Today, we’re going to be looking at coffee urns. More specifically, we’re going to be looking at the best coffee urns that you can use for catering, for meeting people, and for outside usage. However, we’re not going to be looking at any specific coffee urns.
Instead of doing that, we’re going to be looking at some of the basic principles and design concepts that are universal to the best coffee urns. Not all coffee urns, mind you, but the best coffee urns.
The coffee urns that are truly the best, when it comes to producing a great cup of coffee, and doing so in a timely and efficient manner, while also being well-designed and aesthetically pleasing.
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However, before we can dive into those specific factors and attributes, there are a few things we need to do. First off, we need to define, more specifically, what a coffee urn is, especially in comparison to coffee percolators, which are also very popular.
We’re going to compare the two, that way, you can understand the unique benefits and advantages that coffee urns present, over that of a traditional coffee percolator. And then, after we look into what a coffee urn is, we’re going to look at the specific advantages and benefits they present, and why, exactly, you should purchase a good coffee urn.
Once we’ve done that, we’re going to look at two things. The specific considerations and questions that you need to bring up, and important attributes that will affect the coffee urn and your experience with it, both of which are tied with one another.
What Is A Coffee Urn?
A coffee urn is a larger device that is very similar to a standard coffee maker. Although, in comparison to many other coffee makers, coffee urns tend to be a bit more unique and pleasing, on a purely aesthetic and stylistic level.
One of the defining characteristics of a coffee urn is the size. More specifically, coffee urns are known for their ability to produce quite a few cups of coffee, within a shorter period. It is this productivity and efficiency that is one of the defining characteristics of a good coffee urn.
Most coffee makers only produce a few cups of coffee, such as eight cups of coffee. But, with a coffee urn, that number might be eighty-cups of coffee, or even more, since there are quite a few coffee urns that produce around one-hundred cups of coffee, or even more than that. For this reason, they are invaluable when it comes to catering, business meetings – or meetings of any sort, for that matter – and various outside parties and get-togethers.
On the bottom of a standard coffee urn, there is a small spigot. Using this spigot, you can pull up a small level, releasing coffee into your cup. Due to this simple, but highly-efficient, mechanism, multiple people can easily fill their coffee cups up, and since coffee urns produce so much coffee, you don’t have to have a fresh pot of coffee brewing constantly.
Ultimately, a coffee urn is a device that is used to make a lot of coffee, in a quick period. They are very easy to use, and the fact that they make so much coffee in such a short period means that they are fantastic for events like catering and meetings.
What is a Coffee Percolator
Coffee percolators are very similar to coffee urns. On an aesthetic level, they do tend to differ, though, and as a result of this, many coffee urns look a lot better than most coffee percolators. This is because most coffee percolators have a very distinct look, and that look is very basic and simple, although there is nothing wrong with this, and the whole thing is very utilitarian.
However, the real difference between a coffee urn and a coffee percolator is the fact that a coffee percolator is unable to produce the same amount of coffee as a coffee urn. Coffee percolators produce significantly fewer cups of coffee, due to their smaller size, and they are less efficient in that regard. Because of this, they aren’t that popular when it comes to things like catering and being used for meetings or outside parties and get-togethers.
What Are The Benefits Of Owning A Good Coffee Urn?
A good coffee urn is, ultimately, convenient. Very convenient. With a good coffee urn, you can make a lot of coffee, in a short period. This is fantastic, and coffee urns are useful for all kinds of different occasions, events, and situations. No other coffee maker offers this level of efficiency and convenience, and that is, ultimately, what sets coffee urns apart from the other types of coffee makers available.
There is another key benefit, as well. And that is the aesthetic of a good coffee urn. A good coffee urn looks nice, and it has a lot of style and pizzazz. When you own a good coffee urn, it isn’t just a coffee maker, it’s a fixture of your home, and it aids in the aesthetic beauty of your home, which is wonderful, and something that most devices don’t do, or even approach.
Features of a Coffee Urn
Coffee urns come with their unique features and attributes. These attributes are important to be aware of, and for you to consider because they do affect your experience with the coffee urn, and how it makes your coffee.
We’re going to look at specific attributes that are going to affect your experience with the coffee urn, and the considerations that go alongside those specific attributes.
