How To Use Different types of Coffee Makers?

You must perform different steps and use different coffee grinds to achieve the best taste. I put together this guide to help us understand how to use all popular types of coffee makers.

While reading, you’ll find how to use various coffee maker types.

Let’s get brewing.

Key Takeaways

• Best coffee grind consistency to use for each maker will vary
• Water that’s 195 °F–205 °F (90 °C–96 °C) is ideal for most makers
• You may need additional accessories for each maker
• It’ll take you, on average, 5–8 minutes to brew coffee using each method

How to Use Different Types of Coffee Makers

Various coffee makers and best grinds for each machine compared.

#1 How to Use a French Press

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Boil water: Heat to 195–205 °F (90–96 °C) for optimal extraction.
2. Coarse grind: Grind to a coarse consistency resembling sea salt.
3. Pre-warm: Pour hot water into French Press, swirl, & discard to pre-warm the vessel.
4. Combine: Add a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, e.g., 30g of coffee for 450ml of water.
5. Bloom: Pour a bit of hot water to saturate coffee grounds then wait 30 seconds.
6. Pour: Add the remaining water, then stir.
7. Steep: Put the plunger on & let it sit for 4 minutes.
8. Press & enjoy: Slowly press the plunger down, pour your coffee, & drink.

Experimenting with different beans, grinds, and steeping times lead to your perfect cup.

A French Press coffee maker is a manual brewing device that uses immersion and pressure to extract flavors from coffee beans.

Here’s another maker that’s great for coffee on the go.

#2 How to Use an AeroPress

Here’s a guide on using an AeroPress:

1. Assemble: Place the paper filter in the cap, & attach the lid to the brewing chamber.
2. Coffee quantity: Use 15–18g of finely ground coffee—similar in texture to table salt.
3. Heat water: Aim for 175–185 °F (80–85 °C) for optimal extraction.
4. Add coffee: Put the grounds into the brewing chamber, then shake to level them.
5. Pour water: Start a timer, & pour hot water over the coffee, filling to the top.
6. Stir: Use the paddle to stir the mixture for about 10 seconds.
7. Plunge: Insert the plunger & press down slowly, taking around 30 seconds to complete.

Use the timer to help you gauge the amount of time spent stirring and plunging.

Tired of manual makers? Let’s move on to something that’ll automate the process a bit.

#3 How to Use a Drip Coffee Maker

Here’s how to use a drip coffee maker, with or without a filter:

With a filter:

1. Add water: Fill the reservoir with cold, filtered water according to your desired number of cups.
2. Insert filter: Place a paper or reusable filter in the filter basket.
3. Add coffee: For every 6 ounces (177) of water, use 1–2 tablespoons (5–10 g) of medium-ground coffee, adjusting to taste.
4. Start brewing: Turn on the coffee maker, and let it work its magic.

Without a filter:

1. Coarse grind: Use coarser grounds like sea salt to reduce sediment in your cup.
2. Add coffee: Place the grounds into the filter basket.
3. Follow steps 1 & 4 from the “with a filter” instructions.

Brewing without a filter may result in a stronger, more full-bodied cup of coffee. As more oils release from the grounds.

Drip coffee makers, popular for their convenience and consistency, serve as a staple in many households and offices. They work by heating water and dripping it through coffee grounds placed in a filter.

Let’s cover a coffee maker that delivers a smoother-tasting drink.

#4 How to Use a Cold Brew Maker

The way you use a cold brew maker may vary by brand, but here’s a general guide:

1. Coarse grind: Use coarsely ground coffee, like the texture of breadcrumbs.
2. Coffee-to-water ratio: Aim for a 1:4 to 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio, depending on your desired strength.
3. Combine: Add coffee grounds & cold water to the brewing container.
4. Steep: Let the mixture steep for 12–24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
5. Filter: Separate the coffee grounds from the liquid using the built-in filter.
6. Dilute & serve: Dilute it with water, milk, or ice to dilute taste, then enjoy.

By steeping coffee grounds in cold water, cold brew makers extract a flavor profile that’s refreshing and invigorating. 

Popular cold brew makers, like the Bodum Cold Brew Coffee Maker, offer a user-friendly brew system. Making it easier to create and store your cold brew drink.

Want a more portable way to brew? You’ll prefer this next maker.

#5 How to Use a Coffee Percolator

Here’s how to use a percolator coffee maker. Whether you’re at home or in the wilderness:

Stovetop Percolator:

• Fill with water: Add cold water to the bottom chamber up to the fill line.
• Add coffee: Place a coffee filter in the basket, & add 1 tablespoon (5 g) of coarse coffee grounds per 6-ounce cup.
• Assemble: Place the basket on the stem, then secure the top chamber.
• Heat: Put the percolator on the stove over medium heat, & let perk for 5–10 minutes.

