How to use a drip coffee maker

Equipment such as a tea maker appeared not so long ago. This kitchen appliance is similar to a coffee maker and is very popular among those who have already tried it. Tea brewing has reached a new level. Now, to carry out this process, they use not only teapots, but also special devices. This makes it possible to prepare a hot drink from any type of brew, the desired temperature, strength and volume. This review will present criteria for choosing a tea maker, models with a detailed description, price, advantages and disadvantages, as well as useful tips for brewing tea.

Principle of operation

Standard devices have subtleties that surprise people who are encountering such equipment for the first time. For example, they boil water for quite a long time. Most budget models do not have a power button and start heating water immediately when plugged in. Removing residual water is also problematic.

There are two options for brewing machine designs:

1. When the teapot is installed on the main body, or both of them are located next to each other. In these two cases, heating is provided for the teapot. The vertical device saves space.
2. Horizontal ones are more advanced. They are equipped with platforms, screens and touch control panels. The temperature of the infuser is regulated in the same way as the temperature of the main liquid. Automatic modes are provided for different types of tea.

Similar to a coffee machine, the device is equipped with a small water container with a hole where the capsule should be placed. The device operates from an electrical network and in a short time brews a delicious drink that delights with its pleasant aroma and rich taste. Such equipment is well suited for home and office.

Tea capsules for Dolce Gusto

Tea capsules for the Dolce Gusto coffee machine are represented by the following brands:

1. Marrakech Tea. Excellent Moroccan mint tea, which will refresh you in the heat and warm you in bad weather. Can be drunk hot or chilled. This is a black tea with a great aroma and taste.
2. Macaron Green Tea – green tea 16 capsules. A wonderful variety of green tea with a refreshing and mysterious raspberry aroma and taste. Perfectly quenches thirst.
3. Citrus Honey Black Tea 16 capsules – citrus black tea with honey. The taste of honey perfectly complements the natural taste and aroma of tea, adding richness and brightness to the drink.

Tea capsules

Making tea in Dolce Gusto coffee machines is extremely simple. All you need to do is place the capsule correctly in the compartment, turn on the machine, wait for the water to heat up and prepare tea by pressing one button. You can adjust the volume of the drink.

How to choose?

When choosing a tea brewing machine, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Control type. There are two types of control: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical involves the presence of several switches. With electronic control there are several keys or a touch panel. How to choose the right device based on the type of control? It depends on the consumer's preferences. Mechanical control is much simpler. At the same time, electronic control has extensive capabilities - comfort in operation, attractive design
• Type of brewing mechanism. The brewing mechanism included in the machine kit comes in two types: removable or non-removable. The removable mechanism requires manual cleaning using a variety of detergents and cleaning agents. To clean the fixed mechanism, just one press of the button is enough.
• Power. This function affects the brewing speed. Here it is worth keeping in mind that when making a drink quickly, boiling water does not sufficiently absorb the aroma of the green leaf, so the choice is the strength of the drink or the speed of preparation.

Machines that independently grind the sheet into powder are equipped with millstones. There are two varieties:

1. Ceramic - do not oxidize and work quietly. But at the same time, they have a short service life, are quite fragile, and can be damaged if foreign objects get inside the device.
2. Metal ones have a longer service life and are more durable.

Getting ready for the tea ceremony

The Chinese are quite scrupulous about this process, which has several requirements. When preparing, it is necessary to get rid of foreign odors as much as possible: wash your hands, rinse your mouth and brush your teeth. It is better not to have it immediately after a meal and not to combine it with snacks. A light snack, such as nuts, is possible, but it is not advisable for a traditional event.

Gongfu cha (as the procedure is called) requires that the water be heated as close as possible to the site of action. While she is standing on the fire, the first steps of the ceremony take place. It all starts with the tea being shown to the guests. This is not a simple whim, because oolong is a pleasure to look at - peculiarly twisted tea leaves, external beauty and rich aroma.

