How to Choose the Perfect Coffee Maker for Your RV
While coffee makers aren’t the most complex appliance on the planet, certain features would make it more suitable for an RV than for your home. When looking for the perfect coffee maker for your RV, you’ll save yourself some trouble if you pay attention to these features that we’ve listed below.
Simplicity
When thinking about a coffee maker for your RV, don’t forget that you’re in an RV. You probably don’t want to get a complicated coffee maker that has a ton of part needs a whole bunch of space and extra equipment or is a pain in the rear end to clean. Simple is better when you’re brewing in an RV. This leads us to the next consideration when looking for a coffee maker for your RV.
Type of Coffee Maker
There are a lot of different kinds of RV coffee makers, but not all of them are going to be practical in your RV. Of course, the most common type is the automatic drip, coffee maker. This coffee maker runs by electricity, so you’ll need an inverter or a generator to run this type of coffee maker. These types of coffee makers are convenient and are the easiest to get up to the ideal coffee temperature.
Another popular type that’s good for RVs is the French press for the AeroPress coffee maker. These don’t require any electricity, as you make your coffee by hand. A third type that’s popular for people with RVs is the stovetop coffee maker; these are great because you can use the stove in your RV or a camp stove. This type also does not require electricity.
Wattage
The wattage of an RV coffee maker is critical when you’re going to be using it in an RV. This is because when using appliances in an RV, you’ll likely be using a generator or an inverter. Both devices have a maximum continuous Watts rating and a maximum surge watch rating. You need to make sure that your coffee maker doesn’t exceed these ratings. In all honesty, it’s highly unlikely that your RV coffee maker is going to come anywhere near the maximum ratings for your inverter unless you have a cheap, inexpensive low-rated inverter. Most people don’t.
Even though an RV coffee maker isn’t going to blow out your inverter or generator on its own, you also must consider what else you have plugged up into your inverter or generator. The Watts of your RV coffee maker combined with the rest of your appliances or Electronics can’t exceed those maximum. When you consider this big picture, you can see how important it is to make sure you get an RV coffee maker that only has the wattage that you need.
On average, a coffee maker will use around 800 watts. The more cups you make, the more watts you’ll use and vice versa. It will boil down to how many people you’ll be making coffee for and how often you’ll be making it.
Warranty
Coffee makers are usually sturdy appliances. You should still pay attention to the product’s warranty. A short warranty period can be a red flag that the manufacturer doesn’t expect the product to last long and doesn’t want to be on the hook for fixing it if it doesn’t. You hear stories about it all the time–a product stops working just a few days after the warranty expires.
At a minimum, aim for a coffee maker that has at least a 12-month (one year) warranty. A two-year warranty is even better. Make sure the warranty is concise and quickly found when you’re checking out the coffee maker.
Size
Coffee makers come in a whole range of sizes. So do RVs. You’ll want to consider how much space you have in your RV. When considering the size, don’t forget about the height. Coffee makers aren’t usually that tall, so in most cases, the height won’t make too much of a difference. However, if you’re counter space is tight and you have cabinets hanging over the counter, you don’t want a coffee maker that’s too tall to fit in between the cabinets and the countertop. You may also elect to have an under-the-counter type coffee maker installed in your RV, so you don’t have to use any counter space at all.
Price
Coffee makers are one of those products that you get what you pay for. This doesn’t mean that a cheap coffee maker won’t work, but you can’t expect top-quality performance from a cheap coffee maker. If you know what to expect, you won’t be disappointed.
On the other hand, you’re going to be in an RV, so you probably don’t want a super fancy, pricey coffee maker. Especially one that’s sensitive and may get broken while you’re on the road.
The Best Coffee Makers for RV – The Reviews & Ratings
Black+Decker Coffeemaker
Having a single-serve coffee machine is smart if there aren’t many people who will drink coffee regularly. It saves time, space, and you won’t waste coffee. This Black+Decker model offers you all of this in a high-quality, compact automatic drip machine.
The machine measures 7.4 x 5.9 x 12.1 inches, so it doesn’t take up very much counter space. It has a cord storage compartment and a reusable filter, so you don’t have to waste space storing filters. It’s lightweight and comes with a handy, 16-ounce thermal travel mug instead of a coffee pot, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about cleaning. The machine only requires 650 starting watts.
