It’s not a Place Where Ninjas Hang Out
Coffee machines that can be used to for a variety of coffee making purposes are sometimes referred to as coffee bars. The term is possibly used in comparison to a real coffee bar (or coffee shop) that sells numerous coffee types such as lattes, cappuccinos, etc.
The term lends itself well to differentiate these types of machines from regular coffee makers, many of which have very singular purposes. So much can be done with these multi-purpose machines that it’s like bringing a coffee shop to your home.
A Summary of the Ninja Coffee Bar Types
There are two main types of Ninja machines that I will be describing in this article: the ones that are for brewing coffee only and those that can brew both coffee and tea.
First I will be describing the CM401 (shown in the image above) and the CM407, which are very similar. These two are for brewing coffee only, and the only coffee that can be used is ground coffee.
Once I cover the CM401 and CM407 machines, I will then explain how the machines that can also brew tea differ from these. The CP301 and CP307 vary relative to each other the same way the CM401 and CM407 do, as I will be explaining below.
All four of the Ninjas mentioned above share one thing in common. They are among the few home coffee brewing machines that have earned a Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certification (currently there are only 31 machines on this “best of the best list”).
The Ninja CM401 and CM407
There isn’t a huge difference between the CM401 and the CM407. First, the carafes are different: the 401 has a glass carafe, and the 407 has a thermal stainless steel carafe.
The way the coffee is kept warm once it has been brewed varies. The 401 machine itself does the job through a warming plate, while it’s the insulated carafe that comes with the 407 that performs the job of keeping the coffee warm.
Finally, there is a slight variation near the top of the control panel. Below the digital display, the 401 has a stay warm button on the left (with a light that turns on while the stay warm function is active). In that same place, the 407 has a drip stop indicator with a light that turns on while the drip stop being used.
Below is a summary of the design and operation of the Ninja CM401 / CM407.
User Friendly Design
A removable scoop that stores away neatly on one side of the machine has markings that match those on the water reservoir. It’s very easy to fill the machine with the proper amount of coffee and water. The drip stop feature allows the brewing to be paused so that coffee can be served without spilling any coffee on the machine. Removable parts are dishwasher safe.
Coffee Quantity Options
Whether you prefer to drink from a regular mug/cup or a travel mug, you can brew directly into either by using the single-serve cup platform. If you prefer to use the Ninja like a regular coffee maker, you have the option of making half or full carafes.
Brew Options
The machine adjusts how the coffee is brewed according to the type of
coffee selected. There are 4 total options: two for
regular coffee, one for iced drinks, and one for specialty drinks. The machine can be programmed to start brewing at a specified time.
Temperature
Ninja machines brew coffee at precisely the desired temperature to bring out the best flavor. This is one of the key factors that the SCA considers when evaluating coffee makers to determine if the machines meet their certification criteria.
Brew Technology
Ninja utilizes a proprietary process called Thermal Flavor Extraction that ensures achieving the full flavor potential of the coffee that is being brewed . This is possible because of the way the coffee grounds are evenly saturated with water and due to the consistent temperature that is maintained throughout the brewing process.
Built In Frother for Specialty Drinks
The frother very conveniently swings from the side, where it is stored when not
in use. It quickly turns milk into froth that is used to top a variety
of coffee drinks.
The Ninja CP301 and CP307
The differences between the CP301 and the CP307 are almost identical to the differences between the CM401 and CM407. What changes is the variation in the control panel, below the digital display.
The CP301 has three buttons: drip stop, stay warm, and delay brew. The CP307 only has two (it doesn’t have a warming plate and therefore also doesn’t have a stay warm button).
Design
The things mentioned above regarding the coffee only machines also apply to the CP301 and CP307. However, as you can see from the image of the CP301 above, the design of the coffee and tea brewing machines is fairly different from that of the coffee only machines.
The main differences in the design are the mostly black plastic finish, the control panel layout, and the location of the water reservoir (it’s behind the control panel, instead of above it).
Tea
The machines come with two different baskets, one for coffee and the other for tea. There is no possibility of lingering taste or scent of coffee when switching to tea (and vice versa) as there would be with a single basket.
The machines can also distinguish between the two baskets, so there is no need to specify whether coffee or tea will be brewed.
There are 5 different tea brewing settings: herbal, black, oolong, white, and green. The machine automatically adjusts the temperature and time for each setting.
Final Thoughts on All Ninja Coffee Bars
There are other coffee bars besides the 300 and 400 series Ninjas mentioned in this article. There are some earlier models, and there are also several recently released models that are K-Cup compatible. I will be sharing information on the newer models soon.
Most of the Ninja Coffee Bars are featured on the Ninja Coffee & Tea Makers page on Amazon.
All of these are superbly designed and among the best coffee and tea makers available across all brands. Though they are pretty close to flawless, there are some things Ninja owners have pointed out that they weren’t completely satisfied with.
The carafes are narrow at the top, so manually washing them can be difficult. For those who use the frother for making hot specialty drinks, milk has to be heated beforehand. Finally, the drip stop is only automated when brewing is done (prior to that it can only be set manually).
All things considered, the Ninja Coffee Bars work exceptionally and are highly recommended.