Coffee makers are part of the routine of millions of people around the world. In the United States alone, millions of people drink coffee every day. If you have never used a coffee maker, then the process of making coffee cannot be based on intuition. Use these simple steps to make a satisfying cup of your favorite coffee.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Basic Steps of Making Coffee
Step 1. Put the coffee filter into the filter basket
It is recommended to use branded paper filters, although natural paper filters or bleached paper filters can also be used. Low-priced unbranded paper filters are less likely to give good results.
Many coffee makers are equipped with their own filters. If you already have, then the filter is the easiest and most environmentally friendly option. Use special filters on coffee makers and not paper ones
Step 2. Pour the coffee
The more coffee you want to make, the more you need to pour into the filter. The ratio of coffee to water varies, depending on the coffee maker and the type of coffee being made. The standard ratio is about 2 tablespoons of coffee to 180 ml of water (or as much coffee as a full coffee grinder cap, no more). It is recommended that you manually check the coffee machine again when determining the coffee to water ratio.
- Special coffee blends have a special ratio of coffee and water too. Most coffees have instructions on the packaging.
- Make sure you use a tablespoon to pour the coffee. The coffee maker is also equipped with a scoop scoop. Read the instructions to find out how many scoops of coffee you need.
Step 3. Determine the amount of water to make coffee
To determine this, you can use the measuring bar on the coffee pot or the one on the side of the coffee maker. Use a coffee pot to pour water into the coffee maker. Usually there is an opening on the back or above the filter.
Beginners who are new to coffee makers may be tempted to pour the water directly into the filter basket. Don't do this. Pour into the portion designated to hold the water until mixed. After pouring the water, place the coffee pot back on the warm saucer
Step 4. Connect the coffee maker to the mains and turn it on
Some coffee makers will mix coffee automatically while other types have manual timings.
Step 5. Wait until the coffee is completely mixed before pouring
Some coffee makers have a “pause” setting, which allows you to pause the brewing process so you can pour the coffee into the cup before it's finished.
Step 6. If you use a paper filter, get rid of it immediately
If you remove the filter containing coffee grounds too late, the coffee will be too bitter because of the flavors released during the coffee brewing process.
If you use a coffee filter from a coffee maker, throw the coffee grounds in the trash (or just recycle them) and wash the filter
Part 2 of 3: Getting the Most Coffee Blend
Step 1. Use fresh, properly stored coffee beans
To get fresher and tastier coffee, you should buy fresh coffee beans and grind them yourself instead of buying ground coffee. The taste of coffee comes from the subtle flavor compounds in the cells of the coffee bean. When ground, the inside of the coffee bean is exposed to air and over time it will react, so the coffee loses its aroma.
- Be sure to store the coffee beans in an airtight container. Coffee has odor-absorbing properties. That's why coffee grounds can be substituted for baking soda in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, this also means that if the coffee is not stored in an airtight container, the aroma can mix with the smell of garlic, for example.
- Coffee experts disagree with the idea of storing coffee beans at low temperatures. Some recommend storing coffee beans in the refrigerator if they're going to be used for a week and moving coffee beans that haven't been used for a few weeks into the freezer. While some other experts only recommend storing coffee in a cool and dark place.
Step 2. Clean the coffee maker
As with other equipment that uses hot water, over time mineral deposits can accumulate in the coffee maker. These deposits can make the coffee taste bad and smell rancid. Clean the coffee maker regularly to get good coffee. Check out the article How to Clean a Coffee Maker
If your coffee maker has a strong smell or visible deposits when not in use, or you can't remember the last time you cleaned your coffee maker, then this is a good time to clean it
Step 3. Use the correct level of coarseness of the coffee grounds for your coffee blending method
Different coffee blending methods require a coarser or thicker ground coffee texture for optimal flavor. Because coffee grounds exchange flavor compounds with water, changing the roughness (and thus the entire surface area of the coffee grounds that can be exposed to water) the texture of the coffee grounds can affect the final taste. In general, the more time it takes in a compounding method for the coffee and water to make contact with each other, the coarser the texture of the coffee grounds will be.
