Pros and cons of different types of coffee makers for ground coffee: features of choice

The invigorating coffee drink in the morning has become so firmly and reliably part of the morning ritual that few people wonder who and when created the first coffee maker. Aromatic coffee, rich in beneficial microelements, primarily stimulates brain cells for everyday work. Secondly, it’s just a cup of delicious drink as a morning aperitif for breakfast, and for some people, a full breakfast. But who was the first to invent a coffee machine?

Aromatic coffee, rich in beneficial microelements, primarily stimulates brain cells for everyday work.

Geyser coffee maker

It operates by using steam pressure.

The composition includes containers for filling with clean cold water and the finished product. A special filter is installed between the containers, which is filled with ground coffee.

Geyser-type coffee makers are divided into conventional and electric. Unlike conventional ones (cooking on a stove), electric models work from the mains, automatically turn off and have the ability to prepare lattes and cappuccinos.

When heated, the water evaporates through the filter into a container for the finished drink. Passing through the filter, the steam is saturated with the taste and aroma of ground grains. The drink is ready when all the water has moved to the top bowl.

For proper preparation you need to follow these steps:

Separate containers for water, prepared drink and filter;
Pour clean, cool water into the water container up to the indicated mark;
Fill the filter with medium grind coffee. Do not compact the coffee into the filter - the steam will not penetrate its dense layer;
Clean the filter rim from excess;
Place a container of water, a filter and a cup of the finished drink and plug the coffee machine into the electrical network or place it on an electric or gas stove;
After filling the top, remove from the stove or wait until the electric model turns off automatically.

Peculiarities:

designed to prepare a drink of a specified volume. If you want to make two cups at a time, and the coffee maker is designed for four, you will get exactly four (if the water volume is reduced, the device may not work). Before purchasing, be sure to check the capacity of the coffee machine;
made of aluminum, ceramics and stainless steel. Made from steel, they are reliable, durable and dishwasher safe. Aluminum specimens may give off a characteristic taste of aluminum until a deposit of coffee oils forms on the walls of the upper container;
the handle should be kept away from the body to prevent possible burns. The handle coating is not thermally conductive and has no unnecessary odors.

coffee pot"

Its prototype was created several hundred years ago, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the Italian Bialetti received a patent for his own version of the device. The main material of manufacture was aluminum. In the 21st century, devices are made from aluminum, steel, glass and combined materials. You can get a traditional or electric geyser model.

Operating principle

To make coffee, you need to place the coffee maker on a heat source.
When heated, the water from the lower compartment rises and passes through a layer of ground coffee powder. Rising even higher, the coffee reaches the end of the tube and enters the upper tank, empty until this moment. After a few minutes of heating, all the water will move from the bottom to the top, extracting the taste and aroma from the ground powder. The coffee maker can be removed from the heat and the finished drink can be poured into cups.

Exploitation

The geyser coffee maker has a collapsible design. Pour water into the lower reservoir, then attach the filter on top. Pour coffee powder into it. Install the top part with the lid and the device goes to the stove. Make sure the heating is even and slow. If the heat is too high, you won't get good coffee.

Peculiarities

Makes strong coffee, close to espresso quality, as long as you don't overheat it. Overheating happens if you forget about the coffee maker and leave it on the fire.

You won’t be able to brew anything other than regular black coffee in a geyser. Not long ago they released a model with a cappuccino function, but the result is most similar to regular coffee with milk due to the very unstable foam with large bubbles.

Advantages

Easy to use.
Reasonable price. Even an authentic Bialetti coffee maker can be purchased for up to 2,000 rubles. Chinese Nonames cost from 700 rubles.
Coffee does not run onto the stove.
Does not require descaling.
The quality of the finished drink is good; many compare it to espresso.
Assortment - color, material of manufacture and form factor of the coffee maker can be chosen from dozens of options.
Compact size - easy to store and take with you.

Flaws

One recipe, no options.
Lack of indication - you will have to determine the degree of readiness of the coffee by sound.
Coffee can “stay” if you forget it on the stove.
Not all coffee makers are universal; the material must be chosen depending on the type of stove.

Carob coffee maker

Cheap and easy to use, takes a few minutes to prepare.

The principle of operation involves passing steam through a filter with ground grains poured into a special horn.

