A coffee maker is used to prepare and make coffee. This appliance will usually be made out of a hot plate, carafe or a glass pot, basket for filters, and a water reservoir. An electric coffee maker can be used to brew different types of coffee as well as:
- Cook small batches of rice
- Boil and prepare pasta dishes
- Hard-boil eggs and cook scrambled eggs
- Make hot chocolate
Coffee makers are generally low-tech where a heating element is used to heat up a hot plate beneath the carafe. After the water is added to the reservoir it makes its way as hot water to the coffee maker which falls through coffee grounds that are placed below the filter basket. Depending on your coffee maker, the sensors will maintain the heating element’s temperature and will turn off and on in order to keep it 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C.) Today, there are coffee makers with timers, built-in grinders, and settings for different brewing styles and strengths.
A coffee maker can make 1 to 12 cups of coffee depending. These appliances can cost $20 to $2500 depending on whether or not it is a single-serve coffee maker or a commercial machine. The type of filter that coffee makers have will also cause prices to be higher or lower. Coffee makers will use steel or paper filters.
A drip coffee maker that can be used to make 4 cups to 5 cups of coffee will use 550 watts to 900 watts while a bigger model will require 750 watts to 1200 watts. Single-serve coffee makers that use coffee capsules will require 900 watts to 1500 watts of power. On the other hand, automatic espresso machines use 1000 watts to 1500 watts to brew coffee. On average, it costs $0.20 for a coffee maker to run for an hour.
Coffee makers are versatile appliances and can be used to heat up or make soup and even bake small batches or cupcakes. This kitchen appliance can be used to make chocolate or cheese fondue as well. Other use cases for a coffee maker include:
1. Coffee
The most popular way to use a coffee maker is for freshly brewed coffee. First, plug in your coffee maker and insert a filter into the filter basket. If you are going to grind whole coffee beans first, grind your beans with a Medium-coarse grind and scoop 35 grams of coffee into the filter. Otherwise, place your pre-ground coffee into the filter. Add 500 ml of water into the reservoir. Turn on the coffee maker and let it brew your coffee automatically or select the brewing program. After all of the water in the reservoir has been used up, remove the coffee pot, pour coffee into a mug, and consume.
2. Soup
A coffee maker can be used to make soup. If you are using a soup packet, add the soup seasoning into the coffee pot. Add water into the reservoir as directed on the soup packet and let the water run through the coffee maker. Wait until all of the water has been used up before removing the coffee pot and pouring the soup into a bowl.
To make soup from scratch, chop up onions, celery root, carrots, and leek then place these ingredients into the coffee maker’s filter basket. Add a bay leaf and allspice into the basket as well. Add more vegetables into the coffee pot along with your noodles of choice and salt. Add 2 cups of water into the reservoir and let the coffee maker run. When the noodles are soft, turn off your coffee maker and transfer your vegetable soup into bowls.
3. Cupcakes
Another way to use the coffee maker is to bake cupcakes with it. To make the batter, combine sugar and vanilla into a small bowl. In a mixing bowl, add the cake flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Combine the sugar and vanilla into this mixing bowl. Then, add butter and mix. In another bowl, beat together eggs, oil, and sour cream before adding this liquid into the flour mixture. Scoop mixture into miniature cupcake liners until the liner is about ½ full.
Turn on your coffee maker and remove the coffee pot. Place the cupcakes onto the hot plate and cover the cupcakes and plate with a pot. Let the hot plate bake the cupcake for around 10 minutes. Check if the cupcake is baked by poking it with a toothpick. Repeat until the batter is finished. Top mini cupcakes with frosting and consume.
4. Fish
Also, a coffee maker can be used to poach fish. Add your salmon into the coffee pot or carafe. Add in your seasonings like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Add 3 cups of water into the reservoir and let the coffee maker run. After around 7 minutes, the salmon will become flaky and more opaque color. Transfer the salmon onto a plate and consume.
5. Fondue
An alternative way to use a coffee maker is as a fondue maker. To make cheese fondue, grate your preferred cheeses into a medium-sized bowl and toss grated cheese with cornstarch. In a small pot, add wine, garlic, and lemon juice. Turn on your coffee maker and remove the carafe placing the small pot onto the hot plate instead. Stir the wine, garlic, and lemon juice until combined. Slowly add grated cheese into the small pot, continuously stirring. When the cheese fondue is smooth, add mustard and nutmeg. Remove the pot of cheese fondue from the hot plate and transfer it into a bowl. Consume immediately or refrigerate and consume within 3 days.
