Drip Coffee Makers / Filter Coffee

Tips for making great filter coffee...

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1. Brewing Tips
2. Buying Tips
3. Product Links

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1. Know your machine

One of the first things you should do when you get a new coffee maker is measure the size of the "cups" that are marked on the jug. The standard cup will vary on drip coffee makers from brand to brand, so it's important to know how yours is measured. From there, you will know how much coffee to add.

2. Prep

Make sure all your equipment is cleaned to remove any rancid coffee oils from a previous brew, and rinsed to remove any detergent residue.

3. Grind

For filter coffee, you need to use a finer grind than you would for a plunger / French press, but not quite as fine as you would for espresso. Drip coffee makers are available with various kinds of filter. Depending on the type of filter, you should adjust your grind as follows:

     Paper Filter                            - medium-fine
     Permanent Metal Mesh Filter  - medium
     Permanent Nylon Mesh Filter  - medium-fine

If you find there is coffee sediment in the pot, adjust your grind to be a little coarser.

4. Spoon

When it's time to spoon in the fresh coffee, be generous. It is always easier to dilute your brew than to make it stronger. As a guide, you should allow 1 rounded tablespoon per coffee cup.

Tip: some drip coffee makers require a paper filter. If you are using a paper filter, wet it with some hot water before you spoon in the coffee. This will reduce the amount of flavorsome coffee oils that would otherwise get trapped in the paper.

5. Brew

Allow your machine to brew the coffee. Some drip coffee makers have a 'pause' feature that allow you to pour coffee from the pot before the brew cycle has finished. We recommend that you try not to use this feature. The reason is that filter brewing always extracts stronger flavor at first and follows through with weaker coffee. If you take from the pot before the brew cycle is finished, the coffee in the pot will not be evenly flavored.

6. Serve

As mentioned in step 5, the strongest coffee is at the bottom of the pot. So, give the pot a swirl to distribute the flavor evenly before serving. Serve immediately, pouring into pre-warmed cups for best results. Enjoy!

When buying Drip Coffee Makers…

A few points to consider:

1. Most important - check that the machine will brew at the correct temperature - this is between 195°F (90°C) and 205°F (97°C). A common fault of drip coffee makers is that they brew below the optimum temperature. This results in a thin, watery, under-extracted and cold pot of coffee - aagh!

2. We recommend you choose a machine with a permanent filter, as opposed to drip coffee makers that require paper filters. Coffee oils tend to cling to paper filters, meaning you miss out on flavor and aroma. Also, it is cheaper in the long run if you don't need to buy filter papers. The only reason to use paper filters is for cleaning convenience - it's easy to throw away the whole thing, used grounds and all.

3. Make sure the filter basket is quite large. Beans that are freshly roasted will produce a lot of froth. A large basket protects you from overflows and mess.

4. A thermal jug is better than a hotplate. Coffee will remain warm without 'cooking'. Just remember that coffee kept too long will turn bitter. You should not drink coffee that is more than 40 minutes old.

5. Some drip coffee makers come with a built-in grinder. These are usually blade grinders and will not produce an excellent grind. It would be better to spend money on a better quality separate grinder. See our article on coffee grinders for more info.

6. There are drip coffee makers available with innovative ideas such as thermal jugs and temperature control. These can be wonderful when used properly. Just remember that coffee kept too long, even if kept warm, will turn bitter. Also, always remember that to avoid scalding the coffee, water should be just off the boil before coming into contact with the grounds.

7. Other considerations - optional extras you will find on some filter / drip coffee makers might include:

-charcoal water filter/purifier: requires regular replacement
-removable water tank: recommended for easy refill
-milk steamer/frother: hot milk is nice, but a true cappuccino can't be made with a drip style coffee
-timer: yes, your coffee is ready for you in the morning, but your ground beans will be left to lose flavor overnight

                           

Check out these Drip Coffee Makers…

From Amazon.com:

OR
Drip coffee makers with all the 'bells and whistles'
from Cooking.com

	Click here for Cooking.com: Krups Stainless AromaControl Therm Time Coffee Maker From Cooking.com: "Program your Krups AromaControl Therm Time Coffee Maker the night before and wake to the wonderful smell of your favorite coffee. With the Flavor Release Technology, this innovative machine allows hot water to saturate coffee grounds longer than traditional coffee makers, providing a more full-bodied, richly-flavored coffee without any bitterness. Hermetically sealed, double-wall, stainless steel insulated carafe with drip-free pour spout keeps your coffee hot for hours. Automatic shut off after 2 hours is a great safety feature. 1100 Watts."
	Click here for Cooking.com: Krups Black Crystal Arome Plus Time From Cooking.com: "Enjoy a smoother tasting cup of coffee, with no trace of bitterness, using this modern looking Crystal Arome Plus Time 10-cup Coffee Maker. A charcoal water filtration system eliminates up to 82% of your tap water's chlorine so all you taste is great flavor. A hermetically sealed carafe keeps both the flavor and the heat in between cups. Two other great features: a programmable, 24-hour timer clock that lets you brew a fresh pot whenever you want it and a Stop'n Serve sensor that interrupts brewing so you can pour a cup. An indicator light lets you know when to change the filter."
	Click here for Cooking.com: Capresso Black EleganceTherm From Cooking.com: "Make coffee whenever you want, and keep it warm for hours, with Capresso's 8-cup EleganceTherm Coffee Maker in sleek black. Just fill the removable water container, program the LCD clock/timer, add coffee and enjoy the freshest brew possible, thanks to the charcoal filtering system. Double-insulated thermal carafe keeps coffee hot and fragrant for up to 4 hours. Push-button swing-out filter is easy and safe, includes #4 GoldTone filter. Automatic features interrupt brewing so you can serve a cup or two. Auto shutoff."
	Click here for Cooking.com: Cuisinart Two to Go Coffee Maker From Cooking.com: "The perfect appliance for today's busy commuter, Cuisinart's Two to Go™ brews directly into your travel mug. Simply add water and ground beans, switch on and ready yourself for work. The Two to Go™ will brew and fill one or both of the 14-oz. commuter mugs with fresh, hot coffee - ready to grab and go. The Two to Go™ has automatic shutoff, so there's no worry about leaving it on."