The Makita Coffee Machine: A Bizarre Battery-Powered Brewer 

When I was in construction, my coworker bought one of these and it was awesome. When we brought it out, people did indeed think it was weird...for all of 3 seconds and then asked if we could make them a cup. At one point in turned into a game of "where is the weirdest place we can make coffee?". 35 feet in the air in warehouse joists, on a moving forklift, in the middle of a job site meeting, in traffic, etc. Self control was the hardest part. We hadn't had unfettered access to coffee before and I ended up drinking so much that I could see 3 days into the future and communicate with bees. It also upped my cigarette consumption because waiting for a cup to brew was the best excuse for a 5 minute break. So I did the healthy thing and quit construction and cigarettes. To really answer your question: Novelty. That's about it. I've also used regular plug-in cheapo coffee makers and they were way better but not as fun.

I work in an office where the management decided all coffee makers brought in by the staff had to be taken home as they were not tested for safety. Mind you, you can't sell something in Australia that does not meet Australian safety standards. Typically the manufacturers submit their products for testing and approval, so the coffee makers were safe. The management don't provide any tea or even instant coffee, so you have to bring everything in to work if you want a cup of coffee. Anyway after everyone took their coffee machines home I purchased one of these and set it up on my desk. Within 30 Minutes I was ordered to remove it due to the "rules". I responded your reason for making us take our machines home is that they might be "unsafe" as they plug into the 240V AC power. This coffee machine runs on batteries so I am complying with your "rules". The manager was not happy that I had beat them at their own game. They had no choice other than to let the coffee maker stay. Now the office is full of these little Makita coffee machines and battery chargers.

In Canada, if you rolled onto a job site with that, you’d be a legend. The only problem is you’d have people bugging you for coffee all day

you can tell this man hasn't worked in the trades because one cup of Makita coffee and you're a legend

It doesn't just make coffee, it makes friends too.

I recently had a contractor replace my roof, and I warned them upfront that the amenities of my home were limited because of extensive renovations. They used a bitumen blow torch at the lowest setting to heat a large Moka pot. A week later, the roof was done and my whole garden was fertilized with coffee grounds.

The best part from this video for me was using the power tool to grind on the manual grinder. It even fits in the stock head of the tool, no adaptor needed! Tried a batch now and it went through literally in seconds. This will change my life for the better. No longer will I have to flex my muscles every god damn morning. Thanks James! You rock!!!!!!

I think one thing that needs to be kept in mind, is the fact that, the target audience for the brewer is likely going to be proper construction workers, where there will be plenty of the larger high-power batteries to spare for all of the tools they use through the day. The smaller battery that you used with the machine is more for light home use, you use that with your lighter duty tools for any fix-up jobs you might have at home, since you dont need power for quite a few hours, just a few minutes.

This video is a fever dream. I barely got over the fake stache and the incredible intro, when the barbershop ad sucker punched me, before the surprise kettle as a finisher. Outstanding job by James and his team.

I've worked as an electrician in the northern US. In the wintertime the ability to make a hot cup of coffee in my car was a godsend. Just reach in the back, yoink a battery out of my bag, and bob's your uncle. Also, tradesmen are just large children with power tools. You'll get made fun of for anything on the job site, but the coffee machine will turn into a game. Can we make attic coffee? Can we make coffee under the house? Can we rope up some lights before the coffee is done? All kinds of shenanigans. It's easy overthink this little guy, but I worked residential jobs. We didn't have break rooms or anything like that. We just had to go to our cars for lunch. Sometimes the closest gas station was an hour away and this thing got the job done more than a few times. For the people that could use it, it's great. For the people that don't it's silly.

Four months ago, RU-vid randomly suggested this video to me. Four months later, I'm a proud owner of an AeroPress, 1ZPresso Q2, and a plethora of coffee beans from around the world. Thank you James, for being you.

Excellent video! As a barbershop harmony singer myself, I must applaud your quartet - they were quite good! Only missed opportunity was for them to use the "thorough beep" as their pitch pipe. 😂 That moment did give me quite a good laugh, though!

In New Zealand and Australia, these 2 products are tradies favourites haha, they asked them to make these for years. Being able to make yourself a coffee an some 2 minute noodles out the back of your work Ute is a God send. There are heaps of super large and/or super rural job sites that could have hundreds or even thousands of workers and only a couple power outlets or 1 or 2 coffee shops near by. These products were a game changer. People usually don't even need to buy them too, they're often bundled in for free with an 8-10 piece tool set that most tradies buy when they get into the industry.

