Different Types of Coffee Makers for Your Daily Dose of Caffeine

We can all agree that there’s no better way to start the day, than with a cup of your favourite morning beverage. And for coffee lovers, the dream is to wake up to the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee as you ease from your slumber.

Whether you enjoy a refreshing cold brew or a shot of espresso straight from the machine, coffee maker is a must-have for coffee enthusiasts. Not to mention, for those who inhale multiple cups a day, making your own coffee at home can be convenient and cost-efficient at the same time.

Here’s a roundup of coffee makers based on different brewing methods and essential accessories for your caffeine fix at home.  

One of the simplest ways to make coffee is using the drip or filtration method, where hot water is poured evenly over coffee grounds through a filter. With the help of gravity, the brewed coffee will slowly drip into a cup or a pot.

How does it having a pot of freshly brewed coffee waiting for you in the morning sound? Smeg’s Drip Filter Coffee Machine might just be what you’re looking for. Equipped with an auto-start function, all you have to do is to set a specific time for the automatic coffee maker to start brewing coffee.

It can also brew up to 10 cups of coffee which can be kept warm in a glass carafe - perfect for a top up anytime of the day or when you have guests over.

The manual pour over is popular among coffee enthusiasts, as the process allows the intricate flavours and notes of the coffee to be fully extracted. This method of brewing involves hand-pouring hot water in a consistent and circular motion through coffee grounds in a filter. The process may sound straightforward, but the challenge is in mastering the pour technique.

The basic setup includes a brewing device or dripper (such as the V60) that holds the coffee filter and grounds, and of course, filters. Tip: Use a goose neck kettle to control the rate of your pour.

Pressed for time and space? Single drip coffee bag is a hassle-free way to get your caffeine boost anywhere and anytime. Containing fine coffee grounds, drip coffee bags are easy to use and time efficient.

Simply place the drip bag over a cup and add hot water to it slowly. If you’re new to drip coffee bags, try Bacha’s Assorted Coffee Bags or Hook Coffee’s Flight Club which allows you to explore their different coffee varieties and flavours.

Steeping is the process of immersing coffee grounds in hot water. This allows the flavours and oils of the beans to be extracted when it is infused with water.

One of the most common ways to steep coffee is with a French Press, thanks to its simple mechanism. For a start, try Bodum’s Chambord Coffee Maker Set. Sporting a matte finish with a comfortable grip, this French Press is both sleek and easy-to-use. Use coarse coffee grounds and add hot water (between 92ºC and 96ºC) till the halfway mark. Give it a stir before pouring in the remaining water. After four minutes, press the plunger down slowly and your coffee is ready.

Prefer it cold? Steep the coffee grounds in room temperature or cold water for at least 12 hours. Thereafter, attach the lid and push the plunger down slowly. Decant the cold brew concentrate into a sealable container. For a refreshing and smooth cuppa, simply add water and ice to the concentrate.

Using a combination of full immersion, heat and vacuum is the complicated-looking apparatus called vacuum coffee maker. Also known as siphon, this brewing method is effective in extracting the precious oils and full flavours of the coffee beans with the vacuum created.

The electric version of the vacuum coffee maker dispenses the need for an external source of heat, which simplifies the brewing process greatly. After pouring the water and placing the coffee grounds in the lower and upper sections of the coffee maker respectively, what’s left is to switch it on, sit back and watch the coffee brew.

The result? A smooth cup of flavourful coffee every time.

Pressure-brewed coffee is made by pushing hot water into a confined brewing chamber, through finely ground coffee under high pressure. Time required for extraction is faster, resulting in a more intense brew.

Nothing spells fuss-free and convenient quite like a capsule coffee maker. All you need to do is to insert a pre-packed capsule and let the machine work its wonders. And to top it off, it requires minimal clean up.

Compact with a minimalist design, Illy’s Iperespresso capsule machine not only looks good, it is intuitive and easy to use as well. Accompanied with a range of capsules and an adjustable cup shelf, your espresso or long black is on standby and ready to brew at a single touch of a button.

The Aeropress is a portable and compact option that is also easy to operate. It is a simple 3-piece tool that includes a plunger, similar to a French press. In the case of the Aeropress, the plunger creates air pressure and forces hot water through fine coffee grounds via a filter paper.

This stovetop brewer produces espresso-like coffee, and will definitely give you the caffeine boost you seek. Fill the bottom compartment with water and add ground coffee to the basket, before placing the Moka pot on the stove at low to medium heat. The steam from boiling water causes pressure to push water up through the coffee grounds into the top chamber.  As the water boils, a sputtering sound can be heard – a sign that your coffee is ready.

For the ultimate coffee experience at home, invest in a full-fledged espresso machine to brew that perfect cuppa from scratch. From grinding coffee beans and tamping grounds in a portafilter to frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos, it will surely put your barista skills to the test.

Ideal for small kitchens without compromising on quality is Solis’ Barista Perfetta. Programmed to brew up to two shots of espresso each time, the machine is also equipped with a professional 360-degree rotatable steam wand to froth milk for your cappuccino or latte macchiato. One of the machine’s best function is its low-pressure, pre-infusion feature, where freshly ground coffee within the portafilter is gently moistened at low pressure to ensure an even extraction and a smooth brew.

If you find the process of preparing coffee grounds and frothing milk tedious and challenging, consider a fully automatic coffee machine, like De’Longhi's Primadonna.

Its dual heating system guarantees precise temperature for both coffee extraction and milk frothing, while the conical burr steel grinders are calibrated with 100% accuracy in grinding coffee beans for the best flavour. With its pre-programmed coffee recipes, this automatic coffee machine has got you covered from the classic Americano to latte macchiato, and everything else in between. Here’s to looking forward to consistent barista-quality standard coffee any time of the day.

Apart from coffee machines and makers, a good cup of coffee also requires the right coffee brewing accessories. You can easily ace your cuppa with these additions.

To maximise the flavours of the coffee beans, choose to grind them right before brewing, instead of using store-bought coffee grounds. Lelit’s Fred Coffee Grinder provides you with the ultimate control over grind consistency. Featuring 38mm conical burrs with micrometric adjustment options, it is an ideal coffee grinder to complement your home coffee set up, regardless of the type of brew you prefer.

For latte and flat white lovers, a milk frother is a must-have. With 6 pre-set programmes and a manual function, Smeg’s Milk Frother caters to the preparation of both hot and cold drinks. From thick and creamy froth for cappuccinos and even hot chocolates to cold foam for milkshakes and iced coffees, it is an essential accessory to complete your coffee experience at home.

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