To make chocolate fondue, combine the chocolate, ½ cup of milk, and butter into a small pot. Place the pot on the hot plate of your coffee maker and turn on your appliance. Stir your ingredients until the chocolate has melted completely and the fondue is smooth. Add cream if your fondue is too thick and remove the pot from the hot plate. Stir in vanilla and salt before transferring the fondue into a bowl. Serve immediately.
6. Vegetables
A coffee maker doubles as a vegetable steamer. Prepare your vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower by washing them thoroughly and then chopping them. Place chopped vegetables into the filter basket and fill it up about ½ full. Add water to the reservoir filling it up to half the maximum capacity which is around 6 cups. Let the coffee maker run two cycles to steam your vegetables. Transfer vegetables into a bowl and consume.
7. Panini
Alternatively, a coffee maker can be used to make paninis. After turning on your coffee maker, remove the carafe and heat up the plate underneath. Butter one side of your slice of bread and place it on the hot plate. Place a slice of cheese on top before adding another buttered slice of bread on top. Butter the top of the sandwich before flipping it over until that side is also slightly brown. Continue to grill the sandwich until the cheese has completely melted. Transfer to a place and consume.
8. Oatmeal
Also, a coffee maker can make oatmeal. To make oatmeal with a small pot, place ¼ cup of oatmeal into the pot with ¾ cup of water. Turn on your coffee maker and replace the carafe with the pot. Cook oatmeal on the hot plate for 7 minutes stirring occasionally. Top with milk, cinnamon, and nuts or seeds.
Another way to cook oatmeal with the coffee maker is to place the oats directly into the coffee pot. Add the ¾ cup of water into the reservoir. Add cinnamon and milk to the oatmeal in the carafe and let the coffee maker run. After 5 minutes to 10 minutes, transfer cooked oatmeal into a bowl and consume.
9. Hard-boiled Eggs
An alternative way to use the coffee maker is for hard-boiled eggs. Gently place 4 eggs to 6 eggs into the carriage if you have a standard-sized coffee maker. For those with a single-serve or mini-coffee maker, you can fit 1 egg to 2 eggs in the glass pot. Fill up the reservoir with water up to the maximum capacity and let your coffee maker run. After the eggs are submerged in hot water, let them cook in the carafe for 10 minutes to 12 minutes. Pour out the hot water and replace the carafe with cold water. Remove the eggs from the glass pot, remove the shells, and consume.
10. Pancakes
The coffee maker is also a pancake maker. To make the pancake batter, beat eggs and milk in a bowl. In another bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Turn on your coffee machine removing the carafe. Let the plate heat up and spray it with a thin layer of non-stick cooking oil. Pour a small amount of batter onto the plate and let it cook for around 2 minutes. Flip the pancake over and cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat until the batter is finished. Place pancakes onto a plate and serve with butter and syrup.
11. Hot Chocolate
Also, a coffee maker can be used for hot chocolate. Simply empty 3 packets to 4 packets of hot chocolate mix into the glass pot. Then, add 5 cups of water into the reservoir. You can also add a sweetener to the carafe, otherwise, turn on the appliance and let the coffee maker run. After the coffee maker is done, use a spoon to mix the hot chocolate and dissolve any leftover clumps of powder. Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or cinnamon before serving.
For homemade hot chocolate, fill up ½ of the coffee pot with milk. Add half a bag of chocolate chips and 1 cup of heavy cream. Simply turn on the coffee maker and let the hot plate heat up the ingredients. Stir occasionally until all of the chocolate has melted. Pour into mugs, top with your favorite toppings, and serve.
12. Instant Noodles
Alternatively, the coffee maker can make instant noodles. Add the instant noodles into the carafe and pour in the seasonings that come in the packaging. Add 2 cups of water into the reservoir, turn on your coffee maker and let it run for 8 minutes to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. When the instant noodles are cooked, pour them out into a bowl and consume them.