I live in New Orleans and bought one of these a while back. When we lost power during Hurricane Ida last year this was a game changer for me, as I couldn't justify starting the generator just for coffee... during the roughly 10 days I was without power I was able to have fresh coffee both in the morning and for standing guard against looters at night thanks to this thing, and could top up the batteries whenever I ran the generator. Probably made 30 cups in that time period, which wouldn't have been possible without it. For most people it's stupid, but as an emergency/SHTFdevice it's a great way to keep a bit of normalcy (and caffeine) which is HUGE for morale.

The production value of this video is just stellar. 💖 What a joy to watch. Thanks James & team! 🤗

Been working in trades for about 8 months now, and this makes more sense than it did when I saw this video a year ago. First, a lot of jobsites don't have access to power, especially not multiple 10A outlets, ESPECIALLY not where we need them. We all know that, and no one likes extension cables, and so we spend an ungodly amount of money on batteries. Generally the 12V system is for when you don't expect to actually be doing a lot of work, 18V or higher is for the actual jobsite. I'd personally take one of the 6ah 18v batteries I use on my skillsaw and put it in the brewer, then set it on the rapid charger that can fully recharge it in 50 minutes, or just put it back in the saw with charge to spare. Second, Canada winters are pretty harsh, the best thermos I have can't keep coffee warm for 3 hours in November in Vancouver nevermind all day in January in Winnipeg. So being able to get hot coffee on demand without needing to run an extension cable, possibly without needing to run down from the awning you're on top of would be really great! Third, brand loyalty to Makita. Fourth, impressing or amusing potential clients by serving fresh coffee. Fifth, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ENOUGH COFFEE. Especially not when you've been on site for an hour, you have 7 hours to go, it's raining, you're under a deck struggling with an angle grinder when A MASSIVE SPIDER LANDS ON YOUR FACE cause you work in a temperate rainforest full of enormous spiders. Now I want a Makita coffee maker Update: Now I HAVE the Makita coffee maker and it's so cute, definitely has some niche use cases.

I love how he included the grams of battery in the recipe.

The Makita Kettle, honestly, was a twist of a product I was not expecting.

The production quality of your videos are better than most TV shows and I'm here for it 🙌🏽

Omg I love this so much! I was shook when he brought the kettle out! 🤣 I think this is the best video James & his team has put out. BRAVO 👏🏽 And kudos to Makita for making these items. But I agree that just a cup, an aeropress, the drill operated grinder & the battery operated kettle is a much better set up. ☕️

He’s basically making gold content for Hames Joffmann at this point

There's something weirdly satisfying about this brewer. Every single component clicks into place. And the look is so industrial that it has a very high contrast to the purpose of the machine. It's facinating!

The cinematic, the ad, the “alternative” brew, just bravo Sir

Your silliness is spot on highlighting the brewer, funny though I just converted my Hario grinder to drive with my old power drill 2 months ago.

The industrial setting, the moustache, the barbershop quartet. And a quirky coffee contraption to match. James continues to push coffee content to greater heights, and I am buckled in for the ride.

Having worked in construction before, I can tell you that something like this is a God send to the guys working up on a roof on a cold day. Or the guys that are 200-300 feet up in the air where no electrical outlet is available. It may not be Starbucks quality, but it's hot, fresh, and readily available.

this is your best video so far!!!!. what a way to engage people. way to go James!

James, have been following for a while, this has to be one of your best videos to date. Keep up the great work and I look forward to many more!

I am enjoying James Hoffmann's high budget descent into madness

Credentials: Heavy Civil Construction Inspector. I own this coffee maker. While it may not brew the perfect cup of coffee it does something else. It provides a sense of normalcy and comfort. I work a lot and by a lot, I mean peak season can be 16 hours a day for 6 days a week. It's not always during the day either it can be nights doing a bridge deck pour. We (construction workers) give much of our time during the season to building roads and buildings, spending that time miles away from family and friends doing arduous work. If this provides one opportunity to have a little normalcy like our counterparts in the office in our day it's worth it. The coffee maker is well received on the job site. I am the envy of most I meet when I pull it out to use. I've used it to make coffee, hot water for tea, and hot water to make a cup of ramen noodles or instant oatmeal(just so I don't have to eat fast food again). All may not be first-rate meals or drinks but they do provide a warm meal or often drink when I need it most. From the first cup of coffee in the morning to the last cup of tea while I drive home, I appreciate this tool for all its worth. Side note don't own the kettle but the coffee maker gets it done in a smaller space.

This video has no business having THIS good of production quality. It’s amazing… and that’s coming from a DP who films national TV ads

Thats the best kind to show a commercial ever in a video. Love it.

