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Quality Coffee Machines For The Home
by Mark Smiley
Ratio Six: This coffee maker is a high performing automatic pour over brewer that can make eight 5-ounce cups of pour-over quality cups of coffee.
It is said that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. Many believe the most important drink is coffee. According to The National Coffee Association, 7 in 10 Americans drink coffee every week and 62% drink coffee every day. The average American coffee drinker drinks just over three cups per day.
With prices soaring inside coffee shops, many turn to brewing their coffee at home. Why not have that cup of java be of the same quality as one you purchase away from home? Two coffee makers that hit the mark in different ways are the Ratio Six and the Capresso Coffee TEAM Pro Plus.
First, the Ratio Six is a company founded by Mark Hellweg in 2012, with the goal of creating “a solution that married beauty, simplicity, and quality into a single experience.” The Ratio Six is one such machine which produces pour-over quality cups of coffee. And, it was designed in Portland, Oregon.
In its simplest form, pour-over coffee involves pouring hot water over ground coffee that’s held in some form of filter. The steaming water brews the coffee grounds, and the coffee drips through the filter into a pitcher or directly into a cup.
This takes a bit of time and many morning commuters and parents don’t have the time to devote to this type of quality cup of coffee. The Ratio Six coffee maker is a high performing automatic pour-over brewer that can make eight 5-ounce cups of pour-over quality cups of coffee.
The Ratio Six features quality premium materials and a high-end, sleek look. It performs well with its wide dispersion shower-head and heat shield. At first, it is tough to get used to and can be a little messy. Once you get the hang of it, the process is straight- forward and simple.
The Ratio Six features one button to press when brewing but lacks a programmable timer. If set up with the grounds and water the night before, pressing one button and having pour-over quality coffee ready in less than five minutes is a small price to pay.
“Makes fantastic coffee,” said Andrew Fuqua. “Super easy. Super simple. I’m a minimalist. I wanted a well-made coffee maker that wouldn’t break and be thrown in a landfill in three years. The Ratio Six is that. It brews really quickly. The coffee tastes outstanding. The materials and build are top-notch. It’s got a 5-year warranty.”
Capresso Coffee TEAM Pro Plus: This machine has a built-in conical burr grinder and produces freshly ground cups of coffee.
Overall, the Ratio Six coffee maker is a well designed high performing brewer. From its sleek look and quality premium build, to high end shower-head, heat shield, and blooming functions, the Ratio Six delivers hot and flavorful coffee consistently.
The parts are not dishwasher safe but with a quick rinse and an occasional wash with dishwashing liquid, this machine should last a long time.
The Ratio Six comes in three colors: stainless steel, matte black finish, and white finish. At the time of press, the Ratio Six retails for $285 with free shipping. To learn more or to order, visit www.ratiocoffee.com.
Another coffee maker to consider is the Capresso Coffee TEAM Pro Plus which at the time of press retails for $269.99. This machine freshly grinds whole coffee beans directly into the filter then automatically brews up to 10 cups of coffee in a thermal carafe.
The quality is almost undistinguishable from the Ratio Six but it does take up more real estate on the kitchen counter. It does however have the ability to schedule to brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance.
It features a permanent gold-tone filter which eliminates the use of paper filters. The claim to fame on this machine is the built-in conical burr grinder. It will grind the appropriate amount of beans based on the amount of cups you select prior to brewing.
The grinding size of your grounds can be adjusted. Choose a finer option for light roasts and go coarser for darker or oily roasts. Oily roasts setting ensures you get the proper dose by increasing grinding time. The grinder can also be removed and has an air tight lid.
When you add the all stainless steel exterior, automatic shut off, and the water filter in the tank, this machine will suit most people’s needs who want a quality cup of coffee to wake up to in the morning.
Visit www.capresso.com for more information or to purchase.
Tribit Stormbox 2: A Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker Suitable For Most Everyone’s Needs
by Mark Smiley
The Tribit Stormbox 2 features clear sound and simple connectivity. It’s waterproof and priced lower than most high end rivals.
Portable Bluetooth speakers have gained popularity over the last five years and there are many brands to consider when purchasing. One that offers consistently good products at a reasonable price point is Tribit. Their latest, the Stormbox 2, is no exception. It offers quality sound, long battery life, and the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology so you can listen from up to 150 feet away.
At time of press, the Stormbox 2 was priced at $67.99, which makes it a more affordable option as opposed to its rivals. But, it does not sacrifice quality as this approximately 7 inch high and 1.5 pound speaker packs a powerful punch.
It was a breeze to connect devices as well. It has a minimal learning curve and devices such as a cell phone and Amazon’s Alexa connected instantaneously. The Stormbox 2 features dual 48-mm drivers powered by a claimed 17 watts each, providing an extra 10 watts of total power over its predecessor.
The Stormbox 2’s IPX7 certification means it’s waterproof enough for a dunk in the pool but doesn’t offer any dust resistance. Most new speakers offer IP67 certification for “complete protection” against dust but some sacrifices need to be made at this price point.
Tribit’s Stormbox 2 has the ability to pair with a second Stormbox 2 and extended wireless range of up to 150 feet via Bluetooth 5.3, doubling the previous model. Having two speakers playing at once would make for a very nice presentation for a backyard party. There is also a 3.5-mm input and onboard microphone for taking calls which rival brands have eliminated.
The Stormbox 2 performs best at midrange volume or lower. Playing it in the house or backyard patio, it had a clear and well-balanced sound. The Tribit falls further behind its pricier rivals at high volume.
Most consumers do not scrutinize the sound that much. If you are one to pay attention to how a speaker sounds with crisp cymbals, shouty vocals, or specifics such as these, you may want to shop for a more expensive option. Most people will find that the Stormbox 2 will be more than suitable for playing your favorite songs while working in the backyard or sipping a cold beer. Visit www.tribit.com/products/tribit -stormbox-2-portable-speaker for more information or to purchase.
