Cona coffee machines and vacuum coffee machines

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The Cona or vacuum siphon coffee maker is another type of coffee maker that exists on the market. It is a good option for those looking for a totally traditional way of making coffee. Through its vacuum system you will be able to extract all the aroma of the coffee beans to prepare a good product anywhere you need it, since does not need an electrical source to work, just a flame.

There are several vacuum coffee makers on the market, although they are not all the same. An authentic Cona coffee maker will allow you to obtain better results, although at a high price. Other brands also use the vacuum system resulting in a good coffee and also more affordable. While is true that the Cona brand is a sign of distinction, we will analyze several models so that the decision is yours.

Best Cona and vacuum coffee makers

Original Cona coffee maker

Cona Size D-Genius All-Glass Coffee Maker

vacuum coffee makers

Bodum Pebo Vacuum coffee maker

It is not the authentic one, nor does it have the original design. Is a cheap option to the above, although it does not offer the same results. This siphon coffee maker is one of the best among those that are not authentic Cona. However, its operation is similar, with a siphon and following the same principle as the Cona.

It is made in borosilicate glass resistant, made in Europe like the previous one, with a plastic handle and is dishwasher safe, so you can easily wash it.

Chemex CM-1C

Made of glass and available in various sizes (3, 6, 8 and 10 cups), is another of the reference vacuum coffee maker models. Its aesthetic is somewhat ornamental, with a band of material around the neck of the coffee pot that gives it an air of an alchemy instrument. Ideal for an original gift, it is not a mere decorative object but its glass is resistant to high temperatures and ensures a long durability.

A completely transparent design to be able to see all the vacuum extraction process, with filter included and very compact dimensions. As for its capacity, it has 0,47 liters available in its tank.

Hario Vacuum Coffee Maker

A complete vacuum coffee maker, to have everything you need to prepare your coffee in this traditional way. Its sturdy borosilicate glass bulb has a 600ml capacity for the water. That's enough for two or three long cups of coffee, or twice as much if they're shorter. Includes cloth filter, alcohol burner (alcohol not included), and measuring spoon.

Unlike those that follow the same physiognomy as the traditional ones, the design of this coffee maker is more modern. It is easier to mount.

Hario TCA-3

This Hario vacuum coffee maker is another of the models that you can buy. Has a 360ml capacity, so it is ideal if you live alone. It is made of heat resistant borosilicate glass, with level indicator. Includes cloth filter, alcohol lighter (alcohol not included) and measuring spoon for coffee.

It is one of the mid-priced vacuum coffee makers. Preserving the essence of the old ones, but with modern current materials. One of the best options for those looking for the best compromise between practicality of the current and the tradition.

CADMUS SI-SCM-11

Another vacuum coffee maker with a cApproximate capacity for 5 cups, to be able to share the delicious coffee with family or friends. It is made of heat resistant borosilicate glass. With a somewhat more modern design than other classics. It is easy to clean and includes the body, support, lighter, filter and measuring spoon. Alcohol is not included, you will have to buy it separately.

Bodum K1218-16

This other coffee pot alembic type Vacuum extraction will also allow you to prepare coffee using this traditional procedure. In this case, it is a model with a capacity of 1 liter, that is, enough to be able to have 8 cups of rich and steaming coffee.

Its heater is suitable for gas, and has heat-resistant glass, a jug of borosilicate glass, lid stopper to keep the coffee hot longer, and it is sold with support and spoon included.

Other models of vacuum coffee makers

What is a Cona coffee maker?

The vacuum coffee maker was created by Loeff of Berlin, in 1830. Ten years later, Robert Napier designed a model derived from the first to make coffee using vacuum and would name it The Napier Vacuum Machine.

El napier design became very popular at the time, laying the groundwork for its successors. In this way, at that time, a coffee free of impurities was obtained that could not be obtained by other methods.

It wouldn't be until the middle of the XNUMXth century when this coffee maker would get more popularity, although its use was not as widespread as other coffee machines. The reason was their complex design compared to others, and the fact that they need a slower preparation, meant that these machines were relegated to more exclusive sales, being relegated only as a coffee machine for special moments in homes.

In addition, they were very expensive at the time, so few could afford to have one. The pyrex glass in which it was manufactured to withstand the high temperatures of the flame raised its price at that time when this material could not be produced as cheaply as it is now.

As the technique is not so perfected to create the glass, on occasion they ended up exploding if care was not taken to remove them from the fire in time.

Despite this, the authentic Conas continued to be manufactured by the company Cona Ltd. (since 2017 moved to the Netherlands), the only one that since that time continues to maintain the same original Napier design. In fact, it was this manufacturer who would rename these machines to put his name as you know them today.

Parts of a Cona Coffee Maker

The Cona or siphon vacuum coffee maker is a coffee maker created in Pyrex (borosilicate) glass with high resistance to thermal shocks to which it is subjected during the preparation process. Thanks to the material, it withstands up to 3 times the temperature changes that a conventional glass could resist, in fact, it is the one used in some laboratory tubes and pipettes.

