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Siphon Coffee Maker - Craft Sense

What is a Siphon Coffee Maker?

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by

Team Craft Sense
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If you’re new to the world of specialty coffee you may be wondering, what are those cool looking chemistry sets that hipster baristas often use? Well, you may be surprised to discover that siphon coffee makers have been providing exceptional cups of coffee to people all over the world for almost 200 years.

History of the Siphon Coffee Maker

Marie Fanny Amelne Massot of Lyons, France patented the original design of the siphon coffee maker in 1840. The world’s first siphon (which included a serving spigot and cap in the shape of a crown) was intended to be both functional and eye pleasing.

While siphon coffee makers were regularly exported to other countries, it wasn’t until 1910 that a new version of the coffee maker was first manufactured in the United States. The “Silex” was a simpler model of the original siphon and its general design is what we use today.

How to Use a Siphon Coffee Maker

The siphon’s unique design seems to belong more in a chemistry lab than in an average home kitchen. Yet when used correctly, this small glass gadget can yield a fantastic cup of coffee.

Equipment

Coffee

Scale

Coffee grinder

Siphon set (including filter and burner)

Thermometer

Method

  1. Soak your filter in warm water and when fully saturated, place it at the bottom of your top carafe.
  2. Fill the bottom carafe with hot water, attach the top carafe, and then place the entire siphon over the burner.
  3. While the water is heating, measure out and grind about 25 grams of coffee.
  4. As the water boils, it will slowly be transferred from the bottom carafe to the top carafe. Once all the water has moved from the bottom carafe, lower the heat and place the thermometer in the top carafe.
  5. Once the temperature decreases below 200°F, add your ground coffee and give it a good stir to make sure it all gets equally saturated.
  6. Wait about one minute before giving the coffee one last stir and removing it from the burner.
  7. The coffee should slowly transfer back down to the bottom carafe, filtering through the grounds as it travels. Remove the top carafe and serve!