How to create a HomeKit smart coffee maker

While Apple doesn’t list a coffee maker category in HomeKit, there are still ways you can automate your daily brewing process. Here's how to use Apple HomeKit to build a smart coffee maker.

There are many coffee makers that support Amazon Alexa, and even more have built-in timers. But these have their limitations and can't talk to Apple's smart home platform. This feature allows you to ask Siri to control your morning coffee routine.

Looking for a Smart Plug

The coffee machine itself doesn’t support HomeKit, so it’s time to get creative. The way to achieve this is to combine a "dumb" coffee machine with a smart switch.

WeMo Thread-enabled smart plugs

All HomeKit-enabled switches are identical in operation and therefore can be used. One we particularly recommend is the Belkin Wemo Smart Plug. This plug-in has many advantages, including its price of only $25 and its ability to work through multiple threads.

Thread is an emerging connectivity standard that is extremely fast and reliable. To use a Thread device, you need a Thread Border Router, which includes the latest generation Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, or select Nanoleaf devices.

If you don't have a threaded border router, this will fall back to Bluetooth control.

Finding a Compatible Coffee Maker

While any HomeKit smart plug will work, the coffee maker is not compatible. To do this, you need a coffee machine that will start brewing when the power comes back on.

The easiest way to tell if a coffee machine is compatible is to check if it has a physical power switch. This way you can leave it permanently in the "on" position and let the plug determine its power.

Better Chef Coffee Maker

The coffee maker we use is the Better Chef Basic. The device costs around $25 and comes with a physical switch and a carafe warmer. We have it in a white colorway, but it’s also available in black and red.

Create a routine that works for you

Once you've got the basics down, it's time to get creative. A machine that brews coffee based on a smart plug is just one part of the equation. The second part is how to decide to trigger that plug.

Probably the most commonly used automation is scheduling coffee machines. With a repeating schedule, you can tell the coffee machine to turn on and start brewing at any time. Start brewing at 6am every weekday, but don't start on weekends until 7am.

To create a schedule in the Home app:

• Click the button in the Home app and select Add Automation
• For To trigger an event, select A Time of Day Occurs
• Now select the time of day and days of the week to run the automation
• Optionally limit it to when you are home so it doesn't run while you're away
• Select the appropriate smart plug from your accessory list
• Make sure the plug is set to on
• Click Complete

Our Coffee Schedule in the Home App

Our coffee maker takes just over 5 minutes to brew a cup of coffee. To automatically turn off the brewer, set a ten-minute timer during the last step of setup.

Another option is to bind it to a button press. Place a Wemo Stage scene controller (recently updated with Thread support) in your bedroom, and you can tell your coffee maker to start with the push of a button.

To create a button-based trigger in the Home app:

• Select the WeMo Stage (or other button) in the Home app
• Select one of the available Action to assign a command
• Select the appropriate smart plug from your accessory list
• Make sure it is turned on and set your optional timer
• ClickComplete

Here are a few more starting points to get the creative juices flowing.

When you turn off your alarm, use the Shortcuts app to turn on your coffee maker. Simply place an NFC sticker on the lid of your coffee maker and use the shortcut to create an automation that lets you start your coffee maker with a tap from your phone. If you have a coffee machine in your office, you can trigger it based on your location when you arrive.

Hope one of these ideas is useful to you, or they inspire your own way to automate your HomeKit coffee maker.

Add coffee to a HomeKit-enabled coffee maker

Working now

HomeKit now supports more ways to unlock coffee maker controls, including time, location, and other actions. We hope Apple will eventually include coffee makers and even appliances as a whole in HomeKit, but this is an acceptable solution for now.

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