We have a Connaisseur Home Concepts coffee maker and it doesn't steam. We only use it when my parents & In-laws visit, so we don't use it a lot. But, I've never seen any steam.

I got the coffee maker "free" years ago when I signed up for auto tea shipments w/Gevalia (I was in an experimental phase at the time...trying all kinds of teas!)

Ours steams too but we just pull it out past the cabinets while the coffee brews then push it back it when it's finished.

I have the Keurig which makes a cup of coffee at at time, but very quickly. It does not put out any steam at all. I like my coffee rather strong and DH only drinks decaf, and very weak decaf at that. So it is perfect for us.

Here is a link that might be useful: Keurig

We've switched to using a Keurig cup at a time brewer, and the only steam is at the cup, surrounded by the coffee maker, where it could not possibly damage anything. The Keurig uses k-cups that are offered by many coffee companies in so much variety, & they taste good. I drink decaf & was thrilled to see so many choices; the competition has but one or two. There are tea k-cups or you can get instant hot water for teabags by simply not inserting a k-cup before you press the button. The models vary by how many different cup quantities you want to choose from, and additional features like automatic on/off.

We have 2 Keurig coffemakers at work. Unfortunately, while they provide a wide variety of coffees, we're only offered 2 teas...neither of which I like. I usually use the filtered water dispenser for hot water with tea bags. We have several serious tea drinkers at work and they are lobbying for a Keurig machine for tea only...they insist their tea is contaminated by coffee when using the same machine whether using a K-cup or tea bag! I actually agree...that's why I use the hot water dispenser on the filtered water.

You could just pull the coffee maker forward so the steam clears the upper cabinets. That's what we do.

We have a Cuisanart that grinds and brews with a stainless carafe. Doesn't steam and the coffee stays hot all day. I'd highly recommend it. We got ours on Overstock.com - it was reconditioned so ii was a great deal.

THis is the one we have, and it doesn't steam at all:

Here is a link that might be useful: Another Cuisinart

Another Cuisinart owner here. Ours doesn't steam either. Our old Krups steamed a lot & we did what others here suggested - we pulled it away from the cabinets while it was brewing.

PS: The Cuisinart makes much better coffee than our Krups ever did.

Another Keurig user here...and I love it! No steam issues and a great
hot cup of coffee.
vic

I've had my cuisinart for years and still LOVE it. it doesn't steam to the best of my knowledge. the coffee tastes GREAT! (I use Peat's coffee... absolutely love it).

Here is a link that might be useful: cuisinart at William's Sonoma

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I gave them the recommendations, and they were so appreciative of people on the internet taking the time to help them! It's so funny that it never crossed my mind to just stick a towel up there-- or their's either. It makes a lot of sense (but I still suggested a Cuisinart or Keurig coffeemaker!). Thanks, again, everyone :)

If your in-laws just redid their kitchen this probably isn't an issue, but it came up with us. Our 1918 house has only 13.5 inches between counter & upper cabinets. In the dozen years since I'd last been coffeemaker shopping the makers have gotten a lot taller. If I'd limited myself to ones that would fit under the cabinet (our old Krups did) I would have had very little choice. In the end we moved the coffeemaker to accommodate the extra height. Hope it won't be an issue for you.

Lorri