Zojirushi Zutto EC-DAC50 Coffee Maker Review
The Zojirushi Zutto 5 cup coffee maker will brew a quality cup of coffee in a small form factor that will fit on any kitchen counter.
In a world where bigger is better, every so often you come across humble products that under promise and overdeliver. I was needing a simple coffee maker for a compact space, and the Zojirushi Zutto fit the bill. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I can honestly say I have been genuinely happy with the results.
Zutto Coffee Maker Details
- Size: 5 cup
- Price Paid: $65
- Automatic keep warm hot plate
- Charcoal filter
- Removable water tank
- 120 volts / 650 watts
- Includes coffee grounds scoop
- Silver color
Zutto Keep Warm Hot Plate
The Zojirushi Zutto coffee maker has an automatic hot plate that will keep your coffee warm until you turn it off. The manual recommends not leaving the coffee on longer than fifteen minutes, but I haven’t had any issues with burnt coffee. The hot plate keeps the coffee at a perfect sipping temperature.
Filter Basket is Inside the Carafe
The Zutto coffee maker is very compact, only measuring 11 inches tall. The way they get away with this is by putting the coffee filter basket down in the carafe. This cone style #2 filter basket has two holes in the bottom that releases the coffee as it passes through the grounds.
Built-in Charcoal Filter
The Zojirushi Zutto has a built-in charcoal filter to remove odor and flavors from tap water. This filter is designed to be replaced once every two years when the coffee maker is used once a day.
Water Brewing Temperature
While higher end coffee makers brag about showering water at 200F, the Zojirushi Zutto came in around 185-190F. I used a ThermoWorks Thermapen to check the actual coffee temperature down in the carafe while brewing.
The water coming directly out of the charcoal filter was reading much lower, around 170F, and I’m not sure why. Either way, I find that the Zutto brews a good, clean cup of coffee and don’t have any complaints.
Removable Water Reservoir
The removable water reservoir adds much needed convenience to your morning routine. No longer do you need to use the carafe or a separate jar to fill the coffee maker. One thing I did notice is the reservoir will drip a little water after filling, but it’s nothing to worry about.
Included Coffee Grounds Scoop
The included coffee grounds scoop measures a perfect 7 grams of coffee to be used for each cup of coffee brewed. The scoop is meant to be leveled off evenly to get the right amount.
Iced Coffee Option
The water reservoir has an interesting feature that allows you to brew a stronger coffee using less water. While you still use the same amount of coffee grounds, the water ratio comes out to half of what would be used for regular brewed coffee. The stronger brew is then to be poured over a standard tea glass full of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size paper filter does the Zojirushi Zutto use?
Number 2 cone filter
How many ounces of coffee does the Zojirushi Zutto brew?
680ml which equals 23 ounces of brewed coffee. This comes out to 4.6 ounces per cup. As a quick comparison, Moccamaster is 4oz per cup and the OXO 9 cup brewer is 5oz per cup.
What grind size works best for the Zutto?
A medium to medium-coarse grind size works best with the Zojirushi cone style coffee filter. This allows the water to easily pass through the grinds without backing up and overflowing.
I had a mixture of fine and medium grounds in the picture above because I was trying to get rid of some leftover coffee so it wouldn’t go to waste. The finer grind caused the water to flow much slower and the grounds ended up getting past the filter which ended up in my cup of coffee.
If you are planning to brew full 5 cup pots of coffee, you especially want to make sure the coffee grounds are a medium-coarse consistency. This allows the water to flow at the proper rate, therefore preventing any issues with coffee grounds in your cup of coffee.
How long does the hot plate say on?
The hot plate will stay on until you manually turn it off. It does not automatically turn off after so many minutes like the Moccamaster.
How to brew another pot of coffee?
Turn the unit off for five minutes and then back on when ready to brew.
Conclusion
I have owned all types of coffee makers, including the legendary Technivorm Moccamaster, which always seems to brew a great pot of coffee. The Zojirushi Zutto brews half the capacity, and expectations have exceeded its much lower price point.
With the little time I have used this brewer, I have thoroughly enjoyed it for what it is. A simple, compact, competitively priced brewer that does exactly what you would expect. It brews a consistent quality cup of coffee in a timely manner. What more could you ask for?
