Category: Coffee

Pour Over vs French Press: Which One’s Your Favorite?

Posted on by John Bird

Have you had enough of the nasty swamp water coffee from the old coffeemaker you pinched from your parent’s house?

Want to set up a home café at an affordable price? Yes, I said affordable. You don’t need a fancy espresso machine to make good coffee at home. There are plenty of other ways to make a great-tasting cup of joe.

What you do need are great coffee beans, whole milk or plant-based creamers, syrups and sweeteners, and optional toppings like sweet foam, chocolate shavings, and sauces. 

A high-quality coffee grinder is also necessary. You also need some kind of brewer that will extract the most caffeine and flavonoids from your coffee.

The last point is where most people go wrong. Because most people can’t afford an espresso machine, they stick to subpar drip coffee makers, not realizing there are lots of great inexpensive brewers.

In today’s article, I’m going to look at two of these brewing methods. I will examine pour over and French press brewers, how they work, the quality of their brew, and which method is better. Once you’re through, you will be sure to pick the right brewer for your home!

Pour Over Brewing

Pour Over Brewing

The idea of pour over coffee involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds and allowing it to steep. The grounds are placed in a cone-shaped component (a lot like a funnel). 

The grounds are then wet in 2 or 3 additions. There is a filter in the cone-shaped component which allows the grounds to be soaked in a circular motion, which removes constant contact with the grounds.

The result? A much smoother coffee without bitterness or overwhelming notes. The best temperature for pour over coffee falls within 195 to 205F, as anything above this temperature can over-extract the coffee, making it taste bitter.

Want to know the best way to make pour over coffee? Start with light roast coffee beans. The best coffee grind for pour over brewing is a medium-fine grind. Then follow these instructions:

  1. Heat your water to 205F. To do this, bring it to a boil in a goose-neck kettle and let it sit for 30 seconds.
  2. Then unfold a coffee filter, fold it into a 3-sided cone shape and insert it on top of your brewer.
  3. Pour a little hot water around the inside of the filter for about 5 seconds. Keep the filter in place and discard the water. This step seals the filter to the brewer and prevents your coffee from tasting like paper.
  4. Pour 5-7 tablespoons of ground coffee into the filter and gently shake the brewer once or twice to get the grounds to settle in the filter.
  5. Slowly pour just enough water over the grounds to wet them evenly, around 70 grams or just over half a cup. Let it sit for 45 seconds (use a timer for the best results). This step ‘blooms’ the coffee.

    Hot water forces the coffee to release trapped gases, which causes the grounds to expand, bubbling at the surface, and infusing the air with that lovely coffee aroma we all love.
  6. Next, keep pouring water slowly in a circular motion. Avoid pouring the water right in the center or around the edges of the filter.

    If you think the filter will overflow, stop for a few seconds and wait for the water level to subside. Pour water for 2 minutes or until you add 2.5 cups to the brewer.
  7. Let all the water drain through the filter. Remove the filter from the brewer and throw away the grounds. The total brewing time for the pour over coffee method is 3 minutes.

Amazon Product Recommendations:

Not sure where to start getting pour over coffee equipment? I’ve got you covered!

  • Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker: This is a good option if you want to make enough coffee for just 2 people. It is sturdy, brews rich and flavorful coffee, and will look great in your kitchen!
  • CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker: Want to make coffee for a crowd? Chemex never fails to please, and this brewer will concentrate on the best flavor. Best of all, it will last for ages.
  • Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper: If you end up making a single cup of coffee pour over like me, this brewer will be an indispensable tool. Besides that, it looks cute, comes in many different colors, and can be set over your coffee cup, minimizing clean-up.

The Pros:

  • Makes a robust and hearty brew every time.
  • Coffee will taste smooth, with no bitterness.
  • The method is relatively straightforward and easy.
  • Brewing equipment is pretty inexpensive.

The Cons:

  • Coffee won’t be as strong and intense for some people.

French Press Brewing

Pour Over vs French Press

This method is a personal favorite. A French press (also known as a cafetiere/coffee press), is made of 3 parts: the open-topped carafe, a stainless-steel filter, and a plunger. It has an extremely simple brewing method; simply add your coffee grounds to the carafe and pour hot water letting it steep.

Then, push down the plunger, separating the brewed coffee from the used grounds. After that, you just need to pour the coffee into your cup and add whatever you want to it. The ideal water temp for the French press is 195F.

When brewing with a French press, use a coarsely ground medium-dark roast coffee for a cup of joe that is rich and intense. 

Why use a French press? It makes a strong cup of coffee that tastes amazing every single time. In fact, French press coffee is pretty comparable to the stuff brewed in an espresso machine!

Follow these steps to make a wonderful cup of French press coffee:

  1. Preheat your French press. Add your boiling hot water to the carafe, let it sit there for a minute, and swirl it around a little. Then discard the water.
  2. Weight or measure out your ground coffee. You will need a large tablespoon (around 8 grams) of coffee for 200ml of water.
  3. Add your coffee grounds and hot water to the carafe.
  4. Cover the carafe with the lid and set a timer for 4 minutes. The French press time to brew shouldn’t exceed this time, or else your coffee will taste bitter.
  5. Once this time has passed, slowly push the plunger down. Make sure you push it down all the way, or your coffee will be over-extracted.

    If there is a lot of resistance when you push, then the grounds are too fine. If it is pushed down too easily, then they are too coarse.
  6. Transfer the brewed coffee into another carafe or coffee pot. Then, serve individual cups and add your sweetener and dairy.

How long to French press? Some people suggest blooming the coffee first, for 30 seconds. Others say it’s alright to skip this step. Either way, try to keep the total brewing time to 4 minutes.

Amazon Product Recommendations:

This little guide will set you in the right direction when buying French presses. Whether you are new to this kind of brewing, or you’ve been doing it for ages, you can’t go wrong with these brewers!

  • Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee: This brewer can hold 34 ounces of coffee and looks sleek and elegant. But what sets it apart is that it is easy to clean and use. You can also use it for steeping tea.
  • Mueller Double Insulated French Press: It is one of the best French presses out there, and gives you a great brew at an affordable price. Best of all, the double insulation will keep your joe nice and hot as it brews.
  • KONA French Press Coffee Maker: Want a snazzy brewer to make your coffee? This attractive brewer extracts all the lovely essential oils from your coffee grounds and makes a strong and aromatic cup of coffee. Best of all, it will last for years!

The Pros:

  • Strong and bold flavor profile.
  • Can customize the brew strength by altering steeping time.
  • Inexpensive equipment.
  • Easy to use and assemble.
  • The coffee taste will be consistently smooth and rich.

The Cons:

  • Cleaning can take some time and effort.
  • If your coffee is ground too finely, the brew will feel gritty.

Pour Over vs. French Press: How are They Different?

Pour Over vs French Press: Which One’s Your Favorite? 1

Now that you know all about these two methods, let’s see how they differ.

Brew Time:

While the two have similar brew times, the total brew time for pour over coffee is 3 minutes. On the other hand, you should brew coffee in a French press for 4 minutes in total.

Brew Method:

Pour over coffee extracts coffee from the grounds through infusion, a bit like steeping tea. However, French presses use immersion to extract the coffee compounds from the ground beans.

Taste:

Because the two brewers use different methods to extract the coffee, the resulting brew will also taste different. Pour over coffee has a lighter flavor profile and is milder in terms of strength. In contrast, French presses produce a stronger brew, with a robust and full-bodied profile.

Kind of Coffee Used:

The two brewing methods also work best with different kinds of coffee. Pour over coffee makes the best cup of joe with a light roast coffee that is ground to a medium-fine consistency.

French presses work best with a darker roast, ground to a coarse texture. This is because a fine coffee grind can escape the filter and leave a gritty taste in your beverage.

While the 2 methods are different, in the end, it is a matter of personal preference and lifestyle. If you don’t mind a slow and leisurely brewing method that you have to keep an eye on, you will prefer the pour over method.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to babysit your brewer, using a French press is a better option. As long as you don’t mind a bit of extra cleanup!

Where to Buy Pour Over Brewer and French Presses

[amazon box=”B01LQ2PZDW,B000KEM4TQ”]

The good news is that the tools to make pour over coffee and French presses can be found anywhere. The most common place to start looking is with online retailers like Amazon. You can also find them in chain stores like Target, Home Depot, Walmart, and others like it.

If you look around, you will also find coffee shops that sell brewing equipment. Even places like thrift shops often have high-quality brewing equipment at a very affordable price.

Got More Questions?

Below you will find answers to questions people often have about pour over and French press coffee.

01. Does Pour Over Coffee Better Taste Than French Press Coffee?

Pour over coffee is smoother and lighter than French press coffee, so people who like a milder brew will prefer it to coffee brewed by a French press.

02. Why is French Press Coffee Bad for Me?

French press coffee is seen as unhealthy as it doesn’t filter out cafestol which is a kind of ‘bad’ cholesterol. However, you can use paper filters to get around this issue or limit the amount of coffee you consume.

03. Is Pour Over Coffee Really Better?

If you like your coffee black, you will prefer pour over coffee as it has a smooth and clean taste. This method of brewing also allows the more delicate notes of the coffee to shine through.

04. Does French Press Coffee Have More Caffeine?

French press coffee is among the strongest caffeinated drinks out there, with 107.5mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. This makes it even more caffeine-dense than espresso.

05. What Is So Special about French Press Coffee?

Most French presses use stainless steel filters, which preserve many of the flavors and notes. Paper filters also trap a lot of the essential oils which give coffee its flavor. French press brewing also allows these oils to filter into the brew.

