My grandmother, every morning, used to open a can of Hills Brothers coffee, put the ground coffee in a percolator and place the percolator on top of a wood stove. After the coffee had finished “perking” she pulled it off the stove and served it. My grandfather loved it; it was hot, black and gave him a jolt to start his day. She then put the percolator back on the stove and let it boil some more, just in case he needed another jolt.
It wasn’t great coffee but who knew the difference. If you are reading this, you know the difference. You know the five elements of a great cup of coffee, beans, water, brewing temperature and extraction time. But do you know whether or not your coffee maker is brewing at the right temperature?
According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the National Coffee Association, the optimal temperature for brewing a great cup of coffee is 197.6 – 204.8 F. If the temperature of the water is too low under extraction occurs. Since acids in the beans are the first substances to dissolve, the coffee will taste weak and have a sour flavor.
If the water temperature is too high, then over extraction occurs and the coffee tastes bitter. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee brewed at the right temperature tastes sweet and flavorful, doesn’t burn your throat and doesn’t give you “coffee mouth.”
There are a number of reviews on coffee makers including Consumer Reports and Cooks Illustrated. They all test coffee makers to see if the water going into the brew basket is between 197 and 205 F. However, they are all testing new coffee makers. We have tested a number of used coffeemakers and found that after a few months that the brewing temperature drops drastically. One popular used coffeemaker we tested was brewing coffee at 156 F.
Many coffee makers use thermocouples to control the temperature of the brew water. Thermocouples are mechanical and they tend to wear out after a few months of use. (Often just after the warranty expires.) As they wear out the temperature of the brew water begins to decline. The result is that the coffee becomes weak and sour. Users sometimes try to step up the brew flavor by putting more coffee in the brew basket. The only solution is a new coffee brewer.
If you use a drip coffee maker, you should periodically take a meat thermometer and place it under the water discharge head on your coffeemaker. It should read close to 200F. If you can’t get to the head, check the temperature of the coffee coming out of the filter. It should be about 180F. If your temperature is below or above the recommended temperature you need a new coffeemaker.
If you are looking for a new coffee maker, the coffeemakers certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew coffee at 200 F are:
- Technivorm Moccamaster
- Bunn Phase Brew 8 Cup Coffee Brewer
- Brazen Plus Customizable Temperature Control Brew System
- KitchenAid Coffee Maker KCM0802
- KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer (model KCM0801OB)
- Bonavita Coffee Maker (model BV1900TS)
- Bonavita BV1900TD 8-Cup Digital Coffee Brewer
- OXO On 9-Cup Coffee Maker
- OXO On 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Wilfa Precision Coffee Maker
FAQs
Coffee makers are often designed to have water start dispensing over the coffee at around 185˚F, which isn't hot enough to achieve satisfying results. Hitting a temperature of 195–205˚F is crucial for brewing quality coffee, and lucky for us, there are a lot of machines out there that can do it!
How hot is coffee from a coffee maker? ›
If you use a drip coffee maker, you should periodically take a meat thermometer and place it under the water discharge head on your coffeemaker. It should read close to 200F. If you can't get to the head, check the temperature of the coffee coming out of the filter. It should be about 180F.
What temperature is the water that comes out of the coffee machine? ›
While the recommended temperature range falls between 90°C and 96°C (195°F and 205°F), fine-tuning the water temperature and other variables through experimentation is the key to achieving your personal perfect brew.
How hot does a Mr coffee maker get? ›
It combines a high brew temperature of up to 205° and a faster brew speed, resulting in nothing short of exceptional tasting coffee. Double-walled, stainless steel thermal carafe holds that fresh flavor and temperature, without a warming plate, to maintain coffee's true character and taste.
What is the temperature setting for coffee machine? ›
Water temperature for coffee. The optimal temperature of water when brewing a coffee is between 91 degrees and 96 degrees. Reaching 100 degrees and boiling the water can burn the coffee, impacting on the end result and ultimately, the taste.
How hot is Keurig coffee? ›
The internal temperature of water inside a Keurig brewer is 192 degrees. But, that's not necessarily the temperature of drinks dispensed from the units. The company says coffee, tea or hot cocoa temperatures “can vary greatly.” Brews in insulted cups, such as foam cups, usually reach between 180 to 185 degrees.
Why are Keurigs so hot? ›
A Keurig usually heats water so fast at about (15-30 seconds) between brew cycles because the water in the heating tank is continuously warmed and the Keurig only needs to heat it a bit more to reach brewing temperature.
How hot is boiling water? ›
The boiling point of water is 212 °F (100 °C).
What coffee maker brews at 195 degrees? ›
Redline MK1 Coffee Brewer (195-205 Optimum Brew Temperature, Pre-Infusion Mode Included).
How do coffee machines heat water so fast? ›
Allow us to explain how this happens: Water runs through the thermoblock maze route with heating elements inside the block. These heat the water extremely fast, and by the time it exits the thermoblock it is hot enough to use for steaming or brewing.
The Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers We've Tested to Keep Your Brew Piping Hot. The OXO Brew coffee maker is our all-rounder favorite.
Does Mr Coffee keep coffee hot? ›
With its adjustable Keep Warm setting, the coffee maker keeps your coffee at the perfect temperature for 1 to 4 hours.
What temperature should stove top coffee maker be? ›
The ideal temperature for a moka pot is around 93°C / 200°F — similar to all coffee brewing methods. Unfortunately stove tops cannot be set to a target temperature — so achieving 93°C / 200°F is improbable. Instead, we recommend you set your stove to a low-medium heat — not too hot, not too cold.
What temperature do baristas make coffee? ›
Brewing temperatures by coffee type:
Espresso - 93 degrees Celsius. Pour Over - 90 degrees Celsius. French Press/Cafetiere - 93-94 degrees Celsius. AeroPress - 90-96 degrees Celsius.
What temperature is coffee served at Starbucks? ›
For optimum taste and flavor profile, traditional coffee at Starbucks (Pike Place, Blonde Roast, Dark Roast, etc) is brewed at approximately 190 F. It is held at about 165 F for service. For latté style “coffee” drinks, the milk is steamed to approximately 155 F. It can be changed upon customer request, however.
