Three years in the making, the Ratio coffee machine could be the best automated coffee brewer to date. But that’s yet to be discovered. If you’re not familiar with this brand spanking new product that hasn’t even shipped its first units yet, this is the place to become informed!

To start, it’s important to realize that the Ratio is meant for the person who doesn’t want to put in much effort into coffee making. Consequently, the entire product is very simple and elegant.

You shouldn’t have to be a trained barista to make great coffee, and you shouldn’t have to be an engineer to clean your coffee maker. After brewing, simply rinse out the sturdy glass carafe with hot water, discard or compost the used paper filter, and you’re done.

It’s hard not to notice right off the bat the sleek design and visual appeal. Many coffee makers, especially automatic machines, just look like poor-quality, plastic appliances. This machine has the glow of a well-crafted elixir dispenser too awesome to even collect dust. Looks can be deceiving, but the product specifications look almost as impressive as the brewer itself.

A big problem with many automatic machines is a lack of constant temperature throughout the brewing process. The 1400 Watt / 110 Volt heating element of the Ratio is ideal for brewing coffee at optimum temperature, near 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

The device can brew anywhere between 16 and 40 ounces of coffee, only depending on how much water you place into the tank. There are no configuration settings except for the single button that initiates the brewing, although there are small lights that will inform you on the progress of the coffee.

The inventor of the Ratio, Mark Hellweg, claims that as an equipment salesman for Clive Coffee, most coffee products out there are made from flimsy, cheap plastic. Seeing this, he was inspired to create a high-quality machine that wouldn’t fill a garbage can within just a couple years.

Designed in Portland, Oregon, every Ratio machine is meticulously assembled by hand. While common appliances often have a built-in obsolescence and a life span of maybe 2-3 years, Ratio is designed to last.

The carafe that comes with the Ratio uses Chemex filters or the Able Kone, making it essentially an automated Chemex brewer. The Ratio machine takes pride in its unique shower head that saturates all the grounds evenly, and gives time for the bloom to occur.

The first shippment of Ratio coffee makers is due April of 2014, but it’ll cost you a good $395 to acquire one.

First Impressions

Personally, I would not buy this machine. I adore the design and simplicity, but I enjoy manual brewing too much to trade it for convenience. There’s just something about hovering over a Chemex with a good kettle that sparks my interest.

I cannot speak for everyone however, and definitely see the appeal for those who aren’t mesmerized by manual brewing as I am.

I have no doubt the Ratio will be able to brew a fantastic cup of coffee, and I have no doubt that automation lovers would be extremely pleased with this device.

I am just weary of the price-tag.