06. Is French Press Coffee Smoother?

Thanks to the immersion process, the coffee extracted from a French press will be richer, stronger, and smoother.

07. Should I Stir French Press Coffee?

After adding the hot water to the coffee grounds in the French press, you need to stir the mixture to make sure all the grounds are soaked and there are no clumps.

08. How Does a French Press Work?

A French press works by brewing the coffee in the carafe and using the plunger to separate the brewed coffee from the used grounds.

09. What Is the Best Pour Over Coffee Water Temp?

The best temperature for brewing pour over coffee falls within the 195 to 205F range.

At the End of the Day

Coffee is a pretty subjective topic as two people can have wildly differing tastes when it comes to their cup of joe. This article tries to give you a balanced view of two brewing methods, how they work, and the kind of coffee you can get from them.

Which side of the pour over vs. French press debate you end up in depends on many factors; most notably how you like your coffee, and how much effort you want to put in the brewing process. 

With all that being said, are you planning on buying a French press or a pour over brewer?

How to Clean Electric Kettle: It’s Easier Than You Thought!

Posted on by John Bird

The electric kettle might just be my favorite kitchen appliance because of how useful it is when you’re in a hurry. It is the ultimate tool for quick and convenient meals; even more so than instant pots and rice cookers.

They are perfect for small, single servings and are great at making tea, a quick cup of coffee, instant oatmeal, soup, ramen, and even potatoes. The electric kettle is right up there with microwaves when it comes to easy, affordable, and quick meals.

There’s just one solitary issue.

Electric kettles need regular cleaning and maintenance so that they work properly. Cleaning any type of kettle requires more thought and care than anticipated so many people put it off until the mineral buildup gives them a disgusting cup of tea.

So today I’m going to dish out the secrets on how to clean electric kettles. Besides telling how often you need to be giving your kettle a deep cleaning, this article will show you how to clean tea kettles, as well tips on keeping your kettle cleaner in the long run.

What Makes Electric Kettles Dirty?

So what’s making your boiling hot water taste all gross? There are two main sources for the funky smell ruining your morning Earl Grey:

Mold:

If your kettle has a filter, you need to clean or change it frequently. Otherwise, the damp interior is the perfect place for mold to grow and thrive. 

This can also happen if you leave water in your kettle often. This is a pretty serious issue, as the mold can make you sick.

Mineral Buildup:

When you use your electric kettle, the minerals from the tap water (especially hard water) build up inside it. This buildup is called kettle fur and alters the taste of the water. Because of this, you need to descale your kettle every few months.

How often depends on the frequency with which you use your water boiling kettle. If you use your kettle as a hot pot water boiler, you may have to descale it every other month.

Things You Need to Clean Electric Tea Kettles

how to clean electric kettle

To get a clean stainless-steel kettle (or any kind of electric kettle for that matter), you’ll need a couple of things first. Before you start, gather these cleaning tools:

White vinegar or lemon juice or citric acid powder

  • Baking soda
  • Dishwashing liquid or mild detergent
  • Soft scrubber pad or bottle brush
  • Microfiber cloth or soft dish towel

How to Clean Electric Kettle

This guide will tell you how to deep clean electric kettles with affordable products and very little elbow grease. It will work for almost all conventional electric kettles, like KitchenSmith electric kettle, Farberware electric glass kettle, or Epica electric kettle.

Descale the Kettle with Vinegar, Lemon Juice or Citric Acid:

Fill around half the kettle with a 1:1 solution of water mixed with and an equal amount of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice. If you are using citric acid powder, use two tablespoons for half a kettle of water. Bring the solution to a full boil.

If the kettle doesn’t shut off automatically, turn it off. Let the acidic solution sit for at least 20-30 minutes. Then, empty the solution into your sink.

Unplug the Kettle:

After that, you need to unplug the kettle. If the kettle comes with a detachable filter, remove it from inside the kettle.

Clean or Replace the Filter:

If your model has a water filter or filter cartridge, clean the filter following the manufacturer’s directions (like the Hamilton Beach electric kettle manual).

Most filters are metallic and can be cleaned by soaking in distilled white vinegar diluted in hot water for at least five minutes. Scrub with the bottle brush, sponge, or scrubbing pad and rinse with fresh water.

If your filter is disposable, throw it out and keep a new one ready at hand.

Clean the Kettle Interior:

Use a non-abrasive scrubber, sponge, or soft-bristled bottle brush to scrub the inside of the kettle. This loosens any mineral build-up, dirt, and mold that remains inside.

Focus on the areas around the spout where mineral build-up tends to be quite heavy. Dipping the brush or sponge in pure vinegar, baking soda, or dishwashing liquid can help remove build-up around the spout.

Clean the Kettle Exterior:

Gently wipe the exterior of the kettle with a soft sponge or scrubber soaked in a mix of warm water and a little dishwashing liquid to remove any smudges or grease. You can even dip the sponge in some baking soda to loosen stubborn dirt.

After the exterior is clean, wipe the kettle dry with a clean dish towel microfiber cloth to remove streaks and smudges.

Final Rinsing:

After all, the dirt is removed and you are satisfied with how clean the inside of your electric hot water kettle, reassemble the parts. Fill around half the kettle with water and bring it to a boil.

Discard the water and repeat this rinsing step until the water doesn’t taste or smell like vinegar or dishwashing liquid. It will also remove any loose bits of mineral remaining in the kettle.

Cleaning an Electric Water Heater Kettle without Vinegar

Don’t have vinegar? You can still get a squeaky-clean kettle.

Use Lemon or Lime Juice:

Squeeze the juice from 2-3 lemons or limes. Mix the juice with an equal amount of water, enough to fill half your kettle.

Cut up the lemon slices and add to the solution. Bring the kettle to a boil and leave it standing for at least 30 minutes.

Use Coke or Soda:

Your favorite fizzy drink can descale your electric kettle too. The solution is acidic and can handle mineral deposits.

Fill three-quarters of your kettle with the drink and bring to a boil. Let it cool for 30 minutes before disposing of.

Use Citric Acid Powder:

Fill half the kettle with fresh water and boil it. Then add 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder to the boiling water and let the kettle stand for 20 minutes before emptying the mixture.

Use Baking Soda:

Fill half the kettle with water and 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it soak for 20-30 minutes. Pour out the solution and boil some fresh water in the kettle.

Use a Kettle Cleaning Product:

There are lots of commercial kettle cleaners available. Follow the instructions mentioned on the packaging; you generally dilute the cleaner with water in the kettle and bring it to a boil.

Let it soak and then dispose of the solution. Then boil fresh water and discard until there are no lingering odors in the kettle.

Ways to Maintain Your Electric Kettle

By now you know all the methods on how to descale electric kettle and how to clean inside of tea kettle. Let’s move onto how you can keep it clean for longer.

  • Don’t leave water sitting in your kettle. Only boil the amount of water you need. Otherwise, pour the boiled water into bottles, jugs, or pitchers after the water has cooled.
  • Try to use distilled water instead of tap water, especially if your area has hard water.
  • Never submerge your electric kettle in water, or hold it under running water. This will damage the heating element.
  • Clean the outside of your kettle every few days to keep the exterior polished and shiny.
  • Descale your kettle every 3 months, if not more often.
  • Do not use harsh abrasives like steel wool or heavy-duty scrubbers as this can damage the kettle.
  • Do not plug in an empty kettle. Besides wrecking the heating element, it can also start a fire.
  • Do not use the kettle to boil things like milk, tea, or broth, as it can ruin the filter and make it harder to clean the kettle.

Got Some Questions?

 Below you’ll find answers to questions we get asked frequently about cleaning electric kettle.

01. How Do I Descale a Kettle?

You can descale a kettle boiling a solution of water and vinegar/lemon juice/citric acid/baking soda/commercial descaler. Once it has reached a boil, let the mixture do its job for 20 minutes before disposing of it.

02. How Do I Clean the Inside of a Glass Kettle?

The best way to clean a glass kettle is to boil a mixture of white vinegar and water in it. You can also use a very soft bottle brush and a mild dish detergent. Avoid using abrasive materials as this can leave scratches on the glass.

03. Does Boiling Water Kill Mold in the Kettle?

Boiling water for sufficient time will kill mold and its spores effectively. Adding things like vinegar makes the process more efficient.

04. Is Boiling Vinegar Safe for the Electric Kettle?

Boiling vinegar in the kettle won’t damage it as it is diluted in water. If you are worried about tasting vinegar in your instant oatmeal later, boil water in the cleaned kettle and discard it. Repeat this until the water loses the taste/smell of vinegar.

In Outline

Electric kettles, like many other kitchen appliances, need a bit of extra TLC to keep them working properly. It may seem annoying, but doing so will extend the lifespan of your kettle.

Since you now know how to clean electric kettles, you won’t dread the descaling process. Sure it’s annoying, but it will make your tea taste so much better!

How to Use a Milk Frother: It’s Super Simple!

Posted on by John Bird

Ever craved a rich latte or cappuccino while you were at home? Maybe it’s late and the coffee shops nearby are closed for the night. Or perhaps you want a thick and velvety cup of hot cocoa in the middle of the night.

You may have wondered how to recreate the taste and texture of the milk in café-style drinks. The answer lies in the milk. The frothy texture comes from incorporating air into the milk, giving it tiny bubbles, which makes it very smooth and creates the characteristic foam.

The good news is that you can get this kind of texture at home, without having to run to a coffee shop every single time. You don’t even have to use the steaming wand from a pricey espresso machine; a good milk frother will give you the very same results.

In this article, we’re going to look at how to use a milk frother. Whether you own a manual frother or an automatic one, you’ll be able to wield one like an experienced barista!