Peculiarities:

Carob coffee makers use plastic and metal horns. Models with plastic horns have only one advantage - they are cheap. Coffee makers with metal horns are more expensive, but they have more advantages. The metal horn warms up the coffee drink well. It comes out with a rich, pleasant taste and aroma;
to obtain a quality drink, the power should be in the range of 1,000 – 1,700 W. The optimal pressure for the horn is 9 bar, for the pump - 15 bar;
Make sure that the water heats up to a maximum of 95 degrees. Higher temperatures will spoil the taste of the drink.

The prepared coffee has wonderful taste and aroma qualities. To preserve them, it is recommended to warm the cups before use.

Functional features:

installed cappuccino maker. Some coffee machines prepare milk foam. For this purpose, they are equipped with cappuccino makers;
pod coffee. On the market you can find already packaged portioned ground grains. By using a pod, you free yourself from the need to measure out the amount to fill. In addition, the horn does not need to be cleaned and washed. It is very convenient if the coffee maker uses a pod, although this is not economical;
installed safety valve. Designed to relieve excess steam pressure;
indicators. Not necessary, but they help keep the coffee maker in working condition for many years. The water level indicator will not allow you to turn on the coffee maker if there is little or too much liquid in the tank. The temperature indicator will automatically turn off the device if overheating occurs;
second pump. A regular coffee maker is equipped with one pump, which is responsible for creating the necessary pressure to prepare the drink. The second pump allows you to prepare two cups at once.

How to care for coffee makers

As one well-known proverb says, “if you love to ride, you also love to carry a sled.” It’s the same with a coffee maker, if you like to drink a delicious, high-quality drink in the morning, you need to take care of the cleanliness of the coffee making machine.

During the brewing process, the coffee beverage leaves a residue of oils that can affect the taste and aroma of the brewed coffee. With regular flushing of the system, the device will last a long time. Some coffee machines have a special counter that warns you when it’s time to clean the machine. Before starting work, you must read the instructions, which describe in detail which parts are collapsible and removable, in order to avoid damage to the coffee maker. It is strictly prohibited to wash the device itself under the tap; only individual parts can be washed in a flow-through machine or dishwasher.

It is strictly prohibited to wash the device itself under the tap; only individual parts can be washed in a flow-through machine or dishwasher.

How to clean with store-bought products:

To remove scale, turn on the coffee maker in normal mode without ground coffee, but using special detergents.
To clean coffee oils, special liquid or tablet detergents are also used. After washing, be sure to rinse the parts additionally with plenty of water.

For people who don’t trust store-bought chemicals, there are homemade recipes for removing scale and oils.

Folk remedies:

Pour the vinegar solution into the flask in a 1:2 ratio; if there is no result, increase the concentration to 1:1.
A solution is poured into the flask: 1 gram of citric acid per 4 cups of hot water, followed by the addition of 4 cups of cold water.

To descale coffee makers, do not use abrasive cleaning agents, as this will clog the filters.

When choosing a coffee maker, you should be guided by several rules: budget, how many types of coffee you prefer, area for the machine.

In this article, we looked at what types of coffee makers there are and their differences. But what kind of coffee machine to buy is everyone’s choice and should be done, guided by several rules: budget, how many types of coffee you prefer, area for the machine. The store salesperson will advise you on most questions, and the instructions will tell you how to use the coffee maker correctly.

Drip coffee maker

For large volume cooking.

A glass flask with a capacity of one liter is used. Cold water is poured into it. The filter is a cone. Ground coffee beans are poured into it. When heated, the water rises through a special tube into the filter. The coffee is brewed in the filter and then flows drop by drop back into the coffee pot.

After the entire volume has evaporated from the coffee pot, it automatically switches to heating mode. Thanks to this, the drink remains warm for a long time.

