Heating water to that temperature creates steam. It's unavoidable. Put a Post It on the coffee maker until you get the habit of pulling it forward or find a counter with no uppers above it.

Eric, I have the same problem! It's so annoying. If you find anything, let me know!

I use a Keurig and don't have any problem with steam. I know you're looking for a drip pot, and Keurig is not that, but I wanted to offer it as as an idea just in case. For a drip pot, the only idea I have is one where the coffee goes into a sealed thermal carafe instead of an open glass pot. You'd still want to see how open the maker itself is, to see if there's the possibility of steam escaping out of the maker itself before the coffee goes into the pot. Something like this one (model CM2035B) from Black and Decker might work?

I have one of these pull out trays under my coffee maker. It slides out so easily so it may help. $4.99 at the Container Store.

yeah mine makes steam but as far as i can tell it hasnt done any harm. i keep it all the way under since part way out just put the steam on the cabinet face which was surely a bad idea.

i've considered just putting a toaster oven tray upside down on top of it while its brewing.

mostly in summer i use my chemex pour over on the island.

I use a Cuisinart, I shove it back under a PAINTED cabinet with every "brew" after filling. I have no issue with steam ruining paint, or leaving marks of any kind, and there is barely a five inch space under there when the Joe is brewing. A lot of "hissing" steam may mean you need to clean the brew system more often.

Thanks everyone! No solution yet, but will keep searching. Issue is not steam from the coffee pot, but from the top of the maker, usually at the end of the cycle...typically a large "plume" of steam that has whitened the side of our cherry cabinet at home.

The whitening is from a low quality varnish finish on the cabinets. Don't paint the coffee maker as the culprit for that. A high quality factory catalyzed finish wouldn't have an issue.

Here is the space - you can see it is both on the side as well as in front. I'd hate to ruin our new knotty alder cabinets.

Thanks Sophie. The coffee maker is not great though and steams a LOT, hence why I'm searching for one with at least a minimal amount.

Thanks Jan, I think you're spot on!

Once you have owned a one cup at a time coffee maker you will never want to have another coffee from a pot that has been sitting even for 20 Mins. I have a Senseo coffee maker with reuseable pods that you load with any coffee you like no steam , great coffee and i likr it a lot better than the keurig

The better coffee machines reduce the steam (usually at the end of the run), but it still occurs. Four options for you:

1) Pull out machine so that it is "clear" of any overhanging obstructions (such as cabinets) while brewing (total cost $0)

2) Brew on the stove top as in old-fashioned percolator coffee pot (cost = $ in a second hand store)

3) Single brew maker with all that expensive coffee pods (cost = $$$ + $$ for coffee)

4) New, high-end coffee brewing station that you HOPE doesn't steam (cost = $, $$, or $$$ depending on what you purchase)

These are your choices. Personally I vote for #1...but then again I'm frugal.

The end result-- good coffee-- is more important than the means. We use a single serve Keurig with reusable pods. And because you have to raise the lid to insert the pod, we leave it set forward a few inches.

If you appreciate fresh gourmet coffee, check out Railway Coffee on FB. A nephew roasts beans and ships nationwide. Either whole bean if your machine has a grinder, or preground do you can put it in a reusable pod.

lucky patricia who can still get senseo pods in canada. they've gone out in the US and only had old and very stale ones online. i loved my senseo machine which actually had a bit of pressure in it which gave the nice crema on top. now they've mostly disappeared even in Holland in favor of nespresso.

(keurig doesnt actually make coffee. convenient hot brown liquid is the most generous thing i'd say about it.)

pour over is good if you are going to make iced coffee which is why i use my chemex.

but its all about the coffee, how long ago it was roasted, and how long ago it was ground.

oops just re-read patricia's post that you use your own coffee in the reusuable holder, that works too. my senseo pot died maybe i really should try to buy another.

Concord Floor - I'm with you, option 1 may be the best choice. Patricia - I had a Senseo in Europe and agree, it makes great coffee! Slide-outs won't help a lot due to the finished side cabinet next to the fridge so it looks like we'll be going with a different location, unfortunately. :( I'll update the thread if I find a maker that steams very little when brewing. Thanks everyone!

Look for a coffee maker that had a solid top and not a grate. That should help a lot.

check at sears online at the Brew Express countertop coffee maker. It's about 13 inches high, which is short enough to stay under my cabinet with a few inches of space. It has never steamed my cabinet, the basket slides in from the front, has a rubber gasket to keep the basket snug and the unit is sealed on the top. It has a thermal carafe and you can set the brew temp. It's hooked up to the fridge water line so you never have to manually add water. It also has option to make full, half pot or single cup and has a timer. Honestly, after spending years trying to find a thermal pot, short enough to fit under the low cabinet without having to drag it out every time, this coffee maker is wonderful.

