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Modern electric coffeemakers are simple in design. The external area of the unit consists of two working areas and two components. The heating plate is where the coffee canister sits to keep warm. In the top of the unit, there are holes where the water runs through to the coffee grinds which is called the drip area. The filter basket holds the filter and the coffee grinds and the coffee canister holds the brewed coffee. To the back or the side of the coffeemaker is a well which holds the water to be used for brewing. There is a hole at the bottom of the well through which the water will enter the hidden internal component.
The internal area consists of a tube that is connected to the hole in the well at one end. The other end is connected to a heating element which is attached to another tube. The heating element also sends heat to the heat plate on the outside of the coffeemaker. This tube returns to the well and ends in the drip area. - The process begins by putting cold water in to the well. The water is usually measured by using the canister which is marked by cups. A coffee filter is then placed in to the filter basket and filled with the desired amount of coffee grinds. The amount used depends on the strength of the coffee that is desired. When the switch is turned on, the water flows through the hole in the well. It passes through the tube where the heating element is located. As the water is heated, it flows through the tube located in the well and follows the path to the drip holes. There it is released from the tube and drips on top of the coffee grinds. As the water flows through the grinds, it is brewed and drips back in to the coffee canister. By this time, the heat plate is warm and will keep the brewed coffee at a reasonable temperature.
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By completing this process, a perfect cup of coffee is brewed. The taste and strength of the coffee is weak when less coffee grinds have been added and stronger when more coffee grinds are added to the filter. Some coffeemakers are equipped with a stop mechanism at the bottom of the filter box which stops the flow of coffee when the canister is removed and begins again when the canister is replaced. For safety reasons, some coffeemakers are also equipped with an automatic shutoff which activates after two hours.
Although a coffeemaker is made to serve a perfect cup of coffee every time, it is necessary to experiment with the various types, strengths and amount of coffee grinds used in order to satisfy individual tastes.
