An average American drinks three cups of coffee per day so it is fair to say that coffee drinkers should be mindful of the kind of coffee they choose to drink. There are so many methods to prepare coffee that it can be hard to choose the right one for you. Most people that drink coffee regularly purchase a coffee maker to make the brewing process easier.

The variety of coffee makers can give some buyers a headache but it is a good thing that we have access to that many kinds because it gives everyone a chance to find the perfect one for their needs. In this article, we are going to take a look at two of the most commonly found coffee appliances, percolators and drip coffee makers.

Coffee percolators

A coffee percolator can come in two types, electric and stove-top. A traditional percolator works by allowing the hot water to pass through the beans sitting at the top part of the pot again and again. This brings out the rich flavor of coffee beans and allows one to enjoy a strong cup of coffee that is sure to awaken anyone even if they didn’t get enough sleep.

Percolators come with a filter basket so in theory there is no need to purchase any paper filters. Some prefer to put one on top of the basket anyway to filter out some of the smaller beans and give the coffee a slightly weaker taste. You can get percolator coffee filters in any larger retail store for a small price.

Percolators used to be the most popular kind of coffee maker until the 70s. Nowadays, they have been replaced by other appliances but some coffee lovers argue that nothing beats a coffee made by a traditional percolator. Many people buy them not only for the coffee taste but also the nostalgic value.

Drip coffee makers

Drip coffee makers were the main reason percolators went out of style. They are probably the most popular type of coffee maker today because of their simplicity. This easy to use coffee maker only requires you to put in the coffee beans and water to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. After the coffee is ready it is then dispensed into a glass pot. The pot sits atop a hot plate so that the coffee is always warm and ready to drink.

The main disadvantage of drip coffee makers is the hot plate part. The brewed coffee can sit for many hours inside the pot and it is being ‘cooked’ all the time because of the heat source. This can distort the taste of the coffee and make it undrinkable for some.

Because of their popularity, drip coffee makers are available in many different sizes and styles. You will probably be able to get a good one in any price range.

If neither of these is your cup of tea (or coffee!) feel free to choose something completely different. For example, an espresso machine. If you are going to be drinking coffee three times a day, make sure it is a beverage you actually enjoy.