Anyone on the quest for perfect coffee will need to invest in a high quality coffee machine. The problem is knowing what type will produce the tastiest coffee imaginable. With so many different coffee machines to choose from it can be difficult to know which type is right for you. You will need to choose the type of coffee machine before you look at how to use a coffee maker. Choosing the right machine depends on more variables, but especially on the kind of coffee beverage you prefer.
Table of Contents
Popular Types of Coffee Makers
- Drip Coffee Makers
- Espresso Machines
- French Presses
This article will look at each of these types of coffee machine in turn and look at the advantages of each type and what type of coffee lover would be best owning one.
Drip Coffee Makers
A drip coffee maker is seen as the standard way of making coffee, so is it any good? This is one of the easiest ways of making coffee and it does produce a nice cup of coffee, although some coffee lovers believe that coffee made in this method is quite weak. These machines work by dripping hot water onto coffee grounds which then pass through and into the cup underneath.
It’s possible to easily change the taste and strength of the coffee by using different coarseness grinds of bean, and adjusting the length of time the coffee is made.
Espresso Machines
An espresso machine uses high pressure boiling water to extract as much flavor and caffeine from the bean. This produces a very small cup of coffee which is highly concentrated. This produces a cup with a lot of flavor in, however this also means that the coffee will be quite bitter. The coffee should be finely ground so that as much flavor can be extracted. An advantage of espresso is that it doesn’t take long to brew and some people really love the taste of a highly concentrated cup of coffee.
Espresso machines are quick to brew single cups of coffee, however brewing the same amount of coffee as either a drip coffee maker or French press would take a very long time.
Some espresso machines also have a steam wand which can be used to froth up milk which can be mixed with the espresso to give it a lovely creamy texture.
French Presses
In a french press, the coffee is fully submerged in the water. This allows more time for the water to fully infuse the taste of the coffee beans. French presses are almost completely maintenance free, whereas espresso machines may require regular maintenance. When you are ready to pour the coffee you can then push the handle down to remove the coffee grinds and leave great tasting coffee.
Which is Best?
Knowing which type of coffee maker is right for you will depend on your preferences and lifestyle. There is no right or wrong answer as to which type of coffee machine you should buy. Both coffee drip brewers and french presses are perfect for brewing large amounts of coffee at a time, whereas espresso machines can brew smaller amounts of very strong coffee.
Coffee machines can be quite expensive, but as a coffee lover they can be seen as an investment. Try to get the best machine you can afford by reading reviews and learning about all of your options.