It is through the smell that acquaintance begins: a portion is poured into a teapot and each participant inhales it twice and exhales the same amount. In the meantime, the owner rinses the dishes with hot tea leaves in order to wash away dust from them and at the same time warm them up.

After this, the variety is poured into the kettle using tweezers or over the edge of the container (you cannot take it with your hands), pour boiling water up to 90 degrees and cover with a lid. At this point, the preparatory stage ends and all guests begin drinking tea.

Where to buy and how much it costs

Since this device has not yet become widely popular, most retail outlets do not purchase them in large quantities. You can purchase this device in online stores and at auctions, with worldwide delivery available. For example, a tea maker can be purchased on such well-known trading platforms as Aliexpress and Amazon. Equipment made in Asian countries has a pleasant design. But a higher quality product is one that is produced in European countries.

Devices for making hot drinks made by British manufacturers Strix and Otter are distinguished by their reliability.

The average price starts from 1000 rubles.

How to prepare tea bags

Most people do this procedure several times a day. And there are no special secrets in it. Simply put the workpiece in a container, pour in hot liquid up to 99° and after thirty seconds, take out the bag and add sugar or honey. You can add other ingredients, such as cream or lemon.

It is not recommended to leave the brew in the mug for a long time, as the drink will become too tart and lose its original bouquet.

Rating of popular models

Tea making has been taken to a new level. Tea makers have moved from exotic utensils to common household appliances. They make it easy to prepare a drink from any type of brew, with the optimal temperature, required strength and volume. A review of the best models with advantages, disadvantages, characteristics will help you make your choice. They differ in price and additional features. The best manufacturers include models made in America, Germany and Russia.

Kitfort KT-630

According to customers, the product of this brand is one of the best tea makers, with automated processes and a variety of functions. You can also control the strength of the tea and the volume of the cup. The design consists of a container with an infuser grid, which can be easily removed and cleaned. An indispensable item in the kitchen for lovers of a quality hot drink. The kit includes detailed instructions for use. It describes all the functionality of the machine.

Weight: 3.7 kg

Volume: 2.2 l.

Number of cups: 3.

Kitfort KT-630

Advantages:

• preserves the beneficial properties of tea;
• with quiet mode function;
• with power indicator;
• There is a display for control.

Flaws:

• inconvenient location of the power button;
• It turns out not enough drink.

Price: from 9,189 rub.

Sharp te-t 01 ocha tech

The model for holding a tea ceremony is presented in a retro style and is not only an apparatus for preparing hot drinks, but also a decoration for the kitchen. The warm color and beveled edges are pleasing to the eye. The bowl volume is small compared to others, but the management advantages are much greater. The model is small, but capable of preparing up to 4 cups of hot drink in one sitting. There are several programs for brewing tea and grinding leaves. The set comes with a book of tea recipes.

Weight: 3 kg.

Volume: 0.56 l.

Number of cups: 4.

Sharp te-t 01 ocha tech

Advantages:

• beautiful and versatile design;
• high-quality heating element;
• Japanese brewing technology.

Flaws:

• low heating rate;
• high price.

Price: from 7,100 rub.

Rommelsbacher ta 1200

German manufacturers took a responsible approach to inventing the best and unique tea machine, truly designed for people. The work includes 4 modes. The brew goes through all stages of preparation from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. The software has a timer with an effective stop. Glass and plastic come together in an elegant tea making machine. Compactness is one of the important criteria for convenience.

Weight: 4 kg.

Volume: 1 l.

Number of cups: 4.

Rommelsbacher ta 1200

Advantages:

• sleek design;
• with closed spiral;
• glass case.

Flaws:

• The alarm is too loud.

Price: from 8145 rub.

Bosch tta 2201

At first glance, the model seems small. But with the help of such an electric machine you can water a large family. The filter has a removable function and allows you to mechanically get rid of scale. The device is made of two designs. The case is plastic and without foreign odors. Manufacturers intended to switch the machine to heating mode after preparing tea. This way your tea will always be hot.

Weight: 2 kg.

Volume: 2 l.

Number of cups: 6.

Bosch tta 2201

Advantages:

• The heating mode can be used to sterilize dishes.

