The mug has been designed to fit snugly into the machine so that you don’t get splashed by scolding hot water. It also comes with a lid to prevent dust entry. By way of a small hole, the lid is even attachable whilst your mug is in the machine brewing. The lid is an added bonus for keeping your coffee hotter for longer, too.

I do recommend using the most powerful 18v 6.0Ah battery to get the most from the machine both for power and for battery preservation. Look at the table below for the differences between the compatible batteries. Battery type The machine features a boil dry protection function which stops the machine from burning out. If the water empties, the sensor inside will cut off power automatically should the temperature inside the machine increase. Total peace of mind when you get distracted on the job. The water tank holds a maximum of 240ml (8oz). Almost half a pint of coffee should see you good for several hours. The tank also comes with its own little handle for easy lifting in and out. The Makita coffee maker isn’t an espresso machine. Espresso machines use around 9 bars of pressure to force water through very finely ground coffee. The Makita DCM501 is a filter coffee machine and requires a coarser grind for the water to be able to safely pass through the coffee.

On this new, updated model, Makita has, for some reason, decided to do away with a mains power supply option, and so you’re now limited to battery use only. Of course, you don’t need to use the dedicated Makita mug. A standard-sized mug up to 90mm in height will fit perfectly too. The other great thing is that the Senseo pods are some of the cheapest ready-to-use coffee pods you’ll find on the market, and they’re very easy to get hold of at the local supermarket. The coffee maker comes with two coffee-making attachments: one for 60mm (2 ⅜″) coffee pods and another for ground coffee. Are you fed up with your flask of lukewarm instant coffee? Or perhaps you don’t know where to buy the 60mm coffee pods. We have all the answers.

For you coffee aficionados out there, you’ll insist on only brewing from a nice, fresh bag of pre-ground coffee. A word of warning is to make sure you select the right coffee. Pre-ground coffee sold in supermarkets is ground according to the brewing device. Due to being battery-operated, the machine does take a while to heat up the water. But then again, how long does it take you to get to the nearest coffee shop? The Makita DCM501 is compatible with Senseo coffee pods. Although the Senseo pods measure 62mm in diameter, they are compatible with the machine. The Makita DCM501 is the only dedicated, battery-operated coffee maker by a power tool brand on sale at the moment. We know there’s nothing better than a piping hot cup of coffee to get you through the workday, but with only one power tool brand producing a coffee machine, you’re at their mercy. Should you or shouldn’t you? The new model comes with two battery ports: one port for 10.8-volt and 12-volt CXT batteries, and another for the 14.4-volt and 18-volt LXT batteries. A neat cover keeps the undesired battery port protected from dust and debris.

Technical info

If you want the convenience of coffee pods but you’re feeling particularly thrifty, then why not buy a reusable coffee pod and fill with ground coffee. Just buy a few pods and fill them up the night before and you’re ready to go. Using ground coffee The machine also comes with a dedicated stainless steel mug and a measuring spoon for use with ground coffee. Due to the amount of energy a battery has to use to heat water to boiling point, three mugs of coffee is the maximum amount you’ll be able to make from one fully charged battery. This is using the 18v 6.0Ah LXT battery. If you use anything smaller, you’ll be drinking less coffee. What I like is that this machine has really been thought about. The mug is made from stainless steel which means there’s no worry of breakages, and it’s the perfect material for keeping your brew hotter for longer. The filter is susceptible to clogging if you overfill it, or use coffee that has been too finely ground such as espresso-style coffee. Clogging will result in leakages starting from the filter because the water is unable to pass through the coffee. We’ll discuss which coffee is best later on.

This is the updated model to the now discontinued DCM500. Out of the box, you’ll notice that it’s incredibly lightweight at only 1.9kg (4.2lbs). A very sturdy carry handle is a great new addition saving you from having to cradle it under your arm when transporting it from job to job. The Makita DCM501 is a sturdy and portable coffee maker that produces piping hot coffee in a matter of minutes. Compatible with either ground coffee (using its reusable filter) or 60mm coffee pods. Produces three cups of coffee with an 18-volt 6.0Ah battery. This is great news for several reasons. You won’t have to bother taking along a bag of coffee to work, measuring out the dose whilst doing your best to keep the dust out, and then having to get rid of the ground coffee afterward. Instead, just pop in a Senseo coffee pod and that’s it. Grinding your coffee yourself? Get you! You probably knew all this already. Can I use it to brew a cup of tea?