Best Siphon Coffee Maker. Look like a Coffee Chemist!

Just when you think you’ve sampled all that the coffee world has to offer, a new and exciting trend is bound to pop up. The siphon coffee maker has been around since the early 19th century, but it’s only recently come back onto the radar of coffee lovers.

If you’re used to simple and straightforward coffee brewing methods like drip or French Press, a coffee siphon might just blow your mind. These coffee makers can look intimidating and take practice to perfect your brew. But once you get the hang of it, they’re a really fun and exciting way to brew coffee.

To help demystify these strange devices, we’ve reviewed some of the top vacuum coffee maker models on the market. We’ll also walk you through exactly why these coffee makers are so exciting, how they work, and what to look for when you’re buying one.

A vacuum siphon or syphon coffee maker is an exciting and unique way to brew coffee. These contraptions look like something you’d find in a chemistry lab. The process of brewing the coffee looks like a science experiment too.

There’s a range of designs, but they all consist of the same basic parts. There are two chambers that the water passes back and forth through in order to brew the coffee. The name vacuum siphon describes this brewing process. The heat creates a vacuum which pulls the water from one chamber into the next. That’s where it mixes with the coffee grounds and brews. When you turn off the heat, the fully brewed coffee drains back into the original chamber and is ready to sip.

Siphons are unique because they brew the coffee by fully immersing the grounds in water. Along with French press, it’s one of the few brewing devices that uses this method. The more common brewing method is what you’ll find with drip, pour over, and espresso makers. They involve passing water through the grounds and gradually filtering them out. The full immersion method helps create an even extraction and rich tasting cup of coffee.

If you’re totally new to vacuum siphons, you’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about. We’ll walk you through what makes them so cool and why you might want to consider investing in one.

Key Product Features

The first thing you’ll notice about vacuum siphons is how wild they look. With two separate chambers, a burner attachment, and sometimes even more bells and whistles, it’s unlike any other coffee maker on the market. It’s a really cool piece of equipment that’s guaranteed to impress your guests.

Once you actually start brewing the coffee, the show really starts. Water defies gravity, traveling from the bottom chamber to the top. There, it immerses the grounds and steeps the coffee. Once it’s fully brewed, the ready-to-serve coffee drains back into the bottom chamber. It’s way more exciting than watching your standard drip machine trickle coffee into the pot. Siphons probably won’t become your daily morning coffee routine, but they’re the perfect choice for a special occasion brew.

All those design features aren’t just for show though. Vacuum siphons really do produce an excellent cup of coffee along with an impressive spectacle. The full immersion method of brewing and the consistent application of heat helps extract the best flavor from your coffee beans. The filtration method also helps create a really clean, sediment-free cup of coffee. Lots of people swear by this brewing method as the highest quality cup of coffee you can make.

Pros and Cons

The vacuum siphon is a wholly unique way to brew coffee. Depending on what you’re looking for in your perfect cup, it may or may not be the right choice for you. Then, once you decide to invest in one, there are lots of different types of equipment to take into account when shopping.

Is it worth the effort?

Vacuum siphons can be quite a bit more labor intensive than other brewing methods. Before investing in one of these pieces, you’ll want to consider whether you’re up for a little additional work. Between getting your heating source just right, going through the hands-on brewing process, and cleaning all the different pieces, you’ll have your work cut out for you. For some people, the exciting show of watching the coffee brew and the incredible flavor make all that work worth it. For others who just want their caffeine quick and easy, it might not be the right choice.

Standalone vs. stovetop

One of the main differences in vacuum siphons is whether it’s a standalone piece of equipment or if you’ll need to provide your own heat source. In the standalone category, you’ll find electric options with a built-in heat source and options with a removable burner.

With stovetop options, you’ll heat the siphon on your stovetop. Make sure you’re buying a siphon that works with your stovetop, whether it’s gas or electric. Some siphons require a separate diffuser to properly distribute the heat and prevent the siphon’s glass from cracking.

Automatic vs. hands-on

While most siphons take a bit of hands-on effort, there are some models that are either fully or partially automatic. A fully hands-on machine will function much like your traditional drip coffee maker. All you need to do is add the filter, grounds, and water and press start. Other models are partially automatic and will shut off the heat source to complete the brewing process for you. Finally, there are fully hands-on machines that take a little more work, but lots of people see that as part of the fun of using a vacuum siphon.

Serving size

You’ll want to check the capacity of the coffee maker. Some only brew a small amount, while others are better suited for a crowd. Just note that with any siphon you’ll need to brew a minimum amount in order for it to function properly.

Filter type: cloth vs. metal

The type of filter you use will affect the flavor of your coffee. A cloth filter will allow a smaller amount of the grounds to pass through than a metal filter. They also have different care instructions for cleaning and maintaining. You may want to try both to see which you prefer.

1. Prep and secure your filter.
2. Fill the first chamber (usually the bottom chamber) with the correct amount of water for the quantity of coffee you plan to brew. In some instances, you may want to pre-heat the water to speed up the brewing process.
3. Grind your coffee beans so they’re a little finer than what you’d use for a drip coffee maker. Place your grounds in the second chamber (usually the top).
4. Secure the two chambers together and turn on your heat source to start the brewing process. Be careful to follow the instructions for your specific coffee maker to ensure you don’t crack the glass as it heats.
5. As the water in the first chamber heats, it will begin to flow into the second chamber. There, it combines with your coffee grounds. With a heat-safe utensil, stir the mixture to ensure the grounds are evenly soaked.
6. If you have an automatic model, your heat source will turn off automatically. Otherwise, you’ll need to adjust your heat and set a timer to steep the grounds for the correct amount of time. When it has finished steeping, turn off the heat and wait for the brewed coffee to be drawn through the filter and back into the first chamber.
7. Your coffee is ready to serve! Depending on your model, you may need to disassemble it before serving.