Coffee connoisseurs will love the precision with which Technivorm’s machines can brew a cup of delicious joe. Using state-of-the-art technology to regulate every part of the brewing process, the Moccamaster line is for those coffee-lovers who sip their morning beverage like a glass of fine wine. Even if coffee is just a morning routine for you, superior craftsmanship and a 5-year warranty make this a long-lasting addition to any home – and if you fall in love with the taste, you may even find a new hobby!
We’ll be comparing two of the Moccamaster models that are very similar in design and construction. 100% recyclable materials, 40oz metal coffee carafes, and temperature-controlled brewing are features that the Moccamaster 79112 and the Moccamaster 79312 share, but there a select few elements that set them apart from one another. By examining these small differences, we’ll try to narrow down which coffee maker will be the best for your specific needs. You can’t lose either way with these two, but you may find that one has certain advantages that you can’t live without.
Brew Basket Design
Moccamaster 79112
The Moccamaster 79112 comes with a manual adjust drip-stop brew-basket to provide you with maximum control over your morning cup. Choose from open, half-open, or closed. Open is best for full pots of coffee containing six to ten cups, while half-open is, you guessed it, for half pots of two to five cups. With the half-open setting selected, the drip will slow to allow for longer saturation time since the water has a shorter way to travel with fewer grounds. Closed is for pausing brewing or raising the saturation time manually, but be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent overflow.
Moccamaster 79312
This model has an automatic brew basket, and while it doesn’t offer you the same control, the automatic option is more convenient if you’re not interested in manually adjusting the flow. This brew basket will close as soon as you pull the carafe away from the machine, preventing any drips on your counter.
Verdict: If you’re a devoted coffee-lover, you may need manual control over the flow so that you can get that perfect saturation. If you want great tasting coffee without any hassle, the automatic brew basket lets you set it and forget it, stopping flow if you need to sneak a cup before brewing is complete. That said, the Moccamaster 79112 comes out ahead in this category simply because you never know if you might want more control down the line.
Brewing Quality
Moccamaster 79112 & Moccamaster 79312
With the exception of the basket, these two models actually brew coffee the exact same way, but it’s worth taking a look at all the great design elements that come together to create the perfect cup. A copper heating element controls water temperature, keeping it between 196° and 205°. While maintaining the perfect temperature for brewing coffee, these models pour hot water over the grounds with a pre-immersion drip-style system that covers the coffee with natural pulse action.
Highly efficient, the default steeping time is regulated (adjustable on the 79112) so you can have a full 40 ounces of coffee in the carafe in just six minutes. After brewing is complete, simply remove the attractive carafe from the machine and serve. A pour-through top on both models retains heat during the brewing process, so you don’t have to worry about anyone getting a cold cup.
Verdict: Since both models use the same brewing technology, this category is a tie. Aside from the difference in flow adjustment described above, a cup of coffee from either machine will taste similarly delicious. High-quality hand-made construction has made Netherlands company Technivorm a fierce competitor in the coffee maker market, and the five-year warranty on each model shows that they stand behind their work.
Size and Shape
Moccamaster 79112
The body of this coffee maker runs 15.25 x 11.5 x 6.75 inches, so it’s pretty standard as far as coffee makers go. It weighs around 6 pounds when empty, which gives it more heft than cheap plastic models. Heft can go along the way with kitchen appliances like this. When your counter is crowded, there’s nothing worse than knocking over your coffee maker and soaking all your meal preparation. Coffee tastes great, but it doesn’t go with everything.
Moccamaster 79312
These models are almost as similar in size as they are in brewing style. This model is slightly taller than its competitor at 16 inches. While a quarter of an inch might not make much of a difference, it certainly does if you place kitchen appliances under cupboards on your counter. This machine also weighs a quarter pound more, but that shouldn’t make too much of a difference.
Verdict: This category almost produces a tie, too. The only meaningful difference between the sizes of these two models is the quarter inch in height. As we’ve mentioned, this might make a big difference for someone with a very specific kitchen setup, but it probably won’t matter much to most people. The quarter pound of weight difference seems irrelevant. If forced to pick a winner, it might have to be the 79112, simply because it’s slightly more compact.
Moccamaster 79112 vs 79312: Conclusion
These are two very similar coffee makers. Looking at the precise brewing technology, smart design, and simple operation, it would be hard to go wrong with either one. The only big difference lies in the brew-basket flow control. As mentioned above, this might be a big deal for you. If you’re someone who weighs their coffee after grinding it and then does the math to figure out appropriate water level and steep time, you’d be wise to go with the Moccamaster 79112 for maximum control overflow. If you just want to hit the power button and grab a tasty cup of coffee six minutes later, the Moccamaster 79312 might be for you.
You don’t lose much by getting the manual-adjust brew basket, however. The only disadvantage would be the need to manually shut off flow if you’re pouring a cup mid-brew, and this really is as simple as the flip of a switch. Getting either one of these machines puts you on the road to a more sophisticated cup of coffee, but even if you don’t care at the moment, we’d recommend going with the Moccamaster 79312 just in case you get more particular in the future.
