You've discovered coffee for yourself! Great! With or without milk, short or long, diluted or compressed. There are so many types of coffee and therefore just as many coffee makers. But which is the right coffee maker for you? It depends on how you like to enjoy your coffee: as filter coffee, as espresso, as cappuccino, in large quantities, in the office or on the go? Depending on how you like your coffee, one - or maybe two - coffee makers will suit you. Because depending on the brewing method, the taste of your coffee changes - even if it's one and the same bean. In the following coffee maker comparison, we'll explain how you can find the right coffee maker for you.
Proper coffee makers – filter coffee
The classic (German) way of drinking coffee is filter coffee. Many people think of the old filter machines often found in offices, where a colleague would make several cups at 7 a.m. and what was left over would simmer until midday, becoming stronger and more bitter. No, filter coffee today is completely different. First of all you need good coffee beans , such as our new El Salvador FES Tataric or our classic Ruanda Umusazi natural , filter paper, a hand filter, a suitable pot, a grinder, hot water, scales and a suitable container. Only if you want to be fully equipped, of course. Filter coffee is very fancy these days, and you can tell that from the fact that there are huge numbers of hand filters, grinders, filter paper, etc. available to buy. You are rewarded with extraordinary taste.
The right coffee maker – the filter coffee ritual
Brewing filter coffee is a bit like a ritual. With everything included, it takes five to ten minutes to make your cup(s) of coffee. You weigh out the right amount of beans, 24 grams , then you put them in the grinder and grind them. You rinse the filter, paper and pot with hot water , put the coffee powder in the filter and pour 400 milliliters of hot water leisurely in several stages within a maximum of three minutes. Filter coffee is therefore not for hectic people or for people who want things to be uncomplicated. You should also enjoy your filter coffee neat - no milk, no sugar, nothing else. Just the taste of the coffee and you.
By the way: Depending on whether you use coarse or fine filter paper (or even metal filters), the ratio of body to aromas changes. The coarser, the more body in your cup, the finer, the more aromas.
Proper coffee makers –
the Chemex
The Chemex is basically – at least in terms of the preparation method – the same as the pour-over method with the hand filter. However, there are a few subtle differences. For example, the filter paper specially developed for the Chemex is 20 to 30 percent thicker than filter paper from Hario or Kinto , for example. This ensures that the suspended particles and oils contained in the coffee are bound even better. As a result , almost no bitter substances develop in your cup profile and the end result tastes a little clearer and more puristic than with hand filter preparation. The Chemex is also made from one piece and after removing the wooden sleeve, it can also be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. Otherwise, brewing with the Chemex is pretty much as time-consuming as with the hand filter. You can find detailed instructions for the Chemexhere .
By the way: The Chemex was developed by the German chemist Peter Schlumbohm in New York in the 1940s.
Proper coffee makers – French Press
The French press works according to the full immersion method . Here, the ground coffee is completely immersed in water. The coffee powder is therefore bathed in the water for the entire brewing time. Only at the end are the coffee particles separated from the coffee using a sieve or filter. The most well-known coffee maker of this type is the French press. For one liter of coffee with the French press you need 60 grams of coffee, hot water and a clock . So you need a little less equipment than with the filter coffee method. Rinse out the French press, add the coffee and pour in 100 milliliters to pre-brew . Then pour in the rest and let the coffee brew for a good four minutes . Then you separate the powder from the drink with the plunger and it is best to pour the coffee into another container.
The right coffee maker – very popular in Germany
The French press is one of the most popular coffee makers. No wonder, the French press is easy to use and is also a very easy-care coffee maker in general. The great thing about French press preparation is that, despite the very simple operation, you don't have to compromise on quality and taste . The French press, also known as a French press, is very easy to clean thanks to its design and does not require filter paper. Because a metal sieve is used, fats, oils and suspended particles remain in the coffee, giving it more body. The French press is therefore less complicated and you can easily brew a whole liter of coffee with it, making it suitable for those who need more and want to do less.
By the way: For this method your coffee should be very coarsely ground.
Real coffee makers – the Aeropress
The Aeropress only came onto the market in 2005, but quickly took the coffee scene by storm. This may be because the coffee with this coffee maker has a very clear aroma , which is why the Aeropress is particularly suitable for fruity, light roasts like our specialty coffees . In principle, the Aeropress works like the French Press, i.e. with full immersion. You can normally make exactly one cup with this maker, and it is also ideal for on the go, as the Aeropress only consists of three parts. There are now also extensions to make several cups or even to extract espresso with it.
