Using Your Breville Tea Maker for Brewing Coffee

Quick answer

• While technically possible, a Breville tea maker is not optimized for brewing coffee.
• Expect a less-than-ideal coffee flavor profile due to design differences.
• You’ll likely need to adjust grind size and brewing time significantly.
• The water heating and steeping mechanisms are calibrated for tea, not coffee extraction.
• For the best coffee results, a dedicated coffee maker is recommended.
• If you must use it, experiment cautiously and manage your expectations.

Who this is for

• Coffee enthusiasts who own a Breville tea maker and are curious about its capabilities for brewing coffee.
• Home brewers looking for a temporary solution when a dedicated coffee maker is unavailable.
• Experimenters interested in understanding the nuances of brewing different beverages with specialized equipment.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Your Breville tea maker is designed with a specific infusion basket and heating element tailored for tea leaves. Coffee grounds are much finer than most teas and require different filtration. Check if the tea basket can accommodate coffee grounds without excessive sediment passing through. Most tea makers use a fine mesh basket; for coffee, a paper filter is generally preferred to capture more oils and fine particles. If your Breville tea maker has an option for a paper filter or a basket that can hold one, this is a good start. If it only has a fine mesh, be prepared for a muddier cup.

Water quality and temperature

Using good quality water is crucial for any beverage, coffee included. Filtered water is always best, as tap water can contain minerals that impart off-flavors. Your Breville tea maker likely has precise temperature control, which is a plus. However, the ideal brewing temperature for coffee is typically between 195°F and 205°F (90.5°C and 96.1°C). Check your tea maker’s manual to see if it can reach and maintain this range. Some tea makers might have lower maximum temperatures suitable for delicate teas, which would under-extract coffee.

Grind size and coffee freshness

The grind size is perhaps the most critical factor when adapting a tea maker for coffee. Coffee grounds need to be coarser than espresso but finer than those used for French press, often described as similar to table salt. Tea makers are usually designed for whole tea leaves or larger tea particles. If you use a grind that’s too fine, it will clog the filter and lead to over-extraction, resulting in a bitter taste. If it’s too coarse, you’ll get weak, underdeveloped coffee. Always use freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee beans for the best flavor.

Coffee-to-water ratio

The standard starting point for coffee brewing is a ratio of 1:15 to 1:18 (coffee to water by weight). For example, 20 grams of coffee to 300-360 grams (or milliliters) of water. You’ll need to measure both your coffee grounds and water accurately. A kitchen scale is highly recommended for consistency. Since the tea maker’s basket size and water reservoir might not be designed for typical coffee brewing volumes, you may need to adjust the amount of coffee you use to fit the basket and achieve your desired strength.

Cleanliness/descale status

A clean brewing device is essential for good flavor, regardless of what you’re brewing. Ensure your Breville tea maker is thoroughly cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Residual tea oils or mineral buildup can significantly impact the taste of your coffee, making it taste stale or off. Regularly descaling your appliance, especially if you have hard water, is also important for optimal performance and flavor. Check your manual for descaling recommendations.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Gather your supplies: You will need your Breville tea maker, fresh coffee beans, a grinder, filtered water, a scale, and a timer.

• What “good” looks like: All necessary items are clean and ready to go.
• Common mistake: Using stale beans or pre-ground coffee that’s been sitting out. Avoid this by grinding beans just before brewing.

2. Heat the water: Fill the tea maker’s reservoir with filtered water and select a temperature between 195°F and 205°F (90.5°C and 96.1°C), if available.

• What “good” looks like: The water reaches the desired brewing temperature.
• Common mistake: Using tap water, which can introduce off-flavors. Avoid this by using filtered or bottled water.

3. Grind your coffee beans: Grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to coarse sand or table salt.

• What “good” looks like: A uniform grind size without excessive fines.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine, which can clog the basket and lead to bitter coffee. Avoid this by starting with a coarser setting and adjusting if needed.

4. Measure your coffee and water: Weigh out your coffee grounds using a ratio of about 1:16 (e.g., 20g coffee for 320g water).

• What “good” looks like: Accurate measurements for consistent results.
• Common mistake: Eyeballing amounts, leading to weak or overly strong brews. Avoid this by using a kitchen scale.

5. Prepare the tea basket: Place the tea basket into the tea maker. If you have a paper filter that fits, consider using it in conjunction with the basket to improve filtration.

• What “good” looks like: The basket is clean and properly seated.
• Common mistake: Not rinsing a paper filter if used, which can impart a papery taste. Avoid this by rinsing it with hot water before adding coffee.

6. Add coffee grounds: Carefully add the measured coffee grounds into the tea basket. Ensure they are evenly distributed.

• What “good” looks like: Coffee grounds fill the basket without being compacted.
• Common mistake: Overfilling the basket, which can cause grounds to escape or impede water flow. Avoid this by leaving some space at the top.

7. Initiate brewing cycle: Start the brewing cycle on your tea maker. If it has a steeping timer, you’ll need to adjust this for coffee.

• What “good” looks like: Water begins to flow through the coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Relying on the tea maker’s default tea steeping times, which are too short for coffee. Avoid this by setting your own timer.

8. Monitor extraction time: For coffee, aim for an extraction time of approximately 3 to 4 minutes. This will require manual observation and timing.

• What “good” looks like: Coffee liquid drips steadily into the carafe.
• Common mistake: Letting the water flow for too long or too short a period. Avoid this by using a separate timer and stopping the flow manually if your machine allows, or by carefully observing the drip rate.

9. Stop the brew: Once the desired brew time is reached, stop the cycle. If your machine doesn’t have a manual stop, you may need to unplug it or remove the basket.

