Generally, if you deal with a lot of industrial and home-grade power tools, then you’re already familiar with the brand Makita and its range of tools. Makita is a Japanese brand making power tools since 1915. It began making cordless equipment and tools in 1978. You can say they are experts in making cordless machines.
Because of this long history and expertise, you can rest assured that when you see the Makita DCM501 cordless coffee maker in a shop, it means business. It offers every bit as much efficiency and quality as its power tools.
But, to know how good it scores as a brewing machine, let’s dive into our Makita Coffee Maker review.
Makita Coffee Maker Review: The Key Features
Convenience: Makita DCM501Z reviews’ most crucial feature. With just 1 button on the machine, this machine is the definition of simplicity. You won’t need 3rd party or separate purchase of the paper filter. The permanent drip filter lets the coffee grounds get poured directly into the maker. There’s no need to prepare your paper filters because you’ll be pouring the grounds right into the filter basket. The brew basket holder slides out easily. It has 2 filter baskets (reusable). One is a permanent drip filter for ground coffee perpetration, while the other one is for single-serve coffee pods.
Boil Dry Protection: Makita DCM501 also has boil-dry protection. Meaning when the water tank isn’t full enough, it will automatically turn itself off.
Capacity And Water Tank: Beneath the top lid of the machine, there is the detachable water tank. It has an 8 oz. (240ml) capacity. A measuring spoon is also attached to the top lid. Brews one 5 oz. cup of coffee in 5 minutes. Read our “Recommended Coffee Blend Chart” in the How To Use section to learn how it is advised to use.
Coffee Quality: Makita makes consistently hot coffee. It may not be up to the standards of an SCA-certified machine, but it’s definitely the best quality coffee you can have among cordless or portable machines. Far better than any instant coffee. We recommend using dark-roasted coffee grounds for a stronger flavor.
Compact Design: At only 8-9/16 inches tall with 3-1/2 inches cup clearance you can easily have a large mug fit in it. The machine’s exterior is plastic-made to make it easy to carry and portable.
Versatility: The coffee machine is compatible with 2 types of lithium-ion 12V max CXT and 18V LXT batteries. The CXT batteries go to the left and the LXT batteries go to the right.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Incredibly easy to operate
- An ideal portable machine
- A permanent drip filter is included
- 100% powered by Makita standard battery
- Compact and lightweight (weighs just 3 lbs.)
- Boils the water and brews coffee rapidly (5 ~ 7 minutes)
Cons
- Made of cheaper plastic
- It can’t make large batches of coffee at once
- The battery is not included with the machine
- Brews one 5 oz. cup of coffee in 5 minutes when powered by a 18V LXT battery (battery not included)
- Brews up to (3) 5 oz. cups of coffee on a single 5.0Ah LXT battery charge (battery not included)
- No paper filters needed; permanent drip filter allows grounds to be poured directly into coffee maker
- Uses single-serve packs or ground coffee
- Compact design at only 8-9/16" tall with a 3-1/2" cup clearance
Technical Specifications
Since this is a cordless coffee maker it requires an 18V LXT battery. Now, LXT (Lithium-Ion Extreme Technology) batteries are for industrial-grade machines. So, consider this battery for utilizing the full potential of the DCM501 model. Also, you can use 12V CXT (Compact Extreme Technology) battery, which is a standard for household-grade machinery.
All of the Performance-based features are measured on an 18V LXT battery.
This cordless machine is suitable for easy carrying. So, it has a dimension of (L x W x H) 9-9/16 x 7-3/8 x 8-9/16 inches (with battery cartridge). Without the battery cartridge, the dimension is 9-9/16 x 5-11/16 x 8-9/16 inches. It provides 3-1/2 inches of cup clearance.
To complement and remain true to its portability but stout nature, the Makita DCM501 weighs 4.8 lbs. (without the battery 3.09 lbs.).
It can brew one 5 oz. cup of Joe only in 5 minutes. It can brew up to 3 cups of 5 oz. coffee on at max. No paper filters are needed for this machine as Makita provides a permanent drip filter. It allows grounds to be poured right into the coffee maker.
You can brew coffee in two ways. Use either ground coffee or single-serve coffee pods. You can also warm up water for tea also with it.
Makita offers a 3-year limited warranty on this model. Makita won’t give you the battery and charger with this machine. Also, this coffee maker is only compatible with Makita’s batteries and chargers.
The package includes a stainless steel 5 oz. coffee cup and lid, a measuring spoon for ground coffee, and a removable water reservoir.
How To Use Makita Cordless Coffee Maker
Almost all of the Makita cordless coffee machine reviews are half-assed and do not provide how you should use and maintain this convenient machine. We’re here with the receipts, so let’s dig in!
