If you look in many homes you are likely to find a filter coffee machine (also known as drip brew coffee machines).  These machines can vary in complexity, price, performance and style.  

Depending on what you want from your machine will greatly influence the type of machine you end up buying.  An entry level machine can cost as little as £20-£40 or you can spend a couple of hundred for a decent filter coffee machine.

As an example of a decent entry level filter coffee machine take a look at the De’Longhi ICM60 filter coffee machine or the Russell Hobbs 13915 coffee maker.

Both of these are great prices which also makes them really affordable Christmas presents.

Now if you really want to see what your money can buy for a higher end model have a look at this Krups Combi Espresso XP200040 Cappuccino and Filter Coffee Machine. 

When looking at these models it is pretty clear that the main difference with the Krups is clearly the range of functions it offers.

Many of the common household brands have been around for many years now and this means that parts should be easy to get hold of.  Then again, some people may feel that if all they’re after is an entry level machine, buying new model instead of repairing it is the easiest option.  The affordability and the ease of use have ensured that the filter coffee machine will not go out of fashion easily.

How Easy is it to Use a Filter Coffee Machine

A filter coffee machine is essentially works with a water container, the water heats up and is poured over the ground coffee powder.  The coffee then drips into the carafe.

The common paper filters that many a filter coffee machine uses have been around for a long while and still work well. There have been improvements in their quality over the years but many machines will use non-disposable metal filters for a filter coffee machine.

There are also machines with plastic permanent filters.  The great benefit of the metal or plastic filters is that they do not need to be constantly replaced and are really easy to clean.  These filters also prove really cost effective for people who only want one cup of coffee.

I hope you enjoyed this read my friends.  Best wishes.

• The Gaggia Classic is a powerful 1300 watt filter coffee machine with 15 bars of water pump pressure, removable water tank and stainless steel body
• Comes with coffee filters for 1 and 2 cups of ground coffee, and a special filter for ESE (easy serve espresso) pods
• Professional chromed brass filter holder and ring (as used in Gaggia’s commercial machines)–provides a consistent temperature throughout the coffee making and dispensing process
• Steamer rotates for easy access to froth milk in seconds, plus delivers hot water for tea and other hot drinks
• Solenoid valve delivers a widespread shower through the coffee, eliminating ‘hot spots’ which can burn the coffee; precise pressurisation ensures no drips and leaves drier coffee grounds after brewing

THE GOOD

• Produces really hot espresso
• Froths the milk beautifully
• Tank comes out really easily so is easy to clean.
• Incredibly sturdy filter coffee machine.

THE BAD (Hardly!) 

• As you would expect from a as near a professional filter coffee machine as you can get, you will need to put some time and effort into making the perfect americano or espresso.  The following section will help you get the most out of this machine.

MAKING THE PERFECT COFFEE

• Filtered water works well to avoid scaling and affecting the taste – also avoids having to take the reservoir out so often;
• Properly ground coffee is a must. Please, please , please choose the best beans you can if you are grinding your own coffee or the best pre-ground coffee if not;
• Invest in a better tamper – the provided plastic one just does not allow you to compress the pellet enough; Whittards do a nice stainless steel one for about a fiver that also polishes well;
• Get some shot glasses for when you want to make cappucinos or lattes as the is not enough space under the head for big cups;
• Allow it and your cups/shot glasses to warm up as well; seem to get better coffee after about 6-10 mins rather than when the ready-light first come on.

Other points to note

• it looks good and stays clean
• it feels sturdy and well made, particular the heavy filter holder that locks satisfyingly into its holder each time
• Make sure you push the plastic steam attachment all the way on to the steel pipe and it seems to work better. 
  

Verdict 5/5

For more information click here

Whenever people ask me what is your favourite journey – the answer is always the same – the journey home!

Now this isn’t because I’m a home bird, it is just that sense of familiarity, certainty that home has that no matter how long you have been away it is always the best thing in the world to get back in your own bed.

When I read this article “5 places for a great coffee” , it got me thinking is it the same with coffee?  Does your filter coffee machine, espresso or grind and brew machine give you that same sense familiarity or where are the places that you have truly experienced a truly great cup of coffee?

Share your comments – I can’t wait to see what we get.

Cheers

Hi, so, no machine, but need coffee now. have pre-filled coffee filter pouches, how can i make coffee with them without a filter coffee machine? i have a little stove top kettle. Thanks for your help!
Lots of options here… 1) Cowboy coffee. Pour the coffee directly into boiling water. Drape the filter over the cup, secured with a rubber band. Slowly pour the coffee into the cup, using the filter to remove the coffee grinds. 2) Put coffee or tea into a filter, then staple it shut. put it in the cup, and pour the boiling water on top of it. Let it steep, then remove the makeshift “tea bag.” Cheers.

Its embaressing but I cant seem to get it right.. but how hard could it be? i mean.. put some brewed coffee and add water and then the machine does all the work but sth is off..

how many spoons of coffee do you put? whats a nice brand of coffee that is not too expensive and doesnt taste awfle?

one more question.. why is coffee alot more popular than Nescafe when its much easier to make and still has the pick me up effect of coffee and almost always tastes good..?

