Main types of coffee makers and differences
Many manufacturers produce a variety of devices designed for preparing aromatic coffee at home or in offices. These models are distinguished from coffee machines by their operating principle, available functions and price.
What are the different types of equipment for brewing coffee drinks:
- carob;
- geyser;
- capsule;
- drip.
A drip or carob coffee maker is better - when choosing the best machine, be sure to consider how many cups of coffee you plan to prepare throughout the day, the types of drinks, as well as the amount of money you are willing to spend on purchasing the device.
Which one is more convenient to use?
The main difference between a capsule and carob coffee maker is ease of operation. Capsule technology wins in this regard. To prepare coffee, you need to insert a disposable sealed capsule into a special compartment. Inside it is pressed coffee powder (7-9 g). After turning on the device for operation, it is opened, and its contents are mixed with hot water or steam (depending on the model: pump or steam coffee maker), which is supplied under high pressure.
Pros and cons of drip coffee makers
A drip coffee machine is the most common type of device that allows you to easily prepare strong and aromatic coffee. It is made of durable and high-quality materials, and its simple design, comfort and ease of use are perfect for home purposes.
The machine works very simply - ground coffee is poured into a separate mesh, and water is poured into the reservoir. As the temperature rises to a boiling state, water drops drop by drop through the coffee beans and filter plate directly into a glass kettle placed on a heated stand. The finished drink is poured from the kettle into a cup.
A drip coffee maker has the following advantages:
- ease of use - this makes it perfect for home cooking;
- keeping the prepared drink hot;
- The drip device is significantly cheaper than other types of coffee makers.
Before choosing a machine for making coffee, you need to take into account the disadvantages of a capsule device - a long brewing time for the drink, the need for systematic replacement of filters. The brewed drink is not very strong.
Operation of a geyser coffee maker
Here, too, everything is simple, in principle: water is poured into the lower water tank. This water is then heated (either from the kitchen stove or from the built-in heating element) until it becomes steam. The steam rises up, passes through a metal filter (where the ground coffee is located), along the way it absorbs the aroma, becomes saturated with taste and enters the upper reservoir - the coffee pot.
Electric geyser coffee maker
Due to the fact that here the aroma “along the way” is collected by steam, and not just hot water (as in a drip coffee maker), the finished coffee itself turns out to be more rich and aromatic. By the way, to obtain a portion of a drink in a geyser coffee maker, much less coffee is required than to prepare a portion in a drip coffee maker.
As for the filters, there is no need to change them - there is only one, non-replaceable.
Coffee maker that is placed on a gas stove
And one more thing: geyser coffee makers can be of two types. The first is without using the built-in heating element. These are placed on a gas stove (or electric) and heated. The second type is with a built-in heating element. They plug into the outlet. Of course, it is preferable to choose the second type, however, models without heating elements are cheaper. This is so... just a note.
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Geyser coffee makers
Before answering which is better - a drip or geyser coffee maker, you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of how a geyser device works. The device looks like a regular kettle and is divided into electric and non-electric models.
In the lower half of the device there is a special compartment where water is poured. It is heated by electric current. After this, it begins to rise up the container with a vertical tube, passing through the coffee powder one time or more, depending on the model of the device. After this, the liquid falls back down. The result is a rich drink.
The advantages that a geyser has:
- The coffee machine is capable of brewing high-strength coffee.
- Geysers allow you to prepare not only coffee, but also other liquids - teas, herbal infusions.
- Easy to care and use.
The disadvantage is that if you want a small amount of coffee, you will have to brew as much of the drink as the coffee machine is programmed for. Otherwise it won't work.
Carob coffee maker and how it works
The carob-type coffee maker is designed to satisfy the tastes of true gourmets. The principle of its operation is radically different from other coffee makers.
Before starting preparation, the coffee is compacted tightly in a special horn (holder) and secured in a special connector. Once the water supply is started, it heats up and passes through the compressed coffee under high pressure.
Good to know! The holder holds 7 g of coffee, which will allow you to prepare 30 ml of espresso.
During the operation of the carob coffee maker, you will have to independently control the supply of boiling water , as well as the temperature and pressure using a special tap, supply valve and boiler pressure gauge.
In addition, this kitchen appliance has a steam supply tap and a pump pressure gauge, with the help of which the steam pressure in the boiler is monitored and controlled. Using these two mechanisms, you can monitor the health of the machine.
The optimal conditions for preparing strong, tart espresso are:
- the temperature of the brewing water should be between 86-93 °C;
- the pressure under which water is supplied to the holder should be 9 bar;
- the time during which the liquid is passed through the compressed coffee in the holder is 20-30 seconds.
Carob coffee makers: what are the advantages and disadvantages
What would be the best option, a drip coffee maker or a carob coffee maker - this question arises for many connoisseurs of the aromatic drink. The rozhkovy device pleases with the ability to brew coffee and other drinks very quickly and easily. It is used to make espresso, latte, cappuccino.
The principle of operation of the device is that high pressure acts on steam, passing it through a portion of ground coffee beans. This is how a fragrant, high foam appears on the surface of the drink.