James Hoffman is the only RU-vidr who would review a coffee machine with a fake moustache and hire a barbershop quartet to sing while he does an ad read

1. A hot cup of fresh coffee is a huge morale boost at a cold construction site 2. Those batteries are interchangeable with pretty much any other Makita power tool so it's not like you're carrying tons of extra batteries just for the coffee maker 3. It's made by Makita so you know it's going to be durable and don't have to worry about it bouncing around in the back of a truck 4. You can use it when fishing, farming, etc where you can't plug in a normal coffee maker

The sequence where you are putting on your tool belt in such an epic way totally describes how my husband seems to feel when he puts his tool belt on 😂. This is the best review on this coffee machine on RU-vid. Your creativity truly shines in this video. Squarespace is lucky to sponsor you😄.

Love how James is totally committed to the bit. Also, the commercial quartet was amazing.

This is no longer a coffee channel. It is now an art channel, where coffee is simply the subject being discussed

This may be apocryphal, but I heard a story back around when those things first came out that Makita originally produced it as a kind of joke, or marketing exercise to show off how powerful their batteries are, never expecting to actually sell very many. But it has proven way more popular than expected, and that is why it is still in production. I think the idea is that if you already have a truck with a dozen or more of these batteries in it and you regularly charge them up 4 or 8 at a time every day, burning up one extra battery charge to make coffee is no longer a comically silly idea. I also think that you are discounting how filthy most job sites are. If everything is covered in plaster dust or worse, you probably don't want to pull out an Aeropress.

This is probably the most entertaining tool review I've seen yet - kudos 👏

The most interesting ad I've seen in last months, I even had to replay it one more time. Very creative

"Maybe I'm falling into stereotypes about builders ..." Said while dressed as the construction worker from the Village People.

That was, by far, the best sponsor break of a RU-vid video I've ever seen.

I love the barber shop thingie, thanks for being so entertaining James, even while talking sponsor issues! Greetz from Berlin/Germany.

I love this in-depth review, talking about weights and battery watts. And also giving a alternative which tbh could potentially be more convenient in a lot of circumstances, great gideo

Reminds me of when i built power plants in the US. We European engineers brought in an espresso machine while the US colleagues stayed with a drip coffee maker. I as the Steam turbine guy became responsible of the espresso machine because its a hot water machine.

When I was working on sites, in the field, or on the roads. My go-to kit was a JetBoil to heat the water (gas, boils 500ml in

Sadly I live in Australia and we only see the bare bone basic range of Makita tools. I prefered when their stuff was made in Japan. All we see now in products made in China. Not sure why we don't see the made in USA stuff.

I love this. If every ad had a barbershop quartet accompaniment id be broke.

Sometimes i think, now this time he finally got totally nuts. And then I think: No, wait. This is absolutely lovely. It fills me with happiness and gratitude.

- The 12V battery is very small indeed - *But* at most worksites would use 18V batteries, 5/6Ah, so in energy about 5 times more - Batteries on a larger jobsite you'll find by the dozens and loads of chargers (even ones who charge 4 batteries at the same time) - The point about this thing is is that the location where there is electricity from the grid could easily be a few floors away from where you're working or want to have your fresh coffee in peace. - On a jobsite extention cords (and especially long heavy duty ones) are expensive, always in your way and get broken by leprechauns - And I know at least two guys who this device almost daily, they're very happy with it, beats coffee from a thermos. They don't grind their beans fresh, I'll pass on your idea of using a drill :)

As most have said, it makes more sense when you realize that people who use power tools will often have quite a few Makita batteries there and charged and also often a total lack of wired power, or it's far away, lots of others need to use etc. Add to that the fact that a Mr coffee is going to last about 2 days being moved to / from / around a building site before it's broken to bits. It is a a bit silly but not as silly as you might think. I'd go for a kettle and a French press as well though

I worked as a remote drill rig inspector and having this in my truck was a game changer. I would drive 300 kms between sites and having this thing brewing while driving was practical. I had the older version of this one which was probably the better one because you can swap from battery power to shore power by switching the cable. I’ve since left that industry and haven’t used it but I have used it while camping quite a bit but only on shore power.

I feel like this video was made for me personally! I use Makita tools and I bought this coffee maker... It wasn't good. So I got an Aeropress for site, thanks to your channel, and it's great!