Thanks..

One scoop per cup
Make sure its the right coffee for the use..if you use a Bodum cafetiere it needs to be less fine than if you use a filter.
Biggest mistake: too hot water, basically you are scorching it if you do it directly from the kettle to the coffee..give it a few seconds , like counting to twenty.
Make sure its always fresh water, pour the old one away ( water your plants with it)
If you use a machine descale it once in a while and clean it.

As to Nescafe..life is too short to drink Nescafe…:-)

Maybe you can tell us which method you use so more specific tips can be added

Will adding double the amount of coffee grind in the filter of a drip coffee machine make the coffee double strength in caffeine and/or flavor?

Not really double. It will be somewhat stronger but not nearly double strength. Easiest way to make double strength coffee is to use a french press. In the french press, the coffee steeps in the water and will become much stronger than you can get with drip. Perk will be much stronger too but I find the cooked taste of perked coffee to be somewhat burnt in taste.

If the purpose of this exercise is to make ice coffee, then I suggest doing what I do. Brew coffee regular strength and make ice cubes from it. Brew a 2nd batch of coffee and pour the coffee over the coffee ice cubes.

If you having trouble deciding what type of coffee machine to buy – filter coffee machine, espresso machine or a cappuccino maker – how about buying one of each?

The BCO261 is a combi espresso machine that can prepare excellent espresso, cappuccino or filter coffee.  Not only does it use ground coffee, it also uses Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods to deliver an ultimate fresh coffee aroma.

The espresso system is powered by a high-performance, professional level 15 bar pump pressure and features a self-priming system and adjustable steam emission.  It has a stainless steel boiler, a removable water tank with level indicator and a removable drip tray.

The built-in cappuccino system perfectly mixes milk, steam and air to achieve a rich and creamy froth for a great cappuccino.

The filter coffee machine has a 10-cup capacity and a carafe warming plate. There is a flavour selector to choose the desired coffee aroma, an automatic drip-proof device and a removable water reservoir.

THE PROS

• The filter coffee machine is very easy to use and the flavour selector is a great addition that you will normally find on much more expensive machines;
• Great build quality for the price;
• Easy to clean.  The milk frother/steamer attachment comes apart so can be easily cleaned after use.

THE CONS

• Although the build quality is good, it does look ‘plasticky’ when you see it in the flesh;
• Out of the three options the filter and espresso are much better than the cappuccino maker; you may be disappointed if you buy this machine for the cappuccino;
• Please don’t be surprised by the size of this machine.  At 5kg and 23 x 38 x 33 cm it won’t sit inconspicuously on you worktop (in fact it is a similar size to a microwave).

TOP TIPS

• Don’t tamp the coffee too hard in the holder you get a much better coffee if it is not too compact;
• It would be wise to invest in a decent descaler, especially if you live in a hard water area.  De’longhi do their own descaler but this is expensive.

THE VERDICT
Yes there are faults with this machine and you may be surprised at the size of the machine, but it will be difficult to buy three separate machines that produce the quality of this coffee for a comparable price – 4/5

If you would like to take a closer look at this machine – click here

De’Longhi BCO261 Pump Combi Coffee Machine

I’ve never owned a filter coffee machine and I don’t know one who does. I want one that works by pushing pressurised steam through the ground beans. It doesn’t have to make large amounts of coffee in one go. I have no idea what special features that I will need. I just want a nice cup of filter coffee in the morning.
I’m not familiar with a “steam” process maker, but if you search on line for gourmet coffee makers I’m sure you would find many sizes, etc. Even if you can’t buy on-line you could learn about the different ones and make an educated selection in stores.

Seems very fine ground coffee makes it overflow from the filter basket What brand do you use and does it matter how fine the grounds are?
nope.. actually not. try bringing it to a specialist or to the store where you bought it. if nothing happens replace it with a new one. Click this link.

i’m looking for a filter coffee machine, willing to pay up to a hundred quid (though preferably less!) – a proper one that steams the coffee, like in the coffee shops – not just filter coffee. I dont want one that you have to put those ‘pods’ in either, i want to use my own coffee. i usually drink espresso, latte or capuccino. any recommendations please? anyone bought one they are happy with? thanks very much for any replies
happy to help you find something suitable, although pleased be advised that you will not get what you want for £100, and probably not £200 either may i suggest you try our Swissgold filter if you want to experience great coffee & a cheap blade grinder to introduce you to great coffee at an affordable price great coffee doesnt have to mean espresso, which is a point that is lost on many if you want to go down the espresso route you arent going to get any change from £500 as you need to buy a grinder too if this is beyond your budget i strongly suggest you save up for a little while until you can afford as cheap espresso machines all end up in one place; the bin! feel free to contact us for independent advice without obligation as we are bespoke coffee roasters not equipment suppliers