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As much of the world moves indoors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, even the most committed cafe-goers are figuring out how to make their morning mug at home. Whether you’re looking for the perfect cup of black coffee or trying to recreate your favorite dairy-free latte, it can be daunting to decipher all of the coffee-gear lingo. A pour over? A French press? A Toddy? What gives? Fortunately, a few coffee-obsessed experts have weighed in to help us decide which coffee maker to pick for at-home enjoyment.
First, there are a few tools you’ll likely want to add to your arsenal before you even get to the “maker.” “A burr grinder takes the guesswork out of grinding coffee and makes it easy to switch from one brew method to another,” says Brien Baltzell, founder of Jetty Coffee Roasters in Los Angeles. It should also be noted that grind size does matter: a Moka pot, for example, requires a fine grind, while a French press uses a coarser grind.
Next, a scale is handy for those coffee enthusiasts who are exacting about their coffee-grounds-to-water ratio. “The Acaia Pearl scale monitors weight, time, and flow rate—just what you need to step your [brewing] game up,” notes Baltzell. “It’s also great for simply weighing out water and coffee, ensuring your brew ratio is accurate and consistent.” Each gadget has its own grounds-to-water ideal, so scope out the manual before diving into brewing.
Last, but certainly not least, an electric kettle is “a must-have for home brewing,” Ryan Gee, head roaster at Publik in Salt Lake City, relays. The right water temperature ensures a good brew without scalding the grounds.
Now, on to the coffee maker:
Drip Machine: For Instant Gratification
Wake up, toss grounds into a filter, press a button, and voilà—coffee for days. While a drip coffee machine might seem vintage, it does the trick, especially when an instant morning perk-me-up is a necessity. While there’s no control over brewing, it’s easy, breezy, keeps coffee hot, and can be made more enjoyable by grinding fresh coffee beans at home instead of purchasing pre-ground coffee.
Espresso Machine: For the “Impress Thy Friends via Zoom” Type
Fancy an espresso or a latte with frothy milk and leaf art? An espresso machine such as the La Marzocco Linea Mini is in order. While it makes a variety of epic caffeinated drinks and will stand out stylishly in a kitchen nook, it’s a serious investment that’s not for the faint-hearted. “The con for the Linea Mini is you’ll need to do some studying and online education on how to properly use it,” Todd Carmichael, CEO and founder of La Colombe, says. “This is a true barista high-grade piece of equipment and requires a skill set.”
French Press: For the Coffee Drinker Who likes to Savor Every Last Drop
The classic gadget is simple to use: Add coffee grounds and hot water (you can manipulate strength based on amount of grounds added), let steep for five minutes, and that’s it. And if you keep dreaming of coffee to-go, “[it can be] easily thrown into a car/RV camping situation” down the line, says Gee, and produces a rich, vibrant cup. But beware: Because the coffee continues to “sit” on the grounds once it’s been brewed, it’s best consumed relatively quickly so it doesn’t become bitter. If you’re not going to drink the coffee right away, it’s best to transfer it to a carafe.
Moka Pot: For the Classic Coffee Connoisseur
In the States, the Moka pot isn’t the most common way of making coffee but it’s a classic—“and a beauty too,” adds Gee. Essentially, it’s a stovetop brewer that works in tandem with steam pressure to push water through coffee grounds and “produces a bold, deep cup that is espresso-like in its character,” he says. Add water to the bottom section, insert grounds into the filter basket (a huge perk, as no paper filters needed), screw sections together, and add to the stovetop. A hissing noise will let you know when it’s ready to be consumed, and the Moka pot can be removed from the stovetop and enjoyed immediately. Note: It’s fairly strong, so enjoy it as espresso or add water to make an Americano.
Pour Over: For the Nuanced Palate
If highlighting coffee origins and taste are of most importance, a pour over, like a Chemex, is ideal. Because this method is extremely controlled, “It’s a great way to highlight the finer nuances in a cup and of a particular origin or varietal,” says Gee. This is how it works: Grounds are placed in a paper filter and hot water is poured over grounds in a slow, circular motion, while coffee slowly drips into the glass—a process that takes roughly five minutes. “This is an intermediate to expert–level home brew process because of technique and equipment considerations,” he says. In other words: This is a great way to impress your family, but be prepared to study up on the perfect grounds to water ratio.
Toddy: For the Cold Brew Fanatic
Let’s get something straight: Iced coffee and cold brew are two completely different beverages. Iced coffee is merely putting ice cubes in regular drip coffee, while a cold brew is meticulously steeped and filtered. Looking to replicate that perfect cold brew at home? Buy a Toddy Cold Brew System. It’s not rocket science, but requires a strategic, slow process of adding grounds and water that are never to be stirred, and then must be allowed to sit overnight for 12 to 24 hours depending on personal taste preference. The real trick? The thick filter, which takes several minutes for the liquid to drain through, removes all traces of bitterness and acidity. It produces a cup “every bit as good as you’ll get at a specialty coffee shop,” says Baltzell. “This cold brew system has everything you need—easy-to-follow instructions, reusable filters, a glass decanter with lid. Talk about an economical way to get your cold brew fix.”
Slow-Drip Cold Brew: For the More Scientific Cold Brew Fanatic
Carmichael suggests The Bruer for those who love cold brew, but still want to control the entire process. “The Bruer is a slow-drip cold brew coffee maker that gives you all the benefits of a cold brewer: smooth sweetness with less acidity, with added ease and convenience.” It differs from the Toddy, as it’s not full immersion—meaning it uses a slow-drip method of water over grounds, resulting in a super clean, flavorful, and distinct cup that’s complete in six to 24 hours (depending on personal flavor preference).
Phoenix70: For the Minimalist, Solo Coffee Drinker
A favorite of Carmichael’s, the Phoenix70, created in Salt Lake City by Saint Anthony Industries, is super user-friendly in a weird science kind of way and takes up virtually no space thanks to its minimalistic framework. “All you need is this brewer and a paper filter,” he says. Gee, also a fan, relays that it’s “perfect for at-home brewing for the coffee aficionado [and] produces a complex, nuanced cup.” It’s strongly suggested to invest in these perfect paper filters; otherwise leave it in the hands of chemistry. By changing the “brew column” (the paper filter and the Phoenix), coffee characteristics can be drastically altered to achieve a cup that’s perfect for your tastebuds.
AeroPress: For the Adventure-Seeker
Once we’re no longer homebound, you’ll be glad to have an AeroPress, the perfect method for those seeking an instant but rewarding cup of coffee on the go. Opposite of a drip coffee maker, it uses pressure to force hot water through coffee grounds in an instant. Brew one cup straight into a to-go mug or make a couple shots of espresso in one quick minute. Plus, clean up is quick compared to other gadgets, and solely requires a tiny paper filter and hot water.