Electric Percolator:

• Follow steps 1–3 from the stovetop percolator instructions.
• Plug & perk: Plug the percolator into an outlet, & let it work; it’ll usually stop perking when the coffee is ready.

Camping Percolator:

• Follow steps 1–4 from the stovetop percolator instructions: Using a camping stove or a campfire instead of a conventional stove.

Percolator coffee makers work by cycling boiling water through coffee grounds using a chamber system. Percolators come in electric, stovetop, and camping-friendly forms.

Here’s another way to make coffee while away from home.

#6 How to Use a Stove Top Coffee Maker

Stove Top Coffee Makers are a way to brew a concentrated cup of coffee with makers like the Moka Pot and Turkish Coffee Maker (Cezve or Ibrik). 

These coffee makers use your stove top as a heat source, making them perfect for home and travel.

Brands, like the Bialetti Moka Pot, make it simple to create a delicious, espresso-like coffee using your stove top.

Here’s how to use these two classic stove top coffee makers:

#7 How to Use a Moka Coffee Maker

Here’s how you’d use a Moka:

1. Fill the base: Add cold water to the bottom chamber up to the fill line or the pressure valve.
2. Add coffee: Fill the coffee basket with fine to medium ground coffee, leveling without pressing it down.
3. Assemble: Insert the coffee basket into the base, & screw on the top chamber securely.
4. Heat: Place the Moka Pot on a gas or electric stove top over low to medium heat, & let it work.
   1. When you hear a gurgling sound, the brewing is complete.

On to the Cezve.

#8 How to Use a Turkish Coffee Maker

Follow these steps to use a Cezve:

1. Measure ingredients: For each cup, mix 1.5 ounces (44 ml) of water, 1–2 heaping teaspoons (1–3 g) of extra-fine coffee grounds, & sugar to taste in the Cezve.
2. Heat: Place the Cezve on a gas stove top over low heat, & slowly heat the mixture, stirring occasionally.
3. Watch for foam: When the coffee starts to froth & foam, remove the Cezve from the heat, and let it settle for 3 seconds.
4. Pour: Pour the coffee into small cups, allowing the grounds to settle before sipping.

Let’s cover another unique coffee maker.

#9 How to Use a Vietnamese Coffee Maker

Here’s how to make a cup of Vietnamese coffee using a phin filter:

1. Preheat: Rinse the phin filter with hot water to preheat the components.
2. Grind size: Choose a medium-coarse grind size for your coffee beans, like sea salt.
3. Measure coffee: Add 2–3 heaping tablespoons (10–15 g) of coffee grounds to the phin chamber.
4. Tamp: Use the filter press to gently tamp down the coffee, ensuring an even extraction.
5. Water: Slowly pour hot water (195 °F–205 °F) into the chamber, filling it to the top.
6. Brew: Allow the water to drip through the coffee grounds and into the cup.
   1. This process should take about 3–5 minutes.
7. Serve: Enjoy your Vietnamese coffee black or with sweetened condensed milk, as is traditional.

Brewing time may vary depending on the size and style of your phin filter. Larger phins with smaller holes will increase the time it takes for your coffee to brew.

Don’t want to use a filter?

You can still make Vietnamese coffee without a filter by using a French press or a drip coffee maker with a medium-coarse grind. 

Yo find a Vietnamese coffee filter, check your local coffee shops, Asian markets, or online retailers.

A Vietnamese Coffee Maker—also known as a phin—is made of stainless steel and works like a pour-over maker.

Speaking of…

#10 How to Use a Pour-over Coffee Maker

To master the art of pour-over coffee, follow these steps:

1. Grind: Choose a medium-fine grind size, slightly coarser than table salt.
2. Ratio: Use a 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio, adjusting to taste.
3. Water: Heat water to 195 °F–205 °F (90 °C–96 °C).
4. Filter: Place a paper or reusable filter into the pour-over coffee maker.
5. Bloom: Add a small amount of water to the coffee grounds, allowing them to “bloom” for 30–45 seconds.
6. Pour: Slowly pour the remaining water over the grounds in a circular motion, ensuring even saturation.

What’s “bloom?”

“Bloom” is the initial pre-wetting of coffee grounds that allows trapped carbon dioxide to escape. For better extraction and flavor. It appears as a swelling or rising of coffee grounds accompanied by bubbling and the release of an aroma.

Tips:

• Pre-wet the filter to eliminate any paper taste & preheat the pour-over device.
• Use a gooseneck kettle for better pouring control.
• Experiment with grind size, water temperature, & brewing time to find your preferred taste.

A pour-over coffee maker is a manual brewing method that offers total control over the brewing process. It does so by allowing you to pour hot water over the coffee grounds at a controlled rate and volume.

Resulting in a customized and consistent flavor profile.

Popular options include the Bodum Coffee Dripper and Chemex. Pour-over coffee makers come in various materials, such as glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, and may have single or double-wall designs. Double-wall designs work best for heat retention.