For normal coffee brewing as described in Part One above, medium-textured coffee grounds (like the ground coffee you have in store) are fine. If you are using a more exotic coffee brewing method such as the french press or aeropress s, take a look at the roughness chart of the ground coffee as listed here:
Step 4. Use the right temperature for the coffee compounding ingredients
For the coffee compounding process, the water temperature is around 90.5-96°C or below the boiling point. Water at a lower temperature cannot extract the flavor from the coffee beans, while hotter water can boil the coffee and affect the taste.
- If you are boiling water for brewing coffee, allow it to boil, then remove from the heat and let sit for 1 minute before mixing with the coffee.
- If you store ground coffee in the refrigerator, the cooler ground coffee will not affect the brewing process. However, if you're making espresso, let the coffee sit at room temperature before blending. Because espresso uses less water to come into contact with the coffee in a relatively short time, cold coffee can affect the flavor extraction process.
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Identify the problem
Like other equipment, coffee makers can have problems due to daily use. Below are some common coffee maker problems and suggestions for fixing them. Before looking for a solution to the coffee maker problem, don't forget to unplug the cord and make sure there is no hot water in the water container.
Step 2. “The coffee tastes weird
” As explained in Part Two above, hot water can leave mineral deposits in the coffee maker. If allowed to accumulate, it will affect the taste of the coffee. It is recommended to clean the coffee purifier (including the components in it) every month if it is used regularly. Check out the article How to Clean a Coffee Maker.
Also think about the possibility of errors when storing coffee. Make sure the coffee is not left out in the open or in contact with contaminants. Coffee is very susceptible to absorbing flavors and aromas from other sources
Step 3.”Water doesn't seem to be flowing inside the coffee maker
” If little (or no) water seems to be able to flow inside the coffee maker, then there may be a blockage in one of the machine's pipes (aluminum heating pipes are prone to clogging).)Put the vinegar into the water container, but without the coffee and filter, then start the machine. Repeat this process until the pipe is not clogged. Then, put the water in the coffee maker, running it twice to rinse off the remaining vinegar.
Step 4. “Coffee maker is making too much/little coffee
” Many modern coffee makers have the option to control the amount of coffee blending, making it easier for coffee connoisseurs to make coffee directly in a mug or thermos. Make sure the coffee maker's control system is set correctly and the amount of water is also right when it's put into the container before the coffee is blended. You will need to refer to the manual for the correct coffee brew size.
Step 5. “The coffee is not hot
” This relates to the heating element or wires on the inside of the coffee maker. Since replacement parts are hard to find and the repair process involves dangerous electrical wires, it's best to just buy a new coffee maker.
If you still want to try to fix electrical problems with your coffee maker, don't forget to unplug and turn off the machine before fixing it. There are many ways to solve problems related to electricity that you can do yourself on the internet
Tips
- If your coffee is often bitter than desired, try sprinkling 2-3 pinches of salt on the coffee grounds. This method helps eliminate the bitter taste that occurs during the compounding process (especially if the coffee is of poor quality). Cracked egg shells can also make coffee taste good (this method is usually done by the United States army).
- Close the coffee bag tightly after taking the coffee. If not closed tightly, the coffee will smell musty due to exposure to oxygen.
- Reuse coffee grounds that have been used. Coffee grounds can be reused for kitchen purposes, namely to get rid of unpleasant odors in the refrigerator or to scrub pots. Because coffee grounds contain phosphorus and nitrogen substances, it can also be used as a good fertilizer for several types of plants.
- For a “more detailed” technique, check out the article How to Make Great Coffee.
- Cinnamon powder sprinkled on coffee grounds before blending can also reduce the strong bitter taste of coffee. But be careful, if you sprinkle more than one tablespoon of cinnamon powder on the coffee maker, it can cause the machine to turn off and flood the filter.
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While the standard methods described above can be applied to most coffee makers with slight differences, some types of coffee makers use a coffee brewing process that is quite different from the standard method and also requires additional instructions. Take a look at the following articles:
- How to Use the Coffee Pod
- How to Use the Aeropress and Keurig Coffee Maker
- How to Use a French Press or Cafetiere Coffee Maker
Warning
- Do not turn on the coffee maker unless there is water in the teapot, as the pot may break.
- Always turn off the coffee maker when finished mixing coffee. Electrical short circuits can happen, although rarely, especially if your coffee maker doesn't have an automatic shut-off feature.
- Be careful when opening a standard coffee maker while the coffee is being brewed. Boiling water can splash due to the heating system.
