You’ve done your research. You’ve narrowed down your choices. You want the best cup of coffee you can make at home, and it comes down to two options: the Moccamaster KB and the Moccamaster KBG.
There are many coffee makers out there today that make all kinds of promises, from espresso shots to cold brew to waking you up with the aroma of your favorite bean. And if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, then I recommend checking them all out, from the best Moccamaster to the best Ninja Coffee Maker.
But if you’re ready for the ultimate showdown of Moccamaster’s two original designs, then keep reading.
Meet the Moccamaster
Technivorm Moccamaster earns their name because they are a master in the coffee brewing experience. They’ve been hand-making coffee makers in the Netherlands since 1968.
And it isn’t just their effort in brewing that shows. Moccamaster believes so strongly in their coffee brewing process that they back it with a 5-year warranty and lifetime repairs.
Okay, so they make great machines, but do they make a great cup of coffee? The Specialty Coffee Association of America awarded the Golden Cup Standard to Moccamaster. This certification only comes after rigorous quality control and laboratory testing.
It means they excel at the four T’s of coffee brewing: brew temperature, brew time, turbulence, and total dissolved solids. In other words, there’s a reason it’ll become your new favorite coffee maker.
Moccamaster produces a variety of larger brewers to meet the needs of every coffee lover. They make the CDT Grand, a larger-capacity thermal carafe model with a commercial, flat-bottom brew basket. But Moccamaster also makes a single-cup brewer. So the Cup-One Brewer is an excellent alternative for the singletons out there.
But I know you’ve narrowed down your search, and we’re here to talk about two particular Moccamaster models: the KB and the KBG. The models that pretty much started it all!
Before we get into details, let’s take a look closer look at what you can expect from every Moccamaster.
Features They Both Share
Though every Moccamaster model is a little different from the next, there are a few features that you can expect in every machine. These incredible features set these machines apart from their competitors.
Copper Heating Element
One of the best features of any Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker is the copper heating element. The copper element rapidly heats the cold water to the proper brew temperature between 196°F – 205°F.
This range is the ideal brew temperature for coffee extraction, and it contributes to the brew strength and overall coffee quality. Once the copper boiling element has reached the optimal temperature, the hot water flow is forced up the glass tube in the handy water reservoir, through the water arm, and over the coffee grounds.
We talk a lot about brew temperature, but according to the National Coffee Association, the ideal brew time for the coffee bean to contact water is about 5 minutes. So how long does it take for a Moccamaster to brew an entire pot? Four to six minutes!
With a brewing time that quick, you’ll be sipping your coffee faster than people in coffee shops.
9-Hole Water Outlet Arm
The majority of the Moccamaster Coffee makers include the 9-hole showerhead outlet arm. This feature forces the batches of water to pour over the coffee grounds. The sprinkling water contributes to the turbulence and high-quality coffee extraction.
You get the classic pour-over coffee flavors in a drip coffee maker so that you don’t have to decide which is better. I like to remove the lid and stir up the grounds while it brews because I know how quick that brew time is.
Automatic Shut-Off
I’m not too fond of over-brewed coffee that’s been left on the burner too long—or worrying that I might start a fire! Who would be?
Fortunately, Moccamaster has an automatic shut-off feature that kicks in anywhere from 40 to 100 minutes after you’ve brewed.
5-Year Warranty and Lifetime Repairs
If you brew as much coffee as I do, the 5-year warranty with lifetime repairs will be worth its weight in gold. Moccamaster believes in its products.
Also, many of the parts are easy to remove, which makes replacing or repairing them simple. And their machines last for a long time because they don’t have all the fancy bells and whistles of other brewer models.
The Showdown
So I’ve covered all the things the Moccamaster KB and Moccamaster KBG have in common, so how are they different? And which one is better?
It all comes down to the automatic brew basket stop and the choice of color.
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBG
The Moccamaster KBG coffee maker is the larger-capacity glass carafe model that (sort of) started it all. Designed in the ’70s, it has remained almost unchanged since then. But, hey, why change something that works so well?
This coffee maker will deliver forty ounces of delicious coffee with exceptional brew strength, brew temperature, and a brew time of 4-6 minutes. But we already covered that!
This model comes in 25 different color choices, including yellow pepper, midnight blue, and my favorite, merlot. You can match one to any at-home specialty coffee shop!
It also features the automatic brew basket stop, which means you don’t have to put too much work into brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Instead, fill the water tank to the water level markings (never with tap water!), turn on the coffee pot, and you’re finished.
Why Choose It Over the Moccamaster KB?
The automatic brew basket stop makes a big difference, especially if you want a coffee maker that works for you. The Moccamaster KBG is an excellent choice.
This automatic coffee machine will quickly become your favorite brewer with an exceptional brewing speed and cleaner brew than most commercial drip coffee makers.
The Technivorm Moccamaster KB
This quiet, unassuming glass carafe coffee maker may not look that spectacular. It only comes in polished silver and includes the manual drip-stop coffee basket.
So what makes it so unique?
The manual brew method transforms your coffee maker into a single-serve brewer or a half-carafe brewer. You heard me right!
The Moccamaster KB is a machine for people who want a hands-on coffee experience. You can adjust the flow of coffee to allow the water to have more time in contact with the grounds, and we all know the coffee to water ratios are essential.
Why Choose It Over the Moccamaster KBG?
Okay, so it doesn’t come in all the pretty colors, but the manual brew basket offers a coffee brewing process that you will love. In addition, the manual brew basket’s flexibility makes this coffee maker an excellent option to turn your home into a specialty coffee shop.
The Drawbacks
Just like every Moccamaster has some incredible features, they also include a few drawbacks that I feel I need to mention.
You Can’t Program the Machines
Who doesn’t love their coffee maker to start the moment their alarm goes off? But neither model lets you program anything. The same simple design means simple functions.
But with a brewing speed of 4-6 minutes, you don’t have to wait too long after you wake.
The Water Reservoir Isn’t Removable
The attached water tank might be my biggest complaint because my coffee filler is a floor away from my coffee maker.
Did you know? Coffee beans contain oils that will remain in your coffee pot after brewing. So instead of filling your water tank with your carafe, use a separate water jug.
No Bells Or Whistles
If you’re looking for a machine that makes cold brew or espresso, neither the KB nor KBG is for you. But you probably already know that.
Moccamaster makes one thing: exceptional, delicious coffee, and that’s it.
Wrap up
You can’t go wrong when choosing a Technivorm Moccamaster because every model includes the same quality features that make these machines so great. Plus, they all come with a five-year warranty and lifetime repairs.
The Moccamaster KBG comes with an automatic brew basket and twenty-five color choices. At the same time, the Moccamaster KB has the manual drip-stop brew-basket that gives you the flexibility to brew various sizes. It’s hard to choose!
No matter which way you go, you’ll enjoy the delicious coffee it makes.
Happy Caffeinating!
