4 Drip Coffee Maker Benefits Not Enough People Know About

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In an age where grabbing that morning cup of joe usually means popping a K-cup into the Keurig or stopping by Starbucks for a handcrafted drink, drip coffee makers seem to have been all but forgotten. I was a dedicated drip drinker for years, but even I've swapped the paper filters for pods. However, Matt Woodburn-Simmonds makes a good case for switching back to the trusty old drip brewer. The ex-barista founded Home Coffee Expert, where he shares his intimate knowledge about all things java, and apparently, drip coffee presents some advantages over other brewing styles that people may not realize. 

I finally got on the K-cup bandwagon because it offered a bit more convenience in my morning routine. It's also slightly less messy; I don't have to toss away a filter full of grounds every day or wash out the entire filter basket when things didn't go as planned. I mean, come on — you can deep clean a Keurig with a paper clip. Yet, in making the switch, I eliminated some of the benefits I took for granted, according to Woodburn-Simmonds. Between a greater selection of coffee choices, unique health advantages, and more eco-friendly waste solutions, I may have to reconsider how I get my morning perk.  

Matt Woodburn-Simmonds says that one of the main advantages of using a drip machine is that you have more options for rich, bold java. "Wider choice of coffee to choose from — compared to any pod-based machine, using a drip coffee brewer gives you endless choice of coffee types, as most roasters will ship coffee ground for a drip brewer." This is especially true with smaller artisan roasters that may not even have the necessary means to produce pods at all.  

If you ask coffee experts what they think of Starbucks compared to independent cafes, they'll often point out the latter as having a higher quality product. One such independent operator and micro-roaster with locations on the West Coast is Kéan Coffee, which offers flavorful blends like Sumatra Aceh Natural and Golden Mean Espresso. Unfortunately, you can't enjoy their product with a Keurig, because none of their roasts are shipped in K-cups. The East Coast-based Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. also sells only whole bean or bagged ground coffee blends like Brazilian Cerrado and Moka Java.

What's more, Woodburn-Simmonds says ground coffee is also the cheaper choice. If the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup, you get a significant discount for buying ground over pod coffee — about $0.50 per ounce compared to over $2 per ounce at Walmart, to be exact. The size of the discount varies between brands, but you often still end up with more money in your pocket for breakfast pastries.

Folks concerned about the environmental impact of their daily routines on the planet are probably already aware that K-cups aren't exactly a sustainable choice. While many brands of pods are now recyclable, the ones that aren't simply get tossed in the trash (immediately after your coffee finishes, if you're kind to your taste buds). Matt Woodburn-Simmonds indicates this is an area where drip brewers offer a unique advantage over pod machines. He says, "[They are] environmentally friendly — using compostable filters, your daily coffee routine can be fully compostable. No plastic or metal capsules that need recycling."  

Coffee grounds offer several benefits in compost. They are known to repel garden pests such as slugs, while simultaneously attracting garden-friendly critters like worms. Coffee grounds also improve aeration and water retention in soil. The grounds inside pods can also be composted, but you're still left with the packaging in hand. By using a drip maker to secure your morning perk, you can dump your filter full of grounds (as long as it's compostable) right into a bin as is, reducing waste and helping your garden grow.  

A cheaper, wider selection of jolt juice and more sustainable waste options are significant benefits, but did you know that drip brewers also might actually be the healthier coffee choice? That might seem like a wild claim — coffee is basically the same no matter how it's brewed, right? Wrong, according to Matt Woodburn-Simmonds. Java contains diterpenes, which are natural oils from coffee beans. Two of those diterpenes, cafestol and kahweol (particularly cafestol), are known to increase cholesterol. And here you were, all worried about that sausage breakfast sandwich you enjoy with your morning pick-me-up.

Regarding coffee from a drip machine, Matt Woodburn-Simmonds says, "It contains fewer oils that can contribute to high cholesterol — the paper filters that are used in drip coffee makers trap cafestol and kahweol, two naturally occurring oils in coffee beans that can raise levels of LDL (the 'bad' cholesterol)." Science backs this up. Studies have shown that coffee brewed through paper filters can reduce the amount of cafestol and kahweol you would otherwise end up consuming. Coffee brewed through a metal filter, like that you would get from a French press, typically has higher levels of cafestol and kahweol. Using a filter in a drip maker doesn't completely eliminate them from your cup, but less of a bad thing is always a good thing.

I've never been one to complain about the quality of coffee that comes out of a drip machine, but many folks out there are under the impression that it makes an inferior cup of joe. Matt Woodburn-Simmonds thinks that's hogwash. As he notes, "High-quality drip machines can make fantastic coffee." Okay, so that cheap Mr. Coffee unit might not stack up to a French press that's reaching its full potential, but plenty of manufacturers produce drip brewers that are up to the task of making an exceptional cup of java.

"There are many Specialty Coffee Association-approved drip coffee makers that can produce a pot even a coffee snob would enjoy," says Woodburn-Simmonds. "The very best of them can brew coffee you'd be happy to get from any cafe." The Specialty Coffee Association's website lists dozens of quality drip brewers that can produce a stellar morning perk. One that folks can find on Amazon is the Technivorm Moccamaster, which brews 40 ounces of jolt juice in four to six minutes. If you'd rather have something with more bells and whistles, the SCA also recommends the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker. It has an auto-brew function, connects to smart technology like Alexa, and can make hot or iced coffee with a rich flavor that may rival your preferred brewing method.