Peculiarities:

Drip coffee makers are relatively cheap and come with plastic filters. They can be washed repeatedly. One plastic filter is enough for the entire service life. Paper filters are also used. They can be purchased separately. The paper filter is used only once and then discarded. There is a reliable metal filter on the market, but it is much more expensive than others;
The coffee maker must have a function for setting the strength. If the steam passes quickly, the drink will not be strong and the aroma will be weak;
The glass coffee pot is the most common. It is convenient; the amount of the finished drink can be seen through the glass. The downside of a glass coffee pot is that it breaks easily. The metal coffee pot does not break, it is durable. Thermos coffee pot keeps coffee hot for a long time;
The “drip-stop” protection system , which all drip models are equipped with, will allow you to remove the coffee pot for a short time (2 minutes) and pour coffee into a cup. Some models are equipped with an automatic shut-off feature. The timer is set for the amount of time after which you need to turn off the heating of the coffee pot. If the thermos coffee pot is not used, the coffee will quickly cool down.

Advantages and disadvantages of drip models

Drip coffee makers have a number of advantages over other coffee making devices. Among them:

simplicity and ease of maintenance;
reliability of design;
reasonable price;
presence of heating pads;
light weight and size;
silent operation;
absence of complex mechanisms;
function of heating the finished drink;
large volume glass flask;
possibility to brew tea or prepare cocoa.

Drip-type devices are not without disadvantages that must be taken into account before purchasing. The disadvantages of such devices include the following points:

high consumption of ground coffee;
insufficient strength of the drink;
additional material costs for purchasing filters;
the need to clean the device after each use.

Capsule coffee maker

For preparing coffee by using ready-made capsules. The capsule contains ground coffee. The capsule itself consists of plastic and is hermetically sealed with foil.

A capsule is installed in the coffee maker. After turning on the device, holes form in the capsule. Through them, the contents of the capsule are washed out with water under pressure. The drink is filtered and fills the cup.

Advantages:

for preparation you need capsules and a couple of minutes of free time;
small size and weight allow placement in limited footage;
no need to clean. Periodically wipe it from dust and remove scale.

Flaws:

the taste can be compared to instant. Unpretentious lovers will like it;
There is no uniform standard in the production of capsules. This means that you are locked into the capsule coffee maker manufacturer because only they make the capsules for their models;
It's expensive to use constantly. The reason is the cost of the capsules.

Specifications:

power. Determines the intensity of aroma and speed of cooking. A power of 900 W is enough to produce a quality drink;
pump pressure. Determines the rate of leaching of ground coffee from capsules and its saturation. The pump pressure should not be lower than 15 bar;
capacity volume. To avoid adding water, choose a model with a water tank of about 1 liter;
Useful features. To simplify use, additional functions are built into it: timer, waste tank, pressure gauge and others.

Basic recommendations for choosing a device

There are several tips by following which the buyer can quickly decide on the choice of a suitable device:

It is worth buying a drip coffee maker to prepare a lot of black coffee at once;
Horn models are suitable for lovers of variety. You can brew espresso, cappuccino, and other types of drinks in them;
Pay attention to the power of the device. The optimal power value for quick coffee preparation is 800-1000 W.

Watch a video on how to choose a coffee maker for your home

Turkish coffee maker

The cooking principle is no different from the classic one. The advantage is that there is no need to monitor the foam. At the end of the process, it automatically turns off. Includes one or two Turkish coffee containers.

The model has a heating element. A Turk is installed on it. Light and sound indicators help determine readiness.

To prepare, take a Turk, pour ground coffee, sugar and spices into it, and pour water. We put it in the coffee maker. Cooking takes 2-3 minutes. After the characteristic sound signal is heard, take out the Turk and let the drink brew. The undissolved parts will settle to the bottom of the turk.

For preparation, very finely ground coffee is used (to dust), otherwise the foam will not work.

Advantages and disadvantages of horn models

Carob coffee makers are in great demand among coffee connoisseurs, since such machines have many advantages. The main advantages of the device are:

increased efficiency - the process of preparing a drink takes only 30 seconds;
the ability to control the water level and liquid temperature;
the presence of steam valves and an auto-shut-off function - this helps extend the life of the device and ensures safe operation;
removable tray for collecting drops;
absence of coffee grounds in the prepared drink;
bifurcated nozzle for simultaneous filling of two cups;
maintaining the temperature of the finished coffee;
heating cups and milk;
the ability to prepare several variants of the drink;
tamper for compacting ground coffee;
formation of delicate creamy foam using a cappuccino maker;
minimum consumption of coffee beans.

Reference! Some models provide a remote control function for the coffee machine, which allows you to control the operation of the device from your smartphone.

