Coffee maker
A coffee maker with continuously adjustable water flow rate, continuously adjustable feedback-controlled water temperature, and low thermal mass allows baristas to experiment with and digitally program and/or record different flow-rate and temperature profiles (brewing profiles) over the course of brewing a cup or batch of coffee. Brewing profiles may be recorded on one machine and reproduced (played back) on another machine, allowing reproducibility of subtle flavor variations in brewed coffee.
1. A beverage brewer comprising:
heating means for heating water;
an output spout where water having passed through said valve means and having been heated by said heating means exits said brewer;
temperature sensing means capable of sensing at said spout the temperature of water flowing out of said spout, and producing a sensed temperature signal;
a manually-directable output spout operable to manually direct water output flow to different locations on a basket of coffee grounds; and
water flow rate control means mounted on said output spout.
2. The beverage brewer of claim 1 , wherein said output spout is flexible, allowing the manual directing of water flow to different locations on a brew basket.
3. The beverage brewer of claim 1 , wherein said output spout is manually extendable.
4. The beverage brewer of claim 2 , wherein said water flow rate control means mounted on said output spout comprise a switch operable to control an electrically actuated valve.
5. The beverage brewer of claim 2 , further comprising means for measuring the flow rate of water flowing out said output spout.
6. A beverage brewer comprising:
heating means for heating water;
valve means for controlling the flow of water through said beverage brewer;
an output spout where water having passed through said valve means and having been heated by said heating means exits said brewer;
temperature sensing means capable of sensing the temperature of water flowing out of said spout, and producing a sensed temperature signal;
temperature controller means connected to said temperature sensing means, and capable of controlling the amount of heat put out by said heating means, in response to the sensed temperature signal;
temperature adjustment means allowing an operator to adjust the temperature of water flowing out of said spout dynamically as said water is flowing; and
water flow rate control means mounted on said output spout.
7. The beverage brewer of claim 6 , further comprising means for measuring the flow rate of water flowing out said output spout.