I created this adapter to let me use my Moccamaster KBTS coffee maker as a single cup brewer. This model comes with a thermal carafe that normally presses against a button on the base of the machine to initiate brewing. Using one of my favorite coffee cups to press the button positioned the stream of brewed coffee near the right lip of the cup. While it worked, it made me nervous about the risk of misalignment or using a smaller coffee mug. So I put on my designer hat and went to work.
https://makerworld.com/en/models/1038925#profileId-1023339
What I needed was something to center my cup under the brew basket that also presses the brewing. After sketching a few concepts, 3D printing some rough models, I settled on the design you see here that positions my cup exactly where I want, while an integrated sliding bar presses the brew button.
You might be thinking, "Isn't the Moccamaster Cup-One designed to brew a single cup of coffee?" When I decided to try a Moccamaster brewer, choosing between the single-cup model and a larger model was a challenge. While I typically brew one cup at a time, I liked the flexibility of brewing into a thermal carafe when needed.
The deciding factor came down to the difference in water distribution systems. The Moccamaster Cup-One features a water outlet arm with a single spout. While researching how to get the best cup of coffee from the machine, I found several videos suggesting stirring the grounds for more uniform wetting.
These aren't affiliate links, I just want to make it easier to learn more about the machines if you are interested.
https://us.moccamaster.com/collections/single-cup-brewers/products/cup-one?variant=40377761726627
In contrast, the KBTS uses a 9-Hole Outlet Arm to ensure even wetting of the coffee grounds. The KBTS also features a selector on the brew basket that lets you choose between high flow for full-carafe brewing, low flow for four cups or less, or stopping the water flow to allow timed soaking of the grounds. Stopping the brew basket flow also prevents drips when the carafe or coffee cup is removed.
Additionally, the KBTS includes a thermal carafe with a Brew-Thru carafe lid, which is an impressive piece of engineering. The Brew-Thru lid minimizes coffee exposure to air and introduces coffee into the carafe from the bottom up. This design helps maintain the coffee's strength and temperature uniformly within the carafe. It also reduces oxidation, minimizes evaporative cooling, and preserves flavorful volatile compounds, keeping the coffee as warm and flavorful as possible without additional heating. Very nice engineering!
If you own a KBTS, I suggest downloading my adapter model and giving single-cup brewing a try.
Thank you!
Shane
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