The Cona coffee maker consists of 2 independent spherical vessels and they join each other. At the top there is a tube attached to the bottom through which the liquid can rise, similar to Italian coffee machines. Too includes a filter at the base of the upper container.

Thanks to the (narrow) opening of the lower container joined to the two openings (a narrow one connected to the tube and a wider one in the upper area to be able to stir the coffee when it rises), you can prepare a coffee by heating this artifact.

Of course, in addition to these parts, you will also have a handle to be able to pick up the coffee pot when it's hot and don't burn yourself trying. As well as a central area that fits perfectly to hermetically seal both parties. Some include up to support to house under the lighter or firealthough not all of them have it.

Operating principle of vacuum coffee makers

• At lower container the water is put. It is heated by means of a fire as it happens with the Italian ones. In this way the water boils and rises through the tube to the upper area.
• As the hot water rises upper container, where the coffee is, you can start emulsifying to extract the aroma.
• When almost all the liquid has risen to the top, the fire stops or heat source used. In ancient times, an alcohol lighter was used.
• As it cools, the air in the lower container contracts and creates a vacuum that makes the liquid from above come back to go through the filter and fall back to the area below. This is the main difference with the Italian one, in which the liquid stays on top, in addition to the fact that the coffee in the Italian ones is right in the center, between the water below and the container above.

Note that although the container above has a hole, the coffee is closing its connection with the area below, so the lower part is isolated and the air that expanded with the heat now contracts when it cools to suck the liquid back down through the filter that the coffee maker has built in, that is, through the other existing hole.

Advantages and disadvantages of a Cona coffee maker

The Cona coffee maker, like any other coffee maker, has its advantages and disadvantages when compared to other types of coffee makers. The following are worth noting:

• Advantages: it is a traditional elaboration ideal for special occasions that deserve to prepare a more traditional coffee and slowly. You can even use the typical alcohol burner that was used in the past or a Bunsen. In addition, the result is very refined.
• Disadvantages: Being made of glass, it is fragile if it is subjected to shocks or if it exceeds the ideal temperature. In addition, its cleaning is not exactly easy, since the inside of the container can only be accessed through a small hole.

How to make coffee with a Cona coffee maker

Make a coffee in a Cona coffee maker or vacuum siphoning is a somewhat longer process, but it is not complicated at all if you follow these simple steps and tips:

Prepare coffee in a Cona coffee maker step by step

1. Open the coffee maker and put the water in the lower container. If you want to speed up the process, you can add preheated water.
2. Join both parts.
3. Add the ground coffee to the upper area through the opening it has.
4. Turn on the heat source or burner to heat the water in the lower base.
5. Wait for the water to start rising to the top of the tube.
6. When most of the water is up, you can move the coffee from the upper area through the hole and remove from the heat.
7. Now wait for the vacuum to suck the liquid back into the area below.
8. You can open the coffee maker and pour the coffee.

Tips for better coffee

• La ratio of water and coffee It should be approximately 1 liter for every 10 tablespoons of coffee.
• use coffee in ground grain at the moment of preparing it, if possible with a thicker size than the one you use in an espresso machine. For example, with the texture of sugar approximately.
• You should use preferably mineral water of weak mineralization so as not to add a bad flavor to the coffee. Or you can buy a water distiller or filter it by other methods.
• Do not withdraw from the side of the coffee pot during the process, since if you leave the Cona coffee maker in the fire, the glass could explode.
• Move always before serving the coffee.
• When you wash the coffee pot, always do it without using soap. Just rinse with water so as not to affect the aroma, as is done with Italian coffee machines by expert baristas. Of course, wash it after each use so that it does not accumulate residues.

Discontinued models of vacuum coffee makers

Royal Belgian Luxury Diguo

This Cona coffee maker is very elegant, with a luxury finish It serves as another decoration in your home. It is made up of a resistant glass body, with stainless steel elements with a copper-colored finish and a wooden body base. It is of the electric siphon type, for 3 to 5 cups of espresso (500 ml). Includes alcohol burner.

In this case, like the Cona Size D-Genius, its careful finish makes it one of the best options you can buy if you want a museum piece. Its price is really worth it, since it is a really striking set.

TAMUME

This instrument is used to coffee, beer and tea in just about 60 seconds. It includes everything, like the siphon for beer. The glass bulbs are created from heat resistant borosilicate glass, plus they are easy to clean. Includes reusable washable fabric filter, and capacity to make about 5 cups of coffee. The alcohol for the lighter is not included, as usual.

With it you will have a traditional-looking coffee maker, but you can prepare a wide variety of drinks. A all in one in your kitchen that will accompany you in the best moments.

decentgadget

It is another of the best options in terms of Cona coffee machines or vacuum extraction. This one has a great quality, with a traditional design, with heat resistant glass, and with the simplicity of this type of variants. It has a very good filtration system that leaves the resulting drink free of sediment.

Can be a perfect gift, or your next whim. It's up to you. But what is certain is that whoever owns it will not be able to stop being hypnotized by the preparation process while the coffee is extracted using this physics-based procedure. In addition, it is quite cheap, and one of the best sellers on Amazon…