Main advantages of the model:
- when using a carob coffee maker, we can talk about the high quality of the drink;
- the ability to prepare any desired drink - from coffee to latte;
- Cooking time: about 60 seconds;
- using a minimum amount of coffee.
Many carob coffee makers have a built-in mill function. Automatic grinding allows the device to grind the embedded grains and obtain fractions suitable for brewing coffee. Such additional options significantly increase the cost of the device.
When buying a carob device, you need to pay attention to the pressure indicators, because the quality of the prepared coffee depends on this. It can vary from 4 bar to 15 bar. Weaker models are aimed at home use, while powerful ones are intended for professional use.
Disadvantages: the need to use only finely ground coffee, heating temperature up to 100°C. The optimal temperature for making coffee is 90-95°C.
What to choose in the end
Making a choice in favor of a Turkish coffee maker or a coffee maker is quite difficult. For the first, it is better to choose Arabica coffee beans, which should be ground as much as possible, this guarantees a more refined and subtle taste. Those who prefer to drink coffee with sugar can pour it directly into the bottom of the cezve - this will give the drink a caramel flavor. Spices are also added during cooking. That is, owners of Turks can afford to experiment.
The geyser type of coffee maker is preferred by people who love convenience. It’s important to them that the coffee doesn’t run out, and they don’t have time to do magic at the stove. And if the model has an automatic shut-off, you won’t have to worry about imperfect preparation of the drink at all. The versatility of the geyser device lies in the fact that it can be used to brew herbal infusions and teas.
Coffee in a geyser coffee maker
Turkish coffee
Today, coffee lovers are not limited to Turkish coffee or geyser. They try to acquire several different appliances, including solid coffee machines, and use them depending on the circumstances and mood.
Main features of capsule coffee makers
A capsule coffee maker functions similarly to a coffee maker. The only difference is that the vapor compounds are passed through the capsules. This makes it possible to mix two or more capsules, resulting in drinks with new, unusual flavors.
Many models of capsule devices from leading manufacturers have a built-in cappuccino maker function, thanks to which you can brew aromatic coffee drinks with the addition of milk. But this function makes the cost of the device significantly higher.
One of the main advantages of a capsule coffee maker is its ease of use and maintenance. It has compact dimensions, so it does not take up much space in a small kitchen. But such models also have their drawbacks.
For many machines, it is allowed to use only encapsulated coffee exclusively from their manufacturer; they cannot be used to brew regular coffee beans. This can cause serious inconvenience, so be sure to check before purchasing. Capsule devices are very expensive compared to other coffee makers.
Drip or capsule coffee maker – how to choose?
The huge assortment of coffee makers in supermarkets confuses even an experienced buyer, so the problem often arises - which coffee maker is better, drip or capsule, and which type is best to give preference to.
- A capsule device will be the optimal solution if you do not have a lot of time to care for the device.
- A capsule coffee maker is perfect for the office, allowing each employee to brew their favorite drinks.
- The drip device is most suitable for brewing Americano.
- A drip-type coffee machine allows you to prepare several cups of coffee at a time.
- If the amount you plan to spend on buying a coffee maker is strictly limited, it is best to buy a drip device, the most budget-friendly of all coffee machines.
When choosing a coffee maker for home or office use, you must take into account the availability of additional functions. Many of them turn out to be completely useless, but increase the cost of the device several times.
Where is the best taste?
Let's not pull the cat by the tail and say right away:
- Drip coffee makers make smooth coffee that is less bitter and rich in flavor;
- Geyser coffee makers prepare a strong drink, sometimes even bitter.
It is taste preferences that should be the first criterion for choosing between a drip and geyser coffee maker. For lovers of real black and strong coffee, we can recommend a geyser coffee maker... or a carob coffee maker (the preparation principle, although different, is almost the same). But if you prefer regular (but also quite good) coffee and do not have any special requirements for quality and taste, then a drip coffee maker will completely satisfy your requirements.
Please note: both drip and geyser coffee makers make good, tasty coffee (of course, this depends a little on the manufacturer and the chosen model), it’s just that the taste is different in both cases. Therefore, it is not very appropriate to determine which coffee maker is better - drip or geyser.
Capsule, drip or carob: choose the right one
Which is better, a capsule or carob coffee maker - it depends on many factors. Each of them has its own characteristics.
- The horn device is a universal device and is characterized by a short drink preparation process. It allows you to brew coffee in just 1-2 minutes.
- Thanks to its excellent automated operation, even an inexperienced person can use a carob coffee maker.
- The coffee horn brews not only coffee, but also lattes and other drinks.
- Geysers are focused on preparing the strongest possible drinks.
- Geyser-type devices are characterized by the lowest cost.
When choosing a carob coffee maker for home use, you need to remember that with prolonged use, coffee oils gradually accumulate on its walls and parts, which spoil the taste of the drink being prepared. Therefore, such a device will have to be disassembled and cleaned regularly.
Choosing a coffee maker is a difficult task that can cause confusion for any buyer. The first thing you need to focus on is taste preferences. After all, while some devices are designed for making lattes and other soft drinks, others are designed for the strongest possible drinks. Be sure to check out customer reviews. This will help you make the right choice and buy a reliable, productive coffee maker.
