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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11International Coffee Day falls on October 1, and Tom’s Guide’s live Q&A with ex-barista Erin Bashford has now concluded: the session ran October 1, 2026, with answers continuing through October 2. Its practical themes still make a useful guide to choosing a brewer, dialing in grind and dose, and deciding what matters in coffee beans.
What was the International Coffee Day Q&A?
Tom’s Guide hosted a reader Q&A with Erin Bashford, whom the publication identifies as a senior writer and former barista with three and a half years of café experience. The page says she had tested more than 50 coffee makers; that is Tom’s Guide’s description of her experience, not an independent test count.
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The event invited questions about whether the Moccamaster is worth its cost, light versus dark roasts, grinders, crema, espresso machines, camping coffee, coffee terminology, and how to choose beans. Bashford described AeroPress as a personal favorite among the makers she says she has tested. That preference is a useful starting point, not a claim that one brewer is right for everyone.
The International Coffee Organization says member states agreed in March 2014 to observe International Coffee Day on October 1. The 2026 live event is over, but the brewing questions it raised are relevant year-round.
#1 Best Overall
- 12-CUP DURALIFE GLASS CARAFE: The sturdy 12-cup* carafe has measurement markings for accurate filling and an easy-grip handle for comfortable pouring. *Cup equals approximately 5 ounces (varies by brewing technique).
- SNEAK-A-CUP FEATURE TO PREVENT DRIPS: This feature temporarily stops the flow of coffee so you can pour your first cup before brewing ends without making a mess.
- EASY-VIEW WATER WINDOW: The front-facing window shows you the exact amount of water that will turn into coffee, and the brew basket requires a standard paper coffee filter for proper operation.
- DIGITAL CONTROLS WITH RUBBERIZED FEEL: Large, rubberized buttons give you full control of the coffeemaker, and the easy-read screen displays the clock, brew time, and programming options.
- QUICKTOUCH PROGRAMMING WITH AUTO SHUTOFF: Easily program the 24-hour auto brew feature so you can wake up to a fresh pot of coffee or whenever you desire. 2-Hour Auto Shutoff for added safety and peace of mind with every use.
How to choose a coffee maker for your routine
Start with what you actually drink and how much you make. The Coffee Association of Canada recommends weighing convenience, quantity, and desired quality rather than searching for a single best machine.
| Your usual need | Brewing direction |
|---|---|
| One or two cups with minimal fuss | Consider a small drip or single-serve brewer. |
| Several cups at once | A larger automatic drip brewer or specialty machine may suit the volume. |
| Espresso-based drinks | Choose an espresso machine if espresso is the beverage you want to make. |
| Different textures or a manual routine | Compare pour-over, French press, cold brew, and other methods by the effort and result you prefer. |
The National Coffee Association lists pour-over, French press, cold brew, and instant among coffee preparation methods. The sources cited here do not establish current prices, availability, or a head-to-head ranking for named machines, so treat questions such as whether a Moccamaster is worth the investment as a matter of your budget and use case—not a settled verdict.
Rank #2
- 2 BREW STYLES: Classic or Rich, each brew is flavorful and never bitter with custom brew strengths.
- 12-CUP GLASS CARAFE: Brew small or large batches of coffee – perfect for day to day or entertaining.
- HOTTER BREWING TECHNOLOGY: Delivers even saturation and temperature control for ultra-flavorful coffee.
- SMALL BATCH FUNCTION: Ensure your coffee is never diluted when brewing a small batch (1-4 cups).
- WAKE UP TO HOT COFFEE: 24-hour programmable delay brew allows you to prepare your brew up to a day in advance.
Does the grinder matter more than the coffee maker?
A grinder can affect how evenly coffee extracts, but it is only one part of the setup. The Coffee Association of Canada notes that grind style influences strength: grounds that are too fine can make a cup strong or bitter, while grounds that are too coarse can leave it weak. Consistency also matters.
