Coffee & Espresso Makers Tips

Cuisinart TTG 500 3.5 Cup Coffee Maker Cuisinart TTG 500 3.5 Cup Coffee Maker I was given a Cuisinart TTG-500 3.5-Cup Coffee Maker last Christmas as a gift. Upon looking up the price I see tha...

TTG RMW! (two to go rocks my world) Cuisinart TTG 500 3.5 Cup Coffee Maker I've already seen nothing but positive reviews for this device, so I almost decided not to write my own. However,...

I know of only three coffee makers in this genre of makers that puts coffee directly into cups: Cuisinart’s Two to Go, Melitta’s Dual Thermal Mug Coffeemaker, and Black & Decker’s Brew ‘n Go. The Black & Decker model will not be compared here since it only fills one mug, whereas the other two products can fill two mugs.

Both, the Melitta and Cuisinart’s dual mug coffeemakers, have similar features including: the ability to fill either one or two 14 ounce mugs simultaneously, automatic off, etc. They even share a common set of features missing: no timer to brew coffee at specified time and no heating plate. I don’t think I would miss the ability to brew coffee at a specified time; however, since I’m always paranoid that it will overflow or burn when I’m not around. Heating plates doesn’t suit my flavor either, since they are known to make coffee stale quicker.

These two coffeemakers do exactly as advertised, and I recommend both of them! Making good tasting coffee is as easy as placing a filter in, placing grounds in filter, placing one or two mugs in holders, and pushing a button. Cleaning is also a simple ritual of throwing away the paper filter, rinsing filter basket (if u like), and washing mugs. So why would I decide to buy the more expensive Cuisinart model?

After two weeks of testing each coffeemaker, I decided to keep the cuisinart’s model because the mugs fit my Toyota Rav4’s front cup holders. In addition, it seems that Cuisinart had more fully thought out the design.

Chesnuts roasting over an open fire. I don’t like anything hot between my legs - that is the case for me with the Melitta mugs; they don’t fit my car’s front cup holders.

The bottom diameter of Cuisinart’s mugs measures 2-5/8″ and slowly widening to a large top diameter. The melitta mugs were 2-3/4″ and quickly grew in diameter toward the top of the cup. Subjectively, I felt the construction of the Cuisinart’s cup was superior.

I tried the Melitta’s mugs first, and felt drinking from the lids was good. Then I tried the cuisinart’s mug lids. HELLO! I never smacked on anything this hard for a while! The cuisinart’s lid has a smooth slant where the lid meets your top lip, whereas Melitta’s is a right angle plastic piece.

Both coffeemakers make decent coffee, but I felt that the Cuisinart had slightly hotter coffee. Maybe this was specific to the coffeemakers that I had purchased, but that IS what my lips decided.

I felt the cuisinart’s model physically looks better than the Melittas. Totally my opinion, but the round plate the mugs sit on, the flat lid to coffeemaker, and smaller footprint I like.

Cuisinart’s model is also easier to clean, thanks to the integrated filter basket to the dual nozzle dripper. The Melitta requires two pieces to clean if your so inclined to clean them at all. Both units use standard #2 paper filter which are readily available and cost effective.

Finally, both cofeemakers do share a common drawback when it comes to filling dual mugs; one cup has a high probability to have more coffee than the other. This pretty much nullifies filling the water level to max capacity since one mug might overflow. But I found that I can fill the water level within a inch of max level line for 2 mugs without overflow. Or, I can slightly tilt the coffeemaker with a sugar bag.

In conclusion, I really liked the Cuisinart Two to Go Cofeemaker TTG-500. Premeditated design and simple to use. A second choice for a similar product is the Melitta Dual Mug Coffeemaker, but make sure you able to accept some of it’s quirks, especially the compatiblity of the mugs with your vehicle.

The melitta can be found at Target or Amazon for $20.

The Cusinart can be found at Amazon and many other stores for ~ $50. I was lucky to find it on sale at Amazon for $29, and I would be just as happy with it if I paid $50. Now if you would be so kind as to excuse me, I think my coffee is ready…

Cuisinart TTG-500 3.5-Cup Coffee Maker Product Technical DetailsTTG-500 Key FeaturesTypeCoffee MakerCapacity3.5 CupOperat...

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