Waking up to a good cup of coffee is one of life’s best pleasures. Coffee time is no longer just a mechanical intake but an experience in itself. It’s great that there are many convenient ways to make yourself a fresh brew, aside from the old process of straining coffee grounds manually. Read on to learn how to use coffee makers and other methods of coffee preparation.
Easy Steps on How to Use Coffee Maker
The classic automatic drip coffee maker usually comes with a receptacle where the coffee filter goes, a container for water, and a glass carafe perched on a warm plate. The coffee drips into the glass carafe, which could serve some ten cups, depending on the size.
- First, fill the container or reservoir with water.
- Second, place the coffee filter in the filter basket. Your coffee maker may come with a reusable stainless mesh coffee filter, or it may be using the basic disposable paper filter.
- Third, pour the coffee grounds into the filter basket and place the basket in the coffee maker.
- Fourth, it’s time to brew the coffee. Turn the coffee maker on and switch it off after a few minutes, after the machine indicates that brewing is finished. If you stop hearing the sound of dripping coffee, then you’re done brewing. This usually takes three to five minutes. You do not have to pay such close attention to some coffee maker models because they stop automatically after a brewing cycle.
- Finally, after removing the filter and throwing out the coffee grounds, you can now serve your coffee, piping hot and fragrant. It’s best not to leave the glass carafe resting on the coffee maker’s warm plate. Otherwise, the coffee will turn extra bitter. Save the remaining cups and keep them hot by transferring them into a thermos.
To fully know how to use a coffee maker also involves learning how to work the grinding setting to suit your coffee preference. Adjusting the grind size on your coffee maker will have dramatic changes in the taste of your coffee. You can begin with a medium grind size and adjust the next brew to your liking. If your coffee maker does not give you many grind size options to experiment on, the safest is to grind your coffee to a sand-like texture.
Easy Methods on How to Use Coffee Maker
Here are some other methods that you could also try:
The French Press
This device does not require you to plug into a power source. All you need is hot water.
Step 1. Uncover the French press by taking the lid and plunger off. Pour two tablespoons of medium ground coffee into the glass canister of the French press.
Step 2. Pour boiling water into the coffee grounds in your French press canister.
Step 3. Return the plunger into the canister by slowly pressing it right down to the middle, not all the way through. Let it stay there for three to four minutes.
Step 4. Now press the plunger all the way through to reach the bottom of the canister. Be sure to hold the body of the French press firmly while you plunge.
Step 5. Then, pour the strained coffee into a cup and serve.
A Mug and Tea Towel
This is a more classic way of making coffee. It assures you that you can always have coffee no matter where you are, no matter what circumstance.
For this method, prepare a mug, some binder clips or clothespins or rubber bands, a clean tea towel, or a clean fabric of either cotton or muslin. If the fabric you plan to use is not tightly woven, fold it in half so that it can sift better.
Step 1. Cover a mug with a tea towel.
Step 2. Press the middle of the towel into the mug’s hollow to create a shallow bowl, about three to four inches.
Step 3. Wrap the tea towel securely around the rim of the mug, ensuring that the little shallow bowl at the center remains in place. Fasten the loose sides of the towel with the clothespins or binder clips, or slip a rubber band over the cloth or towel, so it securely covers the mug’s rim.
Step 4. Pour two tablespoons of medium ground coffee onto the little well you made on the towel. Be sure that the texture of your coffee grounds is not too fine to slip through the towel.
Step 5. Pour hot water slowly onto the coffee grounds now sitting on your tea towel. Be warned against using very hot water, fresh from the boil, as it can ruin the taste of your coffee. Allow the water to pass through the tea towel before you pour more. It is best to wait for thirty seconds before adding more hot water to ensure that everything drains well into the mug.
Step 6. After pouring the last portion of water into th19e mug, wait for some two minutes. All the liquid will have passed through the coffee grounds and well into the mug by this time.
Step 7. Unfasten the tea towel and serve your coffee!
Conclusion
Of course, the coffee maker is most widely used among these methods and is a fixture in most homes. But aside from knowing how to use coffee makers, you’re sure to level up on the coffee brewing experience with these other interesting, artisanal methods when you do not have the trusty appliance insight. From French presses to stovetop percolators to the simple mug and tea towel ensemble, you are assured of a refreshing cup all the time. Find out more about how to use appliances.