Siphon coffee brewing has been around for centuries. But how come so many of us have rarely heard of it? Well, because back in the day you needed loads of time and a year-long apprenticeship in alchemy to brew a single cup of java!
See, siphon brewing was the preserve of hardcore coffee aficionados that could carefully monitor the temperature of the brew using only an open flame to do their bidding; that’s some badass stuff right there!
But KitchenAid has now made this age-old brewing process accessible to the masses. With their KCM0812OB Siphon Coffee Brewer, all you have to do is flick a switch to enjoy that unique, crisp flavor that is as delicious as it is distinct.
Here's a rundown of what we will provide in this KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer Review:
Ready to find out if this model really pays homage to a process that has long been steeped in mystery? Let's dive into the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer Reviews!
KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer Design
Brace yourself for an arm workout; the carafe on this machine is heavy; pleasantly so! In line with what we’ve come to expect of Kitchen Aid coffee brewers, this model has that heft to it that just screams quality.
Aside from the 42oz carafe that sits on a heater, the machine also consists of a brewing unit made of glass as well and a stand for placing it as you prep that cup of Joe.
And boy is the setup gorgeous!
Made primarily from glass punctuated with hints of stainless steel and matte plastic, you’ll love how this baby will look on your counter-top.
It measures 8.7 x 6.7 x 14.3 inches, but looks smaller because of the nice, smooth curves that have the effect of slimming it down.
Although you need to ensure you have a bit of space to spare, as knocking over the stand with the brewing unit on top will certainly make you break down in tears. And we don’t want that do we!
Now, this is where it gets exciting! You’ll want to turn off the T.V, get everyone into the kitchen, and watch this bad boy work its magic!
How to Use Your KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer
There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to siphon brewing, but once you get a hang of it you’ll be able to whip-up taste bud-titillating cups of coffee with your eyes closed.
You'll first need to place the brewing unit on its stand and insert the filter in Place.
Be very careful when doing so. If the filter doesn’t sit correctly, then it will probably dislodge in the middle of the whole process and you’ll have an epic mess to clean up.
You can either use a reusable stainless steel or muslin filter, and you’ll know you’re good to go once you hear a reassuring click.
The muslin filter might be a bit more complicated to use but results in a better-filtered brew. So if you particularly loathe cloudy coffee, then it’s definitely worth the hassle.
Once you've ensured the filter is nice and ready, you can then take that coffee blend you swear was grown by angels and place it in the brewing unit. A medium coarse grind works best.
The amount of coffee you load will depend on just how strong you like that java. But you can start with 2.6 ounces for every full carafe of water and tweak your way from there.
Once this is done, lid the brewer, flick on the switch at the bottom, take out your phone, and record one of the coolest things you;ll ever see.
The Physics Behind it!
The brewing process begins by heating the water in the carafe close to boiling point. A few minutes later, vapor pressure forces the hot water up the tube into the brewing globe.
First, some of it soaks the coffee grounds to prime them for extraction, and then the rest of the heated water rushes into the brewer and feverishly mixes with the grounds to release the delectable flavor.
Once the ideal temperature has been reached, the machine automatically turns off and engages the vacuum at the bottom, which forces the coffee through the filter, back into the carafe, in a bubbling show that can only be defined as stunning.
All you have to do now is unscrew the two units, and use the lid you had previously placed on the brewing unit to seal the carafe.
And there you have it! An age-old process made shockingly simple thanks to technology.
The Siphon Coffee Brewer Performance
The KitchenAid Siphon Brewer is no slouch. It can brew a full carafe in under 7 minutes, which is in the same ball park as conventional drip brewers out there.
But this machine has one major drawback: it can be an absolute pain to clean! Most of the components aren’t dishwasher safe due to their fragility.
And both the carafe and brewer unit sport some grooved sections that coffee grounds like to cling to and call home.
Simply put, if cleaning isn’t your thing, then this coffee maker will certainly push your buttons.
If you like to have your coffee piping hot, then the lack of a thermal carafe or warming plate will surely dampen your spirits.
While the joe is perfectly hot right after brewing, it rapidly cools down afterwards owing to lack of insulation.
So you either have to knock back those cups of coffee really fast or become content with using a microwave; which in the eyes of coffee purists, is akin to spitting on the grave of whoever discovered Arabica.
How Tasty are the Results?
It all depends on how you like your coffee. If you’ve become accustomed to the strong flavor of drip brewers or the robust results of a percolator, then you’ll find the siphoned coffee lacking in taste; a bit watered-down even.
But if you’re looking for java with an incredibly rich profile, one that has the power to make every fruity note come to life and provide a smooth experience that is only comparable to a French Press, you’ll inevitably fall in love with this coffee.
What's Good (The Pros) of the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer
Read more KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer Reviews on Amazon!
What's Bad (The Cons) of the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer
Bottom Line
The KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer has the sturdy build of a professional coffee machine, the ethereal results of a French Press and the clean-up requirements of a new-born.
Again, the results might not be everyone’s cup of, ermmmm, coffee, but if you're into vibrant-tasting brew then you'll have met your soul mate.
If at all the cleaning process doesn’t put you off, then this siphon coffee brewer will brighten every one of your mornings with delectable taste and jaw-dropping showmanship.
We hope you enjoyed reading the KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer Reviews! Let us know in the comments below, we look forward to hearing from you 🙂
Happy Brewing!