly arrived guests.

Features Johan should look for:

• Thermal carafe to ensure his coffee stays hot
• Manual-adjust stop to adjust or stop the brew speed
• Sleek, modern design

Moccamaster examples: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT, Technivorm Moccamaster KGBT

Find the Best Moccamaster for You

There are a lot of points to consider when purchasing a coffeemaker, and I hope this helped you narrow down your options and find the best Moccamaster coffee machine for you. If you have any questions or need more assistance, please reach out to a Curated Coffee and Espresso Expert for free, personalized advice.