Have you seen one of those old fashion percolator coffee machine sitting on a stove top burner?
Most people haven’t seen an old fashion percolator coffee machine sitting on a stove burner, let alone the electric version of that same coffee machine sitting on a counter. Today, almost all coffee machine use a drip system to make a consistently perfect, cup of coffee. Among the drip coffee machine that can be found on a coffee enthusiast’s counter is the Capresso brand of coffee machines.
Each Capresso coffee machine has basic features in addition to features needed to make café-quality coffee; it just depends on what type of coffee you would like to make at home.
Basic Features
All machines will have the fundamental features that coffee enthusiast expect from their Capresso machine. These are some of the essential features:
- Programmable – water and coffee can be put in the coffee maker, and then it can be programmed to start brewing at any time
- Sneak a cup – when the carafe is removed, the coffee flow will stop long enough to sneak a cup before it’s done brewing
- Display – a digital display allows for easy programming and clock setting
- Safety shut off – after the coffee machine has been left on for a specific amount of time, usually 2 hours, it automatically turns off
- Reusable filter – a gold filter that can be reused will reduce the waste produced by paper filters
For the non-coffee enthusiast who don’t care about the perfect tasting coffee, the essential features will be sufficient, but for everyone else who wants that delicious tasting coffee, additional features will be expected.
Beyond Basic Features
Capresso coffee machines come with a variety of features, in addition to the basics, which are on all models. For coffee drinkers who are serious coffee enthusiasts, it is worth the extra cost to get a machine with additional features.
- Built in coffee bean grinder
- Adjustable coffee strengths
- Small coffee pot setting
- Charcoal water filter
- FrothXpress system
- Removable water reservoir
- Safety filter (prevents accidental opening during use)
Making the Best Cup of Coffee
Want to brew the best of a cup of coffee? I know stupid question! Of course you do. Making a delicious cup of coffee take more than just a fancy Capresso coffee machine, it takes so much more. We’re just going to scratch the surface and give you some of the basics. First step is making sure you have a clean machine. Even a $4,000 machine will put out gross coffee if it is dirty and unclean. If you have time, washing and rinsing after use is ideal. This will prevent and remove sediment build-up. Let’s switch gears and talk about beans. When it comes to freshness, remember Babbie’s of fifteens:
- Green coffee is fresh for 15 months from harvest
- Roasted coffee is fresh for 15 days from roasting
- Grounded coffee is fresh for 15 minutes from the grinder
Following this should help you with a great tasting cup of coffee. We recommend that you buy whole beans from a local coffee shop and grind them at home. If you are looking for a good grinder, you can’t go wrong with this one, Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grinder. Following Babbie’s rule of fifteens and using a quality grinder you’re a step closer to making your best cup of coffee. We will talk about improving your brewing skill at a later time.
Conclusion
A simplistic Capresso coffee machine may not fit everyone’s needs or prevent trips to the local coffee shop, but it will make a great cup of coffee. For those who want coffee house styled drinks at home, a coffee maker with additional features should be selected.
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