Jump to Section
While a Coffee Maker is a kitchen appliance intended for brewing coffee, this product has several additional uses. Coffee makers range in price and functionality. Low option coffee makers can only brew coffee, and more advanced coffee machines have multiple functions such as setting up programming for timed brews or the ability to connect to a smartphone.
In addition to brewing coffee, different uses of a coffee maker include making hot beverages and utilizing the timed brew setting to have food prepared for you at whatever time you would like. Below are some of the alternate uses of a coffee maker:
- Heating water
- Making tea
- Making oatmeal
- Steaming vegetables
The 10 uses of a coffee maker include heating water, watering plants, making tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, rice, boiled eggs, vegetables, instant noodles, and bullet proof coffee. Below are more details about the alternate uses for a coffee maker.
Heat Water
One use of a coffee maker includes heating water. Though it may seem obvious that a coffee maker is capable of heating water, few people use it for this purpose independently of brewing coffee. Heating water in a coffee maker has one significant advantage over heating it in a kettle or on a stovetop.
One of the advantages of using a coffee maker to heat water is that the machine will not boil the water. For drinks like tea, using boiling water is often discouraged as it can make tea taste too strong or bitter. The temperature of water that comes out of a coffee machine is ideal for making tea as it is usually around 200 degrees fahrenheit.
Make Tea
A second coffee maker use is making tea. While coffee makers are great at making coffee, many styles of coffee makers can also make great tea. To make tea with a coffee maker, add the same coffee filter you would normally use to the coffee maker. Next, simply replace the coffee in the filter with your choice of loose leaf tea. Turn the coffee maker on and let the hot water run through the tea to brew. The coffee maker will pass hot water through the tea in the same way and brew delicious tea. Using a drip coffee maker to brew tea is the best way to make large quantities of tea at one time. Make sure to use enough loose tea for the amount of water you put into the coffee maker.
French press coffee makers are also a great way to brew tea. French press coffee makers brew stronger tea than drip coffee makers because they exert more pressure on the tea leaves. The tea leaves are also in contact with the water for a longer period of time with a french press which results in a stronger cup of tea using this method. To brew tea with a french press coffee maker, fill the french press with tea and add boiling water. Let the tea brew for two minutes and then press the filter down to complete the brewing process. When brewing tea with a french press it is important not to use too much tea as this may make the tea overly strong or bitter.
Make Oatmeal
Another use of a coffee machine is making oatmeal. Because of their ability to operate on a timer, drip coffee makers are a great way to make oatmeal and have it ready for breakfast without having to do the work that morning. If you do not like having to wake up early to make your morning oatmeal then using a coffee maker can help you avoid the extra work in the morning by setting it up the night before.
To make oatmeal with a drip brew coffee maker you will need instant oatmeal, flavorings such as raisins or brown sugar, and water. You must use instant oatmeal when using a coffee maker because of the short length of time the water will be in contact with the oats. Place the oatmeal in the coffee pot with whatever flavorings you want the night before and add the appropriate amount of water for the oats you are making to the water reservoir. Set the timer for when you would like to eat your oatmeal and enjoy them the next day. Make sure you do not oversleep or forget about the oatmeal as the hot plate that keeps the coffee warm will burn your oats.
Make Hot Chocolate
To use a coffee maker to make hot chocolate add instant hot chocolate mix to the coffee pot and run the machine to add the desired amount of hot water. Make sure to add the hot chocolate mix to the pot instead of the filter as the filter may get clogged.
A better way to make hot chocolate in a coffee pot is through using cream and chocolate chips. In this method, fill up the coffee pot with cream and chocolate chips and then run the machine to add hot water. The hot water will melt the chocolate chips and create delicious tasting hot chocolate. Make sure to use equal parts cream and water in this recipe.
Make Rice
Another use for a coffee maker is to make rice. A coffee maker’s settings and program options are suited to making rice in the coffee pot.
