About American coffee makers
Good American or filter coffee machines or drip coffee machines are designed to prepare a good amount of coffee in a short time. Which is why they are the most used in kitchens and family breakfasts, and work offices.
Unlike other models, with the American coffee maker, you do not need to be aware of it. It is enough to add the elements (water and ground coffee), turn it on, and it will do the job. She can even keep coffee hot.
What is an American coffee maker?
The American coffee machine is the classic filter or drip coffee maker. It is connected to the electric current and consists of a water tank that is heated and passed through the ground coffee deposited on a paper filter or a fixed aluminum filter. The water slowly passes through the ground coffee and falls, drop by drop, into a glass or plastic jug in which the coffee is infused. The jug stays hot on its electrical base, with which it is in contact. It is the ideal type of coffee machine to prepare a good amount of coffee that is not very strong.
The best American coffee maker is surely one of the simplest and cleanest utensils, you can find to make several cups of coffee: an elegant, very effective, and fast method.
Usually, we can distinguish four parts of the American coffee maker: a water tank, a filter, a jug, and an electrical base.
How to make coffee with an American coffee maker
To make coffee, you just have to follow these steps:
- Fill the water tank up to the amount of coffee you want to make. Some coffee makers indicate the number of cups in the tank, while other models mark the milliliters of capacity. At first, you can be guided by the numbers, and little by little, the amount of water can be added more or less by eye, taking into account that part of the water will evaporate due to the heat.
- Fold the paper filter and place it in its place. Some coffee machines have a fixed filter, so it is not necessary to put in a paper one.
- Pour the ground coffee into the filter. The amount of coffee will depend on the cups you are going to make or the intensity you prefer in each cup.
- Connect to the power supply and press the button. In a few minutes, you can enjoy a good coffee.
Although it depends on the intensity of the flavor that we want to achieve, a liter of coffee will require approximately 60 or 70 grams of ground coffee.
How to Choose the Best American Coffee Maker
The most important characteristics to take into account when buying the American coffee machine that best suits our needs are the following:
Price
Another advantage is the economic factor. Its price ranges between 25 and 60 euros, and ground coffee is much cheaper than capsules. So it is not necessary to buy the cheapest model; keep in mind that it will last you a long time.
Type of coffee
Of course, it is important to choose a good brand to get a good result. Take into account the variety, the aroma, and the quality of the raw material.
Unlike the coffee from a plunger coffee machine, the coffee from an American coffee maker is usually less intense, lighter, and smoother, although it will ultimately depend on the concentration you use.
Grain type
Filter coffee makers are among the easiest to use. But it is much better if you know some secrets to take better advantage of them, and here we explain how to do it.
The key is to go back to the basics: buy good ground coffee, press the automatic button, and wait. But you can also grind your grain and control the temperature of the water to your liking.
That means getting fresh, whole grains and using a grinder.
The coffee goes stale quickly and picks up its aroma and flavor during the extraction process in the carafe. If the hot water passes through the grounds too quickly, the coffee will be weak; if it happens very slowly, it will be bitter. Depending on how fine the grind is, the extraction will be more or less fast.
You may have to experiment a bit to find your preferred type of grind. Remember: if the coffee comes out bitter, try to make it thicker. If it’s too soft, try a finer coffee.
If you have to buy the coffee already ground (because you don’t have a store nearby or because you prefer to save time) and you can only buy it in the supermarket, check the date on the package to make sure the roasted or natural coffee is as fresh as possible.
Temperature
In most cheap models, the water does not reach the correct temperature, and they produce coffee with little aroma and flavor. The ideal temperature to prepare coffee is 90 degrees. If it does not reach this temperature, the coffee comes out watery; if it exceeds 100 degrees, the mixture can burn. Keep this in mind.
Filter Types
Filters are of two types: permanent and disposable. According to your taste, you can choose one or the other.
Disposable cone-shaped paper filters improve filtering and impart a better flavor. They are good for finely ground coffee.
Permanent filters are usually made of metal and give worse quality over time since they filter worse and must be cleaned. On the other hand, they are better for the environment and serve many purposes, so they are cheaper. They are good for a medium grind.
