Tis the season to brew MORE coffee, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
The “ber” months are here, and it’s time for us to greet the holiday season with more cups of coffee. For coffee lovers, the approaching holiday season is the ideal time to splurge on a shiny new coffee machine! If you’re an experienced home brewer, picking the perfect coffee maker won’t be that hard, but if you're new to making coffee at home, familiarizing yourself with the different types of coffee machines is a must.
There’s a wide variety of coffee makers you can purchase. And, you wouldn't want to invest in a coffee maker that makes you anxious, right? You’d want something that’s easy and relaxing to use so you can brew hassle-free coffee. That’s why it's important to understand the differences between the various types of coffee makers.
This article teaches you everything you need to know about coffee machines, from their different variations to their proper maintenance.
Popular Types of Coffee Machines
If you’ve been to a coffee shop, it's likely that you already know what a coffee machine looks like. As you order from the counter, you’ll see several machines of various sizes, with buttons and many parts. With these top-quality machines are expert baristas that carefully operate them to ensure that you receive the highest quality coffee.
But what if you suddenly crave the coffee when you’re not in the mood to wait in line? How do you make sure that you can brew your favorite cup? By having your very own coffee machine, of course!
Find your perfect coffee match with these popular coffee machines:
French Press
For coffee lovers in love with the brewing process, using a French press is the way to go!
A French press is a cylindrical manual coffee machine with a plunger and a built-in filter. One of the cheapest and simplest coffee makers to use, all you have to do is soak the coarse grounds in hot water for about four minutes. After steeping the grounds, you can press the plunger down to the filter to extract the coffee.
French press brewed coffee has a richer flavor and a smoother texture than any other brew method. When you use coffee grounds instead of whole beans, more oils are extracted during the brewing process. This type of coffee maker not only imparts a robust flavor to your brew, but is also portable and simple to clean.
Coffee Machine Price: between 189 PHP – 1,995 PHP
Coffee Machine Maintenance: French press coffee machines must be cleaned after every use. You can use water and swirl it around to remove the coffee grounds and any other residue left in the carafe. This will prevent having a bitter taste in your next brew.
AeroPress Machine
Coffee lovers who love to travel should include AeroPress machines on their travel list!
An AeroPress portable coffee maker is another manual coffee maker type that uses the press brewing method. This syringe-like machine immerses freshly ground coffee in hot water, stirring it, and letting it steep for one to two minutes. The coffee is then pressed down to separate the grounds through a paper filter.
This machine produces concentrated and espresso-like coffee that’s perfect for coffee drinkers. It gives coffee a great taste and is suitable for americano, espresso, and cold-brew lovers. In addition, an AeroPress machine is electricity-free, small, and portable. That’s why it’s an ideal coffee maker for travelers.
Coffee Machine Price: between 1,999 PHP – 3,150 PHP
Coffee Machine Maintenance: Just like French press makers, AeroPress machines are also easy to clean. Just pop off the filter cap, press the plunger, and the coffee grounds will come out easily. You can then rinse it with water and dry it off with a towel.
Pour-Over Set
If you like drip coffee, consider getting a pour-over set!
Another manual type of coffee machine, a coffee pour-over set consists of a carafe, dripper, and filters. Pour-over brews are made by filtering coffee grounds with hot water and letting the extracted coffee drip into a carafe or coffee server. One of the advantages of using a pour-over set is that you can control each brew with the amount of water you pour.
The dripped coffee has a bold taste that gets even richer depending on how much you saturate the grounds. This brewing method is also perfect for those who value their coffee-making experience. Pour-over brews may take longer to make, but the resulting coffee taste is worth the wait.
Coffee Machine Price: between 1,299 PHP – 11,740 PHP
Coffee Machine Maintenance: Using a bottle brush or toothbrush, gently scrub the surface of your pour-over maker with mild detergent to remove stubborn stains. Alternatively, you could soak the pour-over maker in a bowl of water and soap overnight, then rinse and dry it the next morning.
