The Ultimate Coffee Maker Guide

In Phase 3 we discuss the different types of filter Coffee Makers. There are a number of different brewing methods to choose from, so it is important that you know which one will suit you.

Since there are so many different types of filter coffee maker, it is easier to eliminate the methods that you do not want to try, leaving you with a small number of different brewing methods.

How many cups do you want to brew simultaneously?

A high percentage of drip machines cater for a large number of people (6-12), the disadvantage to brewing with these machines is that when you only want 1 or 2 cups, the machine won’t reach a high enough temperate for good coffee extraction in a short time. The result of this is a very weak and under-extracted cup of coffee. Therefore, if you don’t need to make a large amount of coffee, then buying a French press is our recommended option. If you really don’t want a French press, then make sure you find a drip machine with a 1-4 cup setting. This particular setting will make sure the machine is at a good temperature for extraction.

Fussy?

If you are very particular about your coffee, then perhaps a French press will be the better option simply because it gives you more control over the final cup, this is because you are in control of when the brewing starts and stops, so there is more chance of a good extraction. Another thing to know is that in a French press, the hot water comes into contact with every single grain of coffee for the same amount of time, unlike drip or filter coffee makers. If you are happy with an average and popular cup of coffee, drip or filter machines will do this for you and a French press will probably cause you too much bother.

Now lets take a look at the different types of coffee maker in detail.

The French Press

A French press is a coffee brewing device popularized by the French (not the Italians!). Its operation is simple and it produces a stronger coffee than other devices. A French press consists of a narrow cylindrical jug usually made of glass or clear plastic, equipped with a lid and a "plunger" which fits tightly in the cylinder and which has a fine wire or nylon mesh acting as a filter.
Coffee is brewed by placing the coffee and water together, leaving to brew for a few minutes, and then pressing the plunger to separate the coffee at the bottom of the jug.

Recommended French Presses!

These are our favourite French Presses!  

You can also search amazon for more French Presses below.

 

Drip/Filter Coffee Makers

If you drink more than one cup of coffee at a time, or for example you have guests, and automatic drip coffee maker is the way to go! These coffee makers will brew 6-12 cups of coffee in approximately 5 minutes!

When considering which machine to buy, you should consider the brewing time and the water temperature (these are usually listed in the specifications). A good temperature is between 195°F (90°C) and 205°F (97°C), whilst the brewing time should definitely be lower than 8 minutes. 

Optional features available on some drip / filter coffee machines include a 1-4 cup-setting, user-controlled temperature (settable thermostat), automatic timers and milk steamers/frothers.

Recommended filter coffee makers!

 

You can also search amazon for more filter coffee makers below.

 

 

Phase 4: The grinder, an integral part in the brewing process.