Filter coffee machine guide: Zack the bean
Place the filter on the cup, pour in the coffee powder, pour in almost boiling water and wait. As simple as coffee preparation may be, there are good reasons to buy a filter coffee machine.
Filter coffee machines work on the same principle as making coffee by hand. However, there are some functions that make using a coffee machine more convenient
Timer, keep warm function and more
A timer is a purely convenient function. You prepare everything and tell the machine when the coffee should be ready. Then you don't even have to switch on the coffee machine on the way to the bathroom, but are already woken up by the smell of coffee
If you make more than one cup of coffee, the rest has to stay warm. There are two systems to choose from. While some filter coffee machines have a vacuum jug, others have a keep-warm function with a heating plate. Although this keeps the coffee warm for hours, it does become bitter over time.
Heating plate
Insulating jug
I don't see the point of a display on a conventional coffee machine. However, the situation is different if you opt for a model with an integrated coffee grinder. There are some settings where a display can be helpful. Generally speaking, integrated coffee grinders are nice, but noisy and of inferior quality. Coffee enthusiasts therefore opt for a separate grinder. This is more expensive and takes up more space, but delivers better quality and doesn't sound like a jet plane taking off.
A drip stop, on the other hand, should be part of the standard equipment. This prevents coffee from dripping out of the filter onto the heating plate when you remove the jug.
Most coffee machines use a paper filter. However, there are surprisingly many models with a permanent filter. In these, the filter consists of a fine-meshed sieve made of metal. Advantage: You produce less paper waste - you still have to wash other filter holders despite the paper. There are also coffee drinkers who like the flavour of their coffee from a permanent filter better. Paper filters have their own flavour.
More coffee is always better?
Since you're looking for a filter coffee machine, it's clear that you want more than one cup of coffee. But how much volume do you really need? Most coffee machines give you between 1 and 1.6 litres to choose from, with a peak at 1.2 litres. That's about ten cups. Of course, you don't always have to make the full amount, but the machines with more than two litres are more suitable for the office or a shared kitchen.
Large coffee machines
Standard coffee machines
Small coffee machines, some even with to-go cup
If you have particularly hard, i.e. very calcareous, water in your region, a descaling programme will help you clean your coffee machine. A small disadvantage: This function is not widely available and if you have a filter in the limited range, the only solution is manual cleaning.
Do you prefer to make espresso, cappuccino or latte macchiato? Then you need a fully automatic coffee machine:
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When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
