Coffeemaker

Coffeemaker is a kitchen appliance used to brew coffee. While there are many different types of coffeemakers using a number of different brewing principles, in the most common devices, coffee grounds are placed in a paper or metal filter inside a funnel, which is set over a glass or ceramic coffee pot, a cooking pot in the kettle family.

History

The history of the coffeemaker begins in the 19th century with the invention of the percolator. This device was designed to continually cycle the boiling brew through the grounds using gravity until the desired strength is reached. The modern method for making coffee using a coffeemaker was invented in 1954 by the German inventor Gottlob Widmann and the device was called the Wigomat.

Types of Coffeemakers

There are several types of coffeemakers, each using a different brewing principle. These include:

• Drip Coffeemaker: This is the most common type of coffeemaker. It works by dripping hot water over coffee grounds that are held in a filter. The brewed coffee then drips into a carafe.

• French Press: This type of coffeemaker is also known as a press pot or plunger pot. It works by steeping coffee grounds in hot water before pressing them to the bottom of the pot to separate the coffee from the grounds.

• Espresso Machine: This type of coffeemaker forces hot pressurized water through ground coffee. It is used to make espresso, a base for many popular coffee drinks.

• Single Serve Coffeemaker: This type of coffeemaker brews one cup of coffee at a time. It uses pods or capsules filled with enough coffee for one cup.

• Percolator: This type of coffeemaker continually cycles the boiling brew through the grounds using gravity until the desired strength is reached.

Brewing Process

The brewing process of a coffeemaker depends on the type of coffeemaker. However, the basic principle involves the extraction of flavor from coffee grounds using hot water. The water temperature, brewing time, and size of the coffee grounds all play a crucial role in the flavor of the final cup of coffee.

See Also

• Coffee
• Espresso
• French Press
• Percolator
• Drip Coffeemaker
• Single Serve Coffeemaker