What is a Frother?

latte milk frother

If you’ve watched people make lattes at home, you might have noticed them use a milk frother. A frother is an appliance or tool that adds texture and richness to milk. 

A frother works by forcefully spinning the milk with a coiled whisk, whipping air into it. Some automatic frothers work by pushing steam through the milk, creating microbubbles that give it a creamy texture.

These tools can be used for steamed milk for latte drinks. The whipping thickens up the milk, making it rich and creamy. Also, they create the signature foam that we love in cappuccinos, giving the drink lots of texture.

You can use a hand frother or steaming wand with non-dairy milk as well. However, the amount of froth created depends on the fat content of the milk. As a result, you will get the best results with full-fat milk.

Different Kinds of Milk Frothers

Like most appliances, you won’t find just one kind of milk frother. There are three main types of milk frothers:

  • Manual
  • Handheld electric
  • Automatic

Manual Milk Frothers:

This kind of frother comes with a frothing pitcher, a plunger or pump, and a sealed lid. You have to fill the pitcher with milk, insert the plunger and cover it with the lid. Use the plunger to pump the milk by hand, which agitates the milk and incorporates air into it. 

Manual frothers are much cheaper and pretty versatile. This can take longer (up to a couple of minutes) and is a little more labor-intensive (consider it an arm workout!)

Handheld Electric Frothers:

These are the most common kind of frothers and are easily available everywhere. It is commonly used as a latte milk frother for use at home. It is basically a thin, battery whisk that whips the milk to create bubbles and foam. 

An electric or battery-operated frother has a handle and thin coil, making it very easy to use. You just need to hold it in place for a minute or two and your milk will be frothed in no time.

Automatic Milk Frothers:

These come in two categories. One is the steam wand that we see in espresso machines. The other is known as an auto frother. Auto frothers often come as self-contained units, where you pour the milk into the machine, plug it in, and the frothy milk is dispensed into your cup.

With a steam wand, you have to hold your pitcher of milk to the wand, which then infuses it with steam, creating the velvety mouthfeel and foam.

Using Manual and Battery-Operated Milk Frothers

In this section, we are going to look at how you can froth milk at home using either a manual frother or an electric handheld one.

Using a Manual Frother:

A manual frother is a good way to froth cold milk. Although it takes longer, it makes for some creamy and fragrant frothed milk that is great for coffee and hot chocolate.

What You Need:

  • Milk (either cold or hot)
  • Cup
  • Frother with pitcher, plunger, and lid
  • Spoon

Instructions:

  1. Add the amount of required milk to the pitcher. If you are making a hot drink, heat up your milk in advance.
  2. Assemble the frother with its plunger and lid.
  3. Vigorously pump the plunger up and down in the milk. Try plunging for 10 seconds at first, and you should feel the pressure between the plunger and the bottom of the pitcher increase. This means you are on the right track, so continue agitating the milk.
  4. You will need to repeat this plunging motion 60-90 times to sufficiently froth your milk. Also, the more pressure you apply, the more foam you will create.
  5. After frothing, gently swirl the milk in the pitcher. You can also gently tap the bottom of the pitcher to separate the milk from the foam.
  6. Gently pour the frothed milk into your cup, holding pack the foam with a spoon. You can top your drink with the foam after adding the melted chocolate or brewed coffee to the milk.

Using a Battery-Operated Frother:

Using a handheld electric frother seems easy, as you just have to place the frothing coil into the milk, turn on the appliance, and hold it in there. This is a common frother for coffee beverages at home.

What You Need:

  • Milk (preferably warmed)
  • Electric frother
  • Large pitcher or carafe

Instructions:

  1. Pour the milk into a large pitcher or glass.
  2. Place your frothing wand into the milk vertically with the head completely submerged in the milk.
  3. Once you are sure the frother head is fully inserted into the milk, turn it on.
  4. Swirl the wand in the pitcher gently in a circular motion for 30 seconds.
  5. Then, move the wand in up and down motions slowly for another 30 seconds. At this point, you should be able to see the milk get foamier.
  6. Hold the pitcher at a slight angle while frothing for the last 10 seconds.
  7. Once the milk is done frothing, turn off the frother and heat the milk again if needed.

This kind of foam is much finer and more delicate, so handle the milk with care.

How to Use an Automatic Milk Frother

An espresso machine with a milk frother is the most common kind of automatic milk frother. If you aren’t sure how to use the steam wand attachment to froth milk, follow this guide step-by-step.

What You Need:

  • Milk
  • Pitcher

Instructions:

  1. Gather your ingredients and set up the wand attachment and assemble the espresso machine.
  2. Pour the milk into a metallic pitcher.
  3. Hold the pitcher under the steam wand.
  4. Place the steam wand into the milk, just below the surface. Use the dial to get a steady stream of steam into the milk.
  5. Keep the pitcher at a slight angle. The end of the steam wand should be near a side of the pitcher and make a vortex in the milk.
  6. Move the pitcher up and down, and swirl the milk around the wand. This incorporates more air and breaks up larger bubbles, creating microfoam.
  7. Once the volume of the milk has increased (around double in size) turn off the dial and remove the wand from the pitcher.
  8. The frothed milk should look and feel smooth and rich, a lot like melted ice cream.
  9. Gently swirl the milk in the pitcher, and then pour into your cup.

Milk Frothing Tips

If you want perfectly frothy milk, follow these tips. They’ve been approved by baristas and coffee aficionados!

  • To break up larger bubbles, gently tap the pitcher against the table or countertop, then swirl the milk around the pitcher a few times.
  • Clean your frothing appliance after every use to prevent the growth of bacteria.
  • Do not leave the frothed milk out for long-use it quickly. This is because the texture breaks down and you will lose the foam.
  • When using a steam wand, start with cold milk.
  • Make sure your vessel or pitcher is no more than half-filled with milk, as frothing increases the volume.
  • When using non-dairy milk, soy is your best bet as it froths easily and creates perfectly smooth microbubbles.
  • You can use a French Press as a manual milk frother, and it gives amazing results.

More Questions?

If you’re still confused by the idea of using these kinds of frothers, you will find answers to some of the most immediate concerns regarding frothing milk.

01. Why Do People Use Milk Frothers?

Milk frothers are used to create texture in milk. The microbubbles give the milk a creamy and velvety mouthfeel which makes coffee and chocolate-based drinks richer and more pleasant.

Frothing also improves the taste and smell of the milk, and the foam produced makes attractive latte art.

02. Is a Milk Frother Worth Buying?

If you enjoy coffee-based drinks and want to make them at home, getting a milk frother will allow you to make them whenever you want. If you have a café set up in your kitchen, a cheap electric frother is a good backup plan in case your espresso machine stops working.

03. Which Milk is Best for Frothing?

Whole milk makes the silkiest frothed milk with a creamy texture and lots of thick foam. If you prefer a plant-based alternative, using soy or almond milk will give you similar results.

04. Can I Froth Coffee Creamer?

Depending on the fat and protein content, it is possible to froth certain liquid coffee creamers. You can even try frothing vegan creamers! You may need to experiment with different kinds of creamers to get the results you want.

05. How to Make a Latte at Home Without a Frother or Steam Wand?

You can make frothed milk without any kind of frothing tool. All you need is a secure mason jar. Fill a third of the jar with milk, and screw the lid tightly.

Shake the milk in the jar vigorously, until the milk doubles in volume. Heat the milk in the microwave, pour it into a mug or cup and add freshly brewed coffee to make a latte.

Wrapping Up

By now, you probably know how to use a milk frother. As you can see, each method is easy to use, and the milk will foam up at no time at all.

You can enjoy velvety milk in your cappuccinos, chai lattes, and even in hot chocolate, all made at home in your kitchen. You can cut down on your coffee consumption outside, saving you valuable time and money.

Who knows you might end up making better coffee than your local coffee shop!

Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans: Does It Have Too Much Caffeine?

Posted on by John Bird

People around the world drink around two billion cups of coffee every day, making it the 3rd most popular beverage on earth, after water and tea! We love coffee, not just for the rich, delicious taste but also for that stimulating kick of caffeine.

Chocolate is debatably the world’s most popular sweet item. People who enjoy eating chocolate are not limited to children. This sinfully delicious sweet treat is loved by people of all ages and ethnicity. Unsurprisingly, chocolate is also rich in the highly sought-after stimulant, caffeine.

People love to pair chocolate with coffee. Be it a steaming cup of mocha or chocolate coffee cake, it is undeniably a mouthwatering combo. But, is the combination an overload of caffeine?

Chocolate and Espresso Beans

Chocolate and Espresso Beans

Chocolate and espresso beans are a great pair. That is why café mocha ranks quite high on the list of the more popular coffee drinks. The café mocha is a chocolatey concoction with a hint of coffee and this is made by using shots of espresso, with hot milk adding chocolate syrup or powder to flavor.

Other than café mocha, chocolate and espresso beans can be combined in the following ways.

Chocolate Flavor Infused Espresso Beans

Chocolate Flavor Infused Espresso Beans

As far as espresso beans go, if you check out this list of favorites, you will find that some popular espresso beans are infused with flavors. One of the popular hints of flavors infused in coffee other than vanilla is chocolate since it pairs so well with coffee.

Chocolate-infused espresso beans often have only a hint of cocoa which does not overpower the strong coffee flavor. These coffee beans are used like regular espresso beans, grounded, and used to make brewed coffee.

The only caffeine you will find in these beans comes from the coffee beans. The chocolate flavoring is artificial and does not have any caffeine. The flavor is often light and doesn’t overpower the coffee.

Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans

Did you know that some people eat coffee beans directly? The bean is not a seed, rather, it is the dried version of the coffee fruit or cherry. Chewing roasted coffee beans can be bitter, but you get your caffeine fix for a lot fewer calories.

