Coffeemakers, like humans, come in every shape and size. Some are utterly utilitarian, like the Aeropress, while some express pure form, like the Chemex. The Manual Coffeemaker No. 1 by Craighton Berman is the latest attempt to class up your kitchen counter.
Designing coffee gadgets is somewhat of a hot trend these days, but the question is: Aside from looks, are they worth a damn? The Manual Coffeemaker No. 1, which debuted last month at ICFF in New York, certainly brings a holistic quality to the table, unifying the drip cone with a glass container that should aid in heat retention throughout the brew. But questions remain.
For example, it’s clear that you can only brew one cup at a time, but do most third-party mugs fit in that narrow chamber? It should sit nicely on a kitchen scale, which is a must. What kind of filters does it use? They look like Hario V60 filters, but is the cone shaped precisely to that spec? These things matter.
One thing’s for sure: It’s pleasing to the eye, and that is always a good place to start. [Craighton Berman Studio via Design & Art]