What Inverter Size Do I Need to Run a Coffee Maker?

Coffee makers are a staple in the kitchen of most homes, but how much power does it consume? Is your inverter the right size to run a coffee maker? What about an espresso machine? In this guide we will reveal what inverter you will need for different types of coffee machines.

An inverter must provide 750 to 1000 watts to run an average coffee maker, while an espresso machine requires 2000 watts. Brewing several cups of coffee per day will draw 20 to 40 amps, though 150 watt portable, single cup coffee makers are now available too.

How Many Inverter Watts Does a Coffee Maker Need?

The basic formula is simple, but determining how many watts a coffee maker uses per hour is a little tricky because it does not run continuously.

To get the right inverter size, use this simple formula:

Coffee maker watts + 20% = inverter size

If your coffee machine uses 1000 watts, the inverter has to be 1200 watts minimum. Because inverters are not 100% efficient, some power is lost during the DC to AC conversion process, hence the need for reserve power.

The 20% is the minimum reserve power for your inverter. You can add 25% or more depending on how many appliances you will run alongside your coffee maker.

The power usage given in coffee maker spec sheets is usually for one cup. If it says 200 watts to brew, that is per cup. If you brew 4 cups the machine will consume 800 watts.

While a coffee maker may require 1000 watts to run, that does not mean it will consume 1000 watts an hour. Unlike a TV , coffee machines are used for just a few minutes at a time. We will examine this a little later, but first here is a chart guide.

Coffee Maker Inverter Size Guide

The following chart shows the recommended inverter sizes for different types of coffee machines. There are many, many types of coffee makers with varying specs so check the product details for power consumption.

Coffee Maker	Watts Used	Inverter Size
Drip Coffee Pot	750-1250W	1500W
Single Serve Coffee Maker	200-400W	500W
Espresso Machine	1500W	2000w
Keurig Coffee Maker	200-400W	500W
Mr. Coffee	600-1200W	2000@
Typical Portable Coffee Maker	150-300W	500W

Do not let your inverter run at its stated capacity limit. If after running your coffee maker and other appliances your inverter reaches its limit, it is time to upgrade. Whether it is sola panels, batteries or inverters, there should always e reserve power.

For the typical coffee machine, the Maxpart 1000W inverter will be more than enough. it is versatile enough to be use at home, RVs, trucks and other situations.

But if you are into espresso, more power is required, something like the Ampeak 2000W will do. With its specs there should be enough juice her to run even a high end espresso machine.

These specs are in general only. Mr. Coffee and other brands manufacture different types of coffee machines , each with their own watts and amps. To be on the safe side, compare the specifications with your system if you have enough power.

Coffee Maker Sample Power Calculation

Imagine you have a 1000 watt coffee maker but you drink only one cup a day. Brewing a single cup takes 5 minutes. Your coffee machine will only consume 1000 watts if you heat water for several cups. If you just drink one cup, power consumption could be just 125-150 watts.

However if you drink several cups a day the power usage will be much higher. The wattage given for heating water is for a specific number of cups, which varies per machine. If there are four people in your home that drink several cups of coffee a day, power consumption could exceed 100 watts.

If you have several people in your household that drink coffee, it is easy to see how the total could go beyond the stated amount. And this is just a regular coffee maker. With an espresso machine the watts are nearly doubled.

Some pointers to keep in mind when calculating coffee maker power usage:

• No two cups of coffee are similar, so power usage calculations cannot be exact.
• The longer it takes a coffee machine to heat water, the higher the power consumption. 5 minutes is typical, but some machines take up to 7 minutes or more.
• Drip coffee pots are widely used at home, but they do consume a lot of power. Simpler models need 750 watts, but high end models require 1250 watts or more from your inverter.
• An espresso machine needs a lot of inverter power to run. Most of them need at least 1500 watts, but a 2000 watt inverter is even better.
• Single serve coffee makers can use as little as 200 or 150 watts. If you want your regular dose of coffee without using too much power, this is a good choice.
• If you are the only who drinks coffee in your household, a simple portable coffee machine is enough. A single cup will be 150 watts or even less.

You should also check out the many different brands. There is no shortage of coffee machines to choose from, whether you are a single cup drinker or a serious coffee drinker who likes to customize their drink. By comparing their wattage with your system, you can determine if your inverter is enough.

Will a 2000W Inverter Run a Coffee Maker?

Yes, a 2000 watt inverter can run a coffee maker. If you looked at the chart earlier, you will see that some of them require 2000 watts. But for a smaller coffee machine this inverter is too much.

If you only drink one or two cups a day with a portable coffee machine, a 1000W inverter is enough, even a 500W system will do. But if you are a heavy coffee drinker or use an espresso machine, 2000 watts is required.

You might also need this inverter if you run other appliances alongside the coffee maker. If you have a solar microwave for instance, that needs a lot of power too. So if you already have an inverter, check the coffee maker power usage so you can calculate how many appliances you can use with it.

Whether you need a 2000 watt or even higher system depends on your power usage. If you are on the grid you can just get any inverter size needed. And if you are off the grid, you must have a generator or battery that can supply this power to the system.

How Many Batteries to Run a Coffee Maker?

In an off grid solar panel system the inverter relies on a battery bank to power appliances. Your battery has to be large enough not just for your coffee machine but every appliance you want to run on it, along with your solar panel.

A 1000 watt coffee maker usually draws up to 40 amps, but to run the machine an 85ah battery is required. Just like with solar panels you should always have more power in reserve. So if a coffee maker needs 40 amps, an 85ah battery is ideal.

Remember that solar batteries have different discharge rates. With lithium it is 70% to 100% and with lead acid at 50%. If you have an 85ah lead acid battery only 42ah is usable per charge, while the entire 85ah or most of it is usable with lithium.

If you are on an off grid system or living in a mobile home you probably have a large inverter and battery bank installed. You would need it to power appliances and other essentials so you should be able to use a coffee maker.

However these machines do require a lot of power, so while it is running you may have to shut down or avoid using other appliances. Again it comes down to how many cups of coffee you drink. If you only have one in the morning, you can run all your appliances as usual. But if you drink lots of coffee during the day, you will need more inverter power.

Tips to Reduce Coffee Maker Power Consumption

Buying an energy efficient coffee machine is one way to reduce power use. But there are other ways to save on energy and be more efficient.

• Set heating to low. Most of us like our coffee sizzling hot, but setting the heat to low will save a lot on power. This is a reasonable option during summer when most people reduce the hot coffee they drink.
• Turn the coffee maker off. Do not leave your coffee machine on standby mode. It will consume power. Maybe not a lot, but over several months it will add up. Worse you might think your charge controller is draining your batteries when in fact it does not.
• Clean it. Residues eventually build up in its water tank, resulting in more time required to heat water. By cleaning your coffee maker regularly, you avoid this problem and ensure it heats water as fast as possible.

Conclusion

Like all modern appliances, coffee machines are becoming more energy efficient. If you are going off the grid, consider buying a newer coffee machine to cut down on power consumption from your inverter. The good news is the improved efficiency means you don’t have to give up your favorite morning drink just to cut down on costs.