More than a third of all Germans enjoy classic filter coffee at home.
Stiftung Warentest has selected the best coffee machines from €40 in comparison.
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Don't be stale!
Germany is the coffee drinker record holder and more than a third of all German coffee lovers reach for the classic filter coffee at home.
No wonder, because filter coffee is a cheap and aroma-safe alternative to fully automatic coffee machines, which are not always easy to use.
Although these are already available for less than 500 euros, they still cost a small fortune compared to filter coffee machines.
The test by Stiftung Warentest showed that there are good classic coffee machines starting at 40 euros.
If really good coffee is then poured into the filter, nothing stands in the way of the delicious caffeine kick.
Why filter coffee machines are still Germany's number one
If you ask coffee lovers or even professional baristas, the advantages of the good old coffee machine quickly become apparent.
Of course, these were also included in the test by Stiftung Warentest and almost all of the models examined received a good rating.
And that's saying something...
✅ At approx. €0.6 per cup, the most cost-effective method (coffee machine approx. €0.12 per cup)
✅ Super simple, self-explanatory operation
✅ Comparatively little space
requirement ✅ Slowly running the water through the coffee powder optimally dissolves aroma substances
✅ Usually works with less bitter substances and acid
✅ Unbeatable for larger quantities
✅ Practical warming function
With this ingenious coffee trick, filter coffee becomes a highlight
Coffee machine test: These are the top 4 from Stiftung Warentest
The experts examined 15 filter coffee machines from well-known manufacturers and, of course, primarily focused on the result.
With a 35 percent share of the rating, the coffee aroma was taken into account in the test results, as well as the brewing process and handling as other important criteria.
Coffee machine Krups KM3210 Pro Aroma Plus - the cheapest in the test
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Krups KM3210 Pro Aroma Plus with glass jug
© Krups
The best filter coffee doesn't have to be expensive!
This is proven by this all-rounder filter coffee machine from Krups.
Thanks to the aroma selector switch, you can prepare milder or more intense and full-bodied coffee, depending on your taste.
✅ Test grade good (2.1)
✅ 10 to 15 cups of coffee
✅ Particularly easy to use
✅ 30-minute keep -warm
function ✅ Automatic switch-off
€39.59 instead of €72.99 at Amazon
Philips Café Gourmet HD5408/20/B - coffee machines test winner with aroma guarantee
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Philips filter coffee machine Café Gourmet.jpg
© Phillips
The unique Aroma Twister technology allows the coffee to flow into the pot via a special nozzle in such a way that it circulates evenly inside.
Similar to a red wine snifter, this should ensure the development of an optimal and even aroma.
✅ Test grade good (2.1)
✅ Up to 15 cups
✅ Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
✅ Boil-and-brew system for a particularly balanced aroma
✅ Drip-stop function
✅ Automatic switch -off function
€130.99 at OTTO
The most elegant coffee machine in the test - Russell Hobbs Elegance 23370-56
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Russell Hobbs Coffee Maker Elegance 23370-56
© Russell Hobbs
Visually, this branded device with glass and stainless steel accents is a real eye-catcher, which has already been awarded the Red Dot 2018 Product Design Award - the "Oscar" for industrial design.
✅ Test grade Good (2.1)
✅ Up to 10 cups
✅ Brewing temperature in 60 seconds thanks to the rapid
heating system ✅ Shower head technology for better aroma extraction
✅ Digital control element
Best price €89.99 on eBay
Who likes it mild - WMF Bueno in the coffee machine test
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WMF filter coffee machine BUENO
© WMF
With this elegant coffee machine with a matt Cromargan housing, the testers agreed that the coffee was less strong and less intense.
The model keeps the coffee warm for a particularly long time.
✅ Test grade good (2.2)
✅ Up to 10 cups
✅ Programmable start time
✅ Drip stop and overflow
protection ✅ 40 minutes warming function
€45.99 instead of €74.99 at OTTO
This is how coffee succeeds optimally in the filter machine
Best freshly
ground: Like many spices, ground coffee beans lose their aroma faster than whole beans.
If you don't drink much coffee, you should think about buying a really good coffee grinder - or at least store coffee powder optimally.
Choosing the right degree of grinding
: Have your beans ground fresh if they are specially ground for the filter coffee machine.
A medium to rather coarse grain size ensures that the water seeps through the ground coffee at the optimum speed.
Coffee filters - bleached or unbleached?
Unbleached filters affect the taste of the coffee less than bleached filter bags, which are whitened by a chemical process.
Watch out for TCF (non-chlorine bleaching) processes, which don't alter the coffee's flavor quite as much.
The coffee filter trick:
professionals swear by it – make sure to fold the coffee filter before inserting it.
Then moisten the empty coffee filter before preparing the coffee.
This should open the pores and reliably filter out unwanted flavors.
The optimal amount of coffee
: If the coffee machine does not have a special aroma function, the rule of thumb is “1 to 2 teaspoons of coffee powder per cup”.
The amount can of course vary depending on taste, degree of roasting and type of coffee.
Last but not least: What to look for when buying a filter coffee machine?
As Stiftung Warentest proves, a really good filter coffee machine does not have to be expensive.
Of course, that doesn't mean that all cheap models are great - but vice versa, an expensive coffee machine doesn't have to be great.
So that you can check a little before you buy whether the device is worth something, here are a few tips:
Brewing temperature
: The water should run through the coffee powder at 92 to 96 °C.
For a full aroma, make sure that the coffee machine is designed in such a way that it only releases the water when the optimum temperature has been reached!
Some models heat gradually and already run lukewarm water.
Brewing process
: When making filter coffee, a real barista pours the water in a circular motion into the filter to evenly moisten the coffee.
Your coffee machine should imitate this process when brewing, because if the water runs selectively and statically into the filter at only one point, the coffee powder only releases its aroma completely there.
Brewing
time: Ideally, a coffee machine needs between 6 and 8 minutes to brew 1.2 liters of coffee – depending on the grain size and amount of coffee powder.
Ideally, the model has an aroma function that automatically adjusts the throughput speed to the desired strength and coffee powder.
Keep Warm
: As handy as a hot plate is, it still has a downside for foodies.
Because there the finished coffee is further heated like on a mini stove, which continues the so-called "extraction curve" of the brewing process - and releases bitter substances.
If you like your coffee mild, you should use a coffee machine with a vacuum jug instead of a warming plate.
