Hamilton Beach 49981A Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Hamilton Beach 49981A is a single-serve coffee maker that brews one cup at a time. It's designed to be simple to use with minimal parts or settings to adjust, making it a basic "plug and brew" coffee machine. The Hamilton Beach 49981A uses ground coffee and has a mesh filter basket, so no disposable pods or paper filters are required. It has a black plastic housing with stainless steel accents and a compact footprint suited for small kitchens or offices. The coffee maker can brew a cup in under 3 minutes and has an auto shutoff feature after brewing. Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49981A aims to provide an affordable and simplified single-serve brewing experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Hamilton Beach 49981A Single Serve Coffee Maker has a sturdy plastic build that feels solid and durable. The black and stainless steel exterior gives it an attractive, modern look that would fit well in most kitchens.

At just 9.9 x 7.4 x 12.4 inches, this coffee maker has a very compact footprint. Weighing only 5.5 pounds, it doesn't take up much space on your kitchen counter. The slim design makes it easy to tuck away in a cabinet when not in use.

Despite the plastic housing, the machine doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. All parts fit together snugly with no wiggle or rattle. The water reservoir and drip tray are made from thick, sturdy plastic that should hold up well over time.

The mesh filter basket and included permanent filter are both made from strong, durable materials. The brew head locks firmly into place during brewing with no leaks.

Overall, while not made from premium metal materials, the Hamilton Beach 49981A has a solid build quality suitable for daily use. The aesthetics are modern and attractive for this price range. The compact, lightweight design is perfect for small kitchens or easy storage.

Another notable product in the single-serve coffee maker category is the Elite Gourmet EHC117M. This model also boasts a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to fit into small spaces. It features a sleek modern look and durable build quality similar to the Hamilton Beach model. The EHC117M is particularly appreciated for its user-friendly controls and efficient brewing capabilities, making it a strong contender for those in need of a reliable single-serve coffee maker.

Brewing

The Hamilton Beach 49981A Single Serve Coffee Maker brews a fresh cup of coffee in under 90 seconds. This is quite fast compared to other drip coffee makers which can take 4-5 minutes to brew a full pot.

The water reservoir is able to hold enough water to brew a few cups before needing a refill. The max capacity is 14 ounces.

This coffee maker allows you to brew a single cup or travel mug size, offering adjustable cup sizes. You can brew anywhere from a 4 ounce cup to a 14 ounce travel mug. This flexibility lets you customize the amount of coffee brewed to your preferences. Whether you want just a small cup or a large travel mug for your commute, this machine can accommodate.

The brewing process is simple - just insert a #4 paper filter or reusable filter into the filter basket, add your favorite ground coffee, choose your cup size, and hit brew. The machine will dispense hot water over the grounds to quickly produce a fresh cup of coffee.

The CHULUX QF-CM801 is another excellent option for those who prefer single-serve coffee makers. It features a sleek, compact design that fits easily on any countertop and is ideal for small kitchens or offices. The CHULUX QF-CM801 operates with one-touch functionality, making brewing a hassle-free experience. It also includes a removable drip tray to accommodate different cup sizes, from standard mugs to larger travel mugs, ensuring versatile use. Moreover, the CHULUX QF-CM801 is compatible with both ground coffee and K-Cups, providing additional convenience and brewing options for users.

Ease of Use

The Hamilton Beach 49981A single serve coffee maker is designed for convenient everyday use. The control panel is straightforward with buttons for power, brew, and programming.

The programming options allow you to set the clock and schedule auto-brew up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy for waking up to a freshly brewed cup or having coffee ready when you get home. The auto shut-off also kicks in after 2 hours for safety.

Cleaning and maintenance are simple on this model. The removable parts like the brew basket and water reservoir are dishwasher safe. The drip tray slides out to empty easily. Descaling is recommended every 3-6 months to keep the internal parts fresh and working properly.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49981A offers user-friendly operation and hassle-free upkeep for brewing coffee with minimal effort on a daily basis. The intuitive controls and programmable features allow you to customize the experience to suit your needs.

Taste of Coffee

The Hamilton Beach 49981A produces coffee with excellent taste and flavor. The water reaches the optimal brewing temperature between 195-205F to properly extract the full flavor from the ground coffee. This results in a rich, smooth coffee with robust aroma and full-bodied taste without any bitterness or acidity.

The brewer consistently delivers the same great tasting cup of coffee each time. The showerhead design evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds to provide uniform saturation and extraction. This prevents over or under extraction in different parts of the filter basket. The end result is a balanced, nuanced cup of joe with smooth mouthfeel.