Been working in the trades for a few years now and got one of these as a gift about a year ago, because I use makita tools. Truth is that ive been given no abuse at all! I've only received multiple compliments on it where people are jealous, and then debated on getting makita tools XD At many job sites the boss will bring a drip coffee maker, but they tend to get extremely dusty while working (especially drywall work) so it can't sit pre-made for long at all (as well as being in one location that could be on the opposite side of a complex to where you're working). Also compared to the 50 lb+ toolboxes the coffee maker is extremely light and portable (usually you'll own 5-6 batteries minimum of your brand if you're more established with them). I entirely see why they seem silly, but they were designed well for their expected environment :)

Thank you, thank you! 🤣🤣 Truly an enjoyable video from start to finish -- including the advert!! Anyway, I've had a small hot water kettle that I can plug into an inverter in my work truck. I've done both tea and using a French press for coffee. It's a great option when it's cold and you just need a little bit to warm you up to get through the rest of the day. I would expect something like this to be a novelty and to have some attraction for those who would appreciate or want a cup of coffee from a Keurig like machine. To each their own.

I saw this when it came out. I forgot about the square space ad. Amazing stuff.

Using a drill on the grinder was a glorious moment 😂 This whole video was adorably clever.

Having worked with builders, I can say that the streptypical mockery would absolutely happen, but only if there is another coffee machine on site. If there isn't another, you will be heralded as a god for having this thing. As far as use case, This feels like it was more made with rural sites in mind, like the US where you might have a 2 hour drive out to a site, and I know that every tradesman will A) generally stay loyal to whatever tool ecosystem they choose because loyalty is beneficial rather than just one of each, and B) Have multiple batteries ready basically always. Add in the general... disdain for proper coffee preparation like an aeropress/V60, and the general American lack of kettles makes the kettle much less attractive. Builders like the simple drip machine, set it and come back in a minute stuff.

OK. This is the first time I actually WATCHED the ad (for Squarespace) in a video. Well done, gentlemen!

I loved this review. I was looking at this to see if it would be practical for our "frequent" power outages. I will be purchasing a propane stove, seems easier for everything. Thanks for this excellent review!

The taking out the drill and using it to grind the coffee is mint

As a framer, i can't stress how nice it is to have a fresh hot cup of coffee just around noon hour when you are working in -20 celsius weather. I work through the winter and often in the country where there is no café or mcdonalds (not that i would ever want to drink that crap!). I remember one very cold day, a guy living next to the house we were building brought us a large thermos filled with freshly brewed coffee he made with a french press. It was not only amazing coffee, but it was exactly what we needed to get through the rest of the day! I still remember that day because of how nice it was and that got me thinking about bringing stuff to work to make coffee.

This is the first video I saw when I discovered James and his content. Been following since ❤

Awesome video, I am thinking about getting that brewer now

"Battery to Liquid Ratio" is absolutely going onto my short list for band name ideas.

I think this is a really great demonstration of how much power boiling water actually needs. There's a a reason for the tea time power surge

Love the description of a tea bag 👌

I don't often comment on videos but I think this one really nails it. I also love the Squarespace add, probably the best I've seen.

I actually asked a contractor at my house about the utility of this product. I live in New Hampshire (cold, woodsy, northeastern US) and he informed me that these brewers are highly coveted among his fellows. However, he also said that he rarely sees them at job sites, which tend to be hectic and bustling with too many coffee drinkers--usually someone brings a box of Dunkin' and they leave it at that. Anyway, it turns out that some New Englanders who already have a pile of Makita batteries charging in their trucks enjoy taking these brewers to the (shooting) range, putting them in their hunting stands, and tailgating with them. I mean, if you already have the batteries lying around... and it's your day off and you don't need those batteries for work... why not?

I love how James takes coffee very seriously but still knows how to have fun with it

I have one on my work bench in my garage, love whipping up a fresh cup of coffee while I’m working out on the garage 🙂

I laughed out loud at the "drill grinder". You just gave me an idea! Thanks!

I used to be a security engineer, I'd travel the whole of the UK and most sites don't have ways to get a drink if you're not staff, and the ones that did would require you paying out a lot of money for a really shit cup of coffee, so I personally can understand why someone would have something like this; being able to make a cup of coffee whilst waiting for a weld to cool down (UK safety law requires you to be on site for an hour after a weld repair at an active workplace because of fire risk) would be lovely

I suspect that the coffee-machine was made so that Makita has a fun gift to give it's best sales people. But it also looks like it is better protected against the environment of a building site than most other coffee makers. Also: The performance on 12v batteries is mostly a curiosity. Everyone will have an abundance of 18v batteries, and one or two will always be charging.