We love the fact that you can use coffee grounds or pods. The flexibility is excellent and allows you to have a modern product at an affordable price.
PROs
- It has an automatic shut-off feature.
- Easy to use, one-button brewing cycle.
- Can dispense hot water.
CONs
- It’s basic. Only one button and one function.
- You can’t stop the brew once it’s started.
Keurig Plus K-Mini Portable Coffee Maker
K-pods have taken the coffee world by storm, so being able to brew your favorite flavor in your RV can be very special. This Keurig model is lightweight and compact. It’s excellent for RVs because you get everything you need in one small package–storage, durability, simplicity, quality, and, most of all, a great-tasting cup of coffee.
The machine has a very convenient storage tray that can hold up to nine pods. When the machine isn’t in use, the tray slides right into the space where the coffee cup would sit. This means you don’t need to use precious counter space for storage. The machine is compact, measuring 11.3 x 4.5 x 12.1 inches and needs 1,475 starting watts. After the heating cycle is finished, the running watts are from 10 to 15 watts.
This product gives you a few options that are nice to have. It can accommodate up to a seven-inch tall coffee mug/cup. You can choose to brew between six and twelve ounces of coffee, and the coffee maker has a button to make it a “strong” brew in case you need some extra kick.
PROs
- Has a removable drip tray
- Automatically shuts off after 90 seconds
- Comes in four different colors.
CONs
- Takes a while to brew.
- Can be loud.
Coleman Camping Coffee Maker
If you don’t have access to electricity in your RV, or you prefer an appliance that doesn’t use power, then this camping coffee machine is a great choice. The Coleman Camping coffee maker snugly fits on most two- or three-burner stoves, and the steel base is perfect for making sure it’s not damaged. It brews up to 10 cups of coffee efficiently. It does take a while for the coffee to brew, but that is to be expected.
We love the fact that it’s a simple, easy-to-use coffee maker. It has a swing-out basket for the filter, which can be removed making it easy to clean. The water reservoir is a nice, wide neck so you can easily add water. It’s a true, no-fuss product that measures 8.5 x 11 x 14 inches. Not the most compact design, but it is a small size, so it won’t take up too much space.
PROs
- Easy to use & clean.
- It comes with a one-year warranty.
- You don’t need electricity for it.
CONs
- The steel base tends to warp.
- The valve that stops coffee flow gets clogged easily.
Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 8 Cup Coffee Maker Percolator
Best Overall RV Coffee Maker
A percolator pot is a great way to get the richest, fullest flavor from great coffee. It’s also great because it doesn’t need electricity to work, making it perfect for RVs and camping. It’s stainless steel so it’s very durable and it’s been polished to a brilliant, mirror-finish, so it looks fancy and lasts a long time.
The built-in filter is permanent, so you don’t have to worry about continually buying filters, and the interior is designed so that it doesn’t absorb odors. The lid seals tight, and your coffee is ready quickly. The percolator is lightweight and small, so it’s not going to take up a lot of space. It’s a good percolator that’s going to do precisely what you need it to – brew great coffee.
PROs
- It’s made of high-quality steel.
- Transparent glass knob lets you see when it’s percolating.
- Has a lifetime limited warranty.
- Ease of Use
CONs
- Glass knob can break because the lid gets too tight.
Coletti “Bozeman” Percolator Coffee Pot
This is a very shiny percolator! Like the Farberware, this percolator is stainless steel and shined to perfection. It is a robust and durable percolator that resists warping and produces vibrant tasting coffee. Like the Farberware, it has a clear glass handle that allows you to see when the coffee is percolating, but the handle is a lot stronger, so it won’t break just because the lid gets tight.
The percolator is around the size of a coffee pot. It measures 8 x 4.8 x 7.5 inches, so it’s not awkward to use. We like the rosewood panels on the handle. This protects you from burns because you won’t have to touch a hot handle. It also looks nice-almost rustic.
It comes with filters, although they aren’t necessary, and the percolator also has a one-year warranty in case of defects. It’s a little pricey, but it’s a fantastic product that’s worth every dollar.
PROs
- Wooden handle prevents burns.
- The company donates 100% of profits to charity.