If you want to munch on coffee beans, but do not want the bitter test, try eating chocolate-covered coffee instead. People who love the choco-coffee combo, love this confectionary. The espresso coffee beans are covered in either dark, milk, or white chocolate.

These decadent chocolate treats are not just delicious but also provide a punch of caffeine. However, They are also decked with calories. You may be tempted to eat too many of them, but don’t.

Nutritional Information of Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans

NutrientAmount per 1 oz (28 g) serving
Calories140-150
Fat9-10 g
Saturated Fat6-7 g
Trans Fat0 g
Cholesterol5-10 mg
Sodium0 mg
Carbohydrates15-17 g
Fiber1-2 g
Sugar12-13 g
Protein2-3 g

Please note that the nutritional information may vary depending on the brand and type of chocolate covered espresso beans.

Why shouldn’t You Overeat Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans?

Just with any sweet treat, it’s healthier to eat chocolate-covered espresso beans in moderation. Taking too much sugar causes three common health problems: Type-2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Taking a large amount of sugar causes insulin intolerance, which leads to diabetes.

When you consume glucose more than you burn, the body turns the sugar into fat and stores it in your body. This can cause multiple cardio-vascular problems, like artery blockage that can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.

Extra fat can lead to obesity. Let’s not forget that they make your teeth rot. However, when enjoyed in moderation they boost your health and make you live longer! But, too much caffeine intake can also cause health problems.

So, How Much Caffeine Do Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans Have?

There is a claim that consuming coffee beans gives you a more concentrated dose of caffeine, as it doesn’t go through the brewing process and no residue is thrown away.

One unroasted arabica bean coffee has about 1.9 mg of caffeine, while robusta has around 2.9 mg caffeine.

Chocolate has a lot less caffeine with dark chocolate around 80 mg of caffeine per 100gms and milk chocolate, 20 mg per 100gms. White chocolate has no caffeine.

So, depending on the thickness of the coating, one dark chocolate-covered espresso bean has anywhere from 6mgs to 13mgs of caffeine. Milk chocolate varieties have 5-10 milligrams of caffeine. This isn’t much, unless you eat 100gms of chocolate-covered espresso beans, at one time!

Can You Replace Your Daily Cup Of Coffee For Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans?

People can swap coffee for chocolate-covered coffee beans if they love chocolate. However, eating too much sweetened-chocolate can give you health problems. But, eating an unsweetened one will be bitter and reduces its yummy test.

Plus the caffeine content means you have to take them in moderation. An average cup of Joe contains 85-200 mg of caffeine, depending on the type of bean and the coffee-making process, a shot of espresso has around 65 mg of caffeine.

To match that kind of caffeine level, you need to eat from 7 to 33 dark chocolate-covered beans for every cup, and more for milk chocolate! For each shot of espresso, you will have to eat 5 to 11 pieces.

Making Your Own Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans At Home

Anyone who loves eating chocolate-covered espresso beans knows how expensive they are. Save yourself the expense and try making it at home. The best part about this is you can control the sweetness and increase or decrease it according to your taste.

You will need few ingredients; mainly good quality coffee beans of your choice. For every 1.5 oz, you will need 3.5 oz or 100gms of solid chocolate. You can choose any type of chocolate, depending on what kind you want to make.

Bring some water to boil in a saucepan, then lower the heat. Place a heatproof bowl over the saucepan and melt your chocolate. Coat your beans and put them in the refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

Chocolate-covered espresso beans are a delight. You can easily replace your regular cups of coffee with these beans. However, you will have to eat quite a few.

The content of caffeine in each chocolate-coated bean is not that high, but since they are delicious, people can easily overeat. So, be careful not to eat too much, as it can become a health hazard.

Try making these delicious treats at home and enjoy a fun dose of caffeine with every mouthwatering bite. The dosage of caffeine is more concentrated so try not to eat them at night, unless you want to stay awake!

Why Doesn’t Caffeine Affect Me? Find Out Why Your Cup of Coffee Feels Useless

Posted on by John Bird

After a long night of tossing and turning, it’s normal to feel exhausted the next day at work. Most of us can survive dreary mornings with a little help from a strong cup of coffee or two. We strike the right balance, where coffee helps us feel more awake and alert.

But not everyone is so lucky. Some people are sensitive to caffeine and a small cup will have them still jittery at 11 pm. And for some people, things go the other way. They can drink a few cups of strong brewed tea or coffee, only to find the caffeine not working.

If you’re one of those people, you may have asked yourself, coffee doesn’t affect me? This article will explore the reasons why caffeine doesn’t work anymore on you. Once you’ve figured out why you have a caffeine immunity, you can then look for ways to fix it!

Why Doesn’t Caffeine Work on Me?

coffee doesn't affect me

You may think that your brain is broken if coffee can’t get it out of its foggy, sleepy state. But the truth is, there are lots of factors that determine the effect of coffee (or the lack of it) on the body.

Here’s why your cup of coffee doesn’t have the same kick as it once had:

Your Genetics:

Your genes may affect how your body takes in caffeine. Caffeine enters your bloodstream through the stomach and intestines, and as it passes through the body, it binds to a number of “receptors,” most of which are in your brain.

These receptors can behave differently based on genetics. How fast does caffeine work? This depends. 

Some people have receptors that are more likely to join up with the caffeine while others don’t. Then, the caffeine is metabolized in the liver. Genetics also play a major role in how your body metabolizes caffeine

In your liver, here are certain enzymes that metabolize caffeine. Some people produce less of the one that removes the caffeine from your system. If you feel the effects of your coffee vanishing in an hour or two, you are probably a fast caffeine metabolizer.

Caffeine Tolerance:

If you drink multiple glasses of cold brew a day, you might have built up a coffee tolerance. If you are wondering why caffeine has no effect on me, it may be because you built the habit of drinking lots of coffee every day.

After a while, you will have to keep drinking more and more coffee to keep you awake and alert. This can lead to caffeine overdoses which are unpleasant and can cause serious health problems in the long run.

Too Little Caffeine:

Sometimes, it could be that you are consuming the wrong amount of caffeine. Or perhaps the kind of coffee you are drinking is weakly brewed or diluted with milk. Also, if your body metabolizes coffee quickly, you may need a stronger brew, or more coffee to achieve the same effect.

This can also have to do with your height and body weight. Smaller people can get the effects of caffeine with a cup of coffee or tea. On the other hand, taller and bigger people may need to consume more to feel properly alert.

Too Little Sleep:

Yes, coffee can help you stay awake after an all-nighter. But if you haven’t slept in 3 days, a pitcher of coffee won’t help your brain stay conscious. We feel sleepy because of a chemical called adenosine. 

After drinking coffee, the caffeine binds to these molecules, which makes us feel more alert instead of tired. This reverses the effects of adenosine, keeping you awake instead.

But there’s a big catch: if you are sleep deprived, your body will produce even more adenosine. The extra adenosine can counteract the effects of the caffeine, so it won’t have the usual effects. 

This is why your regular cup of coffee won’t work in keeping you awake. Instead, try a couple of shots of espresso!

Also, sleep deprivation can intensify in cases of neurodivergent. If you ever thought, ‘caffeine makes me tired,’ ADHD can play a role and the coffee will not have any effect on individuals with this condition.

Too Much Coffee:

Too much of a good thing can go bad, and this might be the reason that caffeine doesn’t work for you. If you’ve been drinking way too much coffee each day, you risk a number of health concerns, the most dangerous being a heart attack.

If you consume more than 400mg of caffeine a day, you will begin experiencing severe side effects. These can range from mild irritability and jitters to severe nausea, diarrhea, cramps, headaches, and vomiting.

The worst part? Extreme caffeine will also have a negative effect on your sleep at night. You won’t be able to sleep, you’ll feel anxious and jittery, and the exhaustion you felt during the day will assault you in full force. And the next day, you will drink even more coffee, repeating the cycle.

This is why it is important to consume the right amount of caffeine. Some blends and roasts have more caffeine, so it is important to drink less of it. You can also try lighter roasts and even decaf coffee.

Everything Else You’ve Been Consuming:

At the bottom of the list, the things you eat also affect how caffeine works in your system. Food, drinks, medicine, drugs- anything you consume influences the way caffeine is metabolized.

Certain enzymes metabolize various substances, so each compound has to wait to get metabolized, which in turn, slows down the overall process and keeps the substance in your system longer. Some painkillers can make you tired and sleepy, counteracting the effects of caffeine.

On the other hand, smoking cigarettes increases the rate at which caffeine is metabolized. It also means that the caffeine leaves the system faster, so smokers often end up drinking more coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to questions that people often have about caffeine and its effects.

01. Why Doesn’t Coffee Wake Me Up?

If your coffee isn’t waking you up, it may be because your blend of coffee is weak, or your brew is diluted. It can also be due to sleep deprivation, genetics, and tolerance to caffeine.

02. Can You Build a Tolerance to Caffeine?

If you drink too much coffee and drink tea frequently, your body can build a tolerance for caffeine. This can lead to caffeine overdoses which have a plethora of nasty side effects.

03. Why Am I So Sensitive to Caffeine?

A number of factors result in caffeine sensitivity, including things like genetics and the liver’s ability to metabolize caffeine. A caffeine allergy occurs if your immune system mistakes caffeine as a potentially dangerous invader and tries to fight it off with antibodies. This can cause severe negative reactions to coffee.

04. How Does Caffeine Affect the Brain?

Caffeine works as a stimulant to the central nervous system. Once it reaches the brain, the most significant effects are wakefulness and alertness. You will feel more aware and less exhausted, which is why a cup of coffee is the perfect pick-me-up for long and tiring days.

