Finding the Right Size - How to Buy Mugs for Your Coffee Brewing System

Have you ever purchased a single-serving coffee brewing system, only to find when you got home that your favorite mug didn't fit?

With the ever-growing popularity of one-cup brewing systems from companies such as Keurig® and Nespresso®, it's important to take note of the maximum cup height and capacities for each machine so you can purchase mugs accordingly.

Here are the maximum capacities for Keurig® and Nespresso® machines, as well as cup sizes they will accommodate:

Keurig® K10 Mini Plus Brewing System

KEURIG®

Capacity: With the Keurig® Mini brewing system, you can choose to brew 6oz., 8oz. or 10oz. of coffee per K-Cup. Some premium models will brew up to 12oz. of liquid.

Cup Height: The maximum cup or mug height for a small Keurig® is 5"-5.25". The drip tray at the bottom is removable to provide a little extra room for your mug or travel mug.

Recommended Mugs for Keurig®: At Könitz, we offer only the highest-quality porcelain mugs for your tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Our thick-walled cups keep your beverage warm and are stain and chip-resistant. 

Here are our favorite Könitz coffee mugs that will fit your Keurig® machine:

Nespresso® Inissia

NESPRESSO®

Capacity: Because the Nespresso® is an espresso brewing machine, the amount of liquid returned is very small. There are two choices of beverage size (at factory settings): Espresso, which is 1.3 ounces, and Lungo, which is 3.7 ounces. 

Cup Height: The maximum cup height for a Nespresso® machine is 3.25". You'll probably have trouble fitting any regular mug underneath!

Recommended Cups for Nespresso®: We recommend choosing a style from our Coffee Bar Collection. Coffee Bar includes espresso cups, cappuccino cups, and latte mugs. At 2.25" high and 2oz., our classic white espresso cup is the perfect choice.

Here are our favorite coffee and espresso cups to fit your Nespresso® machine:

Decorate Your Table with Halloween Dinnerware

 

This Halloween, decorate your dining table with the Fun Factory Dinnerware collection from Waechtersbach. These sturdy ceramic pieces in orange and black are easy to mix-and-match, for a tablescape that's perfectly spooky!

For more Halloween fun, visit our Pinterest board, where we've pinned our favorite recipes, decorations, Halloween centerpieces, and more!

Waechtersbach Warehouse Sale, Fall 2014

Waechtersbach USA is holding our annual warehouse sale, just in time for the holiday season! Shop dinnerware and mugs at fabulous prices – up to 60% off retail prices on our entire assortment!

Available for a Limited Time Only: Effect Glaze Dinnerware

 

From our warehouse in Germany comes the last few pieces of our discontinued effect glaze collection. Made in Germany, these pieces are known for their bold, saturated color and unique glazing technique.

These items won't be here long, so get them before they're gone (we're even offering free shipping on all purchases)! Available while supplies last.

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The Art of Italian Coffee

You may have heard of our Coffee Bar Collection, but how much do you know about Italy’s coffee culture, which inspired this authentic line of white coffee cups?

The name Coffee Bar actually comes from the term used to describe an Italian café. In Italy, when someone goes to the bar, it means they're treating themselves to a tazza, or cup, of strong, steaming hot espresso. 

An Italian coffee bar is much different than your average American café or local Starbucks. Italians are extremely passionate (and extremely particular) about their coffee and have a set of practices all their own. 

Since these coffee rituals can be difficult to comprehend, we’d like to share with you a few unwritten rules and fun facts about Italy’s vibrant coffee culture:

1. In Italy, locals prefer to have their coffee first thing in the morning. Coffee beverages containing milk, such as cappuccinos, are meant to be enjoyed before noon and never past dinnertime. Italians believe that the milk on a full stomach interferes with digestion.

2.  Most Italians have a favorite bar they frequent every day, as well as a preferred barista (person who prepares their coffee). Baristas are revered in Italy for their espresso-making abilities.

3. Italians like their espresso quick. A stop at the bar might take less than five minutes total – order, pay, drink, and you’re out the door. Ideally, an espresso should be consumed in no more than three sips.

4.  Italians drink their coffee standing at the bar. Sit down, and you’re likely to be identified as a tourist!

Here’s a list of commonly used words that are helpful in understanding Italian coffee:

Caffé: Plain espresso, which is the basis of all Italian coffee beverages. Served in a small espresso cup with foam on top called crema. 

Doppio: Describes a double shot of espresso.

Cappuccino: Espresso topped with hot, foamed milk. Cappuccino cups are rounder and wider.

Latté Macchiato: Literally translated as “stained milk,” the latté macchiato consists of espresso poured into hot milk. 

Caffé Latte: What Americans refer to as simply a latte (if you ask for that in Italy, you’ll receive a glass of milk!). Steamed milk with a bit of coffee, served in a tall glass.

The Picture Dictionary of Dinnerware

How well do you know your dinnerware? Discover the particular purpose of each dish on your table with this handy reference guide.

 
Dinner Plate – Used for serving entrees or main courses, generously-sized dinner plates are usually 9” to 11” in diameter. Rim shaped plates such as these have a flat, distinct edge. 

 
Salad Plate or Dessert Plate – Side plates typically range in size from 6” to 8” in diameter. Perfect for serving side salads or appetizers. Does double-duty for desserts; small enough in size for breakfasts.

Accent Plate – Specially decorated, accent plates sit on top of the dinner plate and serve up sides or small desserts. 

 Charger – Slightly larger than a dinner plate, the charger fits beneath the place setting for an added touch. The visible rim complements your dinnerware pattern.

