Why I Own Three Coffee Machines (and Regularly Use All of Them)
My coffee machines and how often I use them:
• Breville Barista Touch Impress: almost every day
• YETI French Press (34oz): a few times a week
• Cuisinart Coffee Center 2-in-1 Coffee Maker: a few times a week
I didn’t plan on owning three coffee makers; I just really like coffee. Over time I realized that no single machine fits every situation. I work from home, I make coffee for guests, I make coffee at night, and I enjoy different types of beans. Each machine serves a very specific purpose in my routine.
This post is an overview of why I keep all three, how they work together, and when I reach for each one.
My Most‑Used Machine (Breville Barista Touch Impress)
Use case: when I want espresso
Frequency: daily
I love espresso, and the Breville makes it easy enough that I actually use it every day. It gives me consistent espresso with very little thinking required, especially now that it’s fully dialed‑in. It’s the machine I reach for on workdays between meetings.
Why it earns its place:
High quality
Satisfying workflow
Fast compared to the french press (if you’re only making one)
Limitations:
Needs the most maintenance
Can’t handle oily beans
Not ideal for making coffee for a group
This is my “everyday coffee maker,” and nothing else really competes with it for the role.
For Quiet Mornings and Small Gatherings (YETI French Press)
Use case: when I want the process to be intentional, or when I’m making 100% Kona coffee
Frequency: 1–3 times a week
My French press mornings are slow, calm, and quiet. The process of boiling water, scooping the grounds, and waiting the correct amount of time before pressing it gets me to focus and move at the pace of the brewing.
If I’m making coffee for myself, it can last all day since the YETI keeps it warm. It’s also great for when I’m making coffee for 2-3 people.
I also love that I can use my 100% Kona coffee beans with it. I can’t use the beans in the Breville since they are oily, and they are amazing in the french press.
Why it earns its place:
No electricity required
Makes coffee quietly (compared to the Breville which is louder)
Makes great‑tasting coffee
Keeps coffee hot for hours
Compatible with oily beans (including my 100% Kona beans) that don’t work in my Breville machine
Limitations:
Not ideal for 4+ people
Takes time and attention
Measurements/timing matter more
When I want a calm morning or I’m making coffee for 2–3 people, this is the one I reach for.
For Larger Groups and Late‑Night Cups (Cuisinart Coffee Center 2‑in‑1)
Use case: when I want a lot of coffee, extremely effortless coffee, or the smallest amount of caffeine
Frequency: a few times a week
This machine fills two very specific roles for me.
1. Larger gatherings (4+ people)
The carafe side can make up to 12 cups of coffee at once, and it’s truly “set it and forget it.” When I have more than 4 people over, drip coffee is the easiest and most predictable option.
2. A little nighttime coffee
On the single‑serve pod side, I can make an extra‑small 4oz cup—just enough for a cozy evening cup without as much caffeine as an espresso shot.
Why it earns its place:
Most efficient for big groups
Least effort
Has both pod and carafe
Makes tiny nighttime cups with minimal caffeine
Limitations:
Coffee quality is decent, but not as good as my other methods
This is the machine that covers the “quantity and convenience” category in my routine.
Where Each Machine Fits in My Coffee Routine
Breville: Makes my favorite espresso drinks, but requires the most maintenance.
YETI French Press: Great flavor, works with any beans, perfect for slow mornings, and is the easiest to clean.
Cuisinart: The easiest overall—best for large groups or for small late‑night cups.
They don’t compete with each other; each one solves a different problem.
Conclusion
I didn’t expect to end up with three coffee machines, but now I rely on them all. The Breville is my daily espresso maker, the YETI French Press works with my favorite beans, and the Cuisinart covers large groups and late‑night cups.
Together, they make my coffee routine easier, calmer, and more flexible.
This is the final post in the Coffee Maker Mini Series. If you’d like the full notes on each machine:
Where to buy the coffee machines
Tools & supplies I use
Coffee (order “Coarse Grind/French Press” for the Yeti and “Whole Bean” for the Breville):
Rincon Red Blend and Kona Blend are pretty good in the French press
Costa Rica is good in the Breville
Offers free shipping with a minimum spend, which is rare coming from Hawaii
Red Bourbon in the French press comes out better than my espresso shots
My usual K-cups for the Cuisinart
Replacement Filters
Other Tools
Descaling solution (for both the Breville and the Cuisinart)
Le Creuset Demi Kettle (perfect amount of water for the 34oz Yeti French Press)
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