05. Where in the Body Does Caffeine Act?

Caffeine affects the central nervous system (CNS) mainly altering the way the brain works. However, as caffeine is a stimulant, it can also increase the heart rate.

To Summarize

Consuming coffee while tired, only to find that you are both jittery and exhausted can be a ghastly experience. If you’ve been asking yourself, ‘Why doesn’t caffeine affect me?’ it might be time to look at the coffee you are consuming.

Is your coffee too weak? Or are you developing a tolerance to coffee? If the reason is the latter, it might be a good idea to cut back on your caffeine intake. 

Switching to decaf, or trying milder teas can be a good way to make sure consuming caffeine doesn’t lose its edge. May your coffee always be hot, flavorful, and strongly brewed!

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What is a Mocha? Hot Chocolate for Grown-ups!

Posted on by John Bird

Few things pair well together better than chocolate and coffee. Each brings out the best in the other in terms of favor and the notes in both complement each other perfectly. 

Because of this, lots of recipes including chocolate also recommend adding a pinch of espresso powder or a spoon of brewed coffee. Although coffee purists sneer at the idea of adding sweeteners or cream to black coffee or espresso, we love a sweet and cozy warm beverage on chilly days.

If you haven’t ventured out into the world of fancy coffee drinks, you might be wondering ‘what is a mocha?’ We’ll answer that in this article, and even show you how to make a mocha drink right at home. You won’t need a fancy espresso or mocha machine to make a great mocha espresso!

What is a Mocha?

What is a Mocha

Let’s start with the mocha coffee definition. A mocha is basically just a regular latte with the addition of chocolate syrup. Lattes are popular because they are so customizable and you can add extras like caramel, hazelnut, and even fruity syrups to change the flavor.

But back to the mocha. This drink is made with 1-2 shots of espresso, steamed milk, and a couple of pumps of chocolate syrup. It is derived from an Italian drink called Bicerin, in which the coffee, milk, and chocolate are carefully layered over each other.

In a mocha the 3 layers are mixed. This beverage is served hot and is also known as a mocha latte or café mocha. A similar drink is the mochaccino coffee, which is like a cross between a mocha latte and cappuccino. When blended with ice or poured over ice cubes, you get an iced mocha.

At a coffee shop, you may be asked whether you want a white mocha or a dark one. Generally, the regular mocha is made with milk chocolate syrup. On the other hand, a white or dark mocha white chocolate syrup and dark chocolate syrup respectively. 

A dark mocha is best if you like your coffee drinks on the bitter side, while a regular mocha is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. If you like the taste of white chocolate, then a white mocha is what you should order.

At the end of the day, if you like chocolate and love coffee, mocha and its derived beverages will be perfect for you!

Lattes and Mocha: How are They Different?

If you stumble over your words at the local artisanal coffee shop, you’re not the only one. This will show you the difference between two of the most popular coffees so you’ll know which one you want to order.

Every coffee drink on the planet has the same foundation.

Brewed espresso and steamed milk.

Everything else is built from this foundation. Sometimes the amounts of each may differ. But this is the basis for every coffee beverage. So, let’s look at how lattes and mochas are constructed.

Lattes:

A latte is a milk-based coffee that has 3 main components: espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. It is 1/3rd espresso, 2/3rd milk, and 1/3rd milk foam.

A standard latte in a coffee shop or restaurant is served in a tall, eight-ounce cup. A shot of espresso is added to the cup, followed by 5-6 ounces of steamed milk. The drink is then topped off with a silky layer of foamed milk. Some baristas add their own touch with intricate latte art on the foam.

You can also add flavored syrups to your latte as you desire. Things like toffee, butterscotch, hazelnut, and raspberry are popular choices.

Mochas:

Mocha coffees are generally made from Arabica beans, which have a sweeter flavor with chocolate notes. Compared to the brew for lattes, mochas are much stronger. They usually consist of the following:

  • 1-2 espresso shots
  • 2 ounces of chocolate syrup
  • 1 ounce of steamed milk
  • a thin layer of milk foam on top

In some places, however, a mocha latte is different from a mocha; it is a basic latte with a pump of chocolate syrup added to it.

It is important to note that the chocolate syrup for mochas isn’t the same as the ones usually sold for desserts. Your cheap chocolate syrups will wreck the taste of your coffee as they are crammed with sweeteners and artificial flavor. Save those to top your ice creams and milkshakes.

Instead, use high-quality chocolate syrups that have a proper cocoa content. If you’re trying to make mocha at home you can substitute the syrup for some chocolate shavings, as they melt when added to the coffee.

If you’re in a pinch you can also use something like cocoa powder, or even hot chocolate mix. Although it won’t taste authentic, it will still be a yummy and comforting hot drink.

How to Make a Mocha

This guide will tell you how to make the most delicious mocha coffee right at home. We will show you how to make a barista-style mocha if you have an espresso machine and a professional set up. However, even if you don’t, we will provide substitutes and alternatives.

Making Basic Mocha Coffee:

What You Need:

  • 1-2 shots of brewed espresso or
  • 1-2 ounces of freshly brewed, strong black coffee
  • 2 ounces of chocolate syrup or chocolate shavings or
  • 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
  • 8 ounces of milk

For topping (Optional)

  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate chips or shavings
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Espresso powder

Instructions:

  1. Add your chocolate to a large latte cup of coffee mug.
  2. To this add your brewed espresso or coffee.
  3. Steam 8 ounces of milk to around 165°F. If you have an espresso machine, use the steaming wand. If not, heat your milk and then use a good quality frother. Make sure the milk has a good layer of foam.
  4. After the milk is done steaming, pour into espresso slowly. The foam should top the coffee.
  5. Finish off your drink with a garnish of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, chocolate shavings, or cinnamon if you want.
  6. That’s all it takes to make a café mocha; sit back and enjoy your coffee!

How to Make a Mochaccino:

If you want to fancy up a plain cup of cappuccino, give it a chocolate-y twist! Here’s how to make some mochaccino at home.

What You Need:

  • 1 cup or 8 ounces whole milk
  •  4 tablespoons chocolate syrup or shavings
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (Optional)
  •  1/4 cup or 2 ounces of espresso or strong brewed coffee
  • Toppings of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Add your brewed coffee to a large cup or mug.
  2. Heat up your milk and once it is hot, and your cocoa powder.
  3. Froth the milk until it is silky and has a layer of foam on top.
  4. Add the chocolate syrup or shavings to the milk and whisk gently until combined.
  5. Pour the milk into the coffee, topping with the foam.
  6. Add the toppings of your choice, preferably a sprinkle of cocoa powder, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

Have More Questions?

Below, you’ll find answers to questions we get asked the most about making mocha.

01. What is Mocha Made Of?

Mocha is made from espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate.

02. Can I Get a Mocha without Coffee?

Mocha will contain coffee. A mocha without coffee is essentially hot chocolate.

03. What Flavor is Mocha?

Since this drink contains chocolate, the primary flavors are chocolate and coffee.

04. Is a Mocha Good for Me?

This mostly depends on how you make your drink. Cafe mocha calories are pretty steep but you can make a passably healthy option by using dark chocolate, skim milk, and forgoing any sweeteners. However, it is alright to indulge in a mocha once in a while.

05. Can I Make Iced Drinks with Mocha?

Iced mocha drinks can be made by simply pouring the coffee over a tall glass of ice. You can also replace the espresso or brewed coffee with a cold brew. For a fancier drink, blend the drink with ice for a thick and icy beverage. You can top it off with lots of whipped cream and drizzled chocolate syrup.

In a Nutshell

If you ever fumbled at a certain famous coffee chain, this article will have cleared things up for you. You won’t have to embarrass yourself by asking the barista ‘what is a mocha?’ Instead, you can order a mocha, latte, or mochaccino like a seasoned coffee pro.

As you have just learned, making a mocha at home isn’t a big deal at all. You can impress your friends by whipping up a batch of café mochas in no time at all. The next time you aren’t sure if you want a post-meal coffee or a chocolate dessert, you’ll realize a mocha is exactly what will fix your cravings!

How to Clean a Coffee Maker (5 different ways But Not with Vinegar!)

Posted on by John Bird

There is nothing better than to start the morning with a good cup of coffee and its warm smell. La Roque called it “the King of Perfumes”. Whether it is to fix a hangover or to get a mid-day boost, we simply can’t live without coffee! 

As much as we love this bitter, roasted drink, do we ever invest the time to take care of the machine?

Cleaning a coffee maker is very important especially if you’re a regular coffee drinker. These machines collect residue and grime that can result in germs and bacteria. 

If you want to avoid this nasty situation, check out our key ways on how to cleanse coffee makers without vinegar!

The Problem with Vinegar for Coffee Maker

Vinegar is actually a very popular ingredient for cleaning up coffee machines and other kitchen gadgets. This is because vinegar does a good job in removing stains and bacteria; the downside, however, is the awful smell!

We might be able to handle the smell if used on countertops or the oven. But imagine making a fresh cup of coffee and smelling the vinegar in it. Is there anything more horrific than that? 

You might be wondering, can you use apple cider vinegar to clean a coffee pot? The answer remains the same. 

When you run vinegar through the coffee maker, it takes at least five/six sessions to properly remove the smell from the machine. The acidic nature of the vinegar can also interfere with the taste of your coffee. 

Besides, why even bother with vinegar when there are plenty of alternatives that work well if not better! The best way to rinse coffee makers is not with vinegar.

Here are our favorite ways to polish coffee makers without vinegar.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Lemon

Clean a Coffee Maker with Lemon

Lemon is a popular alternative to vinegar as both of them are highly acidic. They both deeply remove all the buildups and grimes from your coffee machine. 

