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