On The Hob

Not every one’s favourite coffee is from an espresso machine in Starbucks.  In the home Cafetieres and Stovetop coffee makers are increasingly popular.  But what are they and which should you choose?

Cafetieres

A Cafetiere is a glass or plastic pot with a plunger on top.  The brand La Cafetière  is most popular but they are also known as a French Press coffee maker or just a coffee maker.

Cafetieres

To use a Cafetiere you take the lid and plunger off, spoon in your freshly ground coffee and then hot water from a kettle.  Put the lid on with the plunger up.  Then once you have allowed sufficient time push the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds from the coffee.

Cafetieres are simple to use and great when you have guests, they come in all sizes from one cup to 12 cups, so much quicker than making an espresso for every guest!

Click here to buy a Cafetiere coffee maker

Stovetops

Stovetop coffee makers are becoming increasingly popular.  As the name suggests these are coffee makers for use on the stove / on the hob.

Stovetop Espresso Makers

A stovetop coffee maker has three components.  The water reservoir at the bottom.  A funnel shaped filter in the middle and the jug top ontop.  To use the coffee maker fill the bottom section with water, and the filter with your ground coffee.  Then place on the hob.

As the water heats it will produce steam.  But with nowhere for the steam to go the pressure forces the water up the funnel and through to the ground coffee.  As the water combines with the ground coffee it expands the coffee effectively “self tamping” and means more pressure is required for the water to pass through the coffee.  This pressure means that the coffee produced is espresso rather than a standard coffee you would get from a Cafetiere.  As the last of the water passes through the coffee it makes a characteristic gurgling sound telling you the coffee is brewed and ready to drink.

The most popular range of Stovetops is the Moka range by Bialetti.  You can buy the stovetops in “cup sizes” from just a one cup all the way to a 18 cup.

Click here to buy Bialetti Moka Stovetops from Amazon UK

Still not sure about stovetops?  Take a look at this great YouTube video showing how simple it is to make the perfect espresso.

Click here to buy Bialetti Moka Stovetops from Amazon UK

The Dualit conical coffee grinder comes in professional-looking black and steel and has a bean capacity of 250g. Its one to ten portion control switch makes grinding more efficient if you want to make just one cup and it has a choice of settings, ranging from fine to coarse.

Dualit Burr Coffee Grinder 75002

Click to buy the Dualit Burr Coffee Grinder

What is a Burr coffee grinder and why should you buy one?

There are two main types of coffee grinders on the market.  Blade grinders and burr grinders.

Blade Grinders – These grinders use a spinning blade to cut coffee beans.  You control fineness by the length of time that the grinder is turned on.  The positives are that blade grinders are relatively inexpensive.  However because fineness is controlled by the time the machine is operating the ground coffee uneven in size resulting in an inconsistent brew.  Also the machine can get hot, if you are grinding beans finely this could give them a burnt flavour.

Burr Grinders – Burr Grinders crush rather than cut.  The fineness of the coffee is done by the closeness of the burr and therefore the coffee is ground at a conisitant size.

Click to buy the Dualit Burr Coffee Grinder

Click to buy coffee grinders from Amazon

A Bean-to-Cup machine is the ultimate coffee machine for people who are serious about coffee. The Bean-to-Cup system grinds a fresh portion of coffee beans for each cup via the built-in burr grinder – ensuring the ultimate fresh coffee experience every time – and all personal coffee preferences such as length, strength, and temperature can be tailored to suit every taste.

Every De’Longhi Bean-to-Cup machine features the single touch system – the ability to make fresh espresso and lungo at professional 15 Bar pressure at the touch of a button. The top of the range models include a De’Longhi patented single touch milk carafe that plugs into the front of the machine and froths fresh milk for cappuccino and latte, also at the touch of a button. In addition, the innovative milk carafe can be steam-cleaned at the touch of a button and can be removed and stored in the fridge, ready for the next coffee.

De'Longhi Prima Donna Bean to Cup Coffee Maker

Product Features

• Patented Autocappuccino System: get your perfect Cappuccino, the Italian Caffe latte and Latte Macchiato
• Personalising the coffee as often as you want has never been easier. Choose from short, medium or long, try a strong or extra mild aroma, enjoy it piping hot or at medium temperature
• The machine can be used with either coffee beans or ground coffee
• Integrated professional burr grinder
• Adjustable grinding
• Adjustable coffee quantity
• Adjustable water quantity
• Electronic temperature control
• Pre-brewing
• Adjustable coffee dispenser for varying cup sizes
• Automatic shut-off
• Removable water reservoir (1.8L)
• Water level indicator
• Rinse and decalcification auto-programmes
• Cup warmer
• Removable drip try

Click to buy the Delonghi Prima Donna Bean to Cup Coffee Maker

If you’re after a coffee machine this is a fantastic set.  Both a coffee machine and a aeroccino for the perfect milk to top off your coffee.  Note that this is a Nespresso coffee maker so will only use Nespresso coffee pods.  Though this has its advantages as the pod system is easy to use, clean (not coffee grounds everywhere) and produces a perfect cup every time.

Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

The Magimix Nespresso M100 espresso machine combines ease of use and advanced technology to deliver great results time after time. Impressive 19 bar pressure allows the perfect espresso everytime, while the stylish design of the unit makes it the perfect addition to any kitchen.