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Match the grind to the brewing method, then adjust based on the cup. Avoid assuming one grind setting works across drip, French press, pour-over, espresso, and cold brew. If a cup tastes too strong or bitter, try a coarser grind; if it tastes weak, try a finer one, changing one variable at a time.
Rank #3
- EASILY FILL FROM THE FRONT: In this 12 cup drip coffee machine, it's easy to add water and coffee grounds using the FrontFill water reservoir with a swing-open brew basket thatswings open from the front, making it easy to access under cabinets
- PROGRAMMABLE COFFEE MAKER WITH CLEANING CYCLE REMINDERS: This drip coffee maker can be easily programmed up to 24 hours in advance for hot, wake-up ready coffee. When "CLEAN" appears on the display, it's time to run the self-cleaning cycle.
- GET YOUR FIRST CUP FAST: With Auto Pause & Pour on this programmable Hamilton Beach coffee maker, you can pour yourself a cup while coffee is still brewing.
- COFFEE YOUR WAY: Use the Select-a-Brew brew strength selector on this coffee machine to customize your coffee. Choose from regular, bold, or 1–4 cup options to match your taste or mood.
- EASY-VIEW WATER WINDOW: The window with clear measurement marks lets you see the water level as you fill the 12 cup coffee maker.
How much coffee should you use?
The Coffee Association of Canada gives 1 to 1.5 tablespoons (15–25 mL) per 6-ounce (175 mL) cup as a general starting guideline. It is not a precise universal recipe: adjust the amount to your taste and keep your measuring method consistent while experimenting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do light or dark roasts—and “specialty” labels—tell you which beans to buy?
Roast level alone cannot guarantee the flavor or quality you will prefer. The National Coffee Association notes that bean choice, extraction, drying, roasting, and storage all contribute to taste, texture, and caffeine. A useful choice is therefore preference-led: consider what flavors you enjoy and how you brew, rather than treating a roast label as a promise of a particular result.
Rank #4
- STRONG BREW: Increases the strength and bold taste of your coffee’s flavor.
- 3 CUP SIZES: Brew an 8, 10, or 12 oz. cup at the push of a button.
- MULTIPLE CUP WATER RESERVOIR: 42oz. removable reservoir lets you brew up to 4 cups before refilling. 8 oz. cup size
- FAST & FRESH BREWED: Delicious coffee made in minutes.
- TRAVEL MUG FRIENDLY: Removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.4” tall.
The Specialty Coffee Association defines specialty coffee as coffee or a coffee experience recognized for distinctive attributes that give it significant extra marketplace value. Those attributes can include sensory qualities such as flavor and aroma, as well as information such as origin and production practices. “Specialty” does not require one roast level or one universal flavor profile.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- VORTEX TECHNOLOGY: The exclusive showerhead design evenly saturates coffee grounds, resulting in rich flavor extraction for maximum flavor.
- SNEAK-A-CUP: This feature temporarily stops the flow of coffee, allowing you to pour your first cup before brewing ends without making a mess. Be sure to return carafe to the “Keep Hot” plate within 30 seconds to avoid overflow, and brewing will resume.
- NO-DRIP PERFECT POUR SPOUT: Don’t put up with annoying spills. The carafe spout on this coffee maker is designed to prevent spills and drips while pouring.
- REMOVABLE FILTER BASKET: Cleanup is easy with the dishwasher-safe brew basket, which is compatible with basket-style paper filters.
- KEEP HOT CARAFE PLATE: The heated carafe plate keeps coffee in the 12-cup carafe at the ideal drinking temperature after brewing. Refer to your user guide for more brewing techniques.
Sources
- Tom’s Guide: Erin Bashford’s International Coffee Day live Q&A
- International Coffee Organization: International Coffee Day
- Coffee Association of Canada: How To Brew Coffee
- Specialty Coffee Association: What Is Specialty Coffee?
- National Coffee Association USA: About Coffee
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