Best Drip Coffee Maker
Drip coffee makers are some of the most commonly used machines in the United States.
They are easy to use and inexpensive to own and operate. Available in a wide variety of styles, colors and sizes, there's one to fit any kitchen. One study reports that automatic drip coffee machines are the most purchased small kitchen appliance. Approximately 14 million of these are sold each year.
Automatic drip coffee machines are used in many homes and businesses. They work by dripping water through a filter containing ground coffee. Two types of filters are available for these machines: paper and permanent.
Which filter to use?
Paper filters are the easiest solution, but they can affect coffee taste as can some plastic permanent filters. Among the permanent filters, you should always prefer metal over plastic, because they last longer and don't affect taste.
If the additional work of cleaning the permanent filters after each use instead of just throwing them away doesn't bother you, I would always recommend permanent metal coffee filters.
But keep in mind, that metal filters usually require that coffee beans be ground a bit coarser than is needed for paper filters.
Automatic drip coffee maker offer a variety of special features
From basic to high end models that do everything from grinding the beans to brewing it at a pre-set time. Basic automatic drip coffee makers feature a water reservoir, a filter basket, and warming plate to keep the carafe warm. Most feature filter baskets that swing out or lift out and simple on/off control.Extra features include indicator lights, a brew-pause selection, digital display and/or digital control panel, clocks, timers, permanent filters and automatic shut off. High end features include water filtration, flavor settings, and a built in grinder. Single cup machines are available, as are machines making anywhere from 4 to 12 cups.
Read more about Automatic Drip Coffee Makers and Manual Drip Coffee Makers to make your best choice.
What is the best temperature for brewing coffee?
Most experts agree that 200°F (100°C) is the best temperature for brewing coffee. Many restaurants do not allow the temperature to get that high because of liability issues should a consumer spill coffee and get burned.But at home you can usually program your drip coffee makers at which temperature you want to brew. Personally, I like my coffee as hot as possible, just smells and tastes a lot better :-)
What affects the quality of a cup of coffee?
Several things can affect the quality of brewed coffee. The cleanliness of the brewing equipment, the quality of the coffee beans, how long it has been since the beans were roasted, how long it has been since the beans were ground and the quality of the water used in brewing.How do I clean my drip coffee maker?
Like all other coffee machines they should be cleaned at least once a week. Some experts suggest using dish detergent and water. Other experts suggest running one fourth part vinegar and three fourths part water through the brewing cycle a time or two followed by running plain water through the cycle. This removes hard water deposits and other buildup.
