Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Standard Coffee or Espresso?
There’s nothing better than being able to brew delicious cups of coffee at home. If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker, you may be wondering if you should stick to the basics or invest in an espresso machine. There are advantages to both machines and really, the decision should be made based on what you drink most: Coffee or specialty drinks. Let’s review the advantages so that you can make the best decision for your coffee drinking style.
A standard coffee maker is ideal for people that like to drink coffee and not much else. These machines have come a long way in recent years, with options to brew one cup or 12 and including handy timers and digital control panels. With the pause ‘n serve feature, you can pour yourself a cup of coffee mid-cycle, and the new pod coffee machines allow you to brew different flavors in single servings.
Espresso makers are more elite than coffee makers, with options to make espressos, cappuccinos or lattes, as well as drip coffee. Since a specialty cup of coffee can cost as much as $5, you save a lot of money just by having this machine in the home. You can experiment all you want with different beverages and have a reason to entertain. Espresso machines offer a range of fun features such as frothers, thermostats and chambers that mix milk and steam.
There are several advantages to choosing a simple coffee maker. Coffee makers are more economically priced and simpler to use, so you’re not overburdened with features you’ll never use. And if you choose to purchase a standard coffee maker that focuses on brewing great coffee instead of features, there’s less to break. Coffee makers are also cheaper and easier to maintain, and they are smaller in size, being ideal for compact spaces. Coffee makers also focus on programmable features, whereas espresso machines need a bit more involvement from the brewer.
If you enjoy drinking specialty coffee drinks, you’ll get the most use out of an espresso machine. These machines are a great choice, as they allow you to brew your standard coffee drinks, as well as make the creamy lattes and cappuccinos that you love. While the machines do cost more, you save on not having to buy coffee drinks, and you can experiment with different flavors, temperatures and frothy blends. These machines are larger however, so make sure you have the space on your counter-top.
The bottom line: If you enjoy drinking coffee only, stick to the affordable, hassle-free coffee maker. Otherwise, extend the boundaries and go for a fun espresso machine where the possibilities are endless.
A standard coffee maker is ideal for people that like to drink coffee and not much else. These machines have come a long way in recent years, with options to brew one cup or 12 and including handy timers and digital control panels. With the pause ‘n serve feature, you can pour yourself a cup of coffee mid-cycle, and the new pod coffee machines allow you to brew different flavors in single servings.
Espresso makers are more elite than coffee makers, with options to make espressos, cappuccinos or lattes, as well as drip coffee. Since a specialty cup of coffee can cost as much as $5, you save a lot of money just by having this machine in the home. You can experiment all you want with different beverages and have a reason to entertain. Espresso machines offer a range of fun features such as frothers, thermostats and chambers that mix milk and steam.
There are several advantages to choosing a simple coffee maker. Coffee makers are more economically priced and simpler to use, so you’re not overburdened with features you’ll never use. And if you choose to purchase a standard coffee maker that focuses on brewing great coffee instead of features, there’s less to break. Coffee makers are also cheaper and easier to maintain, and they are smaller in size, being ideal for compact spaces. Coffee makers also focus on programmable features, whereas espresso machines need a bit more involvement from the brewer.
If you enjoy drinking specialty coffee drinks, you’ll get the most use out of an espresso machine. These machines are a great choice, as they allow you to brew your standard coffee drinks, as well as make the creamy lattes and cappuccinos that you love. While the machines do cost more, you save on not having to buy coffee drinks, and you can experiment with different flavors, temperatures and frothy blends. These machines are larger however, so make sure you have the space on your counter-top.
The bottom line: If you enjoy drinking coffee only, stick to the affordable, hassle-free coffee maker. Otherwise, extend the boundaries and go for a fun espresso machine where the possibilities are endless.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Should I Buy a Standard Coffee Maker or a Espresso Maker?
There’s nothing better than being able to brew delicious cups of coffee at home. If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker, you may be wondering if you should stick to the basics or invest in an espresso machine. There are advantages to both machines and really, the decision should be made based on what you drink most: Coffee or specialty drinks. Let’s review the advantages so that you can make the best decision for your coffee drinking style.
A standard coffee maker is ideal for people that like to drink coffee and not much else. These machines have come a long way in recent years, with options to brew one cup or 12 and including handy timers and digital control panels. With the pause ‘n serve feature, you can pour yourself a cup of coffee mid-cycle, and the new pod coffee machines allow you to brew different flavors in single servings.
Espresso makers are more elite than coffee makers, with options to make espressos, cappuccinos or lattes, as well as drip coffee. Since a specialty cup of coffee can cost as much as $5, you save a lot of money just by having this machine in the home. You can experiment all you want with different beverages and have a reason to entertain. Espresso machines offer a range of fun features such as frothers, thermostats and chambers that mix milk and steam.
There are several advantages to choosing a simple coffee maker. Coffee makers are more economically priced and simpler to use, so you’re not overburdened with features you’ll never use. And if you choose to purchase a standard coffee maker that focuses on brewing great coffee instead of features, there’s less to break. Coffee makers are also cheaper and easier to maintain, and they are smaller in size, being ideal for compact spaces. Coffee makers also focus on programmable features, whereas espresso machines need a bit more involvement from the brewer.
If you enjoy drinking specialty coffee drinks, you’ll get the most use out of an espresso machine. These machines are a great choice, as they allow you to brew your standard coffee drinks, as well as make the creamy lattes and cappuccinos that you love. While the machines do cost more, you save on not having to buy coffee drinks, and you can experiment with different flavors, temperatures and frothy blends. These machines are larger however, so make sure you have the space on your counter top.