  

Soup/Cereal Bowl – All-purpose bowl is an easy choice for soup, oatmeal, ice cream, etc. Coupe-shaped bowls like this one do not have a distinct rim.

Soup Bowl – This shallow soup bowl, sometimes with a wide rim, is perfectly crafted for courses such as pasta, stew or soup.

 

Serving Bowl – Comes in a variety of sizes. Goes from serving salad at the dinner table to popcorn on movie night! You can even use your serving bowl to display fruit. 

Oval Platter – Serves meats, bread, vegetables, fruits and cheeses. Comes in a variety of sizes; may or may not have handles. An oval serving platter is essential at every feast!

Cup & Saucer – The round cup and saucer are traditionally used for serving tea or coffee. Cup fits into the recessed center of the saucer, which catches any drips (or holds a cookie!). 

 

Mug – Large-sized mug with easy-grip handle is perfect for early-morning coffee and other hot beverages. 

Dipping Bowl – These small condiment bowls are great for dips. Dip your chips, crackers or bread into your favorite concoctions, or use for oil and vinegar. 

Oil Bottle – Used for pouring olive oil, vinegar or other sauces. Oil bottle may be made of glass or other materials.

Creamer – The creamer is the piece of the tea service used for pouring cream into coffee or tea.  

Sugar – Also included in a tea service. The covered sugar bowl with lid makes a charming accessory and is used for serving sugar or other sweeteners.

 Teapot – With its stout shape, the teapot is used to serve hot water or steep tea. A beloved tradition around the world, the teapot an entertaining essential.

How to Select the Perfect Dinnerware

With so many options available, choosing dinnerware for your kitchen or dining room can be a tough decision! It's an item essential to every home, setting the tone for a meal and making a statement about your personal style – but do you really know what to consider when making a purchase? We’ve put together a guide to help!

1. Level of Formality

The first thing to consider is the level of formality you’re seeking (this will also help you set your budget). Think about your current lifestyle and determine when and where you plan to use this set. So that you’re always prepared, you may want a set for both formal and informal settings. 

Formal
Most families save their fine china for special occasions and holidays, but this elegant dinnerware is perfect for dinner parties. While formal dinnerware can be more expensive, it’s a lasting investment that your family will treasure for years to come. Many sets need to hand washed, so be sure to check the care instructions.

Casual 

Sturdy pieces meant for everyday use. Affordable and great for families with children, casual dinnerware is typically dishwasher and microwave safe. Dress your casual dishes up or down for maximum versatility. 

2. Material

With dinnerware produced in a variety of styles, considering material can help you narrow your search. 

Porcelain
Delicate but durable, porcelain dinnerware is a fabulous choice. Originally invented by the Chinese (hence the name “china”), porcelain is made of non-porous fired clay that is chip-resistant. 

For porcelain dinnerware, check out our UNO Collection. 

Ceramic or Earthenware
Ceramic pottery tends to be heavier and is made of terra cotta clay fired at low temperatures. Because of its pourous nature, earthenware is easily glazed, making for richer, more vibrant colors. 

For ceramic dinnerware, check out the Fun Factory Collection.

Stoneware
Handcrafted stoneware has a clean and modern appearance. Made of refined clay, it is hard-wearing and strong, and also heavier than porcelain. Stoneware often comes in earthy tones and textures.

For stoneware dinnerware, check out the Pure Nature Collection.

Bone China
Created in England in the 1700s, top-of-the-line Bone China is made from porcelain mixed with bone ash. It is lightweight and less brittle than porcelain. Real bone china is milky-white and if held to the light should appear translucent. It has a glowing, lustrous look. 

For bone china dinnerware, check out the Colors Collection. 

3.  Color

When it comes to color, coordinate with dinnerware you already own or try something new for endless mix-and-match possibilities.

White
The benefit of white is that it matches everything! Classic and versatile, white dinnerware is considered the best color for presenting food. 

 Solid Color
Bright colors spice up neutral décor and let your creativity shine. Look for high-quality glazework (evenly applied with no bubbles), depth of color, and consistency of color when shopping colorful dinnerware.  

Pattern
Prints reveal your true entertaining spirit! Patterns can range anywhere from abstract or geometric prints to floral and natural prints such as birds and fruit. It’s a good idea to pair patterned dinnerware with plain dinnerware so it doesn’t overwhelm.

4. Shape

Shape is important and can take your dinner table from classic to contemporary. 

Round
The most simple, traditional shape. Pleasing to the eye. 

Square and Rectangular
Highlights the shape of your food and adds a modern touch. Rectangular shapes are great for serving foods like asparagus.

Unconventional
Don’t limit yourself to the same old shapes. Go wild with a triangle or heart-shaped plate! 

5. Number of Servings 

When weighing the number of place settings you’ll need, a good rule to follow is to buy as many dinnerware sets as people you can imagine hosting. For couples engaged to be married (or anyone building their dinnerware collection from scratch), the recommendation is 8 to 12 place settings on the bridal registry. There are two main ways in which dinnerware is sold.

Sets
There are 4-Piece (serves one) and 16-Piece Place Settings (serves four). Because 16-Piece sets are common, it’s ideal to stay within multiples of 4 when settling upon a number. A 4-piece set contains everything you need for a single seat at the table.

Open Stock 

Dinnerware by the individual piece. A wonderful option for people who want to add to what they already have or purchase a few extra pieces in case of breakage. Replaceability is key when it comes to dinnerware.