The Different Types of Coffee Machines

There are many different ways to brew a cup of coffee and making them usually entails a coffee maker. In this article, we will be diving into the different types of coffee makers and methods that you may want to try on your next visit to your favorite coffee shop.

The Different Types of Coffee Machines:

• Automatic Drip coffee maker
• Pour-over coffee
• French Press
• Stove-top coffee maker
• Espresso Machines
• Siphon Coffee Maker
• Percolator

Automatic Drip Coffee Makers

Grind and Brew Coffee Maker

Some drip coffee makers feature a grinder that can grind coffee beans immediately before brewing. Many people like this style of brewing because it ensures the freshest-tasting coffee for all coffee enthusiasts.

It works by selecting the number of cups of coffee you want to make and watching the machine automatically grind the appropriate number of beans into the brewing basket. Some automatic coffee makers have different blades such as blade grind and others have burr grind.

Model Featured:  Bunn 12950.0293

Single-Serve Capsule Coffee Maker

Single-serve coffee makers fall under this category. These small devices brew a consistent cup of coffee each time using the same technique used by professional baristas that coffee drinkers greatly enjoy.

They come in a wide variety of styles and sizes and they have water reservoirs. They may come with pods and the pre-set amount of hot water runs through the grounds directly into your mug. The filter is located inside the pod so you don’t have to empty the grinds; just throw the pod away.

They're also the easiest to use and here's how:

1. Load up with your pod or ground coffee (and filter if necessary)
2. Make sure there is enough water in the reservoir.
3. Press the "Brew" button to make a fresh cup of joe.

Model Featured:  Bunn 35400.0009

Pour-Over Coffee Maker

This is one of the more gentle brewing methods. You can use pour-over coffeemakers for making a full-bodied cup from one mug or larger carafes.

• It works by placing medium-coarse ground coffee beans into a conical shape with a filter at the bottom.
• First, hot (or boiling) water is added to the grounds in small amounts at a slow rate.
• Then, after the grounds have been allowed to bloom for a few minutes, the full volume of hot water is added to the grounds.
• As the water filters through the grounds, it empties into a single cup or carafe, resulting in a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee.

French Press Coffee Maker

The French press is a cylindrical container with a plunger. They're portable, so you can take them anywhere without needing a stove top or an electrical outlet.

To use this:

• Place coffee grounds into the coffee maker and submerge them in water for some length of time, and then push the plunger to press them down to the bottom of the cup. The coffee is poured from the spout at the bottom.
• Pro Tip: To produce a concentrated coffee, you can extract it for a longer period, and then it into your cup.
• Coffee lovers can customize this however they like by adding as much ground coffee, water, or sugar as they would like
• With the filter, the French Press works best with coarse grind coffee beans that don’t easily slide through. This method would take longer to make a pot of coffee in comparison to others but it is definitely worth it.

Stovetop Coffee Makers

They're perfect for anyone who loves coffee gadgets. They usually include three parts: A bottom chamber or boiling pot, a middle long-stemmed funnel that holds the coffee grounds, and a top chamber or carafe for the finished cup of joe.

To use this:

• Fill the long-stemmed funnel with coffee grounds.
• Fill the bottom chamber with water and assemble all of the components. Make sure to check if it requires some screwing.
• Place it on the stovetop and heat.
• The heat converts the dense liquid water into less dense water vapor, which in turn creates pressure in the bottom chamber that pushes the boiling water up the stem, through the grounds, and into the top chamber.
• If you hear bubbling or gurgling, it means that the bottom chamber is running low on water.
• Wait until the bottom chamber is nearly or empty before removing it from the stovetop.
• Unscrew the top chamber/carafe and serve.

Turkish Coffee Maker (Ibrik)

This coffee with Turkish or Greek origins is made on the stove using a very small pot to create a very strong, unfiltered coffee. You may add sugar or other seasonings like cinnamon or cardamom right to the pot while brewing, which infuses the flavor. It's similar to espresso, but it's enjoyed from a smaller mug.

It works by mixing water with finely ground coffee until the liquid just begins to boil. Coffee is then poured into a cup where the grounds sink to the bottom.

Vietnamese Coffee Maker (Phin)

Like the small pour-over, it requires using a metal contraption with finer ground beans.

It works by allowing small holes at the bottom so that hot water can pass through it without clogging it up and slowly drip into the cup to produce strong coffee. It usually produces a cup that is filled up with a small quantity of sweetened condensed milk

Espresso Coffee Machines

An espresso coffee maker is one of the most expensive types of coffeemaker. Home espresso makers can be expensive but they're well worth it for the true espresso aficionado who knows how to use them properly. If you own a coffee shop, you might want to consider in investing one especially if your cafe offers many espresso-based drinks.

Here are the pros and cons to guide your decision:

Pros:

• These automatic espresso machines can produce great espresso.
• It can aerate (froth) milk.

Cons:

• Expensive.
• Technical.
• Labor-intensive

Model Featured:  Rancilio Group North America CLASSE 7 

Siphon Coffee Maker

A gentle way of making coffee since the water is just shy of boiling when it combines with the grounds. Lowering the water temperature lets the beans steep longer without extracting too much flavor from them.

It works by heating water until it becomes steam, which then rises through a filter containing ground coffee beans. When the steam condenses back into liquid form, it mixes with the grounds and creates a stronger coffee aroma and flavor.

Percolator Coffee Maker

Drip coffeemakers were invented long before percolators. They produce rich coffee flavors and an intense aroma. Some can be brewed on the stove, while there are others that need an electrical outlet.

The heated water would pass through a tube and repeatedly saturates coarse coffee grounds on the machine's top.

Model Featured: Omcan USA 43462 2.53 Electrical Percolator

Found Your Perfect Coffee Maker?

With this in-depth guide on the science of intake of coffee, you're ready to get started serving up tasty lattes and espressos to friends, family, and customers in your neighborhood. You can check out this blog about opening cafes if you're toying with that particular idea. With Culinary Depot, you'll have all the tools you need to start a successful local business.

Get in touch, and we'll help you get all the restaurant equipment you need to run your business!