After your first taste, you will immediately appreciate the difference between an espresso and a filter coffee. Its flavour is stronger, its aromas more developed and its body thicker and more velvety. This is thanks to its unique method of preparation, which consists of passing water through finely ground coffee under high pressure and rapidly extracting the soluble substances. The quality of the results depends on various conditions: the measure of coffee, the pressure used, the water temperature, how finely ground the coffee is and the extraction time. Taking these conditions into account, using an award winning capsule system, Nespresso has created a process that allows you to prepare the perfect espresso.

The Magimix Nespresso M100 comes with a Aeroccino milk frother which can also be used to heat milk. Get perfect milk froth in just a few seconds. Maximum capacity: 75 ml (for milk froth preparation), 180 ml (for hot milk preparation). Diameter: 9 cm, height: 14.5 cm. Mains operated.

Product Details

Click to Buy the Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

Click to Buy the Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

Christmas will soon be upon us.  Struggling to find the perfect present for someone?  Kitchen gifts are always well received and needed.  Below we’ve run down some of the top Christmas gifts of 2008 for the Kitchen.

Under £20

Culinare One Touch Automatic Jar Opener

The Culinare One Touch Automatic Jar Opener is a really useful gift to give or receive this Christmas.  Many people both young and old can have trouble opening jars.  This does it for you.  We featured the One Touch Automatic Jar Opener previously On The Hob, Click here to read the article

Ginger Cat Crumb Pet Novelty Tabletop Vacuum Cleaner

The Ginger Cat tabletop vacuum cleaner is a fun gift perfect for an office secret Santa falling just under the £5 mark.  Also practical too as it vacuums up left over crumbs to keep your surfaces clear!

Screwpull By Le Creuset Waiter Friend

The Waiters friend by Screwpull and Le Creuset is a must have for any wine enthusiast.  Small enough to fit in your pocket but also big enough to open any bottle this is a great gift for the home wine lover or for the professional waiter.

Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker

Bialetti are leaders in the Manufacturing of Stovetop Espresso makers.  The Moka Express Espresso maker comes in different sizes.  A stovetop espresso maker is a gift that keeps giving as there’s nothing like a freshly made coffee in the morning.

Under £50

Ken Hom 31cm Traditional Carbon Steel 10 Pce Wok Set

The Ken Hom 31cm Traditional Carbon Steel 10 Pce Wok Set is perfect for anyone who wants to prepare good food quickly.  With this 10 piece set they can be enjoying stir frys in no time.

George Foreman Next Grilleration Health Grill

The George Foreman Next Grilleration Health Grill is the perfect gift for anyone interested in healthy eating.  Its two grill plates cooking both sides of the food half cooking time.  The sloped grill also lets fat drain off creating a healthy dish.  Even better once you have finished eating no hard cleaning as the grill plates are removable and dishwasher safe.

Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 8 Pce Block Set

Kitchen Knives are often forgotten but good knives make a real difference to you in the Kitchen.  Help someone start the new year with the Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 8 piece Knife block set.  These knives have unique hardened flexible corrosion resistant stainless steel blades and man made riveted handles for comfort and cleanliness.

Under £100

Marco Pierre White, Green Pan and Russell Hobbs Hard Anodised Cookware Set, 5 Pieces,

Marco Pierre White, Green Pan and Russell Hobbs Hard Anodised Cookware Set, 5 Pieces. There’s nothing better than having a complete set of Saucepans.  We have already featured this amazing set of 5 Hard Anodised Marco Pierre White pans On the Hob, Click here to read the article

Panasonic SD255 Breadmaker with Raisin/Nut Dispenser

Panasonic SD255 Breadmaker with Raisin/Nut Dispenser.  There’s nothing like the smell of fresh bread and with this bread maker you can bring that to your home!  Once you taste your own bread you won’t want to go back to the supermarkets!

Morphy Richards 48780 Intellisteam Steamer

The Morphy Richards 48780 Intellisteam Steamer features 4 compartments which you can set at different heats.  Steamers are great gifts as by steaming the food rather than boiling the flavour isn’t lost into the water, giving you all the goodness from the vegetables and flavour you didn’t think was possible.

Over £100

Tefal ActiFry Low Fat Electric Fryer

The Tefal ActiFry Low Fat Electric Fryer is a revolutionary deep fat fryer.  When frying the the Actifry gently turns the food allowing healthy frying by using the minimum amount of oil.  Just one spoonful is needed for 1kg of chips!

Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

The Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino uses the Nespresso pod system to give you a fresh tasting perfect cup of coffee every time.  This is the perfect gift set as it includes the Aeroccino allowing you to froth milk for the perfect cappuccino or Latte.

De'Longhi Prima Donna Bean to Cup Coffee Maker

The De’Longhi Prima Donna Bean to Cup Coffee Maker is the king of Delonghi coffee makers.  This machine does everything!  It will operate with Beans (internal burr grinder) or ground coffee.  It also has a milk jug and can create the perfect Cappuccino at just one press of a button.

Those are our choices of perfect presents for the Kitchen this year but what are yours?  Have you bought a kitchen gift for a friend?  have you asked for one?  Let us know what your perfect Kitchen Christmas Present is by leaving us a comment – Just click comments at the top of this article.