Moccamaster Cup One Review: One Cup and Done!

I’m sure you guys will agree that this Moccamaster Cup One review is long overdue. After all, the Technivorm Moccamaster is my favorite drip coffee maker of all time.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to conduct an initial review of this nifty little single-cup brewer. And once the Amazon box has arrived I’ll update this post with my observations. In the meantime, let’s jump right in!

Simple and effective

Technivorm Moccamaster Cup One

High quality single serve brewer

Compact design

SCA certified home brewer

Straightforward operation

High-quality components

No flow control

CHECK PRICE

Overview: Moccamaster Cup One Review

As it happens, I’ve been reviewing quite a few single-serve coffee makers lately. And I can certainly see why this type of machine is so popular. After all, many folks just want to brew up a quick cup of joe in the morning without having to fill a carafe. Besides, it’s often the case that even when you brew small amounts with a larger coffee maker, the results aren’t as good.

The Technivorm Moccamaster Cup One is the Dutch manufacturer’s only single cup brewer, and the design team obviously spent a lot of time on the thing. It has the classic Moccamaster vibe, but noticeable differences include the conical filter basket and tiny water tank.

That said, the Cup One does have the classic Technivorm copper heating element and glass tubing.

What’s more, the Moccamaster Cup One has been Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), meaning it had to go through a slew of rigorous testing. What does this mean for you? Well, the Moccamaster Cup One will offer a level of consistency and performance that most coffee machines can’t get close to.

Then again, I should hope so given the $249.00 price tag attached to this brewer.

Incidentally, this Moccamaster single-serve brewer is a one-trick pony in the very best sense. In other words, the Cup One brews a 10-ounce (296-milliliter) cup of coffee, and that’s it. Personally, I love this simple concept. Especially if the Cup One can deliver the kind of exceptional cup quality I’ve come to expect from its larger siblings.

Moccamaster Cup-One Features

Let’s continue this Moccamaster Cup One review by digging deeper into all the features on offer.

Size and Design

As I already mentioned, the Cup One has that classic Moccamaster design language. I happen to love the way this single-cup brewer looks, although there is plenty of plastic in its construction. Still, that’s to be expected these days.

Most importantly, the Moccamaster Cup One is very compact, meaning you’ll have no issues finding a place for it in your kitchen.

As with all Technivorm brewers, every Moccamaster Cup One is made by hand in the Netherlands using high quality components. And just to show that these guys stand behind their products, you’ll get a very generous five-year warranty.

Seeing as this is a single serve coffee maker that prioritizes fast brewing times, the filter basket has a conical shape, kind of like a pour-over dripper. And while the Cup One has a similar spray arm to that of its siblings, there isn’t a nine-hole shower head. Rather, water pulses from a single hole.

From what I’ve heard, this doesn’t result in channeling, although I do imagine you’ll have to be more precise with your grind size when brewing.

Controls

If it’s a simple, no-frills coffee maker you’re after, the Moccamaster Cup One will be right up your alley. Seriously, as far as controls go, there’s one button for brewing and that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Personally, I would have loved to see a flow control function like that on the Moccamaster KB. Heck, even a drip stop would have been nice. Still, you can’t win ’em all. Anyway, if you like the idea of having programmable functions and an auto-start feature, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Brew Basket

While the Moccamaster Cup One might not achieve the kind of brew that’ll tempt pour-over nerds away from their precious drippers, it offers the utmost in precision and consistency. This is enhanced by the conical brew basket, which has a restricted outlet at the bottom.

This, in combination with the brewer’s specially calibrated water flow rate ensures the Cup One will brew an excellent cup of coffee in around four minutes.

Incidentally, you’ll need to use #1 filters with the Moccamaster Cup One, but the manufacturer includes a couple of packs to get you started.

Brew Capacity

As I mentioned earlier in this Moccamaster Cup One review, the brewer has been designed to deliver a single 10-ounce (296-milliliter) cup of coffee. Personally, that sounds ideal for my needs. In fact, I’d probably reduce the amount of water and ground coffee to get an even smaller cup.

Still, I understand that this limited serving size won’t appeal to everyone. After all, plenty of folks like to brew up a 20-ounce travel mug of coffee and sip it throughout the day. If that includes you, I’d recommend looking for a single serve coffee maker with multiple brew size options.