To make rice with a coffee maker you need to use instant rice. First, fill up the coffee pot with the desired amount of dried instant rice. Next add the appropriate amount of water to the machine and hit brew to make the rice immediately. To enjoy the rice at a later time, set the coffee maker to brew whenever you would like to eat your rice
Making rice in a coffee maker will use your coffee pot’s timer to your advantage. The rice made in a coffee maker will taste similar to other instant rice.
Make Boiled Eggs
A coffee maker will make good boiled eggs very easily. Making eggs in a coffee maker has several advantages. First, you can set up your eggs to cook on a timer allowing you to set the cook time to whenever you would like to eat. Second, when you are busy with other tasks, using a coffee maker is safer because you are not using an ope
Making boiled eggs in a coffee maker is the same as making them on a stove in terms of cooking time. First, add your eggs to the coffee pot. Next, add enough water to the reservoir to cover them completely in the pot. Hit brew and let the water cover the eggs. Once the eggs are covered with water, start your timer.
The cook time will range anywhere from 5-12 minutes. To stop the eggs from cooking, pour out the hot water and fill up the pot with cold water. This will prevent overcooking the eggs over your desired doneness and will also cool them down slightly for eating.
Steam Vegetables
Steam vegetables in a coffee maker when you do not have access to a steamer. Steaming vegetables with a coffee maker is not an ideal way to cook vegetables, however in a pinch it will work. Steaming vegetables in a coffee maker is more time consuming than using a traditional steamer.
To steam vegetables in a coffee maker, you will need to first fill the coffee maker with water. Next, add the vegetables to the filter area in the coffee maker but do not use a coffee filter. When you hit brew, the steam will travel up into the coffee filter compartment and cook the vegetables.
For another creative way to steam vegetables, read our article on the uses of a colander.
Water Plants
Use the coffee maker pot around the house when you need it. The coffee pot that comes with most coffee makers has a good spout for watering plants around the house. Coffee pots also hold a large volume of water which makes it easy to water several plants at once without having to go back and forth to the sink.
When watering plants with a coffee pot, the volume markings on the side can be a help when deciding how much to water a specific plant. Using a coffee pot can prevent you from over or underwatering your houseplants.
Make Instant Noodles
Coffee makers are a great tool for making instant noodles such as ramen. You must use instant noodles in this case as other types of noodles may not cook well given the lower temperature water in a coffee maker versus a pot on the stove.
To make ramen in a coffee maker, put the noodles in the coffee pot with any included seasoning. Add the correct amount of water for the type of noodles you are using to the reservoir and set the machine to brew. Let the noodles brew for the indicated amount of time and then pour them into a bowl to eat.
It is also possible to make cup noodles with a coffee maker. Let the coffee maker run in the “brew” setting and then use the water in the pot in your noodles. You may need to clear out the coffee maker a few times with water in order to make sure the water you use does not taste like coffee.
Make Bulletproof Coffee
One of the biggest trends in coffee in the last few years is “bulletproof” coffee. Bulletproof coffee is coffee brewed and then mixed with a fat source such as butter or coconut oil. Proponents say it is better than normal coffee due to the binding of caffeine with the fat sources which allows the stimulation and focus from coffee to last longer. The recipe has become very popular in recent years.
To make bulletproof coffee in a coffee maker, you must choose some type of fat to add to your coffee pot before you brew. The traditional coffee uses unsalted butter, however vegans or those who do not like the taste of butter in their coffee may find that coconut oil tastes better. Once you have added the fat to your coffee pot, let the coffee brew and allow the hot liquid to melt the fat. Lastly, give the entire pot a good stir with a fork or spoon before you pour a cup.
Make Whipped Cream
Additional uses of a coffee maker include making whipped cream using a french press coffee maker. Making whipped cream with a french press is a lot faster than whipping by hand. When making whipped cream with a french press, use heavy whipping cream as opposed to any other sort of dairy product.
