Coffee Maker Choices: A Quick Look at Coffee Machines
To prepare high quality coffee at home, you'll need to a coffee maker. Listed below are the eight popular types of coffee machines available today.
Drip Coffee Makers
Drip Coffee Makers, also called filter machines, do all the work for you. Boiling water passes through ground coffee and is filtered into a carafe below. They are quick and easy to use and range in size from one-cup (some even pouring directly into a travel mug) to 4-cup to 12-cup capacity models.
French Press Coffee Makers
With a French Press you place the ground coffee directly into the carafe, pour boiling water over it, stir and leave it to steep. Next you push the grounds down with the plunger and pull the coffee up. A French Press can also be used with tea leaves. While the traditional glass canister carafe allows you to view the coffee-making process, the newer stainless steel models offer heat retaining properties.
Espresso Coffee Makers
Espresso machines are used to make espresso, which is coffee with a layer of creamy froth on top. Most modern espresso makers include a spout for frothing milk and can thus be used to make cappuccino coffee, as well – which is espresso combined with both steamed and frothed milk. Espresso machines come in a variety of types employing various methods of operation:
Stovetop Espresso Makers
Stovetop Espresso Makers are easy to use, kindest to the wallet and require no electricity. You need only to place the ground coffee and water in their respective compartments and place the coffee maker on the stove. The result is a strong, intense flavor for the palate. A cool-down period is required before additional use. Models are available with up to 6-cup capacity.
Espresso Steam Machines
Espresso Steam Machines work on the steam principle, whereby steam creates pressure which forces water through the ground coffee. They require a cool-down waiting period prior to additional use. These machines not only produce quality espresso, but they are easy to use and generally the least expensive of the more mechanized espresso makers.
Espresso Pump Machines
Espresso Pump Machines use pumps to create the pressure which forces the water through the ground coffee. You are definitely more involved in the coffee-making process with this more sophisticated type of semi-automatic coffee machine. To your advantage, no waiting period is required to let the machine cool down before using it again. If you enjoy using a coffee pump machine, the high quality taste is well worth the buy.
Piston Espresso Makers
A manual pull on a lever connected to a piston is what creates the pressure which operates the Piston Espresso Maker. Once you learn its mode of operation, you will be considered a master coffee maker. This may be the most expensive of the espresso makers, but at the same time it is considered by coffee experts as producing the highest quality and most traditional form of espresso.
Nespresso Makers
Nespresso Makers are combination coffee makers, which make a diversity of espresso-based beverages. They use pods, small discs of roasted coffee grounds, which are available in many different flavors, as well as regular and decaffeinated. Their quick and easy usage is a great advantage coupled with the fine espresso, cappuccino, and latte coffees they produce.
Bean-To-Cup Machines
If you favor coffee beans over ground coffee for your espresso, cappuccino, or latte, then the Bean-to-Cup Machine is the machine for you. It includes a grinder which automatically grinds the coffee of your choice just prior to brewing. Most of these are combination coffee makers which can make cappuccinos and lattes, as well.