We love our Nespresso coffee maker. Does not give off steam and makes delicious coffee!

Thanks for not going the single brew route. Unless you refill them, they're a terrible choice for the environment.

Thanks kinetaf, we have moved it next to the stove. Unfortunately it is not a desirable location, but it saves the cabinets keeps me from putting a towel over it to keep the steam down. The search goes on for the steamless dripper...

Maybe you should consider a genuine espresso machine - excellent coffee, and the steam is in the wand, so it goes down, not up.

I had a keurig and hated it ..jist got the ninja coffee,bar ..and it steams up ..so idk I guess I'm moving it away from the cabinet

Have you got access to or can you add a water line in that wall? If so, this built in coffee maker from Brew express is awesome.
No steam here!!

Did you ever find a coffee pot that doesn't put off so much steam. I have a bona vita and it is terrible. but the vents are on the top. I place towels over the top. Hate it. Would not recommend this coffee pot

MrsD & Eric Stanckzac does putting a towel over the top to absorb the steam do anything harmful to the machine? I have A ninja coffee bar and low uppers and everytine we run it there is condensation, I love My coffee maker but I dont Want to mess it up by trying to block the steam.

Church has a Bunn...solid top... I have a coffee maker that attaches under my cupboard....old... Not sure they make them now. is a GE.

I recently purchased a rather expensive thermal caraf Mr. Coffee. It steams out the back of the unit quite a bit and the bottom of the cabinet above the unit is drenched. My old Mr. Coffee which was a cheaper brand did not cause any wetness. That unit seemed to redirect the steam back into the coffee basket. All drip coffee makers will create steam. It seems to just be a matter of how/where that steam is directed.

Have had this issue forever. Slide it out when coffee is wanted. It’ll take awhile for others to learn/remember to slide the pot out from under the cabinet, but is doable.
........world problems some of us have

Cold brew like toddy maker. Very convenient and no steam. I love mine

Not sure anyone considered this a world problem, just an issue with moisture on cabinets.

Pulling the coffee maker out doesn't fix the problem because the steam vent is on the back edge of the coffee pot, thus the steam now hits the front of the cabinet doors. I have never had a coffee pot that created steam like this one does. The only explanation I can come up with is that since it is an insulated carafe, the manufacturer probably designed it to heat the coffee to a higher temperature, thus the increased steam. All I am saying is that coffee makers create different amounts of steam.

Good Lord. I have a 12 Cup Cuisinart, three tiny little vents in the back. I pull it out a few inches, It sits on a tray anyway. No BIG DEAL. It dampens /steams nothing and makes great coffee. A lot of steam often means you need to CLEAN the pot. Vinegar and water, or a prescribe cleaner and run a no coffee cycle or two.

thanks for the tip. I will try cleaning the unit

I’m having the same problem with my Black and Decker. It’s ruined my cabinet finish and under the cabinet on another. Has anyone found a coffee maker that doesn’t have excessive steam? Yes I cleaned it well and no I don’t want an individual cup brewer. Thank you!

Moccamaster also does not let out steam, and brews incredibly fast...and is the best possible at-home drip coffee maker.

I am having the same problem with my Mr. coffee pot. I have brand new cabinets and a brand new Mr. coffee pot. The steam goes all over the cabinets and covers the cabinets with moisture. The coffee pot is pulled out on the counter as far as it can possibly go. These a new cabinets and if I don’t find a solution they are eventually going to get warped

We have a Breville that does not let out steam. A little pricey (but got it on sale), but we love it. Breville

Thank you Hu for the Bunn speed brew elite and lucky for the Moccamaster recommendations - one of these should work and I hope others get a benefit here as well. Thank you!

If you like cold brew coffee, there is your answer. No heat, no steam. I personally love cold/iced coffee so it does it for me. I suppose you can cold brew then heat it up in the microwave or the stove. But then that would negate the use of a coffee maker instead of using an old school pot on top of the stove.

Or you could use a French press.

Mr. Coffee is a low end coffee maker anyway. even if a better machine is expensive, think of it as an investment when it comes to not ruining your brand new cabinets. plus you'll get the bonus of much better coffee!

I have a high end coffee maker, good water, good coffee and very high end cabinetry, clean my pit everytime the light come on and still gave a steam problem. So I know irs none of these problems

Yes, I have found one that doesn’t steam!!! Not sure if this is the type you are looking for because it is potless. You serve yourself by cup or mug. It is call a Hamilton Beach Brew Station”.