13. Tea
A coffee maker can be used to make tea as well. Place your tea bag or tea bags into the coffee filter basket. For every tea bag you use, add 6 ounces to 8 ounces of water into the reservoir. So if you are making tea for two, place two bags into the filter basket and add 12 ounces to 16 ounces of water to the reservoir. Turn on your coffee machine and let it run. After the tea has dripped into the carafe, pour it into teacups and serve.
14. Hot Dogs
An alternative way to use the coffee maker is to boil hot dogs in it. Place frozen hot dogs into the carafe. Pour 6 cups to 8 cups of water into the reservoir and let the coffee maker run. After the hot dogs are submerged in hot water, let them cook for around 30 minutes. Drain the water from the glass pot and transfer cooked hot dogs onto a plate.
15. Chicken
The coffee maker can be used to make chicken. For a simple lemon pepper chicken breast, plate the chicken breast into the glass pot. Add water into the carafe so that ¼ of the chicken is covered. Add your lemon, salt, and pepper into the carafe as well. Turn on the coffee maker and let the plate heat up. Cook the chicken breast on one side for 15 minutes before flipping it and letting it cook in the carafe for another 15 minutes. Take out the chicken breast and transfer it onto a plate. Serve with a side of mashed potato.
16. Rice
A coffee maker is an alternative appliance used to cook rice. To cook instant rice in the coffee maker, place a coffee filter into the filter basket. Following instructions on the instant rice package, add the recommended amount of water into the reservoir. Empty an instant rice packet into the coffee filter basket and let the coffee maker run. When the coffee maker has used up all of the water, scoop out the rice and place it on a plate. Consume immediately or mix with seasoning before serving.
17. Pasta
Another way to use the coffee maker is to boil pasta in it. First, fill up the coffee maker’s reservoir with water up to the maximum capacity. Turn on the coffee maker and let it run. After the coffee pot is filled with hot water, pour in your pasta. Let the pasta cook for 10 minutes to 15 minutes in the hot water before straining it. Put the pasta back into the carafe and add tomato sauce and seasoning. Turn your coffee maker back on and stir your pasta. After the pasta has heated up in the sauce, transfer it onto plates and serve.
18. Couscous
Also, a coffee maker can cook couscous. Plug in the coffee maker and add 1 ¾ of water into the reservoir. Pour 1 ½ cup of couscous into the coffee pot and let the coffee maker run. After the water has been used up, add a drizzle of olive oil, butter, and salt into the carafe and use a fork to fluff the couscous. Turn the coffee maker on again and occasionally mix the couscous in the glass pot. After around 5 minutes, turn the coffee maker off and scoop the couscous onto plates. Serve immediately.
Common Mistakes for Coffee Maker Usage
When learning how to use a coffee maker for the use cases above, avoid the following mistakes:
- Using the wrong grind size. For making coffee, grind size matters and depends on your brewing style. A Medium grind is recommended for drip coffee makers in order to extract the coffee’s flavors and aromas properly.
- Not replacing the coffee filter. Unless your coffee filter is reusable, it should be replaced after every use.
- Forgetting to clean the coffee maker. Especially for the use cases above, cleaning the coffee pot or carafe as well as the plate is essential in maintaining your appliance. Otherwise, your food or drinks may taste like other types of food unintentionally.
- Using the wrong measurements. Ratios are important in the use cases above in order to cook your food or mix your drinks.
- Using the wrong coffee maker. Not all coffee makers can be used for the use cases above. An electric drip coffee maker is the recommended appliance for the food and drinks mentioned above.
- Using unrinsed coffee filters. Before using a coffee filter for the use cases above, it is recommended to rinse the filter with water. RInsing a coffee filter will make it stick to the edges of a filter basket better and allow the heated water to run through the filter better.
- Not adding enough water. When your coffee maker’s reservoir runs out of water, your coffee or tea will taste stronger and may not be to your liking. For food, it may not steam, broil, or cook food correctly because of the lack of water. Check on your reservoir when using the coffee maker for the use cases above and refill if necessary.
- Using water that is the wrong temperature. For brewing coffee, it is important that the water that the coffee maker is heating up is between 195°F (90°C) to 205°F (96°C) in order to extract coffee properly.