But lemon smells wonderful and isn’t as abrasive as vinegar. It is one of the best ways to clean a coffee pot. 

So here’s how you use lemon to disinfect coffee makers: 

Step 1: Squeeze two lemons and dilute the juice with water. 

Step 2: Run a cycle using only water to soften the buildups and to remove as much coffee residue as possible.

Step 3: Add half a cup of lemon juice (two lemons) with the same amount of water and pour them into the water reservoir. 

Step 4: Let the mixture sit there for 10 minutes to break down the grimes and grease. Then add a filter and turn the machine on.

Step 5: Run the machine for one or two cycles until you see the water turning brown and dirty. 

Step 6: Remove the dirt water and continue the same brewing process using clean water two more times.

Tip: You can use denture tablets instead of lemon to remove all the buildup water particles.

Why Baking Soda is a Better Alternative

Baking soda is a mild alkaline substance that is safe to use on various surfaces, including the interior of your coffee maker. It is non-corrosive and non-toxic, making it a safer option than vinegar.

Additionally, baking soda is known for its ability to absorb odors, which can help eliminate any unpleasant smells in your coffee maker.

If you are concerned about using baking soda to disinfect your coffee brewing appliance, I entirely understand. After all, no one wants to endanger their favourite coffee maker or leave any harmful residues.

Still, I’d like to reassure you that using baking soda to clean your coffee maker is a safe and effective method. Baking soda is a natural and gentle disinfectant that can help remove any residue or blemishes from your coffee maker without causing any damage.

To clean your coffee maker with baking soda, simply mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with water to make a paste, then apply the mixture on the interior of the coffee maker and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it out with clean water.

You may also clean the inside of your coffee maker by running it through a mixture of water and baking soda.

How to Cleanse with Baking Soda

Cleanse with Baking Soda

Baking soda is a very common cleaning ingredient that can be found in every household. So this method basically cost nothing!

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and natural agent for removing deep gunks. As it is not harsh enough, your precious coffee machine won’t be damaged in any way. 

Plus, it smells like nothing! So instead of descaling coffee maker with vinegar, wash it with baking soda.

Here’s how you use baking soda to sterilize coffee makers: 

Step 1: For your drip coffee maker, baking soda is a very quick and easy method. Take 1 cup of hot water and ¼ cup baking soda.

Step 2: Add the combination inside the reserve tank and let the soda dissolve.

Step 3: Do your usual brewing and let the baking soda to do its magic. It will run through the crate and slowly remove all the build-up grimes from the surface.

Step 4: Pour the dirty water into the skins and repeat the process if necessary. 

Step 5: If your pot is clean at this point, use fresh tap water to run two/three more cycles to remove the soda completely. repeat this until the water looks clean and clear.  

How to Cleanse Coffee maker with Bleach

Cleanse Coffee maker with Bleach

Although it seems quite intimidating and abrasive, bleach is a very good ingredient to deep-clean a coffee maker. This is only applicable if you haven’t washed your machine in a very long time. 

Of course, you are not going to use direct bleach! Direct bleach is very dangerous and can potentially damage your machine and even your skin. Instead, you will be using bleach water. 

Step 1: Mix 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of bleach into a bowl. That’s more than enough for your coffee machine.

Step 2: Place a filter paper in coffee makers.

Step 3: Pour the bleach-water mixture into the coffee maker and add more water if necessary. 

Step 4: Turn on the machine and let it run for a few minutes. Then turn the machine off and check if it needs another round of brewing or not. 

Step 5: Wash the coffee maker at least three more times with fresh tap water to remove all breach particles from the machine. The pot will become squeaky clean and look brand new!

Tip: Instead of bleach, you can also use hydrogen peroxide following the same method. 

Disassembling the Coffee Maker: Cleaning with Liquid Dish Soap

how to clean a coffee maker

So far we have discussed how to clean the inner coffee-making pot. The other parts of coffee makers can harbor bacteria and mold too. 

You don’t have to do this every week. But doing thorough cleaning once a month can improve the performance and durability of your machine.

Step 1: Disassemble the brew basket, the pot, and all removable parts. 

Step 2: Submerge the parts in warm soapy water for half an hour. If the grime is too thick, you can leave them for an hour.

Step 3:  Use a dishcloth or a sponge to gently scrape off any water buildup, grime, and grease. Be careful with glass pots and they are easily breakable.

Step 4: Using a wet rag, gently wipe the outside of the coffee machine. You can utilize a little bit of soap if necessary. But be careful not to soak it with water. Wipe off all water using a dry towel after cleanup. 

Step 5: Dry each part and put them back in their respective places. Now you have a super fresh, clean coffee machine ready for a brew.

Tip: Some machines have parts that can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Check the manual of your coffee machine to see if it’s dishwasher safe or not.

What about Alcohol? 

Yup! You can use alcohol to wipe coffee makers, and it works superbly! 

Hard liquors such as gin, vodka, rum, whisky are really effective when cleaning up coffee makers. 

All you have to do is pour some of it straight into the water reservoir and run the alcohol-water through the brewing cycle. You will be needing around 25% alcohol to weaken the buildups. 

Easy Maintenance Tips for Coffee Makers

Even though cleaning coffee makers seems like a fairly simple task, we often make mistakes that cost us too much in the long run. So here is our list of some things to consider while cleaning coffee makers:

  • Always check the instruction manual and warranty of coffee makers. If there is some advice or warnings, you have to know. Some coffee makers strictly mention not using certain chemicals. If you do, there is a chance of losing the warranty. 
  • Keep the machine dry when you’re not using it. So a good idea would be to keep the lids open. 
  • Don’t keep water on the reservoir 24/7. This results in water buildup and gradual browning of the pot.
  • Rinse the brew basket after each use and make this a habit. 

Why You Should Sanitize Coffee Makers More!

Sanitize Coffee Makers

Let’s be honest, none of us cleans our coffee maker as much as we should. They are filled with leftover coffee gunks and water buildup. 

Apart from usual hygiene issues, there are much more severe things that happen if you don’t wash coffee makers properly. 

  • Your coffee won’t taste good. This is a pretty obvious one. Even if you buy the most expensive Brazilian beans, it would taste ordinary simply because of poor cleanups. 
  • A coffee machine is basically heaven for molds and bacteria. It’s wet, warm, damp, and dark. So if you’re not consistent with cleanup, you will be drinking little pieces or germs with each cup. Yech!
  • If you don’t polish coffee makers regularly, they will clog up and the water will stop flowing. Some even start to leak. 
  • Durability is another thing we need to keep in mind. Coffee makers are not cheap! They cost a substantive amount of money. Not cleaning it regularly shortens the lifespan of the device and you will end up replacing it a few years later.

Takeaway:

Regular cleanup not only keeps coffee makers looking shiny and new, but also enhances the flavor and taste of your coffee. 

Now that you know how to clean a coffee maker without vinegar, you can try one of our best ways to clean your coffee pot without making it smell bad and acidic. 

It doesn’t really matter which method you are following, as long as you are consistent and taking care of your favorite coffee maker, it will serve you for a long time. 

Do you have any other tips to easily clean a coffee maker? Let us know in the comments down below!

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How to Clean a Coffee Maker (5 different ways But Not with Vinegar!)

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda: The All-Natural Way

Posted on by John Bird

Sick of the gunk in your coffee brewer? This article tells you how to clean a coffee maker with baking soda.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda: The All-Natural Way

Most of us wake up and reach for our coffee pots before we start the day. This makes our humble coffee makers be the most frequently used appliance at home. 

It is also the most reliable item at home. After all, we all depend on multiple cups of coffee to get us through the day.

However, this means that it is also pretty neglected when it comes to maintenance. After all, when was the last time you gave your coffee machine a good cleaning? 

A coffee maker needs to be cleaned often, as remnants and dirt can result in coffee that tastes more like bog water.

To clean out coffee makers, you need a good cleaning agent. However, using strong chemicals and cleansers can often end up giving your coffee strange, soapy flavors. 

As an alternative, you can always use chemical-free home remedies using products already in your home. In this article, we will show you how to clean a coffee maker with baking soda.

Why Baking Soda?

Cleaning with Baking Soda

If you’re skeptical about whether you can get a clean coffee pot with baking soda, we feel you. After all, baking soda is pretty nondescript and you will need a strong detergent to get a properly cleaned appliance.

But you can absolutely get a clean coffee maker with baking soda. Baking soda is in fact a natural yet effective way to clean your coffee machine. This is because baking soda can get rid of build-up and remove lingering odors from the appliance.

For the best results, add a quarter cup of the baking soda to the container, dissolved in water. Make sure to use warm water and stir the mixture together so that there are no lumps. Run the coffee maker on a regular cycle, flushing out the insides.

If any lumps are remaining, your coffee maker can get clogged. Although this product is abrasive, it is still gentler than store-bought cleaning agents. As a result, it will melt away residue and build-up, as well as strange smells that can stink up your brew.

For best results, you can mix the baking soda with acidic solutions. For example, cleaning coffee makers with white vinegar is a well-known home remedy and you can use both for a sparkling clean coffee machine.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda

Using Just Baking Soda:

Follow these steps to thoroughly clean your coffee maker with baking soda, plain and simple.

