Coffee is a drink that does not require presentation. Probably everyone heard about him and likes him very much. Some people can not even imagine their morning, without a cup of fragrant coffee. This drink makes a person cheerful and energizes for the whole day, and therefore enjoys great popularity in the mornings.
Technological progress does not stand still and now the store is simply loaded with various techniques, which greatly facilitates the process of brewing coffee. This kind of technique was called "coffee maker".In this article we will tell you how to choose a coffee maker for the house and what you need to pay attention to before buying it.
Which coffee maker to choose
The first thing you need to decide is which coffee maker you need. To date, there are the following types of coffee makers:
- Drip( filtration)
- Geyser
- Electric Turks( Jezwi)
- Sparkling( espresso coffee makers)
- Capsule
- Combined
Each of them has its own peculiarities, which is extremely important to give importance to the purchase. In order to make it easier for you to understand what kind of coffee machine you need, we'll look in detail at each version of this technique.
Features of the choice of drip coffee maker
The most common coffee makers are drip. They are affordable and very easy to use. This technique still has the name of a filter coffee machine. This is due to the fact that coffee in such a device is prepared by filtration.
The principle of operation of the drip coffee machine is as follows. You pour water into a special container. When working, the device heats the water in the tank to a temperature of 87 to 95 degrees. Then hot water drips on the ground coffee, which is located under the tank in a special filter net. After that, the water passed through the filter with coffee beans enters the coffee pot. On what actually completes the process of preparation of the drink.
Preparation of one cup of coffee, in this technique, takes relatively long time. After all, the water passes through the filter by droplets. Having chosen such a device, be prepared, to the fact that for preparing several cups of coffee it will take some time.
Coffee prepared in a filter coffee machine can not turn out so delicious and saturated, as you are waiting for. The thing is that the special aroma of the drink is given by the essential oils contained in the coffee beans. When water passes through coffee beans under high pressure, more essential oils are concentrated in it. In drip coffee machines, water simply drips onto the ground coffee( without pressure).Because the drink thus obtained, will not be as fragrant as the one that is cooked in more expensive models of coffee makers.
If you still decide to buy a drip coffee maker, then first of all pay attention to its power. The optimum power for such devices depends on the volume of the water tank. Those.the more capacious the capacitance, the more powerful the instrument should be.
Also on the power of the device depends on how strong the coffee turns out and how long it will take to prepare it. It is best if the power of the equipment you like is at least 1000 watts. To make coffee in such a device, you need more grains, but the coffee in it will be tasty as much as the drip coffee maker can.
Required in the filter coffee machine, should there is a drip system. The essence of this system is that the device will automatically stop working if the coffee pot is removed during coffee making and will continue to work when the coffee pot is in place. Thanks to this, you can pour yourself a cup of freshly brewed coffee, without waiting for the completion of the whole process.
Most often, the coffee pot in such devices is glass, and under it is a special heating element. Thanks to which, the coffee remains hot for a while( about 30 minutes).But in some models of this technique a special thermos bottle is used. It is made of metal and is able to support the drink hot for a long time.
The volume of coffee pot in such coffee makers ranges from 0.2 to 2 liters. From the volume of the coffee pot, it depends on how much cups of cooked coffee it is designed for. The volume of two liters, enough for cooking 10 to 15 cups of coffee. Instruments with a volume of 0.2 liters, designed to prepare one cup of coffee. Most often in such coffee makers, instead of a coffee pot, a mug is placed in which the ready-made beverage flows. Pay attention to the handle of the coffee pot. It must be protected from overheating. Then pour the ready-made drink from the coffee pot into a mug, will not cause unnecessary trouble.
Another important component of the drip coffee maker is the filter. Filters in such devices are:
- Paper. The advantage of such filters is that they do not need to be cleaned after use. However, after each use of the coffee machine, the paper filter will have to be changed, and this is an additional financial cost.
- Nylon. Most often come with a coffee machine. It is believed that this filter is enough for 60 uses, then it will have to be replaced. However, with careful care, the period of its operation can be slightly extended.
- Nylon filters coated with titanium nitride. This product thanks to a special coating, will last longer than a simple nylon filter.
In stores you can see a drip coffee machine, in which there is a function of controlling the strength of the prepared beverage. However, this device will cost a little more than usual. For additional functions in this technique, the function of protection against transfusion can also be included. If it is available, the device will automatically turn off when the coffee pot is filled with cooked coffee.
It will be great if you have a coffee filter holder in the coffee machine you like. Then you can, just push it aside without taking it out of the coffee machine. This is very convenient in case you need to fall asleep coffee. Some models of this technology are equipped with the function of regulating the time of switching on and switching off the coffee machine.
Most often, drip coffee machines, can only work with ground coffee. Some similar devices are produced with a built-in grinder and automatic feeding of freshly ground coffee into the coffee compartment.
- In our article how to choose a coffee grinder, you can get acquainted with the recommendations for choosing this household appliance.
What you need to consider before buying a geyser coffee machine
A geyser coffee machine is a metal vessel with special separations that separate water and coffee from each other. The principle of operation of such a device is as follows. In the upper compartment of the geyser coffee machine, water is poured in, which boils, rises and passes through special filters with ground coffee. As a result, the water is saturated with the aroma of coffee and a ready-made drink is accumulated in the upper compartment of the device.
In some models of geyser coffee machines, coffee is brewed with steam. In such a device, with the boiling of water, the steam passes through the coffee through a special tube, after which it is collected in the upper compartment. To get the best flavor and stronger coffee, water or steam in the geyser coffee machines pass through the ground coffee several times. To make a cup of coffee in such a device, it will take about five minutes.
Geyser coffee machines can be electric and gas stoves. Coffee, cooked in an electric appliance, is more delicious than the one prepared with a coffee machine.
