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