What you will need:

  • A cup of warm water
  • 4-6 tablespoons of baking soda
  1. Measure out a cup of warm water and add the necessary amount of baking soda.
  2. Stir the baking soda into the water until it is fully dissolved, without any lumps.
  3. Pour this mixture into the tank of your automatic coffee maker.
  4. Turn on your coffee machine, and start a brewing cycle as you normally would.
  5. Running the cycle will allow the solution to flow through all the parts of the coffee maker, cleaning residue, gunk, and lingering odors.
  6. Allow the solution to drain into the carafe, coffee pot, or any other vessel.
  7. Empty the vessel and rinse it clean.
  8. Fill the tank with plain clean water and run another cycle to flush out the baking soda solution. This step may have to be repeated until the coffee maker dispenses plain water.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda:

Using Baking Soda

You might have heard about using a cleaning coffee pot with vinegar solutions. But you can also use vinegar to clean coffee maker parts in general. When mixed with baking soda, it makes for a very potent cleaning solution.

White vinegar has many uses with coffee machines. A plain mixture of vinegar diluted with water is great for cleaning Mr. Coffee coffeemaker. You can even try descaling the Ninja coffee bar with vinegar, as it dissolves buildup from hard water.

What you will need:

  • A soft cloth
  • Half a cup of baking soda
  • 4 tablespoons of white or apple cider vinegar
  • Water (optional)
  1. Mix the baking soda with vinegar until it forms a smooth paste. You can add water to dilute the mixture.
  2. Apply this paste to the area with buildup in your coffee pot, carafe, and heating plate.
  3. Let the paste rest, dissolving the buildup over time.
  4. Use a damp cloth to get rid of the paste and rinse the pot and carafe in clean running water.
  5. Keep rinsing with water, or let the parts soak in lots of water overnight to get rid of the strong smell of vinegar.

Caution:

  • Dissolving baking soda with vinegar and running a brew cycle with this mixture might damage the internal parts of your coffee maker. However, you can run vinegar through a coffee maker, diluted with water to clean the different components.
  • To clean a glass coffee pot or carafes, be wary when using abrasive materials like baking soda as it can scratch the material and damage it.
  • After using vinegar and/or lemon juice, you might have to run your brewer with normal water until it no longer smells like vinegar.

Pro-Tips:

  • Adding salt to your baking soda can neutralize funky odors.
  • You can also replace the vinegar with an equal amount of lemon juice.
  • If your coffee maker has a stainless-steel exterior, use a baking soda-vinegar paste to buff off stains and caked-on residue.
  • Including a little dishwashing fluid in the reservoir is a great idea for a deep clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we answer questions you might have about cleaning your coffee maker with baking soda.

01. How Can I Clean My Cuisinart Coffee Maker?

To clean your Cuisinart coffee maker, clean, fill the water reservoir to capacity with a solution consisting of 1-part white vinegar to 2 parts water. Hold down the Clean button. Once the self-clean indicator lights up, turn the coffeemaker on by pressing the on/off switch.

When the cycle is completed and the five beeps sound, your coffeemaker will turn off. Turn the coffeemaker on again to check if the Clean indicator continues to flash. 

If it does, switch it off again. Then repeat the cleaning process with a new solution of vinegar and water.

If the Clean indicator doesn’t light up, turn the coffee maker off and then run one or two cycles of fresh cold water through the brewer before using the unit again to brew coffee. This will remove the smell of vinegar in the coffee maker.

02. What is the Black and Decker Coffee Maker Cleaning Procedure?

Clean the Black + Decker coffee maker with vinegar once a month to prevent scales from forming due to hard water.

Fill half of the tank with white vinegar and half with water. Put a clean filter in the filter basket and press the ON/OFF button to begin the brewing cycle. 

Allow the carafe to fill halfway and then turn off the coffee maker. Now let the coffee maker and carafe soak for 15 minutes and then turn the machine on again to finish the cycle.

Drain the vinegar and water solution from the reservoir and carafe. Add fresh water and run the machine for another cycle to clean out the vinegar solution from the coffeemaker. If you can still smell the vinegar, repeat the brewing cycles with clean water as needed.

03. Can I Use Baking Powder Instead of Baking Soda to Clean My Coffee Maker?

You can replace baking soda with baking powder but you will need to double or even triple the amount to get the same cleaning power. This is because baking powder is mixed with cream of tartar, making it less potent.

04. Does Baking Soda Get Rid of Stains in Coffee Pots?

The abrasive nature of baking soda means that it scrubs off build-up and residue that gets stuck to your coffee maker. It can also dissolve oils from your coffee beans that build up in your coffee machine. 

These oils can stain the coffee maker and carafe, and you can use a paste made from baking soda to clean these stains.

To Sum Up

You might put off cleaning your coffee maker, without thinking much will come of it. However, one day can stretch into a week and the next thing you know, your coffee machine has a whole ecosystem thriving in it.

Getting rid of the gunk in your coffee machine can seem exhausting, but it doesn’t have to be. Your coffee machine basically does the work for you. Once you know how to clean a coffee maker with baking soda, you can stay on top of a regular cleaning schedule.

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How to Clean a Percolator: Like a Pro!

Posted on by John Bird

Got a dirty percolator that you’re not sure how to fix? This will show you in detail how to clean a percolator.

How to Clean a Percolator: Like a Pro!

Whether you like a hot cup of coffee to get the day started or a frothy latte to settle in after a long shift, the taste of a good solid cup of coffee can lift the dampest of spirits.

This rings especially true for percolator coffee. This kind of brew is much stronger and more intense than something brewed in a French Press or drip coffee maker. But what do you do when your coffee tastes stale, burnt, and reminiscent of swamp water?

The issue may be that your old percolator coffee pot needs a good cleaning. Coffee residue can linger in your coffee maker, as well as minerals from the water used can build up. This, along with remnants of used grounds can haunt your percolator, ruining the taste of your coffee.

The idea of a coffee percolator cleaner can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  In this article, we will look at the methods on how to clean a percolator. Whether you own a traditional stovetop percolator or an electric one, we have you covered.

How to Clean a Stovetop Percolator

How to Clean a Percolator

Coffee is notorious for leaving stains. Whether it is a marble or glass coffee pot, or a stainless-steel percolator, coffee will leave stains over time. In this section, you will learn how to clean a stainless-steel coffee percolator.

A stovetop percolator is easier to clean as you don’t have to worry about the wiring and circuits. These percolators are also more long-lasting and will work for years; even being passed down from generation to generation.

While you should wash your percolator with dish soap after every use, this is more suitable for deep cleaning the unit every month. Here is how to clean stainless steel coffee pots.

What You Need:

  • Brush
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt (Optional)
  • Water
  • Apple Cider or White Vinegar

What You Need to Do:

  1. Fill your percolator with water.
  2. To the water, add a quarter cup (4 tablespoons) of baking soda. You can add a spoon of salt as well if your coffee maker is smelly.
  3. Place it on the burner and let it run a cycle.
  4. Let the water cool slightly, then scrub the inside with a brush to loosen any residue and build up.
  5. Throw out the water and rinse well.
  6. Then, fill your percolator with equal parts water and vinegar.
  7. Run another brewing cycle and wait for the percolator to perk; then discard the water and rinse again.
  8. Run a third cycle of fresh, clean water to rinse any leftover vinegar or baking soda. You can repeat this step until you are sure your percolator doesn’t smell like vinegar.

How to Clean an Electric Percolator

Electric Percolator

If you own something like a West Bend percolator, this section is for you. Let’s find out how to clean an electric coffee pot or percolator.

What you need:

  • Dishwashing detergent or Dip-It percolator cleaner
  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (Optional)

What you need to do:

Basic Cleaning:

First, you need to clean the percolator the regular way. Unless mentioned otherwise, do not try cleaning your percolator in a dishwasher. Also, do not use steel wool scrubbers and harsh abrasive materials as this will scratch and damage your percolator.

You should always use something like a washcloth or soft rag. If there’s a stubborn stain or residue, use a plastic scrubber or dish brush. Harsher materials will scratch off the protective coating and your percolator will rust or stain easily.

When cleaning your percolator, remove any trapped coffee granules in the small spaces between parts. You can get rid of them with a toothpick or a pin.

Vinegar Wash:

Removing limescale and buildup is one of the most important parts of deep cleaning your percolators. A lot of this buildup is calcium and other salts from your water and can be dissolved in acidic solutions like vinegar.

  1. Dry the coffee maker and prepare it for use. You have to run a cycle with a solution of vinegar and water.
  2. To do this, fill half the percolator with water. Then, add vinegar until the percolator is full. This mixture will descale the inside and parts, neutralizing alkaline compounds without ruining the metal.
  3. Insert the basket, close the lid, and start a brew cycle. Give this solution 15 to 20 minutes to do the descaling.
  4. After this time passed, unplug the percolator and pour out the water. Let it cool for another 15 minutes, and then wash it by hand with dish soap or Dip-It coffee cleaner for percolators.
  5. Next, dry the percolator and fill it with fresh water. Plug it in and run another brew cycle. Empty out the water and repeat again with clean water. This will remove the smell of vinegar from the percolator.

In most cases, this vinegar brew is enough to clean your percolator. But if it is extreme, you might need the next step for a more thorough cleansing.

Baking Soda Scrub:

While most grime and residue are generally washed out with either soap or vinegar, more significant buildup will need something more abrasive to clean. This something is baking soda, and the gritty texture does a good job of removing stains, smells, and stubborn residue.

  1. To clean with this pantry staple, drop a tablespoon or two of baking soda in your percolator and dissolve it in some water. Let the mix sit for a few minutes.
  2. Then, wash and rinse as usual. You can use a dishcloth or soft brush for extra cleaning power.
  3. If there are still stains and gunk in your percolator, it may be time for a different remedy. Use a mix of hydrogen peroxide diluted in water to clean your percolator.
  4. Still dirty? This might help.
  5. Coat the dirty surfaces with a paste made from baking soda and a tiny bit of water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and settle.
  6. Pour vinegar over this mixture. The fizzy neutralization reaction loosens up hardened gunk and residue.
  7. After the fizzing has subsided, rinse with water and enjoy your clean percolator.