Copper Boiling Element

As with all Moccamaster coffee makers, the Cup One is equipped with a powerful copper boiling element. This thing really sets Moccamasters apart from the competition, and it’s why you’re paying a premium for the Cup One.

The copper element works extremely quickly to bring water to the ideal range for brewing coffee. What’s more, it’s super efficient and long-lasting. Finally, the boiling element automatically shuts off when the water reservoir is empty. Turns out Technivorm thought of everything!

Removable Cup Holder

You will have already cottoned on to the fact that the Moccamaster Cup One doesn’t come with a carafe. However, you do get a nifty little cup holder for keeping your cup in place during brewing. What’s more, the cup holder doubles as a drip tray for any coffee splashes.

Apparently, you’ll get around 5 inches (13 centimeters) of cup clearance, which isn’t all that much. Then again, you’re only getting 10 ounces of coffee, so you don’t need room for a huge coffee travel mug.

How to Use the Moccamaster Cup One

It should be clear at this point in my Moccamaster Cup One review that using the thing couldn’t be easier. Still, I’ll give you a quick rundown on what to expect.

Before brewing your first coffee, make sure to rinse out the water reservoir and brew basket. Once that’s done, fill the reservoir with filtered water to just below the level marker.

The manufacturer has detailed guidelines for brewing ratios in the user manual, but I’d recommend starting with 20 grams of coffee. Oh, and a decent coffee scale will help you measure out your coffee beans before grinding.

Speaking of, you’ll get the best results by using a burr coffee grinder set to medium-fine. That said, you might need to experiment until you get the grind size you want. Ultimately, your brew should take around four minutes, so you’ll know to adjust your grind finer if the brew is too fast and vice versa.

Getting back on track, it’s time to place a #1 paper coffee filter basket before adding your freshly ground coffee. Next, it’s simply a case of putting a cup underneath and hitting the brew button. See, I told you it was easy!

Moccamaster Cup One Cleaning

To be honest, there’s very little to worry about when it comes to cleaning and descaling the Moccamaster Cup One. I’d recommend rinsing the filter basket after each use and wiping down the exterior to keep the brewer looking its best.

Other than that, you’ll need to descale the Moccamaster Cup One every once in a while. According to the manufacturer, you should descale every three months, which sounds about right. To do so, you can use vinegar and water or a product like Durgol or Urnex.

Oh, and remember that your warranty will be void if you don’t descale your coffee maker as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Just sayin’!

Moccamaster Cup One Technical Specifications

Cup One Moccamaster vs KBGV Select

While it might seem redundant to compare the Moccamaster Cup One with the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select, I figure some of you might be on the fence about whether or not to buy a single serve coffee maker.

Costing $251.99, the KBGV Select is a good deal more expensive than the Cup One. However, you’re paying for a few extra features, as well as a larger brewing capacity and a glass carafe. What’s more, the Moccamaster KBGV Select includes a more sophisticated spray arm with a nine-hole shower head.

You have the choice of brewing either a full 10-cup carafe or a 6-cup carafe with the KBGV Select. Oh, and the machine has been calibrated to brew more slowly for the latter option to make up for a smaller amount of ground coffee in the filter.

Regular Coffeeness readers know how much I love the Moccamaster KBGV Select and I’ll recommend it to anyone who’s serious about good coffee. That said, I expect the Cup One will more than satisfy those who simply don’t need to brew as much coffee at a time.

See Also: Technivorm Moccamaster Review

Moccamaster Cup One vs KBGV Select Comparison Chart

Verdict: Technivorm Moccamaster Cup One Review

Simple and effective

Technivorm Moccamaster Cup One

High quality single serve brewer

Compact design

SCA certified home brewer

Straightforward operation

High-quality components

No flow control

CHECK PRICE

Having reached the end of this initial Moccamaster Cup One review, I have to say I’m intrigued. Will this little marvel deliver the kind of cup quality I’ve come to expect from Moccamaster machines? Or will I be left feeling disappointed by the fact that I didn’t just pull out my Hario V60 instead?

I’ll make sure to update this review once I’ve had a chance to put the Moccamaster Cup One through its paces. In the meantime, I’ll be pacing the floor while waiting for the Amazon box to arrive!

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