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