Which coffee maker is better: geyser or drip: compare price, maintenance cost and ease of use

Making coffee in a cezve requires constant presence at the stove. Inexpensive compact coffee makers solve the problem of lack of time, so it is not surprising that people who decide to make such a purchase are wondering: what is better, a drip coffee maker or a geyser coffee maker.

What is a drip coffee maker

Drip (filtration) coffee makers are a widespread type of household appliance. The first coffee makers of this type appeared at the beginning of the 18th century in Paris. Over the past two centuries, they have been modernized several times and acquired their familiar appearance only by the middle of the 20th century.

This device consists of two compartments. Water is poured into the main body part. The second compartment is designed to accommodate a filter with ground coffee, through which the liquid passes.

The operating principle of a drip coffee maker is as follows:

1. Ground coffee is poured into the filter.
2. Water is poured into a special reservoir.
3. When the thermoelement is turned on, the water begins to heat up.
4. Due to heating, water vapor rises and condenses above the filter.
5. Drops of hot water fall on the ground coffee, pass through it and flow into the kettle, standing below on a heated stand.

This method of brewing makes the coffee as aromatic as possible and not too strong, so it’s impossible to get espresso in a drip coffee maker, but a classic Americano is quite possible.

This type of device can be equipped with additional functions:

• automatic heating - the thermoelement under the glass coffee pot does not allow the drink to cool down, so the coffee is always hot;
• overfill protection - when the glass kettle is filled, the heating function is turned off and water stops flowing into the filter;
• setting the degree of strength is a function that affects the intensity of the taste and aroma of the drink.

In addition, the latest models of filter coffee makers are equipped with timers and indicators that light up during operation or give a signal indicating the readiness of the drink.

What is a geyser coffee maker

A geyser coffee maker or, as it is also called, a moka, looks like a tall teapot divided into 2 parts. The first moki appeared in Italy almost 80 years ago. Their main purpose was to prepare espresso - especially strong coffee.

The geyser coffee maker consists of 2 compartments connected by a tube through which water passes. Also between the sections there is a mesh filter with a rubber gasket. The most common materials used are aluminum or stainless steel.

Today you can find both gas and electric varieties of geyser coffee makers on sale. The design of the latter includes a heating element. A few years ago, plastic mokas that could be heated in the microwave appeared on the market.

The operating principle of a geyser coffee maker is the following algorithm:

1. Clean cold water is poured into the lower compartment up to the special mark.
2. Ground coffee is placed in the filter. The main condition is not to compact the powder.
3. Both parts are connected (screwed together).
4. When heated, the water rises through the tube, passing through the filter with coffee and being saturated with the taste and aroma of ground beans.

The resulting drink is very rich and aromatic. Its taste is reminiscent of the famous Italian espresso.

Some manufacturers are modernizing traditional moki coffee by placing the ground beans in a filter pod or at the top of the coffee maker.

What is the difference?

Before comparing both types of coffee makers, you need to decide on the basic criteria.

Price

The minimum price tag for geyser and drip coffee makers is approximately the same - 350-400 rubles. The maximum price for the geyser variety reaches 6,000 rubles. If we are talking about additional equipment with a heating element and a well-known brand, then the seller can request all 12 thousand. The cost of moka is affected by the material of manufacture, volume, and type of device (gas or electric).

A filter coffee maker with a stainless steel body and a heat-resistant glass kettle will cost 2500-3000 rubles. For this money, the buyer will also receive additional functions, such as adjusting the strength of the drink or setting the start time.

A coffee maker with a price tag of 6-7 thousand will be able to use not only ground, but also grain coffee, since its design includes a coffee grinder. A number of models use permanent filters, which allows you to save on further maintenance of the device. The most expensive premium drip coffee makers cost around 20 thousand.They can also be equipped with a remote control, so you can set the program remotely, for example, from a smartphone.

