I am not sure what comes into your mind when you hear the words Makita coffee maker? If you are a tradie then you will be well acquainted with the Makita brand and Makita cordless tools. Back when I worked in the electrical industry they were one of the most well reputed brands that apprentices were encouraged to buy from. But there is a heck of a lot of difference between a circular saw or an impact driver and a portable coffee maker.
Often when companies who focus on one thing branch into another, quality falls significantly, so is that the case with this coffee maker? Does it have more going for it than simply a reputable brand? It is actually practical to operate as a jobsite coffee maker? Does it even make nice coffee?
These are some of the questions we will seek to answer in this article.
Makita Coffee Maker
In many ways this is the definitive jobsite coffee maker. It is light, durable, runs on the same max cut lithium ion batteries as other Makita tools, is simple to operate, and can make delicious coffee.
Specifications
Makita Coffee Maker Review
Overview
The Makita coffee maker is part of Makita’s larger 18V LXT® system. This is the world’s largest cordless tool system and is powered by 18V Lithium-Ion slide-style batteries. What characterizes this range is remarkably quick charging times blended with high performance and extended battery life.
So this battery powered coffee maker is designed with regular Makita users in mind. The idea is that you would be working as usual on the jobsite and come smoko or lunch break, you simply slide the battery out of your drill, slide it into your portable coffee maker, and you are away laughing.
In terms of features the machine we are considering is actually the new and improved version of the older Makita DCM500 coffee machine.
The operation of this is remarkably simple and reliable. You simply make sure the water tank is full, slide in the correct battery, add either ground coffee or a special pod, push the button on the front of the 18v coffee maker and wait for your freshly brewed coffee.
The kit comes with the tool itself, a measuring spoon, and the removable Makita coffee cup. As such, you can either drink out of the supplied coffee mug which comes with a lid, or else put in your own coffee mug. However, be warned that cup clearance on this machine is fairly low so large coffee mugs won’t fit under it.
In terms of the coffee it makes, this battery powered coffee maker uses a permanent drip filter and so doesn’t require the use of paper filters. It also automatically shuts off when there is insufficient water so as not to damage the machine itself. There is an automatic shut-off once the brew cycle is completed so you don’t need to keep eagle eyes on it at all times.
Battery Usage of the Makita Coffee Maker
One of the most important considerations in considering a cordless jobsite coffee maker is battery usage. The idea behind this appliance is that you could be on your jobsite using one of the other Makita cordless tools and then come lunch you simply slide the makita battery out of the drill, slide it into the coffee maker and viola freshly brewed coffee.
It sounds good, but it sounds a heck of a lot less appealing if it drains batteries at a rate that could impede the use of other tools. So how does the battery usage of Makita coffee machines come in?
Well in large part this is determined by which type of Makita batteries you are using. This battery coffee maker can accommodate either 12V max cxt lithium ion batteries or 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion batteries by Makita. You simply slide the case on the side for either the 18V or 12V battery slot.
How much battery is used per brew depends on what the voltage and ah (amperage/hour) of the given battery is. So according to Makita the battery usage to cups of coffee is as follows:
So as the chart indicates basically the better the battery the more coffee it will be able to make. Ideally this coffee maker should be paired with the 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion batteries as this is part of the Lithium-Ion range by Makita. However, smaller voltage batteries can be used but of course more battery power will be used. Also, remember that the batteries or the charger are not included with the Makita coffee machine.
What Coffee does the Makita Take?
Another important factor in choosing battery operated coffee makers is what forms of coffee they accept; whole Beans? Ground coffee? Pods? Capsules? This lithium ion cordless coffee machine accepts either your favourite ground coffee or 60mm coffee pods. The ground coffee option is fairly standard for a drip coffee maker and can either accommodate pre-ground shop-bought coffee, or your own favorite beans ground to demand.
The other option that this coffee maker gives is for pods. However, these aren’t the same as Keurig pods or even Nespresso pods. But instead are more like coffee pouches and have to be the specific size of 60mm. This size coffee pod is notoriously hard to track down and your best option is to go with the 62mm Senseo coffee pods which fit the machine a treat and have a range of different options and flavors.
Who is the Makita Coffee Maker for?
So who should seriously consider buying the ion cordless Coffee Maker by Makita? And the answer we would give is primarily the coffee lover looking for a jobsite coffee maker who already uses Makita cordless tools.
This battery coffee maker is really designed for Makita users on the jobsite. If you don’t use Makita tools then the additional purchase of the battery and charger will make this an expensive investment and to be honest a bit of an overkill.
This is made with the workman in mind who wants a hard earned coffee but may not have access to power or other options. And in our view it does fit the bill. It is hardy, durable, makes not bad filter coffee and due to the battery options can operate as either a 12v coffee maker or an 18v coffee maker.
So if you already have Makita cordless tools and batteries lying around and want a coffee maker to add to the tool kit then look no further. This is the machine for you.
Alternatives to the Makita Battery Coffee Maker
Maybe you have come to the end of this article but you are just not convinced that the Makita Coffee Maker is for you. Maybe you aren’t into Makita in general, maybe it is simply too bulky, or restrictive in the coffee making options. What might be a suitable alternative?
Our favorite option, without a shadow of a doubt, would be the Aeropress. This syringe-looking device makes superb coffee, is one of the lightest and most portable coffee makers out there, and is dirt cheap. Admittedly, it does take a little more effort to use than the Makita and requires that you boil water additionally, but the results are well worth it. So especially if you want coffee that is of a high caliber on the jobsite then the Aeropress is the way to go. You can see our full review of it here.
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Happy Buying!