Cleaning
Once you have finished making the coffee, it is better to remove the glass jug from the heating base so that it does not end up burning.
It is necessary to clean the carafe and other parts of the coffee maker daily to keep the flavor of the coffee at its highest quality. It is also a good idea to clean the entire mechanism, tank, and preparation system once a week, at least if you drink daily, so it is advisable to choose an easily removable coffee machine. You can use vinegar as a cleaner in addition to soap and water. With water and vinegar, you can pass it through the preparation mechanism as if you were making coffee, and it will help you clean the tank, the cone where the filter is located, and the water passages.
Read another article about The best capsule coffee machines
The main brands of American coffee makers
- Aicok. It is a company of Asian origin that manufactures some of the best coffee makers that are characterized by being of very good quality. It also has many other products, such as the best blenders.
- Taurus. The Spanish appliance brand began manufacturing coffee grinders in the 1960s. Today, it has some of the most popular coffee machines valued by users in its catalog. They also have other types of appliances, such as the best outdoor fans with a nebulizer.
- Moulinex. It works in the field of filter coffee makers, with models at affordable prices.
- Philips. The Dutch multinational needs no introduction, but as far as coffee machines are concerned, it focuses on automatic coffee machines and filter coffee machines.
- Ufesa. The Spanish company Ufesa is a specialist, among other things, in the manufacture of espresso and drip coffee machines. All its products are focused on a certain type of consumer in a family environment within a basic-to-medium price range.
- DeLonghi. The Italian company’s main asset is its wide range of models, which range from the most basic coffee makers to those of the highest quality and price. The best portable air conditioners are among its product offerings.
- Melitta. Melitta drip or filter coffee machines are the flagships of the brand. A guarantee.
Now that you know the criteria for buying the best American coffee maker or drip coffee maker, all you have to do is choose the one you like best from the following list of recommended models.
Recommended American coffee makers
ExtemeAroma Cecotec Coffee 66 Heat technology drip coffee maker
This 950-watt drip coffee maker with stainless steel finishes and ExtremeAroma technology achieves a more intense coffee flavor through continuous spraying and dripping.
It comes with an extra-strong glass jug, highly resistant to temperature. 1.5-liter capacity to prepare up to 12 cups of coffee, with a non-drip spout to pour the coffee into the cup comfortably and cleanly. It has a reheat function and a keep-warm function with auto-off.
A tank with a window that allows you to control the water level at all times and a permanent filter for ground coffee that can be removed and cleaned. It also allows you to use paper filters.
Includes a measuring spoon to help you prepare and calculate the amount of coffee.
Ufesa Avantis Optima CG7232 Permanent Filter Drip Coffee Maker
At a fairly affordable price, this permanent filter American coffee maker has a capacity for 10 large cups or 15 small cups. Aroma Plus: a jug specially designed to preserve the aroma.
It has a pivoting and removable filter holder and a permanent filter. A non-stick heating plate to keep coffee hot.
With an anti-drip valve and a water level viewer in the tank. It also automatically disconnects to avoid accidents.
FG152832 Grope Principio Filter Coffee Machine
This coffee maker comes with a 600-ml carafe with a capacity of approximately 6 cups and is dishwasher-safe.
With an anti-drip coffee outlet device.
It has a power light and a visible water level with markings.
It has an auto-off function: it keeps the coffee hot for 30 minutes, after which time it turns off for safety. Use single-use or reusable paper filters.
Philips HD7546/20 drip coffee Machine
It is the most expensive of those recommended, but it is worth it for the advantages it has, starting with a larger capacity: 10–15 cups. The jug is thermal and made of stainless steel.
Equipped with a modern smart lock that preserves the aroma and temperature of the coffee for more than 2 hours.
Of course, with an indicator of the water level in the tank and auto-off for safety,
Nothing beats a good cup of aroma and fresh beans of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. But you must use a good coffee maker because of its value for money and the advice we have given you. Now that you know that many brands make good coffee machines, we recommend the best.
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