We may have a spent a lot of time talking about coffee machines – be it a bean to cup, espresso, pod machine or filter – but it’s not all about electricity when it comes to making coffee – and no, we’re not talking about instant.
There are a whole world of coffee makers that don’t need a plug to produce high quality brew – commonly known as coffee brewers. Here are just a few to start you off.
Pour Over Coffee Brewer
In very simple terms – pour over brewers are just filter coffee holders. You put ground coffee into a filter that has been placed in the holder, then you pour hot water over the coffee and wait for gravity to do its thing. the end result is that coffee drips through the filter into your cup. These pour over brewers are also called drip brewers or coffee droppers.
Pour overs are a very cheap, accessible entry into upgrading from instant coffee and start to open you up to the World of experimenting with ground coarseness, volume of water etc.
There are a number of options of pour over brewers available but our favourites are:
Hario V60 – this is a great option to start your coffee journey. Its cheap, it’s simple to use and allows for you to start experimenting with your coffee and water ratios, and your size of grind.
Hario V60 Craft Kit – combines your V60 filter holder with a glass jug, a measuring spoon and filter papers. Everything you need to start brewing
Chemex Three Cup Classic – the Chemex is an all in one pour over and coffee jug, just add a filter paper and you’re ready to go. Made of non-porous Borosilicate glass which will not absorb odours or chemical residue – and more to the point it’ll look great in your kitchen.
Stovetop Coffee Brewers
Stoptop coffee makers, again the clue’s in the title – these are brewers that are heated directly on a stove. They’re often known by the most popular brand names – Moka pots, or as Bialetti.
These aren’t the cheapest of brew equipment, but they’re cheaper than a traditional coffee machine. They produce espresso type coffee and are simple to use. Like the pour over it’s a great entry point – you can follow a wealth of guidance available, or can play around with coffee to water ratios, grind type, strength as much as you’d like.
Our favourites are:
Bialetti Moka Express – the traditional hexagonal coffee brewer. You fill the bottom pot with water, the middle section with ground coffee and as the water heats up it’ll bubble through leaving the tip jug ready to pour a cup of espresso style coffee
Bialetti Brikka – using the same technology as the Moka, the Brikka bubbles water up through the ground coffee. But the Brikka is the only stove top brewer that also forms the perfect crema.
Bialetti Venus – using the same brewing method but just in a new design, the Venus is elegant and modern, and is suitable for all stovetops including induction hobs.
Cafetière / French Press
Cafetière are another cheap option when looking for a coffee brewer – and are also commonly known as a French Press.
A Cafetière or a French Press is the one coffee maker that’s often even found in the houses of those who brew once in a blue moon. They’re a wedding list staple and, like anything can run from the cheap and cheerful through to the deluxe – and prices can match.
As a brewing method the Cafetière is a fairly simple one, you put ground coffee in the pot, fill it with hot water and wait for it to brew then use the plunger to keep the grounds at bay and pour your cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Like anything you’ll get what you pay for, so best to avoid the very cheapest French Press on the market – but you don’t need to spend a fortune to make a good cup.
Here are our suggestions:
Bodum Caffetierra, 3 Cup – the classic French Press. Glass Jug within a stainless steel frame. The Caffetierra comes in a variety of sizes but we think the 3 cup is a great start.
Le Creuset Stoneware Cafetiere – there’s something special about Le Creuset Stoneware, it’s robust and you know it’ll serve you well for years to come. Their cafetière comes in a range of colours but we’re loving the cherry red option. Ideal if you’re already the owner of other Le Creuset items and want to build your collection.
Bodum Columbia, 8 Cup French Press – with a capacity of 8 cups, not only does the Columbia brew a lot of coffee but the double walled construction means that you’ve got time to drink it all yourself as the pot keeps the coffee warm inside for up to two hours. On second thoughts, we probably shouldn’t be recommending 8 cups in two hours!
You definitely shouldn’t overlook the more manual coffee makers and brewers – plus when you have company it’s a lot easier making an 8 cup cafetière or chemex than making 8 espressos. All we know is that standing in my kitchen I can see three different brew methods, and all are used regularly. You can never have too many coffee options. Go on, at least buy a Hario V60 and filter papers …