What Is The Capacity Of The Coffee Urn?
Every single coffee urn has a unique brewing capacity. If you go online and look at the different coffee urns that are available, you’ll notice that the number of cups that can be brewed, within a single brewing cycle, tend to vary. Some coffee urns can produce sixty-cups within a cycle. Others can produce one-hundred cups within a single cycle.
Much of this brewing capacity has to do with the overall capacity of the coffee urn itself. Usually, this capacity is measured in liters, or ounces. Although, it is hard to say just how much coffee a coffee urn can brew, based on the overall capacity it holds. For that reason, when you are searching for good coffee urns, it’s better to look for the overall coffee cup brewing capacity, rather than the weight capacity.
When looking at coffee urns, it’s important to consider the brewing capacity, while also considering what you will be using the coffee urn for. To name just one example, if you are a caterer for a large party, it’s best to purchase a coffee urn with a larger brewing capacity, simply because you never know just how many people will show up, and a large brewing capacity ensures that everyone will be able to have at least one cup of coffee.
How Long Does It Take For The Coffee Urn To Brew A Single Cup Of Coffee?
Tied directly to the above consideration, you need to consider how long the coffee urn takes to brew a single cup of coffee, and then you need to consider the brewing capacity, as well.
Coffee urns vary quite a bit when it comes to the speed of the coffee brewing itself. Some coffee urns take a surprisingly long amount of time to brew a single cup of coffee – and, on that note, it’s important to know what a single cup of coffee consists of, in terms of measurements, since this, too, varies – and others take a very short amount of time to brew a cup of coffee that is the same size.
When you’re looking at coffee urns, and considering the amount of time it takes for that coffee urn to brew a single cup of coffee, you need to consider how you will be using this coffee urn.
– Catering?
– Using it for business meetings?
– Do you intend to have outdoor parties and brunch gatherings?
If that’s the case, then you need to consider how many people will be showing up, how long those events will be, and how much coffee you think is needed.
Ideally, the coffee urn will take one minute, or less, to brew a single cup of coffee. For a shorter brewing time, you will have to spend more money.
While these factors are simple and relatively minuscule, they are still very important to consider, and they do greatly affect the entirety of your experience with the coffee urn itself.
What Kind Of Insulation Does The Coffee Urn Have?
Every coffee urn should have some insulation. The purpose of this insulation is to ensure that heat remains within the unit, ensuring that the coffee you have just brewed remains hot, without losing this heat and becoming cold and not particularly tasty. Without proper insulation, you might brew the coffee, and then after a short period, especially if its cold outside, the coffee might be cold or slightly warm and odd-tasting.
Insulation does vary, and various coffee urns have different types of insulation. One of the most common forms of insulation you will see in a coffee urn, however, is double-walls. Usually, these double-walls are made of stainless steel, and the types of coffee urns with double-walls are those made of stainless steel, and this is because stainless steel is a strong and durable material that is also great for capturing heat, and making sure that it stays within the coffee urn. Other coffee urns use foam, and other types of materials, by also double-layering them, providing a few thick layers of insulation that ensure heat will not escape.
Ultimately, when searching for a good coffee urn, make sure it has some form of insulation. If it doesn’t, that may not be the wisest choice.
How Much Does The Coffee Urn Cost?
In the end, it comes down to cost. When you’re searching for a great coffee urn, you’re going to need to consider the cost of the coffee urn, along with the budget that you have. This is especially true if you are buying a coffee urn for, say, your company, which is then going to use this coffee urn in the employee break room, and for meetings.
Most coffee urns aren’t that expensive. Although, some of them can be pretty high in price. Most of the time, it does depend a lot on the capabilities of the coffee urn, but even the best coffee urns are still relatively inexpensive.
For a great coffee urn, you should expect to pay around $180. Sometimes more, if you want something good and advanced when it comes to things like brew capacity and brewing speed. For something good, but not as advanced, $120 is a good price point. But, for a basic and easy-to-use coffee urn that will more than serve your purposes, for $60, you can get something nice.
Conclusion
Coffee urns are fantastic devices! If you know how to find the right coffee urn, it can make your life significantly easier, and the entire process of brewing your coffee much more enjoyable, while also ensuring that you will always have the ability to produce a lot of coffee, whenever the occasion arises.