Before buying a geyser coffee machine, you need to consider its volume. Such modern devices can be designed for the preparation of 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 or 18 portions of coffee. You should know that if you choose a geyser coffee machine, for example, designed for 9 servings, then due to the structural features of the geyser device, you will have to constantly prepare 9 servings of coffee.
The volume of the geyser coffee machine depends entirely on its power. Here, as in the case of drip devices, the larger the volume, the greater the power is needed. In this technique, the power meter can range from 450 to 100 watts.
Also do not forget to pay attention to the material from which the device you like is made. Most often, the flask in the geyser coffee machines is metal, and the lid is made of glass or transparent plastic, so that you can observe the process of cooking coffee. It is best that the handle of the device be made of a special heat-insulating material.
Geyser coffee grinders can be equipped with a delayed start timer, auto power off after cooking, the ability to keep coffee hot. In such a technique, the presence of a coffee strength regulator and a thermostat controller can be provided, as well as the presence of a light indicator.
Electric Turks
Another electric appliance for making coffee is an electric Turk. With its help, you can prepare coffee in Turkish, exactly the same as with the usual Turks. In our article how to choose a Turk, you can find information that will help you choose a quality product.
As for the electric turka, it is a vessel that is plastic or metallic( there is no fundamental difference between them), which is installed on a special platform. Something like this device, like an electric kettle. In the kettle, the kettle itself is a water tank, and the platform on which it is placed ensures the operation of its heating tool.
With a Turkish coffee machine, everything is practically the same. Only here in the tank, not only water is poured, but ground coffee is poured, after which the capacity is put on the platform, which ensures the work of the heating element. The capacity in such devices is from 0.25 to 0.4 liters.
Power in a similar coffee machine can range from 500 to 1000 watts. The more powerful the coffee maker, the faster the coffee will be brewed. However, if the device is very powerful( from 800 to 1000 W), then you simply do not have time to keep up the coffee, and he will run out of the tank. Unfortunately, such a technique does not have the function of automatic shutdown after cooking.
Espresso coffee makers
Such products are very popular nowadays. They come in two varieties:
- Conventional
- Pump
In the first case, the water, boiling, turns into steam. Then under pressure passes through the filter. In view of the fact that the water in this device boils - coffee is not so delicious. In pumping coffee machines, this process does not occur.
In such a device, the pressure is not created by the steam, but by a special pump pump, which they are equipped with. Therefore, the water in them, is not brought to the boiling point. It warms up to about 90 ° C.
Espresso coffee machines are also called carob. This name has come about because of the filter-horn( coffee is poured into it), through which water flows in such a device. By the way, coffee in carob coffee makers passes through the filter at a pressure of about 7 bar.
Many sellers can tell you that coffee in such a device is prepared at a pressure of 14-15 bars. However, it is not. The indicator of 14-15 bars is the maximum that some devices can provide. To make coffee, a carob coffee machine, you do not need to work at all. Therefore, the preparation uses much less pressure.
In espresso coffee machines it is possible to prepare milk foam( for cappuccino and other drinks).For this purpose, a tube called a "cappuccinator" is used in such devices. This very cappuccino can be manual and automatic. The second option is preferable, as in this case for the production of milky foam. It will be enough for you to substitute a mug with a drink under the cappuccino.
When choosing a carob maker, pay attention to the filter horn. It must necessarily be made of metal. In most cases this is stainless steel. If in the technique you like, the horn will have a double nozzle. Then you can cook two cups of coffee at a time.
It is desirable that in such a coffee maker was provided a coffee sealant in the horn( temper).There were functions of protection against overheating and quick disconnect functions. It will be great if the coffee maker does not turn on when there is no water in the container.
Recommendations for choosing a capsule coffee maker
Very simple and convenient to use capsule coffee makers. Using such a device for making coffee, you only need to place the capsule with coffee in a special compartment and turn on the device.
The principle of this technique is that during operation, the capsule with coffee is punctured with a special needle. Then, through this needle in the coffee, the water heated up to the desired temperature is supplied under pressure. The water absorbs, the flavor and aroma of coffee and then gets into the cup. Further, the spent capsule will fall into a special compartment in the coffee machine.
In such devices you can prepare coffee with milk. To do this, you just need to buy a special capsule with dry or concentrated milk. The disadvantage of this technique is that you constantly have to buy capsules with coffee, which are more expensive than ordinary ground coffee or coffee beans.
Also a variety of coffee, which you can prepare with a capsule coffee maker, completely depends on the manufacturer of the device. That is, if the firm is the manufacturer of your equipment, do not sell capsules of any sort of coffee, then you can not make this coffee. Becausecapsules of other manufacturers to your device will not work.
If you decide to buy a capsule coffee maker, choose a device with a power of at least 1000 watts. The time of coffee making depends entirely on the power. Also, do not forget to pay attention to the pressure of the pump, which is used in this technique. It is best if the maximum pump pressure is 15 bar.
As for the volume of the water container in the capsule coffee machine, it is better that it be at least one liter. Then you do not have to, very often top up the water. It's great if in the device you like, there will be a removable container. In some models of such a device, a water filter built into the container is provided.
Usually the capsule coffee maker has the function of shutting down after making coffee. Recently, more and more popular capsular coffee machines with the availability of self-cleaning regimes.
Combined coffee makers
Combined coffee makers combine two types of appliances:
- Espresso combines. With the help of them you can prepare a drink, both from ground coffee and from cereal. In other words, it's a coffee maker, with a built-in coffee grinder.
- Coffee grinders, where you can make espresso and americano coffee. In other words, this technique combines both the carob and drip coffee machines at the same time. The disadvantage of this technique is the high price and difficulty in care. In view of the fact that two completely different types of coffee makers are united here.