Service

If we talk about service after purchase, then the geyser coffee maker does not have it as such. It is enough to properly care for her. With drip, everything is different. Most inexpensive models require the use of filters. The cost of one such copy will not hit your pocket, but the amount per year is impressive.

There are 3 types of filters on sale:

1. Paper. These are disposable filters that are discarded immediately after use.
2. Nylon. These elements consist of a thin frame and nylon mesh. After use, the filter is thoroughly washed and can then be reused. The average resource of one filter is 55-60 times. The cost varies from 200 to 400 rubles.
3. Reusable. The design of these filters includes a thin metal mesh, thanks to which such a filter can be used more than 110 times. However, the cost of one copy will be much more: from 350 to 500 rubles.

Also, if you compare an electric drip coffee maker with a gas geyser, you should note that gas is cheaper than electricity. However, the costs of both are so small that they can be ignored.

Ease of use

In terms of operation, both drip and geyser coffee makers have one drawback - before each use they require placing ground coffee in a filter and filling a separate container with water. For example, when compared with multifunctional coffee machines, it is enough to pour water once and pour coffee into a special compartment.

When brewing a cup of strong drink, the machine will subsequently measure the required amount of water and powder, focusing on the volume and strength settings. The second disadvantage is the need to wash the coffee maker and filter (if it is reusable) after each use.

As for time, the moka is ahead of the filtration variety. The coffee brewing time in the latter is 4-5 minutes faster. It is also more profitable in terms of portions, since the maximum drip coffee maker can prepare 20 cups versus 17-18 for a geyser coffee maker. Moreover, the “drip” does not need to be monitored. It will turn itself off when the kettle is full or the water runs out.

On the other hand, geyser types do not depend on the electrical network; they are more portable, compact and can be used even outdoors, on an open fire.

Taste

Although they say that there is no dispute about tastes, since both varieties prepare the same type of drink, it would not be amiss to compare its quality.

A drip coffee maker works on the most primitive principle of brewing coffee beans. Because of this, the drink acquires a weak aroma and an average, rather “flat” taste. Filter coffee makers mostly prepare Americano. And the taste of the drink can be influenced in only one way - by choosing the type of grain.

Moka has a more complex structure and the brewing process itself differs in a number of nuances. Steam passes through the filter first and only then water under pressure. Thanks to this, coffee brewed in this way gets a richer taste and brighter aroma.

This is interesting! Coffee made in moka will not retain the coffee grounds.

Pros and cons of a drip coffee maker

If we talk about the advantages of the drip option, the following advantages should be mentioned.

• Reliability of the design. Models in the mid-price segment have a long service life.
• Easy to use and easy to maintain (just throw away the filter and rinse the glass kettle).
• Heating. The drink always remains hot.
• Affordable price. If you wish, you can find a drip coffee maker for 400 rubles.
• Aesthetics and safety. Hot coffee does not splash during preparation (unlike geyser coffee).

As for the minuses, it is worth noting:

• weak taste and aroma properties of the drink;
• inability to prepare other types of coffee (espresso, cappuccino).

It is also worth recalling the costs of filters if paper types are used.

Pros and cons of a geyser coffee maker

With the advantages of a geyser coffee maker, everything is fine:

1. She can prepare aromatic strong coffee.
2. It can also be used to brew tea or herbs.
3. It is simple to use.

On the downside, the moka is more difficult to clean and cannot be programmed for a specific time or number of cups.

The easiest way to compare both varieties is to write down all their advantages and disadvantages in a table.

A drip coffee maker is often chosen for office use, while a geyser coffee maker is used at home.

What is better to choose

The choice of coffee maker depends entirely on the preferences of the owner. First of all, they focus on tasting characteristics. Espresso drinkers prefer mochas, while those who drink their coffee on the go in the morning may be satisfied with a filter coffee maker.

For an office, it is more advisable to purchase a drip type, since it gives a larger output volume and does not require constant monitoring. As for the price, if you remove all the additional functionality, the cost of coffee makers will be approximately the same.