Many people cannot imagine their life without coffee. And some prefer to use a drip coffee maker. This is an electric device for producing filtered coffee by spilling or percolation. The devices have been released for a long time, but now they remain one of the most popular. How to use a drip coffee maker, described in the article.
What it is?
A drip coffee maker has a story. For the first time, a device that prepared coffee by filtering hot water through ground powder was offered to customers in 1800. The inventor of the method is considered to be Jean-Baptiste de Bellois - a minister of the church, the Paris archbishop.
This invention has been repeatedly modernized, redone, presented in different countries. But the principle of preparation remained the same. Thanks to the evolution of electrical devices, the drip coffee maker has its own heating source. A modern machine is presented in the form of an electric apparatus with a heater, where hot water enters through a filter with ground coffee and enters the tank. The strength and aroma of the drink are ensured by the slow passage of water through the coffee, so that it has the taste and aroma of ground beans.
What does it consist of?
Devices are produced by various manufacturers, but the basic elements are the same. What is a drip coffee maker? The device consists of:
- cold water tank (usually fixed, located at the back);
- a tank or boiler where heating is performed;
- heating element;
- funnels or filter for ground coffee (the funnel in some devices is removable, but the filter is stand-alone, it can be disposable and for regular use);
- containers for finished coffee (made in the form of a flask, coffee pot).
The drip coffee maker instructions indicate the features of the device. Also, there are indicated the rules for using the appliance and making coffee.
Principle of operation
It is important to know not only how to use a drip coffee maker, but also about the principle of operation:
- Water is poured into the tank, from which it passes into the boiler.
- In the tank, the water heats up and goes up the tube.
- Drop by drop, it enters through the thickness of the coffee powder and enters the lower compartment.
- After heating and dripping water through a filter, the coffee is considered brewed.
The coffee grounds will be in the filter and will not stain the cup. The platform where there is a reservoir with a drink will warm up and maintain the temperature of the coffee. Although coffee makers from different manufacturers are similar, they still differ in design, volume, materials and power. The difference is observed in the functions: auto power off, timer, indication, control.
Terms of use
How to use a drip coffee maker is indicated in the instructions for each device. The operating rules are simple, even a beginner can learn how to do it. Still, how to use a drip coffee maker? This requires:
- Connection to a network.
- Fill the tank with water to the required mark.
- Adding coffee in the proportion indicated in the instructions. Usually 1 tsp. with a hill add for every 100 ml of liquid.
- Closing the filter. It is required to put a container for the resulting drink.
- Pressing the power button.
- Waiting for coffee to flow into the tank.
- Shutdown.
- Pouring coffee into cups.
When the device cools down, the disposable filter with grounds must be disposed of. Reusable cleaned, washed, dried. By this principle, all devices work.
Features
What else do you need to know for those who are interested in how to use a drip coffee maker? The device makes only one type of coffee - natural black filtered. This drink is named Americano, as it is offered in US coffee houses. With such a device, you can’t make espresso, cappuccino, oriental coffee.
The strength of the drink will be average. Although there is the possibility of increasing this indicator, if you take finely ground coffee and a little water. Typically, grains having medium and strong roasting of medium grinding are used for the device. For simplicity and reliability, this coffee maker is the leading one.
Advantages and disadvantages
These devices are in demand due to:
- simplicity and reliability;
- uptime
- management convenience;
- affordable cost;
- prevalence and availability;
- stable quality coffee.
But coffee is prepared according to only one recipe. With a coffee maker, the delicate aroma and taste of elite varieties is lost. Although the devices differ in design, many manufacturers have the same type.
Still coffee makers differ in type of filters. They are reusable and disposable. This affects the operation of the appliance and the preparation of the drink.
Reusable
It comes with the kit. The reusable filter is presented in the form of a removable funnel-strainer, usually made of plastic and nylon. An expensive option is with a metallic spray applied to nylon. The advantage of the filter is the absence of additional costs. The disadvantage is the need for cleaning after each use.
Disposable
This filter has a significant advantage - do not remove coffee grounds. After preparing the drink, the filtered element with the contents is simply thrown away. Its disadvantage is considered a large expense. Although a kit may be attached to the coffee maker, but still it ends after a while.
Disposable filters differ in size. In their manufacture, cellulose is used:
- Unprocessed. It has a brown color. In the manufacture of whitening components are not used. It is an environmentally friendly option.
- Bleached. White bleached cellulose filters. Previously, chemical components were used in the manufacture, now oxygen is used for bleaching.
Sometimes there are bamboo fiber filters on sale, this is the same cellulose, but it has a higher cost. The average price is 2-3 rubles.
Dimensions
Filters come in different sizes - from 1 to 10, where 1 is considered the smallest. The numbers indicate the number of cups. If there is no information what is needed, then you should choose 2 or 4. They are ideal for most coffee makers up to 1 liter. If the edges protrude slightly, then they should be bent or trimmed.
For devices with a volume of 1-1.5 liters, sizes 4, 6 or 8 are used. The exact size is indicated in the instructions, and sometimes on the packaging box. Disposable filters are suitable for any drip coffee maker.
Manufacturers
These devices are quite simple, therefore they are in demand. Many manufacturers of small household appliances add them to their range. Coffee makers “Brown” and “Philips” may differ in design, functions and features of work.
The difference between the devices is small. Differences may be in:
- tank volume;
- type of filter;
- additional features.
Although the devices are of the same type, the Bosch and Tefal coffee makers can have features. Cheap options will have worse build quality or materials. It is advisable to choose products of well-known brands that provide a guarantee, as well as having a network of service centers. The best drip coffee makers include:
- Philips
- Tefal.
- DeLonghi.
- Bosch
The cheaper include Vitek, Polaris, Maxwell. Brown coffee makers are used in the same way as many other appliances, there can be only a slight difference. All devices differ in the nuances of work. The Bosch coffee maker is also on the list of the best technology.
The following coffee makers are in demand among buyers:
- Redmond SkyCoffee RCM-1508S. The device has electronic control, the launch is carried out from a smartphone. It turns out a fragrant drink. A reusable filter is included. High quality has earned a leading place.
- Maxwell MW-1650. The device is convenient, simple and reliable. With it, you can cook a wonderful drink.
- Bosch TKA 3A031. The device is presented in different colors, it has high reliability and an affordable price.
- Redmond RCM-1510. The device is durable and high-quality, reusable metallized filters, functional electronic control, delayed start function are included.
- Philips Daily Mini. Reliable and durable coffee maker is also in demand among buyers.
- Philips HD7459. The device has a delayed start timer, high-quality assembly. With it you get quality coffee.
Thus, drip coffee makers are one of the most sought after. Before starting operation, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of use of the device. Compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations extends the life of any coffee maker.