Watts

Typical figures for this type, from the sources at the foot of this page. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

Running, typical
900 W
Running, low to high
700 W to 1,200 W
Starting
No start surge
Typical use a day
15 minthe calculator starts from this, and you can change it
Average draw while on
900 W
Voltage
120 V

The math

Worked with the typical figure, as the calculator does it.

  1. Output900 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 900 W.
  2. SurgeNo start surge: the running figure covers it.
  3. Average draw900 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on.
  4. A typical day900 W × 15 min = 225 Wh a day.
  5. Typical 15 min a day900 W × 15 min = 225 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 265 Wh of rated capacity.
  6. 1 hour of use900 W × 1 h = 900 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 1,059 Wh of rated capacity.
  7. On the Jackery Explorer 1000 v21,070 Wh × 0.85 = 910 Wh usable, ÷ 900 W = 1.0 h of use.

Stations that run it

Every power station in the data with this appliance alone plugged in, at 85% efficiency. Type the running watts from your own label and the table works it out again.

Add it to the runtime calculator with the rest of your list

What moves the number

Carafe size sets the draw: a 5 cup machine is about 700 W, a 12 cup machine about 900 W, and the highest figure in our sources is 1,200 W. The heater brews at its full rating, then the hot plate under the pot switches on and off to keep the coffee warm.

Pouring the coffee into a thermal carafe and switching the machine off ends the hot plate draw.

Questions

How many watts does a drip coffee maker use?
About 900 W while running, from 700 W to 1,200 W across the models in our sources. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.
Can a portable power station run a drip coffee maker?
Yes. 44 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 900 W of continuous output.
How long will a power station run a drip coffee maker?
It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the DJI Power 500 (512 Wh), gives about 29 min of use. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 11.6 h of use.
Does a drip coffee maker need extra watts to start?
No. It has no motor or compressor, so it draws about its running watts from the moment it is switched on. The check that matters is a continuous output of at least 900 W, and a heating element draws close to that figure whenever it is on.

Sources

Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time. The check corrected at least one figure.

  1. Hamilton Beach Use and Care Guide, models 46110, 46111 maker manual, checked
  2. Hamilton Beach Use and Care Guide, models 49315, 49316, 49318, 49465 maker manual, checked
  3. Hamilton Beach Use and Care Guide, models 46390, 46391, 46392 maker manual, checked
  4. Choosing a Generator, Quick Reference Wattage flyer (Champion Power Equipment) generator maker guide, checked
  5. Generator Wattage Worksheet (Generac, K182637) generator maker guide, checked
  6. Hamilton Beach FrontFill 14 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker - 46390 maker product page, checked

We read published figures and do the math; we do not measure appliances. The methodology states every formula on this page. Capacities are rated watt hours: 1,000 Wh rated gives 850 Wh usable at the default.