Installing And Removing Battery Cartridge
- To install, slide out the battery cover slot
- Open the slot that you are going to use. The 18 V and 14.4 V has the same slot. While 10.8 V to 12 V has the other slot
- Align the cartridge tongue with the housing groove. Then slip the battery into place
- Insert it all the way. It’ll lock in place with a little click. If you can see the “Red” indicator, it’s not locked properly
- To detach the battery, slide it from the machine while sliding the front button of the cartridge
Battery Protection System
- The DCM501’s battery protection system automatically cuts the power off to extend battery life. It will automatically stop if the machine and/or the battery get into one of the following conditions: Overheated and Low battery voltage
- If the machine suddenly does not start it means that the battery is overheated. Let the battery cool down before starting again
- When the battery capacity becomes low, the machine will not operate and the power alert will start blinking. You’d have to discard and recharge the battery
Cautions During Operational
- Do not remove the filter/cafe pod holder when brewing
- When the “Hot Surface”-alert glows, do not touch the machine
- Hot coffee always drips (even after brewing) from the bottom of the filter/cafe pod holder
- Once brewing is done, wait 5 minutes before detaching the filter/cafe pod holder
- For the 2nd round of brewing, wait another 5 minutes before pouring water. Otherwise, hot water and steam from the previous cycle may cause scalding
- During or immediately after the brewing, avoid touching the bottom plate
Brewing
Recommended Coffee Blend Chart
| Coffee Style | Amount Of Water |
|---|---|
| Ground Coffee (6.5 g) | 160 ml |
| Coffee Pod (60 mm) | 120 ml |
Brewing Time Chart
| Fully Charged Battery Of | Estimated Time Length | Estimated Mugs (240 ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 V / 6 Ah | ~5 minutes | 3 |
| 18 V / 3 Ah | ~5 minutes | 1.5 |
| 14.4 V / 6 Ah | ~6 minutes | 2 |
| 14.4 V / 6 Ah | ~6 minutes | 1.5 |
| 12 V / 4 Ah | ~7 minutes | 1 |
| 10.8 V | ~7 minutes | 1 |
Brewing Steps
- Open up the tank lid and remove the water tank
- Pour a preferred amount of cold freshwater into the tank and reinstall it
- Close the tank lid. Remove the filter holder
- Follow the steps below according to the coffee style
- With Ground Coffee:
- Open up the cover and take out the filter from the holder
- Put ground coffee into the filter
- Place the filter back in its position and close down the cover
- With Cafe Pod:
- Install a cafe pod into the cafe pod holder
- Avoid using a torn pod or setting 2 or more pods
- Keep the flat surface of the pod faced up when installing
- Insert the cafe pod holder back into the slot
- If the holder/pod holder can’t be slotted properly, check if the filter is correctly set
- Set a coffee cup/mug on the cup rest
- Press the power button. When the power lamp glows up, the brewing cycle starts
- It will automatically turn off when the cycle is finished. Press the power button anytime to stop the brewing by yourself
How To Clean Makita Coffee Machine
Daily Cleaning
- Clean the machine after every use to get pure coffee flavors
- To cool down the machine, remove the battery from the main unit
- Always wipe the exterior with a soft water-soaked cloth
- Remove the filter or the pod holder. Wash the parts with soapy water and rinse them with water
- Always dry out the parts completely
Descaling
- Take out the water tank. Pour 240 ml water into it
- Add only 5 grams of commercial Citric Acid into the water and stir the mix
- Re-install the tank into the machine
- Remove the filter holder from the machine
- Set your cup/mug on the cup rest. Power on the machine
- After finishing the dripping take out the water tank and the cup. Rinse them with clean water
- Now, pour 240 ml of water again into the water tank and re-install it
- Repeat steps 5 and 6
- Repeat steps 5 to 7 if you still taste or smell the citric acid
Why Should You Buy One…
The answer is it’s a safe easy access choice of a machine. If you just need a strong mug of coffee in your busy working schedule or you are someplace where electricity is not available – Makita will serve that caffeine thirst. Also, if you like a good energy-efficient and cordless coffee maker then Makita fits that bill to a tee. If you already have Makita cordless tools then you wouldn’t have to buy separate batteries for this coffee maker.
If you’re really passionate about your coffee and its standard – Makita will not suit you. Even if you are a fan of energy-saving cordless coffee makers, the one-mug-at-a-time ability and small water capacity will be too much of a hurdle for you.
FAQs
Does The Makita Coffee Maker Make Tea?
Yes. You can simply warm up water with it for your cup of tea.
How Long Does The Makita Coffee Machine Take?
Depending on the battery, it can take 5 to 7 minutes to complete a brewing cycle.
What Does LXT Stand For On Makita Tools?
Lithium-Ion Extreme Technology shortly called the LXT battery is a standard industrial-grade battery-grade for power tools.
What Is The Distinction Between Makita LXT AND CXT Batteries?
LXT batteries are more powerful than CXT (Compact Extreme Technology) batteries. CXT batteries are not industrial-grade batteries.
Are Makita Tools Made In The USA?
Since 1985 Makita has been manufacturing in their U.S.A. facility at Atlanta in Buford, Georgia.
Is 36v Better Than 18v?
For power tools, yes, 36V performs better than 18V machines. You’ll have more RPM (revs per minute) and BPM (blows per minute) with 36V batteries compared to 18V batteries.
Do All Makita 18v Batteries Interchangeable?
Yes, all new Makita 18V cordless tools are interchangeable with the 4Ah and 5Ah li-ion batteries.
Conclusion
The Makita coffee maker is specifically designed for outdoors (i.e. picnic, camping, etc.) or on job sites use. Basically, it suits a rough life as it’s made to be a compact, energy-efficient, easy-to-maintain, and lightweight machine. The only disadvantage we can highlight in our Makita coffee machine review is that you have to buy the charger and the battery separately unless you already own cordless Makita power tools. This coffee maker will serve 1-3 cups of coffee with a single push of a button. If you ask me, this is the perfect deal for coffee lovers who really need a cup of coffee in a pinch and absolutely fast with almost zero effort.
Happy Brewing!