The coffee stays hot for an extended time after brewing thanks to the stainless steel interior which retains heat well. Even if you don't drink it right away, you can come back later to a still pleasantly warm mug. Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49981A makes delicious, flavorful coffee you’ll look forward to each morning.

Features

The Hamilton Beach 49981A Single Serve Coffee Maker comes with several useful features that enhance the coffee brewing experience.

• Programmable Settings - This coffee maker allows you to program your brew up to 24 hours in advance. You can set the auto-brew time so your coffee is ready when you wake up in the morning.

• Strength Control - There are bold and regular strength options to customize the flavor of your coffee. Choose bold for a more intense, richer coffee or regular for a smoother, milder taste.

• Audible Alerts - When your coffee is finished brewing, the machine will beep to let you know it's ready. There are also alerts for low water or low reservoir levels, ensuring you always have what you need to brew a great cup of coffee.

• One-Hand Dispensing - A handy dispensing lever allows you to pour a cup of coffee with just one hand for added convenience. No need to remove the reservoir or carafe.

• Removable Reservoir - The 42oz water reservoir detaches from the coffee maker for easy filling at the sink. The water level is visible so you can clearly see how much is left.

• Auto Shut-Off - For safety, the coffee maker will automatically turn off after 2 hours of inactivity. This prevents overheating or accidental brewing when not in use.

Accessories

The Hamilton Beach 49981A comes with some handy accessories for brewing and maintaining your coffee maker.

Reusable Filter

Included with the coffee maker is a reusable filter that can replace the need for wasteful paper filters. The stainless steel mesh construction allows water to flow through while keeping grounds in the filter basket. This is an eco-friendly option that also helps enhance the flavor of the coffee by allowing more oils to pass through.

Paper Filters

For those who prefer using paper filters, Hamilton Beach includes several with the coffee maker. The cone-shaped filters properly fit the filter basket to filter out coffee grounds without imparting any paper flavor. Having some filters included is convenient for getting started brewing right away.

Cleaning Brush

To help keep the coffee maker clean, Hamilton Beach provides a small cleaning brush. The brush makes it easy to scrub away any coffee residue or buildup in the filter basket, carafe, or other areas. Proper cleaning is important for maintaining the flavor of each brew.

Pros

The Hamilton Beach 49981A Single Serve Coffee Maker has several notable pros that make it a great choice:

• Affordable Price Point - This coffee maker is very reasonably priced, usually retailing between $25-$35. For a reliable personal coffee maker with single serve convenience, it's tough to beat this value.

• Brews Quickly - Thanks to its simple single serve design, it can brew a fresh cup of coffee in around 90 seconds. You don't have to wait long to enjoy your morning coffee.

• Easy to Use - With a simple on/off button and intuitive controls, it's very easy to operate. Just insert a pod, add water, select your size, and brew. The removable parts are also dishwasher safe for fast cleanup.

• Compact Size - This coffee maker has a small footprint, ideal for use in apartments, dorms, offices, or other tight spaces. It won't take up much counter space.

• Consistent Results - Thanks to its simple pod-based system, it consistently delivers a good tasting cup of coffee with the right amount of crema on top. You can expect reliable results every time you brew.

Cons

• The single cup coffee maker size may be too large for some kitchens or office spaces at 10.63 x 7.38 x 10.94 inches tall. It takes up a decent amount of counter space.

• The coffee maker only has one brew size setting for a 5 ounce cup. You cannot adjust the brew size for a larger or smaller cup. This limits customization.

• The water reservoir capacity is small at just 14 ounces. This means you may have to refill the water tank frequently if brewing multiple cups in a row.

• The quality of materials is mostly plastic, lacking some of the premium metal and glass parts found on higher end coffee makers. This impacts durability over time.

• There is no automatic shut-off feature. You have to remember to turn the coffee maker off manually after use to avoid energy waste.

• The single cup brewing requires disposable filters and does not work with reusable pods or grounds. This ongoing filter expense adds to long-term costs.

Conclusion

The Hamilton Beach 49981A single serve coffee maker offers solid performance and convenience at an affordable price point. This compact brewer can quickly deliver a fresh cup of coffee with the simple push of a button. The durable stainless steel construction and mesh filter basket ensure longevity and easy cleanup.

While the coffee may lack some richness and nuance compared to higher-end single cup brewers, the Hamilton Beach 49981A still produces a very satisfactory cup for the price. The simple controls and compatibility with both soft coffee pods and ground coffee provide versatility. The included travel mug also adds value.

Overall, this is an excellent budget-friendly option for anyone seeking an automatic single serve coffeemaker. It's easy to use, makes a decent cup of coffee, and takes up minimal counter space. For those who just want a fuss-free, consistent morning brew without breaking the bank, the Hamilton Beach 49981A is a solid choice worth considering.