The bottom line: If you enjoy drinking coffee only, stick to the affordable, hassle-free coffee maker. Otherwise, extend the boundaries and go for a fun espresso machine where the possibilities are endless.
A standard coffee maker is ideal for people that like to drink coffee and not much else. These machines have come a long way in recent years, with options to brew one cup or 12 and including handy timers and digital control panels. With the pause ‘n serve feature, you can pour yourself a cup of coffee mid-cycle, and the new pod coffee machines allow you to brew different flavors in single servings.
Espresso makers are more elite than coffee makers, with options to make espressos, cappuccinos or lattes, as well as drip coffee. Since a specialty cup of coffee can cost as much as $5, you save a lot of money just by having this machine in the home. You can experiment all you want with different beverages and have a reason to entertain. Espresso machines offer a range of fun features such as frothers, thermostats and chambers that mix milk and steam.
There are several advantages to choosing a simple coffee maker. Coffee makers are more economically priced and simpler to use, so you’re not overburdened with features you’ll never use. And if you choose to purchase a standard coffee maker that focuses on brewing great coffee instead of features, there’s less to break. Coffee makers are also cheaper and easier to maintain, and they are smaller in size, being ideal for compact spaces. Coffee makers also focus on programmable features, whereas espresso machines need a bit more involvement from the brewer.
If you enjoy drinking specialty coffee drinks, you’ll get the most use out of an espresso machine. These machines are a great choice, as they allow you to brew your standard coffee drinks, as well as make the creamy lattes and cappuccinos that you love. While the machines do cost more, you save on not having to buy coffee drinks, and you can experiment with different flavors, temperatures and frothy blends. These machines are larger however, so make sure you have the space on your counter top.
The bottom line: If you enjoy drinking coffee only, stick to the affordable, hassle-free coffee maker. Otherwise, extend the boundaries and go for a fun espresso machine where the possibilities are endless.
Friday, 30 December 2011
Tips for Cleaning Your Coffee Maker
When you first bring your coffee maker home, you never imagine it could get so dirty! But it does happen, and then you’re left cleaning it. Fortunately, cleaning the machine is an easy task, and with a few helpful tips, you can actually prolong the life of your coffee maker and have better tasting coffee as a result.
To clean a coffee maker, start by removing the coffee filter and then adding vinegar to the water reservoir. Pour the vinegar in until the reservoir is about one-quarter filled, and then add water until completely filled. Turn the coffee machine on and let it run until it’s cooled, which is usually about ten minutes. Run the vinegar and water through another cycle and let the machine cool for another ten minutes. To complete the process, run a cycle of just water through the coffee machine and thoroughly wash the carafe and filter basket with soap and water. Make sure you don’t spray any chemicals or other cleaners onto the carafe; just warm, soapy water will do the trick.
You may also read information about using lemon or baking soda, but vinegar is the best solution for the job. If you haven’t cleaned your coffee maker in a while, you may need to continue rinsing the machine out with vinegar and water in order to remove the foul taste. If you keep up with the cleaning cycles every couple of months, you won’t run into bad tasting coffee or a dirty machine.
This cleaning cycle should be done every two to three months in order to keep your coffee machine running at its top performance and producing fresh tasting coffee. Cleaning the machine with vinegar will remove buildup and impurities and will ultimately help improve the taste and quality of the coffee. Furthermore, when water drips from the coffee machine and allows bacteria to breed, you inadvertently drink these bacteria, which can be harmful to your health.
Not only do you want to clean the inside of your coffee maker, but also the outside. To keep the appliance looking its best, use a microfiber cloth that will remove debris, dust and excess coffee grounds. Microfiber clothes are ideal because they won’t scratch the surface of the machine.
Now that your machine is clean, be sure to use distilled or spring water instead of tap water that has many more impurities. Paper filters are cleaner and tossed away with each use, unlike permanent filters that are difficult to keep clean. And finally, if you notice a certain type of coffee causing buildup, switch to a new brand and give the machine a thorough clean.
To clean a coffee maker, start by removing the coffee filter and then adding vinegar to the water reservoir. Pour the vinegar in until the reservoir is about one-quarter filled, and then add water until completely filled. Turn the coffee machine on and let it run until it’s cooled, which is usually about ten minutes. Run the vinegar and water through another cycle and let the machine cool for another ten minutes. To complete the process, run a cycle of just water through the coffee machine and thoroughly wash the carafe and filter basket with soap and water. Make sure you don’t spray any chemicals or other cleaners onto the carafe; just warm, soapy water will do the trick.
You may also read information about using lemon or baking soda, but vinegar is the best solution for the job. If you haven’t cleaned your coffee maker in a while, you may need to continue rinsing the machine out with vinegar and water in order to remove the foul taste. If you keep up with the cleaning cycles every couple of months, you won’t run into bad tasting coffee or a dirty machine.
This cleaning cycle should be done every two to three months in order to keep your coffee machine running at its top performance and producing fresh tasting coffee. Cleaning the machine with vinegar will remove buildup and impurities and will ultimately help improve the taste and quality of the coffee. Furthermore, when water drips from the coffee machine and allows bacteria to breed, you inadvertently drink these bacteria, which can be harmful to your health.
Not only do you want to clean the inside of your coffee maker, but also the outside. To keep the appliance looking its best, use a microfiber cloth that will remove debris, dust and excess coffee grounds. Microfiber clothes are ideal because they won’t scratch the surface of the machine.
Now that your machine is clean, be sure to use distilled or spring water instead of tap water that has many more impurities. Paper filters are cleaner and tossed away with each use, unlike permanent filters that are difficult to keep clean. And finally, if you notice a certain type of coffee causing buildup, switch to a new brand and give the machine a thorough clean.
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