As a coffee lover, I get excited over unique brewing gadgets, but none of them had me as excited as when I laid my eyes on a vacuum coffee maker (also known as a siphon coffee maker) for the first time.
I was mesmerized when I first saw a vacuum coffee maker in action. It was a purely sensory experience just watching the coffee brew. I not only like the aesthetic appeal but also how it can brew a clean and fresh cup of coffee precisely every time.
You may have also seen one in a specialty coffee shop, but did you know it’s quite easy to use at home once you get the hang of it?
After I saw that vacuum coffee maker, I purchased one, tested it and am going to show you how to brew a perfect cup of coffee. I’ll cover what a vacuum coffee maker is, how to use it and list 5 you can consider getting.
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What is a vacuum coffee maker?
The vacuum coffee maker is not a new technology. It was invented back in the 1830s in Germany and is a full immersion brew system – grounds are immersed in water before filtering. Think like a French press or an Aeropress.
A vacuum coffee maker is also called a siphon coffee maker and it consists of two elegant glass chambers that work on the principle of expansion and contraction of water vapor to create a vacuum (where the name vacuum coffee maker comes from), along with rapidly filtered extraction that delivers the perfect coffee to your cup.
I’ll show you more about what this means when I show you how to use it but basically, you heat the bottom chamber from a heat source and the heat forces water into the top glass and then goes through the coffee grounds and back to the bottom glass. It’s a bit of an involved process but worth the effort.
So how do I use a vacuum coffee maker?
To begin, let’s gather everything you’ll need:
- Siphon coffee maker
- Filter (I recommend a siphon metal filter)
- Butane burner
- Coffee beans
- Manual coffee grinder
- Kitchen scale
- Thermometer (I used a waterproof thermometer by Taylor Precision Products)
Step by Step Guide
Step 1
Measure 30g of fresh roasted coffee beans and grind it. I am using Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee beans and a Hario manual hand grinder.
Grind the coffee beans a little finer than you would for regular drip coffee. In my case here, the manual grinder is adjusted eight clicks from being closed.
Read More: How to Use a Hario Manual Coffee Grinder
Step 2
Measure 250g of water and fill the lower glass chamber. You can save time by using preheated water to cut down heating time.
Step 3
Insert the filter into the upper glass chamber. I am using a metal mesh filter instead of the cloth filter that my vacuum coffee maker came with for easy maintenance. Just don’t use paper filters as it will absorb the essential coffee oil during the brewing process which would alter the taste greatly.
Step 4
Turn the heat source on and start heating it up.
Some siphon coffee maker kits will already come with an alcohol burner, but I upgraded to butane burner to speed things up. If you want something faster than a butane burner, opt for a halogen burner but expect to pay a premium price.
Step 5
Set the upper vessel firmly onto the lower chamber when the water is starting to boil. You will notice water starting to travel up into the upper chamber due to the built-up pressure.
Step 6
Aim for an ideal brewing temperature of 200°F. Use your thermometer and adjust the heat source adequately.
Step 7
Pour in the coffee ground and start brewing! Set your timer for 1 minute.
Step 8
Stir to saturate all the coffee grounds. Using a wooden stirring paddle, gently stir several times to mix.
Step 9
Remove heat source once the timer goes off. Now watch carefully and don’t blink!
The coffee will start to travel downward. The vacuum created beneath the lower chamber will suck all the coffee out from the upper vessel.
Step 10
Coffee is filtered and rests in the bottom chamber. You know your brew is ready when you see bubbling and turbulence happening, and when a dome of grounds has been formed on top of the filter.
Remove the upper vessel and set it in the stand/lid. Give the brew a few minutes to cool before serving. It’s done and ready to drink. Pour and enjoy!
The siphon coffee maker is an elegant device and guaranteed to appeal to all your senses. It is one of the finest ways to brew coffee – simply the best combination of art and science.
Which vacuum coffee maker should I get? Here are 5:
Photo Credit: Amazon
1. For Everyday Use: Hario Technica Coffee Siphon
This is Hario Technica siphon is our favorite vacuum coffee maker and the one we used above to show you how to use a vacuum coffee maker. It’s imported from Japan and can brew up to 5 cups of coffee.
2. For Impressing Your Guests: Diguo Belgian Siphon Coffee Maker
Photo Credit: Amazon
As if a vacuum coffee maker doesn’t already look so unique and impressive, this siphon coffee maker from Diguo is conversation starter worthy and one to take out to brew coffee when you have guests over. It comes in a rose gold and silver and set on a wooden base.
3. For the Stovetop: Yama Glass Stovetop Coffee Siphon
Photo Credit: Amazon
All of these vacuum coffee makers listed here are for your countertop and used with an alcohol burner. But there are also vacuum coffee makers that can be put directly onto the stovetop like this one from Yama Glass. It has an 8 cup capacity and is made of hand blown borosilicate glass.
4. For the Budget Friendly: Boeng 5-Cup Coffee Syphon
Photo Credit: Amazon
This 5 cup siphon coffee maker from Boeng is one of the cheapest you can find on Amazon with fairly positive ratings. It might be a good one to try if you aren’t sure about this method yet. It’s made of heat resistant glass and polypropylene and comes with an alcohol burner, wood stirrer and cloth filter.
5. For the Electric Model: Bodum ePEBO Electric Vacuum Coffee Maker
Photo Credit: Amazon
Apart from the stovetop and alcohol burner methods, there’s also an electric vacuum coffee maker from Bodum. It can make up to 8 cups of coffee and brewed within 5 to 11 minutes depending on how much coffee you’re making.