Despite the large number of advantages, horn models also have disadvantages:

big size;
lack of a built-in coffee grinder;
the need to compact the ground grains in the cone.

Coffee maker with cappuccino maker

A cappuccino maker is a special nozzle attached to a steam wand. To prepare cappuccino, milk and cream are used, which are whipped until foam forms.

Mechanical (panarello). Coffee makers are equipped with a special bowl into which milk is poured and whipped until foam is formed using a panarello nozzle under the influence of a stream of steam. After this, the foam is poured into a cup with the finished coffee drink;
Automatic (auto-cappuccino makers). They are divided into two types:

With outlet nozzle.

The coffee maker is equipped with a nozzle extending from the steam wand. The nozzle is lowered into the container and the milk supply is turned on. In this case, coffee and foam are prepared separately. The downside is that it is impossible to prepare cappuccino with one click. It is also impossible to regulate the density of the whipped foam. The advantage of this option is its cost;

With milk container.

The coffee maker is equipped with a glass into which milk is poured. When you press the “cappuccino” button, the program automatically prepares it. Sometimes even the most advanced people are unable to prepare a cappuccino correctly. A small number have fully automated cooking, but are expensive.

Options for choosing a coffee maker for your home

When choosing a coffee maker for your home, pay attention to the following parameters:

Power. The lower the power of the electric turk, the richer and stronger the coffee will be, since slowly heating the water helps the coffee beans release more aroma. Strong drink - from 350 to 800 W.
Pressure. The higher it is, the faster a cup of coffee drink will be prepared.
Volume. The number of cups prepared at a time will depend on it. Geysers, for example, only operate at full capacity. Can make 2-3 cups (100 ml), 6 cups (250 ml), 12 cups (500 ml). For drip flasks, the volume of the flask can be up to 2500 ml.
Case material . For capsule, carob and turk systems, metal is preferable; for drip systems, glass is preferable.
Heater type – thermoblock or boiler. The thermoblock heats the water in a spiral labyrinth, then the boiling water passes through the coffee into the cup. It takes longer to prepare the drink and uses more electricity. In boiler rooms, water is heated in a container, then passed through ground coffee. Boilers will prepare a cup of drink faster with less energy consumption.
Manufacturer rating.

The type of coffee maker determines what kind of coffee you will buy:

ground (for carob, drip, geyser systems);
grain (professional coffee machines);
capsules (capsule systems);
pods (carob and pod systems).

Average price of coffee making equipment:

electric Turks - 750-3000 rubles;
French press – 150-13,000 rubles;
drip – 500-22,000 rubles;
geyser - 500-18,000 rubles;
carob - 5000-24000 rubles;
capsule – 2500-25000 rub.

Automatic coffee maker

Coffee maker with a full preparation cycle. There are models for home and professional use in bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Main characteristics:

Grinding grains. The devices are equipped with coffee grinders that are capable of fine and coarse grinding. Expensive models, in addition to the degree of grinding of the beans, offer a choice of variety;

Grain consumption. Depends on the capacity of the block for grains and the sensor that reads their quantity in the block. Owners of automatic coffee machines often encounter the problem of sensor malfunction. During the grinding process, the sensor gives a signal about the lack of grains. The ground coffee powder is sent to waste or poured onto a block intended for serving coffee.

If you encounter a similar problem, you can solve it by sealing the gap in the bean block, thereby disabling the sensor. The downside to this situation is that you have to control the level of beans yourself.

Take a closer look at models with high-precision sensors. They are more expensive, but the likelihood of correct, uninterrupted operation is higher.

Location of compartments and containers. The best coffee makers are those with top-loading compartments;

Control unit design. Coffee makers have simpler buttons and relays, while complex models have a touch screen. There are applications for your phone or tablet that allow you to control the operation of the coffee machine;

Additional devices. Coffee makers are equipped with additional accessories, a cappuccino maker, a cup lift;

Care. A well-designed and well-designed coffee maker helps the owner with cleaning.
Light and sound indicators notify you when the waste compartments are full and when cleaning is required.

Which coffee maker is easier to use?

How do appliances behave at home, and which coffee maker is easier to maintain?

Drip coffee maker

In it you will have to wash the tank for the finished coffee and clean the filter. Periodically you need to descale it with a special product. You can take the simplest thing - a drip coffee maker is not capricious.