Flaws:

• does not turn off automatically;
• Liquid is leaking from the spout.

Price: from 4200 rub.

Selecline xb 6991

Inexpensive French brand model. The components are produced in China. Assembly takes place there. The tea maker is presented in the form of a small teapot, which is in no way inferior to a full-sized one. Suitable for a bachelor's kitchen or a small family. This combines the capabilities and desires of the buyer. It takes up to 2 minutes to make 1 serving of hot drink. The popularity of the model is associated with its transparent body, and you can watch the process of brewing tea. Suitable for budget-conscious tea lovers.

Weight: 0.9 kg.

Volume: 1 l.

Number of cups: 1.

Selecline xb 6991

Advantages:

• low power (600 W);
• on electronic control;
• safe model;
• the water level is visible.

Flaws:

• brews a small amount of tea;
• short cord.

Price: from 890 rub.

Lamark lk-1602

The best and most versatile model designed for making tea and coffee. There is a piston in the center for pumping water. The model is made of glass, which gets very hot. In general, this is not a bad device, according to customer reviews, it performs all the necessary functions, but not in large quantities.

Weight: 1.3 kg.

Volume: 1 l.

Number of cups: 5.

Lamark lk-1602

Advantages:

• boils quickly;
• with automatic heating;
• no plastic smell.

Flaws:

• makes too loud noises when boiling water.

Price: from 3000 rub.

Bosch private collection

The rating of quality models is completed by a tea maker made in the form of a vertical design. The lower part is used to maintain the set temperature. The top one is the teapot, used for pouring the finished drink. Thus, the meal can continue indefinitely. I would like to note that the base contact rotation is designed for 360 degrees and can be installed in any position.

Weight: 1.55 kg.

Volume: 2 l.

Number of cups: 6.

Bosch private collection

Advantages:

• stainless steel bottom;
• with heating mode;
• Convenient plastic handle holder.

Flaws:

• no automatic mode.

Price: from 2490 rub.

How to brew coffee in a geyser coffee maker, what is the best ground coffee to buy for a geyser

Coffee gadgets that work on the geyser principle are very popular. Consumers note the attractive design of the devices, the speed of preparation of the drink, its taste and aroma. Despite its wide popularity, few people know how to brew coffee in a geyser coffee maker.

Operating principle

Modern manufacturers offer a wide selection of coffee machines, but they are expensive, and in terms of the taste of the drink, household devices are much inferior to industrial ones. Geyser coffee makers are a worthy alternative. These devices are used by 90% of Italian families. They are also popular in the USA, Australia and Western Europe.

The first devices appeared at the beginning of the 19th century. Later, Alfonso Bialetti came up with a special shape and design for them, which has survived to this day. Bialetti were very popular in Italy.

Today on sale you can find geyser coffee makers made of stainless steel, with a glass or ceramic top flask and a transparent plastic lid.

However, the leader is still the Italian aluminum Bialetti.

"Geyser" consists of three elements:

• water container;
• filter;
• container for ready-made coffee.

The process of preparing a drink with geyser coffee machines includes two stages:

1. Boiling. When heated, the water expands and rises through the tube towards the ground beans.
2. Passing through the filter, hot water brews the grind and pours into the upper container.

Many people think that brewing coffee in an Italian “geyser” is easy. But to get a quality product, experience and skill are needed. In this matter, it is important to choose the correct temperature, grinding and optimal brewing time.

