If you’ve ever made coffee at home before, you should recognize one or more of the coffee makers above. There are more variations of coffee than one person can think of and so there are several different coffee makers. I thought I would break down the most popular coffee brewing methods, sort of as a guide.
Each offers a unique journey resulting in distinguished taste. Let’s break down each brewer and go over the results you should expect. I’m not going to get into brewing instruction. Instead, I will tell you the coffee you can make with each brewer so that you can pick the one that suits you best. I’ll throw in some tips as well.
Automatic Drip Coffee Maker
Also known as a coffee machine, the drip coffee maker is a household item across America and the world. An efficient way to make coffee in the morning, but unfortunately, what we make up in time we sacrifice in quality.
- Efficient, coffee at the push of a button.
- Settings can be adjusted to personal preferences.
- Automated, doesn’t need babysitting
- No clean-up required.
- Not portable.
- One of the more expensive coffee makers.
- Best grind size – medium coffee grind.
French Press
As of the most recognizable coffee makers in the whole world, the French press is a staple in the coffee community. No electricity necessary here, just your coffee grounds and boiling water. Since the French press doesn’t use a filter all the coffee oils combine for a rich flavor.
- Robust natural flavor.
- Thicker coffee, due to the water staying in contact with the grounds throughout the brewing.
- Fully personalized coffee.
- Affordable.
- Tricky for first-time users.
- Best grind size – coarse coffee grind.
Pour Over
One of the most popular brewing techniques amongst coffee enthusiasts the pour-over is easy to grasp. Just settle the cone on top of a mug, add your filter and coffee, and being brewing. A cheap and easy way to make fresh coffee at home.
- Full body coffee brewed to the users’ liking.
- Filtered coffee, less oily taste.
- Intricate flavor profile.
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to clean.
- Fragile, not very portable.
- Best grind size – medium coffee grind.
Espresso
A coffee-making method from Italy in which a small quantity of nearly boiling water is pressed through finely-ground coffee beans. Espresso comes in small quantities as it is a very potent dose of coffee. There are quite a few different types of coffee made from a shot of espresso. If you want to learn more about the first family of coffee, I wrote a whole article about the espresso family.
- Potent shot of coffee.
- Luxuriously creamy.
- Requires an espresso machine.
- Expensive coffee maker.
- Not portable.
- Easy cleaning involved.
- Best grind size – fine coffee grind.
Siphon
Get ready to feel like a scientist making a simple cup of Joe. All the bells and whistles of the Siphon method are making it a popular brewing technique amongst coffee lovers. With a design like this and a process not necessarily beginner friendly you think this coffee would be a little more delightful in taste.
- Very smooth-tasting coffee.
- Clean, rich flavor.
- The brewing technique requires attention.
- Cleaning involved.
- Moderately expensive for a coffee maker.
- Not beginner-friendly.
- Best grind size – medium coffee grind.
AeroPress
Our newcomer to the table, the AeroPress was invented in 2005. People are still experimenting with the brewing technique. Not only do you need specific equipment for this cup of Joe, but also the proper know-how. AeroPress is a specific science and is better left for the serious coffee lovers for now.
- Clean taste with defined flavor due to paper filter.
- The small compact design makes it ideal for campers or travelers.
- Durable design.
- Affordable.
- Open to new possibilities as the design is relatively new.
- Light cleaning involved.
- Makes 1 serving at a time.
- Best grind size – fine coffee grind.
Moka Pot
Quite possibly the most recognized coffee pot around the globe the Moka pot has caught on in America. This iconic brewer is a stovetop coffee technique that requires nothing more than coffee, water, and of course the Moka pot.
- Rich, balanced espresso-like coffee.
- Brews very strong coffee.
- Straight forward to use.
- Light cleaning involved.
- Inexpensive.
- Portable but bulky.
- Best grind size – fine coffee grind.
Turkish Coffee
There is a lot of disagreement about the correct way of brewing Turkish coffee. The pot sometimes referred to as an Ibrik, is a round metal cup. You’ll find a long stick or a handle attached to the metal drum for easy transfer as Turkish coffee is a stovetop brewing technique.
- High-quality flavorful coffee.
- A concentrated small amount of coffee.
- No filter, meant to be quite gritty.
- Not beginner-friendly.
- Simple cleaning.
- Not portable.
- Best grind size – extra-fine coffee grind.
Hope you enjoyed my breakdown of some of the most popular coffee brewing methods. There are a few not mentioned here but of course, there is always more to try and learn. As I find new coffee brewing methods I will update this list. Feel free to add any type of coffee maker I may have missed in the comments below.
I’ve always seen coffee as a way of bringing people together. Everywhere I go people seem to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and that’s what drives my passion. There’s always a new brew to master, and there’s always a new face to enjoy it with. Hitch a ride with me on a coffee-fueled adventure to find a perfect cup.
