Coffee Makers

The different types of coffee making machines and brewing methods plus tips in buying a coffee maker are discussed here

The Types of Coffee Makers

Brewing coffee can be of many ways but the main ingrediant;s reamins the same, that's ground coffee and water. In this article four types of brewing techniques will be discussed. These are Drip, French Press, Stovetop and Vacuum. Coffee makers that utilizes these four methods requires different preparation.

Drip Coffee Maker - Drip coffee machines is quite common to find in household nowadays. It is efficient and easy to use.This may be the reason why it is getting very common to find it in household. Almost all the work of brewing coffee is done by the machine. You just need to add freshly ground coffee and cold water.

Commercial drip coffee makers make use of two different methods of brewing. The first method is known as pour over.This method is extremely efficient in that water is poured directly into the reservoir where the built in heating element immediately delivers hot water at the precise temperature for brewing. The second method is known as shower head. In this method water is distributed more evenly over the surface of the ground coffee and extracting a richer more flavorful cup of coffee.

Paper filters are used to filter out the brew and ensure clean coffee is collected in the pot. Paper filter are used because it is easy to cleanup. Simply discard the filter and used grounds once brewing is complete. The coffee collected is kept warm by a hot plate.

French Press :- This is a very simple coffee maker. It consist of a cylindrical container and a plunger. To brew coffee simply fill the cylindrical cylinder with coarsely ground coffee and hot water. Next stir the mixture and then place the plunger handle onto the cylinder container to aid in heat retention. It is recommended to let the mixture sit for a while. After that, the next step in the process is to slowly depress the plunger. The plunger has stainless steel mesh that forces the grounds to the bottom of the container,separating them from the liquid. Serve the coffee directly from the container.

Stovetop Brewing :- This consist of two separate pots stacked top and bottom together.The lower pot is for ground coffee and cold water and the top container is for the finished product. The process of brewing coffee is also simple. To start the process fill the lower container with appropriate amount of water and as well as with ground coffee. Next heat the lower container with an external heating source. This forces the water through the coffee grounds which is then siphoned from the lower container into the top where it is ready to be served.

Vacuum Style Brewing :- This method is also make up of two separate containers( normally made of glass ) stacked on top of the other. However unlike the stovetop method, the top container is where brewing actually takes place. To start the process ensure the filter is in place, fill the top container with ground coffee. Next, fill the lower section with cold water and heat to boiling temperature with an external or internal heat source. Once boling is complete remove from the heat source. A siphon, connecting the two containers together, pulls the hot water from the lower container through into the top mixing with the grounds. Gravity then fed through the filter into the lower container. Separate the top grounds container from the lower and you are ready to pour your coffee. A note of interest, this type of coffee maker even though is interesting is not a recent discovery but had been around since the 1840s.

Well the aboves are four common method of brewing coffee, as you choose which method to use here are some points to take note of when buying a coffee maker.