15 Up-And-Coming Coffee Machine Bloggers You Need To Check Out

How a Coffee Machine Works

A coffee maker can make it easy to make your own java right at home. From single-cup machines to espresso machines, they automate the process and take care of all the work for you.

There's a machine that will suit anyone, no matter if you're a coffee lover or a snoozer. Learn how to make the perfect cup.

The Reservoir

You pour the water into a reservoir. It is then pumped through your coffee machine. You place your coffee grounds into the portafilter, and then tamp them down. Then, you turn on the machine.

Drip coffee machines are an industry standard and are a time saver for those who want a cup of joe that is ready to drink when they wake up. The machine is equipped with a variety of features that can be customized to your experience. These include a programmable clock and the option to use capsules or ground coffee.

Keep your reservoir clean to prevent the build-up of limescale. This can lead to mineral deposits that can affect the flavor. It's also important to empty the reservoir and refill it with clean water after every Brewing cycle. To remove vinegary smells and stains you can fill the reservoir with warm water and white vinegar. Make a brew cycle, then discard the vinegar-water mixture and rinse the reservoir, the portafilter and K-cup pod holster with hot water and dish soap in the sink.

The Cold-Water Tube

The cold-water pipe is responsible for bringing filtered, fresh water to the heating chamber at moment of the brewing. When it is in the heating chamber, it's then pumped to the showerhead where hot water is sprayed over the coffee grounds. This infuses and extracts the flavor from the coffee grounds before dripping it into the carafe.

If you hear a click it could be a sign of an obstruction in the tubing. These can be resolved by cutting a piece of standard household tubing for water and affixing it to the inlet fitting of the coffee machine, and using an adapter in the event that it is required.

The one-way valve can be found in the opening of the bucket or the aluminum tube, and is responsible for pulling in cold water when the reservoir is empty, and then release boiling water back into the tubing once it's ready for use. If the valve is blocked with dirt or mineral deposits, it will cause the clicking sound that's noticeable and annoying. It can be easily cleared with a toothpick or thin instrument.

The Hot-Water Tube

A small aluminum tube connects the reservoir of your coffee maker to the showerhead or faucet (also known as the showerhead). When you press a button to begin making the coffee you want the heating element is turned on and water starts flowing through the machine. The tube is insulated to keep the water hot while it moves from one section to another.

When the hot water has reached the reservoir, sensors cycle it on and off to maintain the ideal temperature of 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit for extraction of coffee. Certain machines have a temperature probe to ensure the water is always at the right temperature.

Next, the water turns into steam that rises through an opening in the bucket and passes over coarse coffee grounds in a filter basket that is placed on top of the machine. The heated water repeatedly soaks the grounds, releasing the flavor before pouring into the carafe. Some models come with a pre-infusion water system that wets grounds with low pressure water prior to the pressure is fully reached, further enhancing extraction.

The Faucet

Coffee machines are smart little devices that perform a lot of heavy lifting to turn the water you pour into them into a hot cup of coffee. Understanding a bit about how they work can help you understand why they are so popular and why it is important to keep them clean and well-maintained.

The faucet in the coffee maker is a shower head that sprays the water carried through the hot-water tube onto the grounds of the coffee. The water is sprayed on the coffee grounds with a perforated disk made of plastic, which is known as the drip area.

Some advanced models come with a built-in grinder, to ensure that the coffee beans are freshly ground before they are put into the heating chamber. You can program them to brew your coffee prior to waking up so that it is ready when your alarm goes off. They can also be fitted with an app that lets you choose a beverage and alter the ratio of coffee and milk.

The Drip Area

The coffee machine is easy to use, but it does quite a bit to turn water into an amazing cup. This section contains all the components of the machine that make it work.

The reservoir bucket stores the water that you put into it at the start of the cycle. A white tube leads up from the reservoir to drip area. The tube's function is to carry hot water which will be sprayed on your lawn.

The shower head is next it takes the hot liquid that is carried by the tube and then sprays it on your beans that you've ground. This is where the brewing process begins and the flavor of your brew begins to develop. You can also play with the final outcome of your brew by adjusting factors like brew time and temperature (some coffees need longer or higher temperatures to extract their full flavor). The final product will flow through a small coffee machines disc of plastic called the drip zone, and then into your cup.

The Heating Element

A heating element can be found in nearly every coffee maker. It is a coil of resistive cables that heats up when electricity flows through it. There is also a switch that can turn the power off and on to prevent the coil from becoming too hot. The coffee machine has other components, such as sensors and fuses which cut the current when necessary.

The aluminum water tube that transports the hot water from the reservoir to the faucet is connected at both ends to the heating element. The resistive heating elements is sandwiched in between the aluminum tube, and a warming plate that is covered with white heat-conductive grease.

Drip coffee machines make one cup at a given time, which is great for people who need quick and simple coffee without the hassle of filling up a carafe. These machines are also ideal for people who don't drink a lot of coffee or families that have a different wake-up time. However, if you prefer stronger drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos espresso machines are the way to go. They use pressure to force the water through the ground, drip coffee machines which releases the oils that give your drink its flavor.

The One-Way Valve

A one-way check valve valve that allows fluid to flow in one direction. This valve can be found inside the hole in the reservoir or in the aluminum tube that carries the water under the resistive heating element. This valve keeps cold water from flowing back into the bucket and also causes bubbles of boiling water to rise up the tube until they reach the faucet.

The one-way valve could become clogged. This can happen when the machine is used for a long time or if minerals accumulate inside the valve. This can cause the coffee machine to stop producing coffee. If this occurs, the valve must be cleaned by pouring hot water over it, and then removing the base of the machine.

Coffee machines perform a lot of clever work to transform a handful of grounds and an ounce of water into a steaming hot cup of coffee. There are a variety of advanced features on these machines that give you more control over your drink.

The Power Cord

The power cord connects to the wall and brings the energy for this machine to run. It is black and grounded using a female C13 connector that can be plugged into the standard US outlets. It is possible to see inside the coffeemaker a specific high-temperature wire that connects to the switch as well as the thermostat controls of the carafe and the boiler. This special wire is insulated by white glass braid or something similar. The heating elements reach boiling temperature and then several degrees, so it makes sense that the designer planned this wire to keep heat away from the power cord that is coming in.