There will be no additional costs unless you use disposable filters. They will have to be purchased separately. But you will save time on caring for the device. You simply throw away the used disposable filter and there is no need to wash anything.

A drip coffee maker requires space. The larger its volume, the more space it will take up.

Carob coffee maker

You need to clean the filter in it, and if there is a cappuccino maker, then take care of it - wash it and clean it from milk foam, which clogs the slots. The carob coffee maker needs to be descaled regularly. For branded models, manufacturers recommend using special products, but you can also use universal ones, which are much cheaper and have the same effectiveness.

You may want to buy accessories for your pump coffee maker: a tamper and a pitcher. The standard configuration of a carob coffee maker usually comes with a plastic tamper. Pitchers are not included.

A coffee maker takes up a lot of space in the kitchen. The pump type requires more space than the steam type. The more complex the model, the more operational space it will have to provide.

Our result

A drip coffee maker is less troublesome to operate than a carob coffee maker.
Both take up quite a bit of space, but an automated espresso machine will require the most space.

Coffee maker with built-in coffee grinder

The beans are ground in a coffee grinder. It is a reservoir with sharp blades. The number of blades is from 2 to 4.

The coffee grinder sets the degree and duration of grinding. The number of degrees depends on the quantity and quality of the blades and their sharpening.

Some models of coffee machines with coffee grinders allow you to adjust the amount of ground powder in portions.

There are models with a built-in coffee grinder that control the preparation of the drink remotely, from a smartphone or tablet. To do this, the grains are poured in, and the remaining parameters are set at a distance. The program will let you know when the drink is ready using a characteristic signal.

The vast majority of coffee makers with a built-in coffee grinder are designed according to the operating principle of geyser and carob coffee makers.

When were the first coffee makers invented, history of creation

This divine drink has been famous for its taste for many centuries; the Turkish method of brewing in Turki is a whole coffee ceremony. There are a huge number of recipes for making coffee; every real barista has his own exclusive cooking method. But the modern pace of life dictates certain rules, so time is priceless. This is what prompted the inventors to take the first step towards creating a coffee making machine.

Modern coffee machines delight with their versatility, lightning speed, excellent taste and quality.

Drip coffee makers are considered the first ancestor of modern coffee machines. More than 200 years ago, an archbishop from France provided the world with a device for quickly preparing a coffee drink. The public liked this invention, and many followed Bellois' example. Every year, engineers presented a new modernized device. And modern coffee machines please with their versatility, lightning speed, excellent taste and quality. Below we will analyze in detail the types of coffee makers, their varieties, descriptions, pros and cons.

Coffee maker with timer

The presence of a timer makes it possible to program cooking for a user-specified time or set automatic heating.

The main requirement is the presence of water and grains in the tanks. The rest will be done by the time indicated on the timer.

Not all models have a timer. Most of the devices are in the middle price range and above. Modern coffee makers with a set timer are automatic.

Special abilities

Manufacturers are diligently improving and expanding the functionality of devices to attract our attention. What features do modern coffee makers have?

Drip coffee maker

Manufacturers have tried to improve the functionality of the devices. Coffee makers have appeared with a delayed start timer, strength adjustment and the ability to grind beans. There are models with remote control and even synchronization with smartphones. You can use the app to start the device at the right time. Most models have a mode for heating and turning off water heating after finishing work.

Carob coffee maker

The carob coffee maker has many additional features. Its important difference from drip is the presence of a cappuccino maker, which is even available in steam models. With its help, you can whip milk into airy foam and diversify basic coffee recipes.

Popular functions: coffee strength adjustment and water temperature control, auto shut-off, and cup heating.

It’s not for nothing that older models of pump coffee makers are called coffee machines. They fully automate the cooking process, starting from grain grinding. All a person can do is press buttons. They prepare coffee poured into 4, 6 or even 8 cups at once, monitor the condition of the device and the quality of the finished drink. Such models are found in cafes and bars.

Carob coffee makers have a cappuccino maker for frothing milk; automatic models completely mechanize the coffee preparation process.

Our result

Drip coffee makers have advanced control functionality.
Carob models have additional capabilities for controlling and changing the parameters of the finished drink.