- Never descaling the appliance. Hard water can cause minerals like magnesium, calcium, and limestone to build up in your coffee maker which can affect the taste of your food and beverages when you use the appliance for the use cases above. To descale the coffee maker, empty and rinse out the carafe and make sure that there are no coffee grounds in the filter basket. Fill the reservoir halfway with water and then the other half with white vinegar. Let the coffee maker run and then empty out the carafe. Repeat with just water to get rid of the vinegar taste.
- Leaving water in the reservoir. For the best tasting coffee, drinks, and food mentioned in the use cases above, it is best to use fresh water. Empty out any leftover water in the reservoir and replace it with new water.
- Using tap water. Tap water has minerals that are unique to wherever you are. For the best-tasting results, use filtered water in the coffee maker.
Avoid these mistakes when you are using the coffee maker for the use cases above to maintain the appliance.
History of Usage of Coffee Makers
What is a coffee maker and where did it come from? The first coffee maker that inspired today’s appliances originated in Turkey in the 1400s to 1500s. The Ibrik is a metal pot with a long handle where coffee grounds, sugar, spices, and water are mixed into the pot before the coffee is brewed. In the 1600s, coffee boomed in Europe, and coffee was ground with mortars and pestles.
It was only in 1865 that the coffee percolator was an invention that James Nason submitted for patenting. A stovetop version of the coffee percolator was then invented by Hanson Goodrich in the year 1869. In 1884, the first espresso machine was invented by Angelo Moriondo which was then improved by Luigi Bezzera, a mechanic, in 1901. These patents were purchased by Desiderio Pavoni in 1906, and this founder of the La Pavoni brand began to produce espresso machines commercially.
The first coffee maker that used filters was invented in 1908 by Melitta Bentz. This German entrepreneur made a coffee filter out of blotting paper. Then in 1954, the first drip coffee maker that ran on electricity was invented by Gottlob Widmann. The electric coffee maker that made drip coffee was popularized in America in 1972 by Mr. Coffee, a brand that replaced the percolator for homeowners and commercial use. These coffee makers led to today’s versions that have specific brewing strengths, coffee roasts, and timed settings.
Does the Use Cases of a Coffee Maker Change Based on Type?
Yes, the use cases of a coffee maker change based on the type of coffee maker it is. A drip coffee maker is used for the use cases above because water is added into the reservoir while coffee grounds are added into the filter basket. The hot water passes through the beans and into the carafe which sits on a hot plate and can be used to keep coffee warm.
However, there are manual coffee makers like the pour-over, french press, and Aeropress. A pour-over coffee maker only needs you to place the coffee maker on top of a carafe or mug, add a filter into the funnel, add the coffee grounds, and pour water onto the grounds. A French press allows you to make coffee by adding hot water and coffee grounds into the glass pot. Using the lid you push down the plunger which has a filter to move the coffee grounds to the bottom of your carafe. An Aeropress will make coffee after you add hot water into the base and place a filter into the coffee maker’s cap. After screwing on the base, you place it over a mug and stir the coffee grounds before pushing the plunger down for the coffee to be pressed into your mug.
There are also capsule coffee makers which only require water to be added into the reservoir and a coffee pod into the coffee maker. Also, espresso coffee makers can be used to grind and brew coffee. Then there are Moka pots and percolators which use hot water to saturate coffee grounds and brew coffee.
What Coffee Maker is Best for Making Cappuccino?
The best coffee maker for making a cappuccino is an espresso coffee maker. This is because an espresso coffee maker can brew the coffee, steam milk, and be used to create a foam that makes up a cappuccino.
What Has More Use Cases: an Espresso Machine or a Coffee Maker?
While both can be used to make coffee, coffee maker vs. espresso machine, an espresso machine has more use cases. An espresso machine, unlike a simple coffee maker, can be used to steam milk and other liquids. This appliance is also available in models that offer a built-in coffee grinder. This way, coffee beans can be ground to different grind sizes and the espresso machine can use a program for different brewing styles.
Other Kitchen Tools with Various Use Cases Similar to Coffee Maker
Other kitchen tools with various use cases similar to a coffee maker include:
- Water Boiler: An electric water kettle is used to heat up water to boiling point and be used to make beverages.
- Pot or Saucepan: A pot or saucepan is a container made out of metal or ceramic ware that is used for cooking or heating up food and liquids.
While these kitchen tools have similar functions to a coffee maker, they have use cases unique to themselves. Learn more about these 2 kitchen tools and their 5 other uses here.