I don't have one yet, but this kind of tool would be terrific for anyone working on the road! (Not a small market). Power inverters can charge the battery while driving quite easily, but power inverters can be very fussy if you have ever tried to use even a small kurig-type machine off of it. The required draw is just too much. This Makita brewer would also be absolutely amazing for any mother who knows the anxiety of finding a ready source of hot water to warm bottles for her infant. Combine the wait of getting the water to temp ( + ) the wait of the temp to warm the milk ( - ) three renditions of the Squarespace Quartet (which was absolutely fabulous, by the way!!!) ( = ) one contented child and one releaved parent. No, I think Makita is on to something here. One battery, inverter, and a charger isn't too much to store in a minivan, and as for coffee... who drinks more than one cup an hour?!? (If that's you, you aren't in construction, but most likely a RU-vid content creator or something!)

damn, here i am watching a product review AND advertisement for a second time due to the quality of production, the story, the conversations. What a great video.

How'd he find a construction worker that looks exactly like him but just had a moustache that was able to deliver so well

Most of the contractors/construction guys I've worked with were coffee fiends. While most would hit up some chain coffee joint if you gave them the option of a brew during a break I don't think you'd get mocked so much as you'd have to chain it down.

This is one of the best videos you’ve made. I love it!!! Haha

I stumbled upon this video and it is a real gem. I vote this the best James Hoffman video just for the mustache and quartet 🤣

All of the small details are really what makes this. The tiny pastry for lunch, using water labeled "DO NOT USE". Truly a piece of art, and James makes a very believable;e construction worker

Something to note, most of the time when you see these things in the wild they are on huge construction sites where the workers have access to a store room/equipment room where there would be more than enough batteries lying around for something like this.

i am a contractor since the 1980s and I love my Makita tools of which I have a very large assortment , but I dont need the coffee maker , thank for a fun show!

I'm not a coffee connoisseur or a construction worker, but I enjoy watching this video and all other from James!!! Great work

How are there not thousands of comments about how that was the best ad that humanity has ever born witness too? It was truly marvelous

Hi mate, I have one of the earlier versions of the makita coffee maker. I work as a mobile mechanic in remote western Australia, so there have been times where this was a bit of a lifesaver, especially coupled with a grinder for a fresh grind. The earlier version also ran on 240v, as well as battery, which is handy coupled with a solar setup that includes an inverter. Yes, the coffee isn't great, but, it is better than most instant coffee's available in WA!

Perfekt vorgestellt 😂 ich habe sehr gelacht...Danke

Hi from France, absolutly brilliant, loved that "De Walt" tool belt and of course that little,délicate cup cake.....

The production and writing are so ridiculously better than a "coffee channel" has any right to be :D Love your videos.

A someone who worked in construction for a few years I can tell that someone that has a coffeemaker on site is respected like a god. Hard phisical work and early starts especially at the winter time, there were days when I would have sold my soul for a cup of coffee. Most sites have vending machines but those rarely work or give coffee that's any good. I only saw a Makita coffee maker once on site most of the times people just bring a cheap coffee maker along with the tools. If it were me I'd go for a ketle and a french press simply becauseof the high demand for coffee. I knew a guy who even sold his brew.

you sir are a great entertainer, especially the bit with the acapella group was magnificent!

My JH love just went to a new level ❤ and I hope squarespace paid up extra 💰 for that ad. One of the few ads I’ve wanted to sit through(and in one go! ✋)

"We must remain loyal to our power tool maker (Makita)!" All while stuffing their batteries into a DeWalt branded tool belt hahahahaha! Best video yet James.

WOW... I'm speechless. Production, creativity, information... this video is off-the-scale good! Superb.

Honestly this is awesome of construction, honestly a coffee in the morning is the best thing ever… learned to love it

i normaly skip ads... but this was just to awsome. i was in a barbershop group once. i miss it.

I’m an Electrician in The US and this video literally manifested all my thoughts when I saw the Makita water kettle. There are times that we don’t have power in the job yet, so the water kettle and a aeropress would perfect.

As a former tradesperson I can see this being super useful. Get it brewing in the morning while you set up your tools and saws for the day. Drink a cup of coffee while evaluating the work site for what needs to get done for that day. Any good tradesperson has batteries on charge all day anyways so it shouldn't be an issue.

Oh holy shi.... this is frigen epic GOLD. James... my dear friend... you've outdone yourself. FAR too much to bullet-point out. The Bripe video completely took me off-gaurd, and actually knee-jerked me into buying the damn thing (of which I've NEVER regretted the price tag, and has supplied me with many memorable brews on the trail hiking and even travel / adventuring... was NOT expecting that.)... Then your video on portable espresso makers - a lot of great production there... and now this??? You've outdone youself sir. From so many aspects... well done, my hat is off to you my good man. .... The mustache. Gold.

The moustache makes you look way tougher! 💪 This is the best episode of your channel I've every seen! Even better than the Hames Joffman videos I've seen...