Coffee Makers

First decide what you want to drink -  You need to choose the coffee maker that makes the type of coffee you prefer.  Is it a long drink in a mug, a shot of espresso or a delicious latte?

Please note manufacturer's sizes are based on the number of demi-tasse (espresso) cups.

A filter coffee maker is one of the simplest, most straight forward methods for making a long drink of coffee.  Filter coffee makers are available as both non-electric or electric. 

To use a non electric filter coffee maker first warm your jug by pouring some hot water into it.  Empty the jug and place the filter unit on top of the jug with the filter paper inside the unit.  Put the measured amount of coffee in the filter (one tablespoon for each mug of coffee) and pour near boiling water on top.  Leave the water to filter through into the jug, remove the filter and pour your coffee.

Single mug filters are available for your own individual filtered coffee.

Electric filter coffee machines will automatically heat the water and pour it on to the coffee.  A warming plate or a thermal jug will keep the coffee warm after it has been made.

A cafetière or French press is a jug with a filter attached to a plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.  A cafetière makes a longer drink, ideal for sharing with friends, as you sit and chat around a pot of coffee, or why not have a little 3 cup beside you while you work? 

To use a cafetière - warm the jug with hot water for a few seconds, empty the water out add your choice of ground coffee (about one tablespoon for two cups, hence an 8 cup cafetière will require four tablespoons of coffee).  Pour near boiling water on top of the coffee (boiling water will scorch the coffee).  Place the filter and lid, with the plunger lifted up, on the jug.  Leave to infuse for at least four minutes – this is the optimum time for brewing coffee, it doesn’t matter if you leave the plunger for longer, unlike tea, coffee doesn’t stew.  Gently push the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds from the water.  Your coffee is ready to pour.

Cafetières are available in four main sizes – 3, 6, 8 and 12 cup.  As with most coffee makers the cup size refers to espresso coffee cups so, for a longer drink, a 3 cup is ideal for one person, 8 cup for four and 12 cup for 6.

A Moka Express makes a concentrated, strong cup of coffee similar to an espresso.  The design was first created in Italy by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and has since become very popular in Italian kitchens and increasingly popular in the UK.

To use a moka pot – put water in the base, (it is actually quicker and better to use hot water but you can start with cold).  Spoon the desired amount of coffee into the metal basket.  Screw the lid on and place the pot on the hob.  Heat the pot until all the water has risen from the base into the top section.  Immediately remove from the heat. 

Whilst this makes deliciously rich coffee the disadvantage of the moka pot is that it must be watched and removed from the hob as soon as the coffee is made.

Espresso coffee machines – If you prefer an espresso, cappuccino, latte or machiatto then you need an electric espresso machine.  There is a wide choice of machine, both in quality and price and there are some key points to bear in mind when choosing the machine for you.

1. To make espresso water must be forced through the coffee at a pressure of at least 8 – 10 bar (a good quality machine will be 15 - 19 bar).
2. At the same time the water must be heated to 85 - 90ºC.
3. If you want frothy milk with your coffee then be sure to choose a machine with a built in milk frother. 
4. The frother should work to a pressure of 15 bar.

There are two main types of espresso machine to consider:

One where you put your chosen fresh coffee in the machine.  The key factor here is that you must pack the coffee into the measure correctly.

Alternatively a Nespresso machine uses pre-packed capsules.  The capsules are packed to the right density and vacuum sealed to retain freshness.  Quick and easy to use with no mess.  Initially we were sceptical about these machines but our discerning coffee drinkers were so impressed by the quality of the coffee that we just had to add the machines to our range.  You can re-order the capsules via the internet and they will be delivered to your door within 48 hours.

Milk frothers  -  if you want to froth milk and you don’t have a coffee machine with a built in milk frother, there is a choice of manual, battery and mains electric milk frothers on the market.  Some just froth pre-heated milk, others will heat and froth milk – ideal for your delicious Latté, hot chocolate or any hot, milky drink.

Finally ….

Choosing the right coffee

Whether you are grinding your own coffee or buying ready ground you’ll need to choose the fineness of grind that suits your coffee maker. 

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