- Easy to Use
CONs
- The lid is loose and sometimes falls off when you pour the coffee.
- Only holds around 39 ounces of coffee.
Keurig K-Mini K15
Best Single Cup RV Coffee Maker
We have another Keurig on the list, and it’s also a drip coffee machine. The difference between this one and the first one is that you have more options and features with this model. One important option is that you can choose to brew six, eight, or ten ounces of coffee. It also brews the coffee in less than two minutes, so you don’t have to wait forever for your morning joe.
We wish this Keurig had the pod storage compartment like the first one, but this is one feature we can live without since everything else about this machine is superb. Like all Keurig products, it is manufactured well with high-quality material. This gives this model a long life span, but just in case something goes wrong, it comes with a one-year limited warranty.
The K15 is a very portable, compact product. It measures 10.8 x 6.9 x 10.7 inches and can accommodate a travel mug or coffee mug up to 5.5 inches tall. This RV coffee maker requires at least 1,475 starting watts. It has a cord storage compartment, and it’s an all-in-one system, so you don’t need any extra counter space for it. This is one of the best coffee makers you can get.
PROs
- Available in ten different colors.
- Removable drip tray holds a full cup in case of accidental brew.
- Has the ability to dispense hot water.
CONs
- It’s expensive compared to other comparable machines.
Chulux RV Pod Coffee Maker
Best Budget Coffee Maker
Chulux’s offering is a tiny, automatic-drip unit. It may be small, measuring 4.3 x 7.5 x 9.8 inches, but the brewing process makes a cup of java with big, rich flavor. It only requires 800 starting watts. It works well, not only because of its size but because of the simplicity of operation and it’s versatility. It allows you to either use coffee grounds with its reusable filter or by using it with pods.
While it’s not as fancy as a Keurig, it does provide you with the exact features you need. First, it’s 800 watts, so this is good for RV generators and inverters. It automatically shuts off after the brew, which saves power. It also comes with a one-year warranty in case of defects. While this product isn’t the highest in quality on the list, it’s still an excellent machine that won’t break the bank.
PROs
- Optional reusable filters are available.
- Brews quickly and quietly.
- Easy to use.
CONs
- It’s difficult to clean – especially if using coffee grounds
- It has a cheap look and feel to it.
- 12 oz water tank means you’ll be refilling it after nearly every cup of coffee.
BLACK+DECKER Space Maker Under-the-Cabinet Programmable Coffeemaker
If saving space is your priority, then and under-the-cabinet model is a wise choice. This particular Black+Decker model is all about convenience. It has an insulated 8-cup carafe, a programming feature for automatic brews, and a removable water reservoir for easy cleaning and filling. It has a cord storage hook and automatically shuts off to save energy.
Even though the coffeemaker saves counter space, it isn’t that compact. It measures 17 x 12 x 13 inches and weighs 11 pounds. This is large and heavy for a personal machine. At least you only have to handle it once during installation. However, once installed, this product will brew excellent pots of coffee in a fair amount of time. Amazingly, it only requires 900 starting watts, which is surprising for this size of machine.
PROs
- Can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance.
- Mini-LCD display makes programming and brewing easy.
- It has a two-year warranty.
CONs
- It’s large and heavy.
- It’s made with hard plastic instead of metal.
Coleman QuikPot Propane Coffee Maker for RV
Best Propane Coffee Maker
This is the only product on the list that works by propane gas. This is perfect for people who may not have spare power or sufficient outlets in their RV. Propane gas provides even steady heating, so even in cold conditions, you can still get a hot pot of joe.
The product measures 13.3 x 17.1 x 8.9 inches. It’s slightly bigger than most compact models and a little heavier than most compact ones. However, it’s still at a size and weight that’s manageable. The reason we included it on the list is because of its quality and the fact that having a propane-powered coffee maker is smart in an RV.
The model is made of a very durable steel combined with hard plastic. It comes with a one-year warranty like Olive Coleman, so you don’t have to worry about defects.
PROs
- It can be used anywhere since it doesn’t need electricity.
- It can be hooked up to a 20 pounds propane tank.
- Great ease of use.
CONs
- Comes with a glass carafe which can easily get broken during camping.
- The base gets very hot and could melt plastic
Last update on 2021-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API