Step-by-step instruction

The device is quite easy to use:

1. Before preparing coffee in a geyser coffee maker, you need to disassemble it.
2. Pour water into the bottom container, but not to the brim. It’s better not to top up, otherwise the coffee maker will splash the kitchen while brewing.
3. Install the strainer.
4. Grind the coffee beans and pour into the filter. There is no need to compact it, otherwise you will end up with a dense layer, which will complicate the brewing process. Typically, the grains are ground to the size of sea salt crystals.
5. Use a measuring spoon to distribute the mixture. This is necessary for uniform passage of steam.
6. Depending on the type of design, the coffee pot must be assembled and placed on the stove, or plugged into an outlet. The drink is brewed over moderate heat.
7. After preparing the coffee, the geyser should be removed from the stove. It is more convenient to brew the grind “by ear.” If the coffee maker starts to puff, it means steam has entered the spout and the invigorating drink is ready. In this regard, preparing coffee in geyser coffee makers is more convenient than Turkish coffee makers; here it will not run off onto the stove. The main thing to remember is that you cannot open the lid of the top part - it can cause burns.
8. To stop the extraction, a regular coffee maker can be placed on a wet towel, or forced to cool by lowering the bottom part into a container of cold water. This will not work with an electric coffee maker. You'll have to wait for it to cool down on its own.

Answering the question of how long it will take to brew coffee in a geyser coffee maker, experts give average data, namely 5-7 minutes. You can pour it into cups only after the brewing process is completely completed. Before doing this, it is better to pour boiling water over the mugs, or warm them in warm water, so the coffee will taste better.

Cooking features

To learn how to brew coffee correctly in a geyser coffee maker, you will have to experiment at first. There are several factors that determine the taste, aroma and appearance of the finished drink.

1. Ground coffee - choose between medium and coarse grinds. Small or the kind that is not suitable for Turkish coffee.
2. Cold or hot brewing - the speed of preparation, extraction time, and at the same time the taste of coffee depend on the temperature of the water.
3. Volume - Geyser Turks have a large size range. It is advisable to choose one that will brew the drink at once. The big one uses too much coffee.

Cold brew

The simplest and most popular way. Cold water, preferably filtered, is poured into the lower flask. Otherwise, it will come out of the tap if it is not too soft/hard. Such water does not threaten scale, but it can change the taste of the finished coffee, not for the better.

Due to the low temperature, the drink takes longer to brew. But all elements of the geyser tank, including the filter, heat up quickly. Ground coffee burns a little during preparation and begins to taste bitter. As a result of prolonged steaming, the taste and aroma are better revealed. The coffee is strong, dense and intense.

Hot brewing

This method will appeal to those who like to make pure black coffee and experiment with different varieties and their tastes. First you need to boil water, and then pour it into the lower container.

Then carefully assemble the coffee maker and turn on low heat. You need to be careful - boiling water quickly heats the metal, so the bottom of the tank becomes hot in a matter of seconds.

It is advisable to use a potholder or towel.

Because water boils quickly, the drink brews faster. The coffee in a geyser coffee maker does not burn, it turns out soft, there is no bitterness or “burnt” smell. If you like a more intense taste, you can reduce the heat. This will make the cooking process longer.

Coffee Recipes

There are several coffee recipes for a geyser coffee maker:

1. Espresso. To brew this strong coffee, you will have to stock up on a medium grind of about 8 grams. for 20-30 ml of water. If desired, you can add lemon or cinnamon.
2. Cappuccino. To brew a classic cappuccino, you need to pour 50 ml of milk into a mug with ready-made espresso. You can add syrups and cinnamon to taste.
3. Frappe. To properly prepare the drink, you need to beat a shot of espresso, 15 ml of cream and ice in a mixer. Pour this mixture into a glass with a little ice at the bottom. Add sugar to taste.
4. Mocha. First, 15 ml of chocolate syrup is poured into a mug, then a shot of espresso and 30 ml of warm milk are added. Finally, decorate with whipped cream and grated chocolate.
5. Latte. To prepare the drink, you need to pour 80 ml of frothed milk into a mug, and then a shot of espresso in a thin stream. If done correctly, you will end up with three layers of coffee: milk, espresso, frothed milk.

