How to make coffee with a microwave at home: some tips!
Brewing your coffee can be very simple, whether you’re traveling or not, you’ll only need water, coffee grounds, and a cup or mug. Al other appliances or steps are for increasing control over the brewing process.
Did you know that you can use the microwave for heating your water to brew coffee? If you can use it for your minute soup or tea, it shouldn’t be bad for coffee right? Or is your coffee maker broken and you don’t have a spare coffee maker around?
Read on for more info about how to make coffee with a microwave at home!
How to make coffee with a microwave
Everyone has a microwave or oven in their household. It’s one of the most convenient kitchen appliances we know today.
First, we will cover how you can make coffee with a microwave, just using water, coffee grounds, a mug, and the microwave along with a recipe.
How much coffee do you need?
The same as when brewing with other methods aligned with your needs.
For one cup of coffee, you’ll need 1 scoop of coffee grounds or 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds and about 10 oz of water. You can use the golden ratio as guidance.
You can tweak these ratios to your own needs. That’s the essence of brewing. Do you need a stronger cup of coffee? Just add more coffee compared to water. Do you need e weaker cup of coffee? Just add less coffee compared to water.
Equipment and ingredients
- A microwave
- A cup or mug
- 1 scoop or 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds
- 10 oz of water (filtered water if possible)
So pick your cup and add 10 oz of water to it and heat it in the microwave. Every microwave is different, so make sure you don’t overheat the water.
It’s hard to see when it’s boiling because this isn’t heating like you’re heating water in a pan or pot. If you’re doubting, let it cool down for a bit.
After this, add your coffee grounds to it.
How to brew coffee with a microwave and other gear
You can also use the microwave and combine it with other gear and brewing methods.
We will cover the following brewing methods: drip coffee and French Press
Drip Coffee
Drip coffee is perhaps the most popular method of making coffee in the world for some time. We mostly make it with a coffee maker instead of a microwave. We’ll use the microwave like it’s intended to: heating the water. We’re not talking about reheating your drip coffee brew from yesterday!
Here, we should go for coffee grounds with at least medium grind size or grind your whole coffee beans to medium size. If you have the time and possibility to grind them yourself, grind it—generally, the fresher, the better for the taste.
Besides the coffee grounds, water, cup, and microwave, you’ll need a cone coffee maker, like the V60 from Hario, and a coffee filter.
- Ready your cup
- Add the cone coffee maker on top
- Put the coffee filter into the cone coffee maker
- Add your coffee grounds
- Pour the hot water over it and let it drip through
You don’t need a cone coffee maker to make drip coffee, you can also use other alternatives like a coffee filter, kitchen towel, paper towel, or handkerchief. When the need is high, those are nearby!
The point is that you must avoid the grounds to reach your cup because they can heavily dominate (in the wrong way) the flavor profile.
French Press Coffee
French press coffee is another popular method of making coffee. It’s a bit more involved than drip coffee, but it’s still relatively easy to do. All you need is ground coffee, hot water, and a French press.
With the French Press, we’ll add coffee grounds to the bottom, add hot water and let our coffee steep. After this we’ll push the plunger and press all the coffee grounds to the bottom of our pot, leaving us with the coffee.
You can heat the water in the glass carafe of your French Press and put the carafe in the microwave. Never put your French Press in your microwave because coffee makers are made of plastic and metal and other materials that can’t stand the heat from the microwave. Avoid unnecessary risks.
TIPS FOR MAKING COFFEE IN A MICROWAVE
Now that you know a few different ways to make coffee in a microwave, let’s go over some tips to make sure your coffee turns out just the way you like it.
Microwavable cups and mugs
Not every cup or mug can be used for heating in a microwave, not a lot of people know that. If your cup or mug is made of plastic, make sure it doesn’t have any metal details like a handle. Also, make sure the plastic is microwave-safe before you use it. The same goes for mugs made of ceramic, make sure they’re labeled as microwave-safe.
Filtered water
The quality of the water will help ensure the quality of your coffee and its taste.
Overheating water
Don’t heat the water in the microwave for more than 90 seconds and use short intervals. The water can get easily hotter than the boiling point. The microwave heats differently and there’s no convection involved. This can cause severe burns if you aren’t careful.
With these helpful tips in mind, you’re sure to make a great cup of coffee in the microwave. So go ahead and give it a try!
Conclusion
A microwave is an unmissable kitchen appliance for every household and can allow you to make a quick cup of coffee. Be warned though as an accident can happen if you’re not paying attention. Use our tips and guidance for a quick cup of coffee if you don’t have any alternative available, always use it as a last resort!
F.A.Q.
How do I make perfect coffee in the microwave?
You must prepare the following: a microwavable cup, 10 oz of water, 2 tablespoons, or 1 scoop of coffee grounds. If you grind the coffee beans yourself, it will increase the quality because of the freshness. Fill the mug with the water and heat in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes. Don’t make it boil. Add your coffee grounds afterward and use something to filter if possible. You don’t want to have some of the grounds reaching your cup!
Can you make instant coffee in a microwave?
Yes of course. Ready 1 scoop or 2 tablespoons of instant coffee so you can add it quickly to your cup. Fill your microwavable cup with water and heat it in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the instant coffee to it and stir until everything is dissolved. You don’t want to see anything of the granules left. You can add sweeteners if the taste is too bitter.
Can we make black coffee in the microwave?
Yes of course. Fill your microwavable cup with water and heat it before boiling points. If you’re not sure, use intervals of 1 minute. Grind up to 2 tablespoons or 1 scoop of coffee beans or use coffee grounds and let it drip through a coffee filter or coffee filter substitute.
Enjoy your coffee