A coffee maker is an indispensable device in the kitchen for coffee lovers. The coffee maker significantly improves the quality of the drink and reduces the time for its preparation than the Turk, which you need to adapt to use. And instant coffee has a completely different taste, and its composition is questionable. For unprofessional use (such as a home or office) it is best to opt for a drip coffee maker. Delicious espresso or Americano is the fastest to cook in it.
In this article you will learn how to choose a drip coffee maker, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
Device and principle of operation
Inside the drip coffee maker are integrated:
- water tank;
- heating elements;
- purification filters;
- ground coffee tank;
- vessel for the finished drink;
- some models are additionally equipped with a mechanism for grinding coffee beans.
The principle of operation of the drip coffee maker is quite simple. It is necessary to connect the device to the electric network, fill the corresponding reservoirs with water and ground coffee and press the start button. Water, having reached a boiling point and converted into steam, rises and settles on the walls. Then the drops will fall into the filter with coffee, absorb it, and from there the drops of coffee will fall into the cup. Therefore, the coffee maker is called a drip.
Varieties of filters
There is a filter in the drip coffee maker device, which is why it is also called a filter coffee maker. Filters for coffee makers look like cones and are disposable and reusable. A disposable filter is most popular among users, as it absorbs harmful alkaloids well. It is made from waterproof paper, and changes after each brewing of coffee. Reusable filters are divided into three categories:
- Nylon - made of plastic and nylon; it is necessary to change every 50 coffee brewing cycles, however, it is recommended to do this a little more often, since a long-standing filter can begin to spoil the taste of coffee.
- Gold - made from the same materials as nylon, only additionally sprayed with titanium nitride, which gives a golden hue; the shelf life of such a filter is higher than that of nylon.
- Metal - made of stainless metal; the most durable of all filters, but have a pronounced metallic taste after the first prepared drink, so users do not give them preference.
Pros and cons of drip coffee makers
The main advantage of a drip coffee maker is the speed and simplicity of making coffee, as well as:
- filtration;
- heated drinks;
- up to two liters of good coffee is prepared in one cycle;
- moderate cost-a variety of models and manufacturers will allow you to choose a device for the right budget.
However, the coffee maker has a number of disadvantages:
- not every user will find it convenient to constantly monitor the filters and change them, and if you do not do it on time, the coffee maker will stop working or even break;
- You can brew up to two liters of drink at once, but there is no way to make one serving of coffee;
- the appliance needs to be washed after each brewing of coffee.
And also it is worth paying attention that the volume of the tank for the finished drink is always less than declared. That is, if, for example, a volume of 2 liters is indicated, this means that only 1.8 liters can be used to avoid transfusion. In addition, the device provides a minimum of liquid that should be in the container - this is approximately 300-500 ml, otherwise the coffee maker simply will not turn on.
What to look for when buying
The most important parameter that you need to pay attention to when buying is power. Unlike other household appliances, in a drip coffee maker, it is better to choose a lower power, within 600-800 watts. This is due to the fact that the more powerful the coffee maker, the faster the water flows, which adversely affects the taste of coffee, since the water does not have time to linger in ground beans and absorb their taste. Below the recommended parameter, you also do not need to choose, because because the water heats up too slowly, the taste of the drinks also deteriorates. The device must be equipped with:
- water level indicator;
- retractable filter compartment;
- a recess in the housing for storing the cord;
- heating function;
- coffee filters.
The bowl for the drink should be glass, not plastic; it is more durable, since when using a plastic bowl over time, a specific taste will begin to appear in the drinks, which, moreover, is very harmful to the body; such a capacity will have to be periodically changed. There will be no such problem with a glass container and it will not need to be replaced.
The quality of the prepared coffee depends largely on coffee beans and water. But it is also worth noting that a drip coffee maker is not suitable for professional use, that is, you can only make strong coffee in it, and for drinks like cappuccino or latte you need a completely different device.
Additional functions
Some models of the coffee maker also have other functions that will simplify the work with the device:
- a removable water bowl will protect the device from water entering the electrical components of the device;
- the timer or delayed start function allows you to pre-fill the tanks with water and ground coffee and the drinks will be ready by the required time;
- a special sensor that tells the user when to change the filter and when to wash the device;
- transfusion protection system;
- a water filter will be useful to those who use tap water;
- the ability to select the strength level of the prepared coffee.
On some drip coffee makers you can find the “anti-drip shutter” function. This function will stop the flow of fluid if it notices that the beverage cup is not firmly in place. However, it is better to independently check whether the cup is in the right position, since with frequent use of this function, coffee delay in the device can disrupt the device and cause damage.
