the vacuum, the French press, and the stovetop. Each requires a different type
of preparation and a varying amount of time and involvement on behalf of the
user. However, having different types of coffee makers allows the user to find
his or her particular taste and preference and make coffee at home.Drip coffee
makers:The drip coffee is the easiest and most common coffee maker used today,
partly due to its simplicity and efficiency. The machine itself does most of the
work - you just add the freshly ground coffee and cold water. The drip coffee
machine is an efficient method whereby the cold water is poured into the
reservoir and the heating element then delivers the heated water for brewing.
The coffee is ready in a matter of minutes. Paper filters are used to hold the
coffee grounds. These filters are then discarded after each use, so the clean up
is easy. The drip coffee machine burner will keep the coffee hot for an extended
period of time after brewing.Vacuum style coffee makers:Vacuum style brewing has
been around since 1840. A vacuum style coffee maker is made up of two separate
glass containers stacked one on top of the other with the brewing taking place
in the top section. The lower section is filled with cold water, which heats up
to a boiling point. A siphon will pull the hot water from the lower section
through the grounds and into the top section. Then gravity takes over and the
coffee will feed back into the lower section, leaving the coffee grounds in the
top section. When you take the top section off, your freshly brewed coffee is
ready to be served. Many people prefer vacuum style brewing rather than drip
coffee brewing, due to the taste that the drip coffee paper filters leave
behind.Stovetop coffee makers:Stovetop coffee makers have two separate, stacked
pots very similar to the vacuum style coffee makers; however, the grounds and
cold water are in the same container. In the stovetop method, the second
container houses the finished product. The lower container holds the water,
filter basket, and the ground coffee. The lower container needs to be heated,
forcing the water through the grounds that get siphoned from the lower to the
top container. The coffee is then be ready to be served from the top container.
The style and shape of the stovetop coffee maker makes it a very attractive
piece to those who want an elegant flare in their coffee makers. However, the
stovetop coffee maker is not recommended for larger parties. Also, when
preparing the coffee, it must not be allowed to boil - for this could
potentially lead to a bitter tasting coffee.French Press coffee maker:The French
press method, which was developed in 1933, is a simple design yet produces a
full-bodied coffee. The method consists of filling the canister with one
tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee for every cup of hot water. The plunger
handle is then placed onto the pot to aid in the heat retention, and is then
slowly depressed. The stainless steel mesh of the plunger will push the grounds
to the bottom of the canister, separating them from the coffee. The coffee may
then be served right from the canister. Coffee brewed this way must be consumed
right away, for the glass canister losses heat quickly. This makes for a not
very desirable cup of coffee. Stainless steel press pots are available, but are
not as popular as the glass canisters.No matter which coffee maker you choose,
it is very important that you clean your coffee maker thoroughly. All four of
these methods make great tasting coffee; however, each method has a unique
process that must be developed and mastered by the user. The challenge is to
find the one that best fits your needs and lifestyle!