Imagine having a robot whose sole duty was to make you a fresh cup of coffee every morning. No more waking up early to make a pot, and no more waiting around for your coffee to brew. All you would have to do is tell your little robot when you wanted coffee and presto! A hot cup would be waiting for you when you woke up.
Now, imagine that same robot also grinding your beans, measuring out the perfect amount of water, and even cleaning up after itself. That’s the kind of automation we’re talking about when it comes to your coffee maker.
While a fully-automated coffee maker might be a little out of reach for most of us, there are still plenty of ways to automate the coffee-making process. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Using a programmable coffee maker
This is probably the easiest way to get fresh coffee with little effort. You can find these coffee makers with different features, but most of them will allow you to set a brew time in advance. That way, your coffee will be ready when you wake up or come home from work.
If you want to take things a step further, there are also coffee makers that can grind your beans and brew your coffee automatically. These machines are more expensive, but they’ll save you even more time in the morning (or whenever you want a cup of coffee).
There are also a few things to keep in mind when using a programmable coffee maker. First, make sure you use fresh, cold water for the best results. Second, if you want your coffee to be extra strong, try using less water. And finally, don’t forget to clean your coffee maker regularly to prevent stains and buildup.
Drawbacks of a programmable coffee maker
While programmable coffee makers are great for convenience, there are a few drawbacks to using one. First, they can be more expensive than a regular coffee maker. Second, you’ll need to remember to fill the water reservoir and add beans before you go to bed (or whenever you want your coffee ready).
And finally, if you forget to turn off your coffee maker, it will continue to brew (and possibly overbrew) your coffee, which can make it taste bitter.
Using smart plug
In case you don’t own a programmable coffee maker, don’t worry! You can still automate your coffee maker using a smart plug.
A smart plug is a device that you plug into an outlet, and then plug your coffee maker (or any other appliance) into the smart plug. Once it’s all set up, you can use an app on your phone to turn the coffee maker on and off, set a schedule, or even set it to turn on when you leave work.
One of the best things about using a smart plug is that they’re relatively inexpensive. You can find them for as little as $10, and they’ll work with any coffee maker (or any other appliance).
To get started, you’ll need to buy a smart plug and download the app for your specific brand. Once you have the app, follow the instructions to set up the smart plug and connect it to your coffee maker.
Once the smart plug is set up, you can use the app to turn on your coffee maker and set a timer for when you want it to start brewing. The great thing about this method is that you can start your coffee maker from anywhere in the house, or even from outside the house.
Drawbacks of using a smart plug
One drawback of using a smart plug is that you’ll need to leave your coffee maker plugged into the outlet at all times. This means that you won’t be able to use the outlet for anything else, and it could be a bit of an eyesore.
Another drawback is that you’ll need to remember to start the coffee maker using the app. If you forget, your coffee won’t be ready when you want it.
These methods are far from having your own personal robot barista and we will still need to wait a few years (or decades) for that tech to become mainstream. In the meantime, though, these methods should help you get your coffee fix with little effort.
Remember that smart plug can be used on any appliance, not just coffee maker so get creative and automate other things in your life!