To make whipped cream with a french press, add cold cream into the french press. Using heavy whipping cream that is cold is best when making whipped cream by hand otherwise the cream will not become fluffy. Next, move the press quickly up and down through the cream to add air to the whipping cream. Continue this until the cream reaches your desired consistency but do not whip until the point that it is too thick or the fat will begin to turn viscous and your cream may begin to turn into butter.
Froth milk
A twelfth coffee maker use is making froth milk with a french press for coffee drinks such as a cappuccino or latte. Frothing milk in a french press is similar to making whipped cream. Use warm milk when frothing to achieve the correct density of frothed milk.
To make frothed milk with a french press, heat up your desired milk in a microwave or on the stove top. Do not let the milk boil during this process as it will make it harder to froth and will also affect the taste. Use the french press to froth the milk by moving the press up and down rapidly through the milk. Make sure you leave enough head space in the french press as the milk will increase in volume with all of the froth generated.
Making frothed milk in a french press will provide you with a similar result to using a steam frother. Snce no steam is added to the milk in the french press method the milk will be slightly thicker than if you were using a steam frother. The added thickness of the frothed milk will result in a different density that may make it slightly harder to use in certain types of drinks or for use in latte art.
Juice Berries
The last use of a coffee maker is juicingJuice berries in a french press for use in desserts or drinks. Because of the device’s ability to apply pressure through a strainer, the french press is a great tool for this purpose. The juice extracted from berries is great for making desserts or for use in juices and mixed cocktails.
To juice berries with a french press, it is very important to use very ripe fruit in order to make the process easy on you as well as the press. While it is possible to use a french press to juice berries, this is not its intended use and as such should not be used for unripe berries or other types of fruits that are harder to juice. Keep in mind that regular use of a french press for this purpose may affect the longevity of the press due to the additional wear placed on the components.
What are the common mistakes for usage of a coffee maker?
Common mistakes when using a coffee maker are not following the proper steps to make coffee. Another common mistake is forgetting to fill or refill the water reservoir before turning the machine on.
What is the history of usage of coffee makers?
The history of usage for coffee makers date back to the 15th century. The modern drip electric coffee maker was first developed in 1954 in Germany. The french press was invented in the 1920s and 1930s.
So what is a Coffee Maker now? Modern models have several more features such as times brews or alerts.
Do the use cases of a coffee maker change based on type?
Yes, the use cases of a coffee maker change based on the type. There are several types of coffee makers, for example, a standard electric drip coffee maker or a french press both produce different styles of coffee. A french press operates differently from a drip coffee maker because it does not have the ability to heat water. A french press presses water but a coffee maker drips water through coffee.
Which coffee maker is best for brewing coffee?
The best coffee maker for brewing coffee is the Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker. Choosing the best coffee maker for you will depend on what your goals are when it comes to making coffee. An electric drip coffee maker with the ability to program settings will undoubtedly be the most convenient form of coffee maker whereas a french press is ideal for someone who wants to better control how long their coffee steeps for.
Does a french press have more use cases than a coffee maker?
A french press has a similar amount of use cases when compared to a drip coffee maker. The debate between a coffee maker vs a french press is not always straightforward. A french press may have more practical use cases than a drip coffee maker since its a more simple appliance. In addition, a french press is made up of parts that are more easily utilized for recipes than a coffee maker. For example, the french press pot can be used as a coffee mug or drinking glass whereas the coffee pot in a coffee maker cannot.
What are the other kitchen tools with various use cases similar to coffee maker?
Kitchen tools with use cases similar to coffee makers are water kettles. A water kettle is very similar to a coffee maker with the main difference being that it itself cannot actually brew coffee. While a coffee maker can heat water and drip it over a filter with grounds in it, a water kettle cannot. A water kettle will also heat water to the point of boiling whereas a coffee maker is programmed to stop heating before water gets to boiling point.