How to Clean a Percolator Basket

Percolator Basket

Often, you don’t have to clean your entire percolator; just the basket. This is the part that tends to get most of the build-up and is used most frequently.

This saves a lot of time that would have been spent deep cleaning your entire percolator.

To clean your percolator basket, soak it in a mixture made of equal parts hot water and vinegar. Let it soak in the solution for a couple of hours, and even overnight.

Rinse well afterward and run a cycle with plain water to get rid of the vinegar smell if needed.

How to Keep Your Percolator Clean

Keeping your percolator clean can prevent the need for frequent deep cleaning, saving you precious time and elbow grease.

  • Rinse out the percolator after each use. Empty the basket and wash it out with dish detergent.
  • Use a soft cloth, dish scrubber, or brush to clean the percolator to prevent scratching the unit.
  • Throw out any coffee that remains in the percolator instead of letting it marinate in the pot for hours.
  • Only use a little soap of dish fluid to prevent your coffee from tasting soapy.

Any Questions?

Here we answer questions you might have about cleaning your percolator.

01. Where Can I Find Parts for Farberware Percolator?

These parts can be found on Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. The parts include the basket washer and even cords that need replacing.

02. Can I Use Salt to Clean My Percolator?

Adding salt can neutralize stale and burnt smells in your coffee maker. However, using it to replace the baking soda can scratch up the steel of your percolator.

03. Can I Use Lemon Juice Instead of Vinegar for Cleaning?

Swapping vinegar for an equal amount of lemon juice will work just fine to remove build-up and residue in your percolator.

04. How Do I Unclog a Percolator?

Mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with vinegar and let the mix sit in your coffee maker for about an hour. Pour out the mixture and rinse the percolator with hot water.

Conclusion

The best way to get the most out of your coffee maker is to keep it clean and functional. Know that you know how to clean a percolator, you can keep yours in the best shape possible. With a clean and spiffy percolator, you can brew the strongest and freshest tasting coffee right at home.

A clean unit will brew barista-style coffee no matter what. And with that strong coffee as a base, you can flex your home brewing skills and make things like smooth and rich lattes, cortados, and mochas right in your kitchen.

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How to Make Coffee in a Percolator: Get the Strongest Brew Possible!

Posted on by John Bird

If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you may have tried out coffee brewed in all the usual ways. Whether it’s something potent made in an espresso machine, the nasty brew from a drip automatic coffee maker, or the nicer ones made in a French Press or Moka pot.

But how about something a lot more old-timey? Percolators have been around for decades and are often dismissed as something old-fashioned and difficult to use. 

But this isn’t true at all. Coffee brewed in a percolator is stronger, heavier, and tastes more potent than anything made in a coffee maker.

If you have a hand-me-down percolator from your grandparents, it is worth dusting it off and giving it a try. Not sure how it works? The mechanism is pretty simple and the appliance is easy to use.

But that’s not all. We are going to tell you how to make coffee in a percolator. If you are tired of weak and mild brews, no matter how strong you brew your joe, it’s time for the percolator!

What is a Percolator?

How to Make Coffee in a Percolator

To describe this appliance or brewer in the simplest of terms, it is a sort of kettle with a mechanism that draws and trickles hot water through the grounds. 

The term percolate generally describes a process of filtering something through a porous surface. When the water passes through the grounds, the coffee is brewed.

While brewing coffee, the percolator recirculates it through the grounds several times. As a result, it is brewed more than once. This means that the coffee will smell incredible, but it will also be very strong and potent, and even a little bitter for some.

People also dismiss an old-fashioned coffee percolator because they result in a little sediment or coffee grounds in your cup. This also makes the coffee taste a little extra bitter. For these reasons, people prefer using drip coffee makers instead of percolators

However, if you want to try this method to brew coffee and practice a little, you will be able to brew an incredible cup of coffee using a percolator. You just need to find the percolator that suits you best and learn how to use it properly.

Percolator Types:

There are two main kinds of percolators:

01. Stovetop Percolators:

How to Make Coffee in a Percolator: Get the Strongest Brew Possible! 2

These brewers need an external heat source and are generally placed on top of stovetop burners. They are very convenient because you take them with you and use them anywhere with a stove. 

They enable you to make coffee on the stove. However, you need to keep an eye to make sure the water doesn’t boil over and burn the coffee.

02. Electric Percolators:

How to Make Coffee in a Percolator: Get the Strongest Brew Possible! 3

Electric percolators coffee makers are easier because you don’t have to worry about temperature or brewing time. These brewers typically have various settings that automate the brewing  process. 

The best thing about electric percolators is that they tend to brew consistent coffee using settings that pre-installed.

Moreover, most electric percolators keep your coffee warm once the brewing process is finished. However, it is important to remember that this can result in the over-extraction of your coffee, leading to an acrid and bitter taste.

How to Brew Coffee in a Percolator

Brew Coffee in a Percolator

These steps will enable you to brew a perfect cup of coffee in a percolator.

Clean Your Device:

Start with a clean percolator. All the different components have to be cleaned properly, even if you just went and got a new percolator from the store. Anything like old coffee remnants and chemicals will alter the taste of your brew.

Prepare the Percolator:

Assemble the percolator by placing the stand and the stem together and set them inside the pot. Pour some fresh water into the base. It should be no higher than spring at the top of the stem.

Add Your Coffee:

Add the amount of coffee you need to the grounds basket (around 1 tablespoon of ground coffee for a large cup of coffee). Connect the basket to the stem.

Arrange the Percolator:

Close the grounds basket tightly using the cover. You need to check that the dome is positioned right in the middle of the lid. Cover the pot with the lid firmly.

Brew the Coffee:

Place your percolator on a cold burner if it is a stovetop model. If you have an electric one, plug it in. Heat the percolator slowly until it perks. Depending on the strength of the brew you prefer, perk it for around 7-10 minutes.

Remove from the Heat:

After it has been brewed to your preference, remove the percolator from the heat. Going any longer than the advised time will result in a bitter and over-extracted brew,

Finish Up:

Let the coffee grounds settle at the bottom of the pot. Resting it for 5 minutes is a good idea. Pour your brewed coffee into a cup, carafe, or pot. You can serve it with a sweetener, creamer, or the flavorings of your choice.

Why Brew with a Percolator?

With so many options available, you might wonder whether you should bother with a percolator coffee pot. We’ve got the answers ready and we might just convert you to a whole new way of brewing coffee.

Stronger Brew:

Percolators are less popular because this method yields a rather bitter brew. The coffee is very strong and a super-rich flavor. 

This can be too much for some people. But this is a matter of preference. If you prefer strong coffee, a percolator is the perfect brewing method for you.

Extremely Hot Coffee:

Percolators use extremely high temperatures for brewing coffee. In fact, it makes the hottest cup of coffee ever. Your coffee will even be hotter than that brewed in an espresso machine. 

This is because percolators create steam to draw water through the system. This steam also heats the water, boiling it and resulting in a very hot cup of joe.

Cloudy Coffee:

Because of how it is brewed, this method of making coffee results in a certain flavor and texture. The coffee grounds are drenched with steam and water circulates the system and through the grounds multiple times. 

Your coffee is thus reheated so it can be brewed many times. As a result, the brew is very saturated and has a rather cloudy appearance.

Percolators: Do’s and Don’ts

If you just got a new percolator, or you’ve retrieved an old coffee percolator that’s been in your basement since the 80s, you might be confused about how to get the hang of things. But have no fear; we’ll show you the ropes.

What You Should Do:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual when assembling the percolator.
  • Use good quality coffee beans for the best tasting coffee.
  • Clean your percolator after you have brewed your coffee.
  • Carefully pack it and the separate parts when you take it with you on journeys.

What You Shouldn’t Do:

  • Do not leave unconsumed coffee or used coffee grounds in the percolator.
  • Never leave a stovetop percolator on the burner after brewing is done.
  • Avoid using abrasive materials when cleaning your percolator.

Frequently Asked Questions about Percolator Brewing

Still have questions about using a percolator for making coffee? We answer some of the most pressing concerns here.

01. How Much Coffee is Needed in a Percolator?

This depends on the volume your percolator can hold, as well as the strength of your coffee. On average, you need a tablespoon of coffee for 6 ounces of water. 

For a lighter brew, use just a touch over half a tablespoon for the same volume of water, or use 8 ounces of water. For a stronger brew, use 1.5 tablespoons of coffee.

02. How Long Does It Take to Percolate Coffee?

As a rule of thumb, it generally takes 5-10 minutes for your coffee to be brewed but this may differ in a stovetop percolator based on the heat used.

03. Which Grind Size is Best for a Percolator?

Use a coarse grind when brewing coffee in a percolator, as using a fine grind can make the brew unbearably bitter. Also, always remember to use quality beans that have been freshly ground.

04. Which is Better: A Percolator or an Automatic Drip Coffee Maker?

As with most foods and beverages, this is a matter of personal taste. Drip coffee is much lighter and milder. On the other hand, percolators brew much stronger and more intense coffee. 

However, you like a more rustic and authentic brew with a more caffeinated taste, we suggest giving a percolator a try.

Final Thoughts

No matter how it is brewed, few things bring more joy than a freshly brewed, steaming hot cup of coffee. A percolator is a classic way of brewing coffee and has stuck around because of how convenient and effective it is. 

Knowing how to make coffee in a percolator is great for people who want to make a very strong cup of coffee. For unbeatable flavor, give your old percolator a try. We assure you that you won’t regret it when you take that first flavorful sip!

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