Recommendations when choosing

The most common models have the following characteristics:

• Several brewing modes. A variety of modes allows you to customize the desired tea preparation program.
• Number of grinding modes. These are several types of grinds used in tea making.
• Functional. Most options are equipped with activity modes, with the ability to customize them. These include: on/off, medium or high heating mode. In accordance with the selected mode, the device will heat up to the desired temperature.
• Volume. This characteristic makes it clear what the largest amount of drink can be produced at one time.
• Power consumption. The characteristic determines the power consumed by the device during operation.
• Case material. The material used for the housing is plastic or steel. The steel case is reliable, but the cost is much higher than the plastic ones.
• Grinding Characterized by the ability to grind the leaves into powder used for brewing.
• Width, depth and height. A large appliance in the kitchen will take up a lot of space and will only get in the way. Because of this, it is recommended to purchase the device taking into account the actual size of the kitchen.
• Weight. This characteristic depends on the size and material of production.

You should also pay great attention to the warranty. If it is not available, you should consider canceling the purchase.

What is a drip coffee maker

The operating principle of a drip coffee maker also determined its name. The water is heated almost to a boil and in this form passes drop by drop through ground coffee placed in a special filter. From there, the finished drink flows in the same drops into the coffee pot.

This is where the name of the device, known at the beginning of the 19th century, came from. Of course, the devices for this procedure were more primitive, but the hot water was just as saturated with the taste and aroma of the grains. Gradually, with the advent of household appliances, electric coffee makers operating on the drip principle were developed.

Around the middle of the 20th century, the device took shape in its modern form and since then has only developed and improved. Currently, machines provide quick preparation of several servings of coffee at once, without any effort. Most of the processes are automated, so the coffee is prepared without outside intervention. All you have to do is add water and ground coffee by hand.

Precautions for use

When using a tea brewing machine, you must remember that irresponsible handling of the device, faulty wiring, malfunctions in the tea machine itself, or failure to comply with safety measures can lead to electric shock or a fire hazard.

Therefore it is necessary:

• Use a factory-made device.
• The protection class must be in accordance with the operating conditions.
• Before connecting for the first time, you should read the operating instructions and strictly follow the requirements specified therein.
• Before connecting the device to the network, it is necessary to visually determine that the plug and cord of the device are not damaged. To repair and configure the machine, it must be taken to a service center.
• If the plug does not stay in the socket and becomes hot, the appliance cannot be used.
• Do not leave the device turned on unattended.
• Do not touch hot appliances with your hands; use handles and rotating handles.
• To prevent a fire, do not immerse the cable or plug in liquid. Do not touch the device with wet hands.
• When the device is not in use, or before cleaning, it must be unplugged. Allow the machine to cool before installing or removing components from the device.
• It is not recommended to use accessories not specified by the machine manufacturer in the instructions, as this may create a fire hazard, lead to electric shock or various injuries.
• The device should not be placed near or on hot gas burners or heating appliances.
• Before turning off the machine from the power supply, set the switch to the “OFF” position, then remove the plug from the socket.
• The machine should only be used at home and for its intended purpose.
• Be careful not to get burned by hot steam.

How to properly prepare green tea

The process is not much different from the previous one, but still has its own nuances:

• scald the kettle with boiling water to disinfect and warm up;
• take the following ratio: teaspoon per serving;
• fill with water cooled to 80°;
• To begin with, you just need to coat the leaves and then drain immediately;
• Fill the bowl ⅔ full and leave for two minutes.

An important advantage is that tea leaves can be used up to 5 times. The only condition is that with each new preparation, let the drink brew for 1-2 minutes longer.

But remember that you can do this on the same day, not the next. Otherwise, mold and mildew will begin to appear, and the drink itself will look like colored water.

How does a drip coffee maker work?

The general operating principle of drip coffee makers has been preserved for more than 200 years. They differ only in their modern design and useful additional functions.

A drip coffee maker works as follows:

• Water is poured into a tank located at the rear, and from there it flows by gravity into the heating boiler.
• Hot water rises through the tube.
• Here it passes in the form of drops through the coffee powder poured into the filter.
• The water absorbs all the best qualities of the ground grains and enters the jug in the same drops.
• When the water runs out and stops dripping, the coffee is considered completely ready.

Remaining powder in the form of coffee grounds remains inside the filter, which is washed or thrown away if it is disposable. The area where the jug is installed can be heated, keeping the drink hot for a set time.