The next maker I’ll cover doesn’t offer so much control, though.

#11 How to Use a Pod Coffee Maker

To use a pod coffee maker, follow these steps:

1. Fill the water reservoir.
2. Insert the coffee pod into the designated compartment.
3. Close the lid securely.
4. Select the desired brew size, if applicable.
5. Press the brew button & wait for your coffee to dispense.

For a more eco-friendly option, consider reusable coffee pods. These allow you to use your ground coffee while reducing waste. Not all manufacturers offer reusable coffee pods, though.

A pod coffee maker is a brewing device that uses pre-packaged coffee pods or capsules to create a consistent cup of coffee.

Features of pod coffee makers include:

• Quick brewing time: Most machines can brew a cup in under a minute.
• Consistent results: Pods ensure a uniform taste and quality.
• Variety: Many brands offer an extensive selection of coffee types and flavors.
• Easy cleanup: Simply remove and discard the used pod.

Popular pod coffee maker brands include Delonghi, Nespresso, and Keurig. Each offers various machine styles and features. Some pod coffee makers also offer the ability to brew other beverages. Like the Instant Pod, which can make coffee and espresso-based drinks.

If you don’t have a pod machine but still want to use coffee pods, there are alternative methods to brew coffee from a pod. Such as using a French press or a pour-over coffee maker.

Using a French Press to Make Pod Coffee

To use a French press to brew coffee pods, follow these steps:

1. Boil water: Heat water to 195 °F–205 °F (90 °C–96 °C).
   1. Depending on the size of your French press and the coffee pod, you’ll need about 8–12 ounces (240–360 ml) of water.
2. Open the coffee pod: Carefully cut open the top using a sharp knife or scissors, & pour the coffee grounds into the French press.
3. Bloom the coffee: Add a small amount of hot water to the coffee grounds, enough to saturate them.
4. Allow the coffee to “bloom” for 30–45 seconds.
5. Add the remaining water: Slowly pour hot water over the coffee grounds, ensuring they’re immersed.
6. Steep: Place the French press plunger on top, but wait to press it down.
   1. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
7. Press: After 4 minutes, gently press the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.
8. Pour & enjoy: Pour your coffee into a cup and enjoy.

On to pour-over coffee.

Using Pour-over to Make Pod Coffee

Here’s how you’d use a pour-over maker to brew coffee pods:

1. Boil water: Heat water to 195 °F–205 °F (90 °C–96 °C).
2. Prepare the filter: Place a paper or reusable filter in the pour-over coffee maker. Pre-wet the filter to eliminate any paper taste and preheat the brewing vessel.
3. Open the coffee pod: Carefully cut open the top using a sharp knife or scissors, & pour the coffee grounds into the filter.
4. Bloom the coffee: Add a small amount of hot water to the coffee grounds; enough to saturate them.
   1. Allow the coffee to “bloom” for 30–45 seconds.
5. Pour: Slowly pour the remaining hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, ensuring even saturation.
   1. The process should take around 3–4 minutes.
6. Remove the filter: Once the water has passed through the coffee grounds & into your vessel, remove the filter with the used grounds.
7. Pour and enjoy: Pour your coffee into a cup and enjoy.

Now we’ll explore another coffee maker that gives you more flexibility with brewing.

#12 How to Use Espresso Machines

Before moving on, you’ll need to know about the different types of espresso machines.

These include:

• Manual lever machines: Pull a lever to generate the pressure needed for extraction.
• Semi-automatic machines: Automate water pressure while allowing you to control other variables like grind size & tamping pressure.
• Fully automatic machines: Automate water pressure & coffee dosage.
• Super-automatic machines: Offer complete automation, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk.

To get the best results from your espresso machine, consider the following tips:

• Use freshly roasted coffee beans: Espresso is best when made with beans roasted within the past 2 weeks.
• Grind size: Aim for a fine, consistent grind to ensure even extraction.
• Tamping pressure: Apply around 30 pounds (14 kg) of pressure when tamping the coffee grounds, ensuring a level surface [3].
• Water temperature: Most espresso machines should heat the water to 195 °F–205 °F (90 °C–96 °C).
• Extraction time: A good shot of espresso takes 25–30 seconds to extract.

An espresso machine forces hot water through coffee beans, extracting a concentrated coffee (espresso). The process requires 9–15 bars of pressure. This pressure comes from various mechanisms in different types of espresso machines.

Learn more about them in a guide we wrote about shopping for an espresso maker.

FAQs

Read on, and you’ll find FAQs about using different types of coffee makers.

Conclusion

Knowing how to use various coffee makers and the best grinds to use with them is the first step toward creating consistent great-tasting coffee drinks.

The biggest impact you could make to your drink’s taste doesn’t come from the machine itself, but it comes from the coffee grind type and consistency. Start by learning about the different types of coffee grinds.