Coffee Maker is an essential kitchen appliance used to brew coffee, without boiling water separately for the cup of coffee. It is widely used at homes, offices, restaurants, hotels and cafes. There are a variety of coffee makers available today, since the first design was invented.
History
For hundreds of years, coffee has been the favourite beverage for all times of the day. A number of coffee making machines have been invented by various people over the years, some of which are still in use.
Types
Vacuum Brewer – This type of coffee maker involves two containers for brewing the coffee. The lower vessel contains the water which is heated till it expands and pushes upwards to the upper vessel, through a tube. It comes in contact with the ground coffee which is placed in the upper vessel. After the coffee has brewed for a sufficient time, the heat is turned off. The brewed coffee is drawn back to the lower vessel through a strainer. The coffee is then ready to be decanted from the vessel into the drinking cup.
Percolator – This type of coffee maker comprised a boiling pot with a removable lid, a metal tube and a brew basket within the pot. The water is heated in the pot using a stove top or by electricity, in case of electric percolators. The water is heated upto the point when it is forced through the metal tube into the brew basket which contains ground coffee. The extracted liquid drains back into the pot from the brew basket. This cycle of brewing is repeated till the coffee grounds are steeped fully. The lid of the percolator has a transparent knob which serves the purpose of checking, if the coffee has been brewed to the optimum level. The knob is removed which gives a clear view of the liquid, and makes it easier for the user to judge when the coffee is ready, on the basis of color and strength.
Electric Drip Coffee Maker – This type of coffee maker is also known as ‘dripolator’. With the help of a hose, water is let into the beaker which has the heating chamber. Once the water is heated. it passes through a small rubber or vinyl tube into the spray head and then into the brew basket containing ground coffee. This entire procedure takes place because of the thermosiphon principle. The coffee then passes through a filter into the pouring jug. One of the types of drip-brew machine is the ‘ Pourover ’ or the water displacement drip coffeemaker. It works on the similar principle, only that the water is preheated to a near boiling point. However, it is not preferred by many household as it has high consumption of electricity, although this type of machine produces a brewed coffee much faster than the regular drip machine. It is best used for a restaurant, where the equipment is used upto its maximum capacity.
French Press – This type of coffee maker comprises a beaker and a lid with a plunger which is like a wire mesh, and functions as the filter. This type of coffee making machine requires coarsely ground coffee. The coffee and water are stirred and left in the beaker to brew for a few minutes. The plunger is then pressed against the bottom of the beaker, so that it comes in direct contact with the coffee. This releases the coffee’s flavors and the essential oils into the water. The wire mesh helps to filter the coffee. The taste of the coffee can be adjusted by leaving it to brew longer in the beaker.
How to Buy a Coffee Maker
There are certain facts which must be taken into consideration before setting out to buy a coffee maker. Firstly, the size of the coffee maker must be ascertained depending on where it is going to be used or who will be using it. For example, it may be required for home, office, hotel room or an individual, couple or family. Size becomes significant here as a small coffee maker will be required for a bachelor, and for a hotel room; whereas for an office or for a family, definitely a larger size will be required.
Secondly, it must also be kept in mind that the best appliances are those which are easy to use, clean and maintain. Hence, a coffee maker with limited functions but easy to clean and use, is preferred over the one with enhanced features but cumbersome to clean.
Thirdly, personal preference in terms of design and color is also important as the coffee maker is going to add to the kitchen décor. However, buying from a reliable and trusted brand always saves problems and disappointments faced post buying.
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