What does an iced coffee maker do?
An iced coffee maker is designed specifically to brew coffee that will be served cold or over ice. Traditional drip coffee makers are optimized to brew hot coffee, using boiling water around 200°F. In contrast, iced coffee makers brew concentrate using lower temperatures around 130-150°F. This lower temperature helps extract more flavors and sweetness from the coffee grounds while minimizing bitterness. The result is a smooth, rich coffee concentrate that can be poured over ice without becoming watery or diluted.
What temperature does an iced coffee maker brew at?
Most iced coffee makers brew in the 130-150°F temperature range. For example:
| Iced Coffee Maker | Brewing Temperature |
|---|---|
| Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker | 130°F |
| Dash Rapid Cold Brew Coffee Maker | 140°F |
| Primula Burke Cold Brew Coffee Maker | 150°F |
Brewing at these lower temperatures extracts more sweetness and fewer bitter compounds compared to hot brew methods. The concentrate can then be stored in the fridge and diluted with water or ice as needed.
Can you use an iced coffee maker to brew hot coffee?
While iced coffee makers are optimized for cold brewing, you can use some models to brew hot coffee by changing the water temperature. For example:
- The OXO BREW Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker has a “Hot Mode” that heats water to 200°F for hot coffee. So this model is quite versatile for both hot and cold brews.
- Some iced coffee makers like the Takeya and Dash have removable filters that can be placed over a cup and poured over with near-boiling water to produce hot coffee.
- Iced coffee makers without this capability can still produce a hot coffee concentrate. Simply brew the concentrate per the manufacturer’s instructions, then dilute it with near-boiling water to serve it hot.
So while not all iced coffee makers can achieve true piping hot coffee on their own, most can produce hot coffee concentrate that can be diluted into a satisfactory hot beverage.
Can you use the Gourmia iced coffee maker to brew hot coffee?
The Gourmia GCM2865 Automatic Iced Coffee Maker is designed specifically for cold brewing coffee concentrates. It lacks any settings to produce hot coffee on its own. However, there are a couple ways you can use it to produce a hot coffee beverage:
Dilute the cold brew concentrate
– Brew a batch of cold brew concentrate as normal in the Gourmia iced coffee maker
– Store the concentrate in the fridge
– When ready to serve, heat up some water to near-boiling on the stove or in an electric kettle
– Combine 1 part cold brew concentrate with 1-2 parts hot water and stir well
– Adjust the ratio to taste depending on how strong you want the coffee
This will produce a hot coffee beverage using the cold brew concentrate from the Gourmia. While not as hot as directly brewed coffee, it can reach a satisfactory drinking temperature.
Use the filter basket to pour over hot water
– Brew a batch of cold brew concentrate and store in the fridge
– Remove the filter basket from the Gourmia iced coffee maker
– Place the filter basket over your cup or carafe
– Boil water and pour over the filter basket as you would with manual pour over coffee
– The hot water will drip through, extracting flavors from the leftover coffee grounds to produce a hot coffee drink
You may get some leftover dilution from the small amount of cold brew concentrate left in the filter basket. But mostly the pour over method produces a fresh, hot coffee beverage.
Pros and cons of using the Gourmia to make hot coffee
**Pros:**
– Makes use of equipment you already own
– Produces coffee from leftover grounds for minimal waste
– Filter basket provides built-in pour over setup
– More budget-friendly than buying separate hot coffee maker
**Cons:**
– Diluted cold brew may not achieve ideal drinking temperature
– Pour over method makes small batches of only 1-2 cups
– No hot water setting so requires separate kettle for hot water
– Not as fast or convenient as a drip coffee machine for hot coffee
Tips for making hot coffee with the Gourmia
Here are some tips to get the best hot coffee when using your Gourmia iced coffee maker:
– Use freshly roasted coffee beans and grind them just before brewing for full flavor
– Experiment with grind size – finer grinds extend brew time so use a slightly coarser grind
– Heat water to just before boiling point for pour over to maximize extraction
– Rinse the filter beforehand to remove paper taste and preheat gear
– Adjust coffee-to-water diluting ratios based on your strength preferences
– Add cream/milk after diluting to allow you to taste and adjust the coffee strength
The verdict
While the Gourmia iced coffee maker lacks a true hot brew mode, you can definitely brew hot coffee by diluting cold brew concentrate or using the pour over method. The coffee may not reach piping hot temperatures, but can be heated to a satisfactory and enjoyable level. With a bit of experimenting, you can brew hot coffee that’s nearly indistinguishable from that of a standard hot brewer. So if you own the Gourmia don’t feel the need to buy a separate hot coffee machine – with a few tweaks, this versatile unit can produce both cold and hot coffee beverages.