By the way: The Aeropress was developed by the same company as the Frisbee.
Proper coffee maker – the portafilter machine
The espresso maker. Developed in the middle of the 19th century in Italy. With an espresso from the portafilter you can make many other coffee specialties such as cappuccino, flat white, Americano, cortado etc. You don't need a lot either: the portafilter machine, a scale, a grinder, a tamper . There are more accessories available, but this is enough for the basic equipment. Once the portafilter machine has reached operating temperature, an espresso is made very quickly: finely grind 17 to 19 grams for a double espresso , condense it in the portafilter with the tamper and after 25 to 30 seconds you have a double or two single espressos.
The right coffee maker – chocolate and nut
An espresso from a portafilter is full-bodied. Often paired with an excellent chocolatey taste, rounded off with spicy, tart or even caramel accents . If your espresso blend is roasted a little lighter, floral notes will also come to the fore. The espresso can be transformed into many different coffee specialties by using more or less powder, more or less water, adding milk foam or a shot of liquor. A portafilter machine is therefore a very versatile coffee maker and you can quickly get the hang of the necessary steps with a little practice. The "negative" side is that a good portafilter machine costs a bit more: good machines start at around 2,000 euros . There is almost no upper limit. Portafilter machines are also heavy and take up a lot of space.
By the way: You can also prepare medium and light roasts in the portafilter. The light roasts contain considerably more acid than the dark roasts, which is why you get a very fruity cup profile. This taste experience may not be for everyone, but for those who like to experiment, it is definitely worth a try!
The right coffee maker – the stovetop pot
In everyday language, it is better known by its pseudonym "Bialetti". This is the name of the most famous stovetop pot manufacturer from Italy. The stovetop pot also works, like the French press, with a relatively coarse metal sieve. However, you need very little equipment. The stovetop pot, ground coffee, water . Basta. Making coffee with the Bialetti is simple, relatively quick and uncomplicated. You can do it at home, on the gas stove, via induction, on the go with the gas cooker, on the campfire and so on. The Bialetti also embodies the Italian coffee lifestyle like no other coffee maker.
The right coffee maker – not a full espresso
With the stovetop pot you can only achieve a pressure of 1.5 bar , which is why the espresso from the stovetop pot cannot be compared to a portafilter machine espresso, which is brewed at a good 9 bar. Nevertheless , the cup profile is created that contains strong chocolate notes and is rounded off with a full-bodied taste with a pleasant body. Medium roasts produce a very balanced taste, which contains country-specific flavors such as fruit, nuts or brittle. This makes the stovetop pot ideal for anyone who wants their coffee to be uncomplicated, authentic and quick.
By the way: If you fill the stovetop kettle with preheated water, you will get your coffee even faster and better.
Proper coffee makers – the fully automatic machine
This coffee maker can be found in many homes and offices: the fully automatic coffee machine. In terms of coffee technology, it is the ultimate all-rounder . The fully automatic machine can do almost anything at the touch of a button: cappuccino, espresso, coffee, double, halved, latte macchiato, hot water for tea and much more. When there is water, milk and beans in the machine, you just need to know which button to press. And yes - you can get a good cup of coffee from the fully automatic machine too . The fully automatic machine is therefore something for heavy drinkers, those who like to relax and people who like to have something different with every cup.
Proper coffee makers – space and care
However, a fully automatic machine is not completely carefree. Even though fully automatic machines are compact, they still take up a lot of space. The pipes and other components also require a lot of care, especially since milk flows through some of them. In addition, bean oils can go rancid if you do not remove them regularly. Affected elements can be the bean container, the grinder, sieves, pipes and spouts. It is therefore absolutely advisable that you clean your fully automatic coffee machine according to the manufacturer's instructions and descale it regularly .
By the way: Dark and light roasts are suitable for fully automatic machines. You can read how to find the perfect coffee here .
The right coffee maker – Conclusion
There is a coffee maker out there for every type of person. For the experts, for the detail-oriented, for the "lazy", for outdoor coffee drinkers, for heavy drinkers and so on and so forth. You know best which type you are and now you also know how to find the right coffee maker for you . Maybe it has inspired you to try a different brewing method and who knows where that will lead. One thing is certain - no matter which method you choose: with beans from Wildkaffee you always get a delicious coffee specialty. So drink good coffee and #staywild .