Espresso Machine
An espresso machine for your home is perfect for coffee drinkers obsessed with all things espresso!
Coffee lovers with money to splurge can buy their very own espresso machine to experience coffee-shop vibes at home. This electric coffee machine type can produce great espresso shots and froth milk. The espresso is made in a matter of seconds by pumping water through the ground coffee at high pressure. Since espresso is the foundation for several coffee-based drinks, having an espresso machine essentially allows you to create lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.
Coffee Machine Price: between 6,199 PHP – 47,699 PHP
Coffee Machine Maintenance: Espresso machines can be tricky to clean. Follow our espresso machine maintenance checklist to ensure proper care for this delicate coffee maker.
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Make your coffees greater with cold brew coffee makers!
Cold brew coffee works by soaking ground coffee in room-temperature water for 12-18 hours, filtering out the grounds, and chilling the coffee in the fridge. It can be served as-is, over ice, or watered down. This manual type of coffee machine makes brews that are less acidic than other brews.
A cold brew coffee maker creates coffee cups with a smoother taste, less bitterness, and a chocolatier flavor. The lengthy brewing time is totally worthwhile if you’re into cold, refreshing coffee!
Coffee Machine Price: between 899 PHP – 3,499 PHP
Coffee Machine Maintenance: To clean the cold-brew filter, let it steep in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water for about half an hour. When the 30 minutes are up, take the filter out of the mixture and give it a good rinse in warm water. The filter should be dripping with coffee waste and other debris. You can also use dish soap and lemon juice to clean the filter or just put it in your dishwasher.
Is Buying a Coffee Machine Worth It?
Investing in any type of coffee machine is definitely worth your while. Sometimes, going to a coffee shop to buy your favorite brew can be tiresome, especially if you have many things to do for the day. Brewing your own coffee can save you time and effort, allowing you to get more done in the morning.
Purchasing a coffee maker can also save you money. In the Philippines, a decent cup of coffee can cost more than 100 PHP. So, imagine this: you’re an avid coffee drinker who buys a cup of coffee daily. If a cup costs at least 100 PHP, your annual coffee expense will be greater than 36,500 PHP (and higher if you consume more than one). Buying a coffee machine can be expensive at first, but its convenience will definitely save you thousands of pesos.
One more benefit of buying a coffee machine and brewing coffee at home is that you help reduce waste. When you buy coffee, you consume 365 cups of coffee each year, which translates to 365 cups of waste. That’s a handful of waste for just one person! So, by buying a coffee machine, you get to reduce the amount of cup waste produced by coffee shops and contribute to having a healthier environment.
Which Coffee Machine Should I Buy?
If you've made up your mind to buy a coffee maker but aren't sure which type to choose, here are some factors to take into account:
Skill
Take your coffee brewing skills into account. When you know how good you are at brewing coffee, it’ll be easy for you to determine the right type of coffee brewer for you. For instance, if you’re a beginner at brewing, a French press coffee maker will suit you because it’s easy to use and clean. So, for experienced coffee brewers, you can test your skills at making coffee blends using an espresso machine.
Budget
The coffee machine price is also an important factor in your decision-making process. Ask yourself how much you want to spend on a coffee maker and search for the best ones that fit your budget. For less than 2,000 PHP, you can already choose decent models among a French press, an AeroPress, a pour-over, and a cold brew coffee maker. If you have money to splurge on, then you can choose more high-end coffee makers like an Espresso machine, which can range up to 47,000 PHP. Sometimes, cheaper models can do the job just as well as more expensive ones, so make sure you do your research before making a final decision on your purchase.
Start the Holiday Season with a Brew
Coffee makers are genuinely a worthwhile investment, whether you're buying for someone else or for yourself.
In this article, we’ve provided you with popular coffee machines, how much they cost, and how to perform coffee machine maintenance. Remember, it’s important to consider your skill level and budget when choosing which coffee maker to purchase. So, start enjoying the upcoming holidays with a brand-new coffee maker and be the home barista you want to be!