• What “good” looks like: The dripping has stopped.
• Common mistake: Leaving the grounds in contact with water for too long, leading to bitterness. Avoid this by stopping the brew promptly.

10. Serve and taste: Pour the brewed coffee into your mug and taste it. Note the flavor profile.

• What “good” looks like: A balanced cup with enjoyable flavors.
• Common mistake: Expecting it to taste like coffee from a dedicated machine. Avoid this by having realistic expectations.

11. Adjust for next time: Based on the taste, adjust grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, or brew time for your next attempt.

• What “good” looks like: You have a plan for improvement.
• Common mistake: Giving up after the first attempt. Avoid this by being patient and making incremental adjustments.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using tap water	Off-flavors, mineral buildup, potential for under-extraction.	Use filtered or bottled water.
Grinding coffee too fine	Clogged filter, over-extraction, bitter and muddy coffee.	Use a coarser grind, similar to table salt.
Grinding coffee too coarse	Under-extraction, weak, sour, and watery coffee.	Use a finer grind, closer to that of a drip coffee maker.
Incorrect coffee-to-water ratio	Coffee that is too weak or too strong and overpowering.	Use a kitchen scale and aim for a 1:15 to 1:18 ratio.
Using stale or pre-ground coffee	Flat, dull, and oxidized coffee flavor.	Grind whole beans just before brewing.
Not cleaning the tea maker thoroughly	Residual tea flavors and odors impacting coffee taste.	Clean the machine thoroughly after each use and descale regularly.
Relying on tea steeping times	Under-extracted (weak) or over-extracted (bitter) coffee due to wrong duration.	Time your brew manually for 3-4 minutes.
Not adjusting water temperature if possible	Under-extracted (sour) or over-extracted (bitter) coffee.	Ensure water is between 195°F and 205°F (90.5°C and 96.1°C).
Using a fine mesh basket without a paper filter	Excessive sediment and oils in the final cup, leading to a “muddy” texture.	If possible, use a paper filter within the mesh basket for cleaner results.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your Breville tea maker does not reach at least 195°F (90.5°C), then do not attempt to brew coffee because the water will be too cool for proper extraction.
• If you only have a very fine mesh tea basket and no option for a paper filter, then expect a coffee with more sediment and adjust your expectations for clarity because the basket won’t capture all the fines.
• If your coffee tastes bitter and astringent, then try a coarser grind or a shorter brew time because you are likely over-extracting.
• If your coffee tastes weak and sour, then try a finer grind or a slightly longer brew time because you are likely under-extracting.
• If your Breville tea maker has a removable infusion basket that can accommodate a standard cone paper filter, then use it because this will significantly improve the clarity and taste of your coffee.
• If you are using tap water and the coffee tastes “off,” then switch to filtered water for your next brew because water quality is a major factor in coffee flavor.
• If the brewed coffee is too concentrated, then increase the amount of water or decrease the amount of coffee for the next brew because the ratio is too high for your preference.
• If the brewed coffee is too weak, then decrease the amount of water or increase the amount of coffee for the next brew because the ratio is too low for your preference.
• If you notice any lingering tea smell or taste in the machine, then clean it thoroughly before attempting coffee because residual flavors will contaminate your brew.
• If your tea maker has a “steep” function that cannot be controlled for time, then you will need to manually stop the water flow after 3-4 minutes because the automatic steeping will likely lead to over-extraction.
• If you are using a very small amount of coffee in a large basket, then the water flow might be uneven, so try to distribute the grounds as evenly as possible to promote consistent extraction.

FAQ

Can I use my Breville tea maker for iced coffee?

While you can brew a concentrated coffee using your tea maker, it’s not designed for the specific immersion or drip methods typically used for iced coffee. You might end up with a strong brew that you can then dilute with ice, but the resulting flavor might not be ideal.

Will the coffee taste like tea?

If your tea maker is not thoroughly cleaned, there’s a high chance residual tea flavors will transfer to your coffee. Always ensure the machine is spotless before brewing coffee.

How do I get the right temperature for coffee?

Check your Breville tea maker’s manual to see its temperature settings. Ideally, you want water between 195°F and 205°F (90.5°C and 96.1°C). If your machine doesn’t reach this range, your coffee will likely be under-extracted.

What kind of coffee grind should I use?

For a tea maker, a medium-coarse grind, similar to coarse sand, is a good starting point. Too fine a grind will clog the filter and make the coffee bitter; too coarse will result in weak coffee.

Is it safe to use coffee in a tea maker?

Generally, yes, it is safe from a mechanical standpoint, provided you are using it as intended for hot water brewing. However, it’s not designed for coffee, so the results may be suboptimal.

How long should I brew coffee in a tea maker?

A typical brewing time for coffee is 3 to 4 minutes. Your tea maker’s preset steeping times are likely different and may not be suitable for coffee. You’ll need to time this manually.

What if my tea maker doesn’t have temperature control?

If your Breville tea maker only heats water to a boiling point and doesn’t offer precise temperature control, it might be too hot for some coffees, leading to bitterness. You might need to let it cool slightly before brewing.

Will I need a paper filter?

If your tea maker’s basket is a fine mesh, a paper filter is highly recommended to capture more coffee grounds and oils, resulting in a cleaner cup. Check if your machine can accommodate one.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific coffee bean recommendations for this brewing method.
• Detailed troubleshooting for unique error codes on your Breville tea maker.
• Advanced coffee brewing techniques like blooming or pour-over methods.

Next, you might want to explore guides on choosing the right coffee grinder for your home, understanding different coffee roast levels, or learning about the science behind optimal coffee extraction.